Category: Transport

MIL-OSI USA: TAKE IT DOWN Act Officially Signed into Law by President Trump
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

strong>(Washington, D.C.) – Today marks a major victory for victims of online exploitation and a defining moment in digital and child safety: President Donald J. Trump has officially signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation—originally introduced in the House by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) and in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)—will protect Americans from the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes.

“Today, through the ‘TAKE IT DOWN’ Act, we affirm that the well-being of our children is central to the future of our families and America. I am proud to say that the values of BE BEST will be reflected in the law of the land,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

“The signing of my TAKE IT DOWN Act is a historic moment in our fight to protect children online. I’m grateful to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for standing with us against the growing threat of online exploitation and AI abuse. For the first time, victims have real legal protection, and parents have a powerful tool to fight back and protect their children from digital threats. Predators will finally face the full force of the law,” said Rep. Maria Salazar.

“The TAKE IT DOWN ACT is an historic win for victims of revenge porn and deepfake image abuse. Predators who weaponize new technology to post this exploitative filth will now rightfully face criminal consequences, and Big Tech will no longer be allowed to turn a blind eye to the spread of this vile material. This day stands as a powerful testament to the bravery and dedication of Elliston Berry, Francesca Mani, Breeze Liu, and Brandon Guffey, whose relentless advocacy made this law possible. I am deeply grateful to my legislative partners, particularly Sen. Amy Klobuchar and First Lady Melania Trump, for their collaboration in advancing this critical legislation to protect every American’s privacy and dignity online,” said Sen. Ted Cruz.

“I am overjoyed that our bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act is now law — a monumental step in the fight to protect Americans’ privacy, empower victims, and address sexually explicit AI deepfakes. This was made possible by many advocates and partners — including Representatives Salazar and Dingell in the House, Senators Cruz and Klobuchar in the Senate, and the President and First Lady. Today is evidence that when we work together, we can accomplish important work for the American people,” said Rep Madeleine Dean.

“In an age where personal images can be stolen and weaponized in seconds, the signing of the TAKE IT DOWN Act into law marks a pivotal step forward. Our bipartisan law creates the first federal protections against non-consensual intimate imagery and AI-generated deepfakes—finally giving survivors the right to reclaim control and hold offenders accountable. I’m proud to have championed this legislation alongside Rep. Salazar, whose leadership was instrumental to this achievement,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

“The publication of sexually exploitative images—including AI-generated deepfakes – is a terrifying and destructive part of the digital age. I applaud the First Lady for bringing attention to this issue, and the Problem Solvers Caucus will work with her across party lines to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act to address these reprehensible acts. Let it be the first of many actions we take in this Congress to get things done,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Tom Suozzi.

With the President’s signature, the TAKE IT DOWN law now becomes the strongest federal tool to date for combatting “revenge porn,” digital harassment, and image-based sexual abuse. This new law sends a clear message to both predators and platforms: online exploitation will no longer be tolerated, and accountability will be enforced at every level. It is a major win for families and parents across America who can finally feel more secure knowing their children are better protected in today’s digital world.

The law addresses the growing threat of deepfake technology, which allows perpetrators to create explicit, realistic images—usually of women and girls—without consent. Many victims don’t discover these images until after serious harm is done. By setting clear federal standards and requiring swift takedowns, the law closes a dangerous gap that left victims with little recourse.

Rep. María Elvira Salazar led the charge in the House, reintroducing the bill in January 2025. First Lady Melania Trump played a pivotal role in elevating the issue, hosting a high-profile roundtable on Capitol Hill and mobilizing bipartisan support. The law was passed unanimously in the Senate in February 2025 and received final approval in the House soon after.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act has earned support from over 120 organizations, including major tech companies like Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Amazon, as well as advocacy groups.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act addresses these issues while protecting lawful speech by:
- Criminalizing the publication of Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) or the threat to publish NCII in interstate commerce;
- Protecting good faith efforts to assist victims by permitting the good faith disclosure of NCII for the purpose of law enforcement or medical treatment;
- Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victims within 48 hours; and
- Requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a ‘reasonable person’ test for appearing to realistically depict an individual, to conform to current First Amendment jurisprudence.
A Legislative Milestone for Rep. Salazar

The TAKE IT DOWN Act is the ninth piece of legislation sponsored by Rep. Salazar to be signed into law, further cementing her role as a national leader in the fight to safeguard Americans—especially women and minors—from digital abuse. Other key policies sponsored by Rep. Salazar that have been enacted into law include:
- The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act – Honors 60 diplomats who risked their lives during World War II to save Jews from Nazi persecution. Signed into law in December 2024.
- The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act – Protects migratory birds and their habitat, critical for the Everglades. Signed into law in April 2024.
- The RECLAIM Taxpayer Funds Act – Recovers billions in fraudulent government loans and restores fiscal responsibility and government accountability. Implemented by the Biden Administration in December 2023.
- The REEF Act – Incentivizes retired Navy ships to be sunk and used as artificial reefs in marine ecosystems across America. Signed into law in December 2023.
- The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act – Reauthorizes critical funding for programs that address mental health and substance abuse issues. Signed into law in December 2022.
- The PRICE Act – Makes it easier for small businesses to get federal contracts. Signed into law in February 2022.
- The Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act – Sanctions the Ortega Regime in Nicaragua. Signed into law in November 2021.
- The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Relief Act – Provides economic relief for Floridians. Implemented by the Biden Administration in March 2021.
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MIL OSI USA News –
May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Amnesty International call for prevent duty to be scrapped

Source: Amnesty International –

– On National Children’s Day, Amnesty International called for the controversial Prevent duty to be scrapped

– Amnesty took their message directly to delegates at the Education World Forum

– 40% of people reported to the UK government’s “Prevent” duty are between 11-15 years old. The vast majority do not meet the criteria for intervention.

On National Children’s Day, Amnesty’s Children’s Human Rights Network called for the UK to scrap the controversial Prevent duty. They took their message directly to delegates at the Education World Forum, a prestigious gathering of global education ministers, hosted by the Department of Education.

Members of the network held signs saying “No “Prevent” duty in our Schools”, “Students not Suspects”, “Teachers not Spies” and more, and gave out information to show how Prevent violates people’s rights in the UK and negatively impacts children’s education.

The UN has called for the suspension of Prevent and has recognised its role in human rights violations [1].

Amnesty’s research has shown that 93% of people reported to the “Prevent” duty do not meet the criteria for intervention, meaning they’re not at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Nevertheless 40% of people reported to the UK government’s “Prevent” duty are between 11-15 years old and 297 children under 10 have been reported to the UK government’s “Prevent” duty.

Amnesty’s research has found examples including 11-year-old Zain, who was referred by his school. During a fire drill, he said he hoped the school “burned down”. Zain had told the school the comment was a “joke” because he was “stressed with the homework” and school rules.

Ilyas Nagdee, Amnesty International UK’s Racial Justice Director, said: “The Prevent Duty is a dangerously broken system and is having a chilling effect on the lives and freedoms of thousands of innocent children. Under 15-year-olds make up over 40% of those reported which can severely impact their lives and futures. Yet in the vast majority of cases they don’t meet the criteria for intervention.

One of the key issues is the distrust Prevents builds from students with the very teachers and staff they should be able to go to for care and guidance. Moreover, it causes many self-censor out of fear of being reported. This includes modifying their behaviour, refraining from joining campaigning groups and attending protests or expressing their religious and political views.

The Government should listen to the UN and recognise that the Prevent Duty is a human rights violation and suspend it immediately.”

1]https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/TBSearch.aspx?Lang=en&TreatyID=6&CountryID=185

MIL OSI NGO –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – A coordinated EU approach to housing – 20-05-2025

Source: European Parliament

The recent cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated a longstanding problem with housing affordability in the EU. Higher building costs and mortgage rates, together with a related decrease in housing construction, have made access to home ownership more difficult. At the same time, investors use housing as a vehicle for investment. Growing numbers of people are struggling to access affordable housing, whether to rent or to buy, particularly in cities. Across Europe, homelessness is rising. In addition, many residential buildings need to be made energy-efficient and decarbonised in order to achieve the EU’s energy and climate goals, lower energy consumption and reduce energy bills. While the EU has no direct competence in the area of housing and only a limited scope of action to address social issues, it provides relevant guidance and funding, and has carried out several initiatives to support housing. Furthermore, certain EU rules have a indirect impact on housing provision, starting with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In parallel, many sources of EU funding are available for various housing-related purposes in the current financing period. In the run-up to the 2024 European elections, the lack of adequate and affordable housing, and the need to address it at EU level, emerged as a concern across the whole of the EU and the entire political spectrum. The new European Commission) is giving housing policy visibility and weight by proposing a coordinated approach. For the first time, housing has become a distinct part of a commissioner’s portfolio. Dan Jørgensen, the new Commissioner for Energy and Housing, is responsible for dealing with several complex issues relating to housing. In 2024, the spotlight was on affordable housing, while 2025 is seeing a scaling-up of housing-related policy developments across the EU institutions, including discussions, consultations and funding initiatives. This updates a briefing published in January 2025.

MIL OSI Europe News –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: European agriculture faces growing climate risks that EU can help counter, new study finds
Source: European Investment Bank
- EU agriculture sector loses more than €28 billion a year as a result of adverse weather, according to new report
- Farm insurance in Europe can play key role to keep climate risks in check, says study published by EIB and European Commission
- EU can do more to expand insurance coverage for European farmers
The European Union agricultural sector loses more than €28 billion a year, on average, as a result of adverse weather such as droughts and the EU can do more to reduce such business risks, including by expanding farm insurance, according to a groundbreaking new study.

The analysis, published jointly today by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission, says that worsening climate change threatens to increase EU agricultural average annual losses as much as 66% by 2050, and urges a stronger EU risk-management system for the sector.

Only 20% to 30% of climate-induced farm losses in the EU are insured through public, private or mutual systems including those supported by Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Insurance coverage backed by public funding is often more effective than government compensation programmes, according to the study.

“Climate-related risks are an increasing source of uncertainty for food production. Mitigating these risks through insurance and de-risking mechanisms is essential to support the investments of European farmers,” said EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti. “The findings of this analysis will guide our future action as we step up support to bolster the resilience of the EU’s agricultural system.”

The EIB Group to date has supported the EU farm industry in three main ways. One is loans and guarantees to agricultural businesses or equity stakes in them. The second is the financing of rural infrastructure such as irrigation and roads. The third is advice to public authorities and financial institutions on how EU farm grants can be used to attract funding from other sources and to limit risks included those related to climate.

Commissioner for agriculture and food, Christophe Hansen, said: “Climate change and its consequences could restrict farmers’ access to finance, as banks could become even more reluctant to take risks than they are today. The study we are publishing today with the EIB shows that only 20% to 30% of climate-related losses are insured by public, private or mutual systems. We need to do something to cover the remaining losses. I encourage all Member States to assess and launch new financial instruments under their CAP Strategic Plans, to better prevent climate risks in the agricultural sector. I also welcome the work of the EIB Group, which is playing a key role in mobilising capital to ensure the long-term resilience of the EU’s agri-food sector.”

The new study is the first-of-its-kind analysis of agriculture-insurance schemes across the EU. It was commissioned by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and carried out by EIB Advisory, under the fi-compass platform, with the support of the global insurance intermediary group Howden.

Publication of the report coincides with an EIB-Commission conference in Brussels on Insurance and access to finance for farm resilience and adaptation in the EU.

Across the 27-nation EU, climate-induced losses for the agricultural sector average €28.3 billion a year, according to the study. That’s around 6% of annual EU crop and livestock production.

Global warming threatens to cause greater volatility in EU agricultural yields and more instability in European farm incomes, with projected losses rising between 42% and 66% by mid-century, according to the report.

It examines the broad impact of weather on agriculture and explores options for expanding farm insurance in Europe and for encouraging the sector to reduce risks through climate adaptation.

Main recommendations in the report include:
- To limit economic shocks for farmers, the EU should pursue risk-transfer measures including catastrophe bonds and public-private reinsurance arrangements
- The EU should provide rapid-response funding when disasters occur
- The sector as a whole should take more adaptation steps because, even with improved insurance coverage, they are critical for countering future climate risks.
Background information  

EIB 

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The EIB finances investments in eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high -impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.   

All projects financed by the EIB Group are aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, as set out in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects that contribute directly to climate change mitigation, adaptation and a healthier environment.   

In addition to financing, the EIB offers advisory services that help public and private partners develop and implement high-quality, investment-ready projects. In 2024 alone, EIB advisory teams helped mobilise over 200 billion of investment across Europe and beyond.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.

About fi-compass

Delivered by EIB Advisory, fi-compass is a unique advisory platform established by the European Commission in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). It is designed to support EU Member States and their managing authorities in the implementation of financial instruments under the European Shared Management Funds for Cohesion and Agriculture policy. The platform provides comprehensive guidance, practical know-how, and learning tools on financial instruments, helping to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public investments.

About Howden

Howden is a global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, it provides insurance broking, reinsurance broking and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from individuals to the largest multinational companies.

The group operates in 55 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 22,000 people and handling $45bn of premium on behalf of clients.
MIL OSI Europe News –
May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese peacekeepers to South Sudan start rehabilitating main supply route from Tonj to Romich 2025-05-20 16:36:08 On May 17, the 15th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) launched the rehabilitation of a main supply route from Tonj to Romich.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
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MIL OSI China News –
May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese peacekeepers to South Sudan start rehabilitating main supply route from Tonj to Romich
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
By Zhang Xiaokun and Chen Longge

The Chinese peacekeeping engineers set out. (Photo by Zhang Xiaokun)

WAU, South Sudan, May 20 — On May 17, local time, the 15th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) launched the rehabilitation of a main supply route from Tonj to Romich.

The route to be repaired covers a total length of about 112 kilometers, which is a vital part of the supply line for the UN to carry out humanitarian relief in South Sudan. Due to long-term conflicts and natural erosion, the original road has been severely damaged, seriously inhibiting the transportation of humanitarian supplies and the travel of local residents.

Upon receiving the task, the Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent immediately organized surveys and worked out a construction plan, aiming to complete the rehabilitation process including road flattening, drainage system construction, and subgrade strengthening in 50 working days. According to the plan, the rehabilitation work will involve 43 troops and 23 engineering machines. These troops will camp outdoors throughout the whole process.

It is learned that since its deployment to the mission area in December last year, the Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent has completed underground bunker construction, internally displaced persons (IDP) camp resettlement, infrastructure upgrading and reconstruction for the Super Camp, and other tasks, winning high praise from the UNMISS.
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MIL OSI China News –
May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s renovation of old residential communities benefits 120 million people by end-2024

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

China’s renovation of old residential communities benefits 120 million people by end-2024

BEIJING, May 20 — China renovated 280,000 old residential communities from 2019 to 2024, benefiting more than 120 million people, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Qin Haixiang said Tuesday.

The nationwide program has benefited 48 million households, Qin said at a State Council Information Office press conference on a set of guidelines regarding the country’s urban renewal efforts.

The renovation program has upgraded 360,000 km of aging pipelines, added 3.87 million parking spaces, and constructed 78,000 community service facilities for elderly care and childcare, according to official data.

Local authorities have focused on addressing residents’ most pressing concerns. They also implemented energy-efficiency renovations covering 446 million square meters of residential buildings nationwide.

Regions across China have also prioritized installing elevators in existing residential buildings as a key livelihood project. This initiative has particularly benefited the elderly and mobility-impaired.

“This allows elderly people with mobility difficulties and trouble navigating stairs to now conveniently go downstairs to enjoy sunshine and chat with longtime neighbors,” Qin said. “This benefits their physical and mental health and has been widely welcomed by the communities.”

By the end of 2024, China’s urbanization rate reached 67 percent, with 940 million people living in urban areas, according to official data. The country is intensifying efforts to advance its urban renewal initiative as it strives to build livable, resilient and smart cities, and to bolster high-quality development.

In its latest push, China on May 15 unveiled a set of guidelines, pledging increased policy and financial support for urban renewal projects, which can range from gas pipe updates and lift installations to the renovation of old factories into commercial zones.

The guidelines, issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, are designed to achieve key progress in the country’s urban renewal campaign by 2030. They also aim to improve safety conditions, enhance service efficiency, elevate living environments, develop business models, and preserve cultural heritage.

“We’re working to improve utilization of existing resources by renovating old factories, inefficient buildings, and traditional commercial facilities,” Qin noted.

MIL OSI China News –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for April remains at lowest level

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for April remains at lowest level
In April, all 64 survey areas recorded a gravidtrap index level lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in April was 1.1, which means that an average of 1.1 Aedes albopictus adult was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk
The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.Issued at HKT 17:00

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: S for Housing commences visit to Paris (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

S for Housing commences visit to Paris
In the morning, Ms Ho visited a social housing project which is undergoing renovation and will be upgraded into an energy saving and environmentally friendly building. She learned about the city’s ways to minimise impacts of the works on the residents while they remain in place during the renovation. During the visit, Ms Ho shared the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA)’s experience in redeveloping aged public housing estates. This included conducting detailed studies and listening carefully to stakeholders’ views through diversified means to forge a consensus and formulate the most suitable and cost-effective redevelopment plans to ensure that the needs of affected residents are catered for, while improving the environment of the public housing estates and neighbourhood. Furthermore, to enhance the sense of well-being of the residents, the Housing Bureau (HB) and the HKHA launched a resident-oriented “Well-being design” guide last year. It serves as a reference for the future design of new public housing estates and the improvement works of existing estates to create a more comfortable and inclusive estate environment.

She visited a zero carbon district in Paris, Îlot Fertile, in the afternoon. Îlot Fertile is a composite development project with abundant green space, integrating social housing, office, commercial, retail, hostels and more. Renewable energy systems and innovative construction technologies are adopted during the construction to implement low-carbon building initiatives and enhance energy efficiency in buildings.

Ms Ho said that air ventilation assessments and microclimate studies are carried out for the HKHA’s new public housing developments to enhance environmental performance in aspects such as wind environment, natural ventilation and natural light exposure in buildings. The HB and the HKHA have also been actively promoting the application of innovative construction technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and construction robotics. These help to enhance construction quality and efficiency, shorten construction time and greatly reduce material waste, making the construction more environment friendly. Hong Kong and Paris share the same vision in promoting energy saving and green buildings, and she hoped to strengthen relevant co-operation between the two cities.

Ms Ho visited the Construction Innovation Centre at the Bouygues Construction headquarters afterwards. She met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bouygues Construction Group (the Group), Mr Pascal Minault, and Deputy CEO of the Group Mr Pierre-Éric Saint-André to exchange ideas on the latest smart building technologies, green building and sustainable urban development. Ms Ho said that Bouygues Construction and Dragages Hong Kong, headed by the Group, have established a presence in Hong Kong for many years, and have contributed in various infrastructure, government buildings and public housing projects. She looked forward to continued collaboration in driving the industry to usher in a new era of smart construction.

Ms Ho will continue her visit today (May 20, Paris time).
Issued at HKT 13:04

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TD renews electronic audible traffic signals at crossings to provide convenience for visually impaired persons and public at large (with photos/videos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

TD renews electronic audible traffic signals at crossings to provide convenience for visually impaired persons and public at large (with photos/videos) A spokesman for the TD said, “We have consulted the Subcommittee on Access under the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, and have been maintaining good communication with representatives of visually impaired groups to optimise the functions and settings of the new eATS. The operation of the new eATS under the pilot project earlier has been smooth, and we are pleased to note the overall satisfaction of visually impaired groups with various new features which better cater for and strike a fine balance between the needs of the users and the public at large. This is conducive to upgrading the road safety experience in Hong Kong as we aspire to be barrier-free city.”

The spokesman added that most of the existing eATS have been in operation for over two decades, exceeding their normal lifespan. Their fault rate has also been gradually increasing, necessitating a large-scale replacement. The TD commenced replacement of a total of some 13 000 eATS at about 2 000 junctions across the territory from April 2025 in phases, and is expected to complete the replacement by end-2027.
Issued at HKT 13:00

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien from Romania Pleads Guilty in South Florida to Laundering Proceeds of Online Auction Fraud Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MIAMI – Giuliano Orlando Costin Sandu, 32, a Romanian national illegally present in the U.S., has pleaded guilty to a concealment money laundering scheme operating out of South Florida.

In plea documents and statements made during a hearing in federal court in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Sandu admitted to laundering the illegal proceeds of a nationwide online auction fraud scheme that targeted U.S. citizens who were duped into believing they were purchasing expensive cars, boats, and tractors through online auction platforms. In fact, the ads and auctions were all part of an elaborate online scam that tricked victims into wiring money to one of several accounts opened by Sandu in South Florida. Sandu used several shell companies, false identities, and fake identity documents, including a counterfeit Czech passport, to open the accounts and conceal his identity.

Once the money was deposited into Sandu’s accounts, he would quickly withdraw large amounts of cash, often from multiple accounts in various branches on the same day, in order to prevent recoupment and conceal the nature, location, and ultimate control of the fraud proceeds. Sandu admitted to laundering over three quarters of a million dollars between late 2023 and early 2024.

Sandu was arrested at a local bank branch in April of this year as he attempted to open new bank accounts using a new fake identity with additional false identification documents.

Sandu’s sentencing hearing is set for August 15 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Securities Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

HSI’s Miami and Salt Lake City, Utah, Field Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Juenger is prosecuting it.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20262.

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MIL Security OSI –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Tennessee Woman Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft In Scheme Involving Fraudulent Deed Transfers And Property Sales

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Alicia England, 32, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez and pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for orchestrating a scheme involving fraudulent deed transfers and sales of properties in North Carolina and elsewhere, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

According to filed plea documents and today’s court hearing, from October 2022 to August 2024, England engaged in a wire fraud scheme involving, among other things, the filing of bogus deeds for residential real estate in North Carolina and other states, and the misuse of property owners’ personal identifying information (PII). As part of the scheme, England caused bogus deeds to be filed for certain properties, and then sold, and attempted to sell, those properties to third parties. England’s fraudulent scheme involved at least 19 properties worth over $1.4 million.

As England admitted in court today, the defendant stole the identities of various living and deceased individuals and used those identities and PII to open bank accounts, file fraudulent deeds, and enter into real estate sales for properties she did not actually own. For example, England utilized falsified trust documents in the name of VGR, a deceased individual. England admitted to causing the electronic filing of fraudulent quitclaim deeds purporting to transfer multiple real estate parcels from identity theft victims to the VGR Trust. After the fraudulent quitclaim deeds were filed, England advertised those properties for sale, including through online marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace. England then negotiated the sales of the properties with interested buyers and arranged for the proceeds of the sales to be wired to bank accounts she controlled, including accounts in her own name, the VGR Trust, and in the names of other identity theft victims.

England pleaded guilty to wire fraud which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. England was released on bond following the plea hearing. A sentencing date has not been set.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the U.S. Secret Service for the investigation of this case and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for its assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Violent pimp who trafficked victims in Washington, Oregon, and across the country sentenced to 11 years in prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant preyed on juvenile as well as young adults to support his expensive lifestyle of luxury cars, multiple apartments, travel, and luxury goods

Tacoma – A 35-year-old Washington State man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Dominique Terrel Gonzales used residences in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, Washington, as well as different short-term rental homes on the East Coast, during the period when he preyed on young women, forcing them into prostitution. Gonzales has been in federal custody since his arrest for illegal firearms possession in August 2020.

At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, Gonzales “engaged in monstrous activity that profoundly affected a number of people. In many ways, your victims have lifetime sentences as a result of the harm you’ve caused. It is hard to overstate the human suffering and damage . . . The victims in this case go beyond those that you abused. You can see how profoundly your actions have affected their families.”

“For years this defendant used violence, threats, and emotional coercion to force vulnerable young women into having sex with strangers and giving their earnings to him,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “He preyed upon teenagers and young women who were insecure and estranged from their families. To maintain control over his victims, Gonzales physically beat them, verbally assaulted them, and forced them to install tracking programs on their cellphones so that he could follow their every move. He used whatever means necessary to ensure that his victims engaged in prostitution to fund his luxurious lifestyle.”

“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for the criminal conduct he perpetrated for years within the Western District of Washington,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Predators who target and coerce the vulnerable face appropriately serious sanctions under federal law, and the Justice Department will continue to seek significant sentences to vindicate the rights of human trafficking victims.”

Law enforcement in Idaho, Southwest Washington, and Seattle investigated the case. According to records in the case, in August 2020, Gonzales trafficked a juvenile female causing her to engage in commercial sex acts. Gonzales transported the girl across state lines to Portland, Oregon, for her to engage in commercial sex acts.

The investigation revealed that between 2016 and 2019, Gonzalez also forced four adult women to work for him as prostitutes – using force, fraud, and coercion to make them do his bidding. One of the victims was lured from her home in Idaho and then forced to engage in prostitution. Many of the victims met Gonzales through online dating aps. After he lured them in promising a relationship, he put them to work doing sex acts with strangers. Gonzales arranged the “dates” and forced the women to turn over any money they earned. He used violence and threats of violence to keep the victims working for him.

At the time of his arrest, Gonzales illegally possessed a Desert Eagle 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Three felony convictions prohibit him from possessing firearms: Two counts of second-degree assault (domestic violence) from August 2014 in King County Superior Court and one count of unlawful imprisonment – domestic violence, from the same incident.

In asking for a 12-year prison sentence and 15 years of supervised release prosecutors wrote to the court, “The facts make clear that Gonzales is a manipulative, violent predator who targets vulnerable women to work for him in prostitution and then brutally beats them to keep them under his control….. Despite being prohibited from doing so, Gonzales possessed firearms and used them to threaten and frighten his victims. As a result of their victimization, all five victims have suffered significant trauma – trauma that they were forced to revisit during the course of this prosecution.”

“Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that those who prey on vulnerable children through violence and exploitation will be held fully accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “This individual used force and coercion to rob a minor of their freedom and dignity, and justice has now been served. This outcome was made possible through the unwavering collaboration with our law enforcement partners across multiple jurisdictions, whose dedication and coordination were vital to this investigation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and ensuring that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”

Judge Settle ordered that Gonzales be on supervised release for 15 years following his prison term. Restitution for the victims will be determined at a hearing in August 2025.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Olympia Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Idaho State Police, Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), and the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Crisham for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Jessica Arco of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case. Ms. Crisham leads the Anti-Trafficking prosecutions in the Western District of Washington.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking

MIL Security OSI –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Gunnison Man Sentenced to 110 Months in Prison for Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Scott Oldenberg, 36, of Gunnison, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

On June 6, 2023, the defendant was identified as a possible burglary suspect in Mount Crested Butte. Officers later searched his vehicle and found two firearms (a .40 caliber with an obliterated serial number and a 9MM), as well as additional firearm parts, including a firearm silencer. The .40 caliber handgun recovered from the defendant’s vehicle was fitted with a “Glock switch,” a conversion device that caused the handgun to function as a machine gun.

On June 25, 2023, law enforcement officers in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, searched another vehicle in the defendant’s possession—this time, a Hertz rental car that had been reported stolen. They recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and an AR-15; additional firearm parts, including two suppressors; and magazines and ammunition.

Before June 6, 2023, the defendant had been convicted of a felony that was punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. He was therefore barred from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

“Mr. Oldenberg has forfeited his right to own firearms,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado J. Bishop Grewell. “Our office will continue to prioritize punishing felons in possession of weapons outfitted with machine gun conversion devices.”

“Coordinated law enforcement efforts leave no place for violent offenders to hide,” said ATF Denver Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. “We are grateful for our local and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. Together we ensured he will no longer present the danger of bringing violent crime into our communities.”

“We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their dedication to this investigation and prosecution,” said Mt. Crested Butte Police Chief Nate Stepanek. “This sentence reflects our continued commitment to ensuring public safety and holding offenders accountable for their actions.”

“It is a testament to Colorado law enforcement that our teamwork and collaboration results in the removal of so many dangerous individuals from our streets. I am proud of the members of the Wheat Ridge Police Department for the role they played in this multijurisdictional effort and the results,” said Wheat Ridge Police Chief Christopher Murtha.

United States District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the sentencing. The Denver Field Office of the ATF, the Denver Field Office of the FBI, the Mount Crested Butte Police Department, and the Wheat Ridge Police Department handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Springer and Kurt Bohn handled the prosecution.

Case Number: 24-cr-00022-GPG

MIL Security OSI –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Billings woman sentenced to 11 years in prison for drug and gun charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BILLINGS – A Billings woman who admitted trafficking fentanyl while possessing a firearm was sentenced today to 11 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Renee Esperanza Arambula, 27, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in early 2023, the DEA began investigating Arambula for suspected drug trafficking. Agents discovered by reviewing financial documents that between May 2020 and January 2023, Arambula deposited over $230,000 of cash into the bank and received thousands more through electronic payment but was making only a small fraction of that through formal employment. Much of the money was proceeds of drug trafficking.

Based on its financial analysis, witness interviews, surveillance, and other investigative techniques, the DEA learned Arambula was trafficking fentanyl and other drugs in and around Billings, Montana. Specifically, individuals admitted purchasing more than 400 grams of fentanyl from Arambula between late 2020 and early 2023.

According to statements at the sentencing hearing and court documents, on January 28, 2023, during the course of her drug trafficking, Arambula used a firearm to shoot two unarmed men. She shot the first man at point-blank range in the neck, rendering him a paraplegic. Arambula then shot the second man in the abdomen as he was pleading for her not to shoot. Law enforcement recovered fentanyl pills and a firearm in Arambula’s possession.

The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Billings Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

MIL Security OSI –

May 20, 2025
India leads call for inclusive energy governance at BRICS ministers’ meet

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, led the Indian delegation at the BRICS energy ministers’ meeting held in Brasília, Brazil, under the country’s ongoing presidency. The meeting was convened under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”

During his address, the minister highlighted energy security as one of the most pressing global challenges and emphasized the urgent need to deepen BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability, sustainability, and equitable access to energy resources. He reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future and commended Brazil’s leadership in advancing the collective energy agenda of the Global South.

Showcasing India’s rapid progress in clean energy development, Lal noted a 90 percent increase in electricity generation capacity over the past decade, reaching 475 GW in 2025, with a national target of 900 GW by 2032. He said that India had become the world’s third-largest producer of solar and wind energy and was progressing steadily toward its Nationally Determined Contributions.

Lal also highlighted India’s achievement of a 20 percent ethanol blending milestone, underlining its role in advancing biofuel adoption and emissions reduction. The country is also investing heavily in smart grid infrastructure, advanced metering systems, and expanded transmission networks, including the Green Energy Corridor.

Additionally, India has set ambitious goals for green hydrogen and nuclear energy, including a target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. The recent launch of a domestic Carbon Credit Market was also mentioned, with the minister inviting global collaboration in this initiative.

Lal underlined the importance of energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure development through programs such as the Energy Conservation Sustainable Buildings Code, rooftop solar initiatives, and improved standards for energy-efficient appliances. He further emphasized the role of the Global Biofuels Alliance in enhancing international cooperation in the biofuels sector.

While advocating for clean energy, the minister also acknowledged the continuing role of fossil fuels in the global energy mix, particularly for developing countries. He called for greater international cooperation in promoting cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels through technologies such as coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, and green chemical innovations.

Lal extended an invitation to the BRICS nations to participate in the next BRICS Energy Gathering, which is scheduled to be hosted by India in 2026. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to leading the energy dialogue for the Global South and to building a collaborative path toward a more secure, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.

May 20, 2025
People are waiting with bated breath, the money trail, its source, its purpose, did it pollute the judicial system? Who are the bigger sharks, asks VP om justice verma cash recovery case

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (2)

lign=”center”>The rule of law is the very foundation of society; VP questions delay in FIR Time has come to revisit K. Veeraswami Judgement, a Judicial Legerdemain -VP Judicial landscape is changing for the better-VP expresses hope 3 member Committee has no constitutional premise or legal sanctity-VP on Justice verma cash recovery case We must believe in protocol, really beholden to the present Chief Justice for inviting attention to protocol-VP I am also a sufferer-VP on protocol breach

The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has today stated that it is time to revisit the K Veeraswamy judgement of 1991. In his address he stated, “ The genesis of this impregnable cover is a judgment imparted by the Supreme Court in K. Veeraswami case 1991. If I may put it…..Judicial Legerdemain. Normally it is used for legislature. Am I right? Erected scaffolding of impunity, paring neutralising all salvos of accountability and transparency. Time for us now to change. And I have full trust and confidence in the present Supreme Court, which is of eminent people, people of integrity. In a short time the present Chief Justice has shown that things are soothing for people at large.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924472198896431405

In his address he further added, “ There is need to protect judiciary. We have to ensure our judges are not made vulnerable because they decide fearlessly. They do the most difficult job. They deal with powers in the executive. They deal with powers in industry. They deal with mighty power that has great economic strength and institutional authority. And therefore, we must protect them. We must evolve our mechanism. Not for a moment I will see. I will indicate that we must make our judges vulnerable. No. We have to provide judges with something like impregnability when it comes to challenge to the judges on sinister premise by pernicious design by forces that cannot digest independence of judiciary. But that requires in-house regulatory mechanism which is transparent, accountable expeditious and which should not have peer concern. We all are victims of it. For example, in Parliament, a breach of privilege is determined by the same people who sit alongside but we have to be ruthless”.

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924471036374045173

Speaking at the book release function of the book ‘The Constitution We Adopted (With Artworks)’ edited by Shri Vijay Hansaria at Bharat Mandapam, Shri Dhankhar underlined, “…….a robust Judicial system is quintessential to survival of democracy, to blossoming of democracy. And if that system, for one incident, is clouded somewhat, it is our pious obligation to clear the air at the earliest. And I say so for this reason, that investigation all over the world is domain of the executive, adjudication thereof is the domain of judiciary. I wonder, as Chairman Rajya Sabha, having examined the scenario which obtains in the country for removal of a judge………the committee can be legitimately constituted only either by the Speaker or the Chairman, as the case may be, when requisite number of members of Parliament come with a resolution to remove the judge. Now just imagine how much labor has gone to Chief Justices of two high courts. In one high court, the coverage area is two states and a union territory. They involved with an inquiry which does not have any constitutional premise or legal sanctity but most importantly it will be in consequential. The inquiry report may be sent to anyone under a mechanism evolved by the court on the administrative side. Can in this country we afford to invest so much time at the cost of administrative work of the chief justice of High Court? A judicial work of the High Court? And I still wonder, while investigating, or so-called investigation, the Three Judge Committee recovered electronic equipments from people. This is a serious issue. How can this be done? All I am suggesting to you is, with that caveat, I’m a foot soldier of judiciary. We have to set highest standards, exemplary standards indicating adherence to rule of law”.

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924457449131548698

Emphasizing on the significance of rule of law in a democracy, the Vice-President stated, “ We’re confronted with the jarring reality. A judge’s residents in lutyens Delhi had burnt notes, cash. There is no FIR till date. We have in the country rule of law, criminal justice system. And if I go to the legal field which is occupied by legislation, there can be no occasion whatsoever to delay even for a moment because that is ordainment of law. The rule of law is the very foundation of society. Democracy has to be defined primarily by three aspects. expression. Second, dialogue. Third, accountability……The surest way to degenerate an individual or bring down an Institution is to keep it away from probe, keep it away from scrutiny…..And therefore, if we have to really nurture democracy, ensure that democracy blossoms, it is inescapable that we hold every institution accountable and every individual accountable and in accordance with law.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924462174602457386

“Today I am reflecting not as a by standing detector but as a foot soldier of judiciary. I have given my best life in judiciary and I was extremely lucky. I can never envisage that I will do anything which in the remotest form will compromise dignity of judiciary. I started with that, protocol. But I have raised issues consistently because a robust independent judicial system is the safest guarantee for the citizen and also for survival of democracy. Now, I find at the moment a big change taking place. Judicial landscape is changing for the better. The outgoing Chief Justice, Justice Khanna, set very high standards in accountability, transparency. He needs to be commended that the incident to which I referred at the residence of a judge. And please don’t mistake me. I give highest premium and value to innocence of a person. We are supposed to be innocent till proved otherwise. I am casting no aspersions. But all I say is that when it comes to national interest, we cannot divide into compartments, insiders or outsiders. We all are united in nurturing constitutional sense and spirit. I am the one who held the fort that because of legacy issues mechanism evolved by a judgement in early 90s. The present Supreme Court did what it could to the maximum extent. But time has come now for revisitation because the scenario is indeed one. for which every person in the country is waiting. They want nothing but absolute truth to come out”, he added.

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924466096704192699

Stressing further on the need for a scientific criminal investigation, Shri Dhankhar stated, “Everyone in the country is now thinking whether this will be washed off, whether it will fade with time, and they are really concerned. How come criminal justice system was not operationalised as it would have done for every other individual? Even with respect to the Hon’ble President and the Governor, only the two functionaries. The coverage of immunity is only while they hold the office. And therefore, being integral part of this institution, that has defined what we are today and that defines what our democracy is today. This issue for which people are waiting with bated breath, the money trail, its source, its purpose, did it pollute the judicial system? Who are the bigger sharks. We need to find out. Already two months have gone by, and no one knows better than people before me. Investigation is required to be with expedition. So is the case with the registration of an FIR. I do hope and believe that the Supreme Court acted the very best so far because it had a legacy issue of judgments imparted in 90s. But now is the time to take a call. Partly the confidence has been restored by Justice Khanna. When you put in public domain documentation which people thought will never be shown to them. That was a big step by him to project accountability and transparency. If democratic values have to prosper, I am sure this is a test case. There must be swift investigation by those concerned with investigation. We must use scientific material. People in the front line particularly know, not many things are happening. And these days, tough times. Most guarded secret is an open secret on the street. Everyone knows it. Names are floating. Several reputations have become fragile. People think the system has really suffered something like a great challenge. The system will get purified. It will get image makeover once the culprits are brought to book and not for a moment I am indicating anyone as a culprit. Everyone is innocent till proved otherwise.”

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924475192325104004

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924473245652140368

“The entire nation was worried. An incident took place on the night intervening 14th and 15th of March. A nation of 1.4 billion did not come to know about it. Till after a week. Just imagine how many such other incidents may have taken place of which we are not in the know of because every such transgression of integrity impacts common man, impacts those who believe in rule of law, in merit and therefore we have to be unsparing about it. The motto of the Supreme Court, which you must have seen number of times, I saw it every time–यतो धर्मः ततो जयः Where there is dharma, there is victory. सत्यमेव जयते Truth has to triumph in this case”, he added

https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1924456239917846789

Inviting attention to the recent remarks by the CJI regarding protocol, Shri Dhankhar today stated, “This morning I was reminded of something which is very critical in the country and that is not for oneself. What the present Chief Justice said, we must believe in protocol. Chief Justice of the country and protocol is placed very high. When he indicated this, it was not personal, first for the position he holds and I am sure this will be kept in mind by one and all. In a sense, I am also a sufferer, you have seen the photograph of the President and the Prime Minister but not of the Vice-President. Once I demit the office, I’ll ensure that my successor has a photograph but I am really beholden to the present Chief Justice for inviting attention to the people in bureaucracy adherence to protocol is fundamental.”

May 20, 2025
Nepal: Leaders, experts call for ‘bigger space’ in enhancing ties with India

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Nepal’s political leaders, lawmakers, and foreign policy experts have urged the country to seek a more prominent role in its relationship with India, particularly in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“We are so tempted that we should create a space in New Delhi out of the partnership that we have had till now, and particularly after the Pahalgam incident,” Minendra Rijal, a former minister and senior leader of the Nepali Congress, said on Monday.

Speaking at an event in Kathmandu , organized by the Institute for Public Policy and Partnership, Rijal noted that as India’s relationships with some of its other neighbours face challenges, Nepal should seize the opportunity to assert its importance. He called for sincere and open dialogue with India on sensitive issues.

“No one can substitute Nepal-India relations. Our relationship goes beyond the Roti-Beti cliché (sociocultural ties), and these relations don’t fit into any single framework. But when engaging with India, most of the time, our leaders only care about their politics and how to secure election tickets,” Rijal added.

Former foreign minister N.P. Saud also addressed the gathering, saying that achieving a perfectly balanced relationship in diplomacy is unrealistic, despite popular sentiment.

“We have to maintain our relations by keeping national interest at the core. We should be open while dealing with India. Non-alignment has become increasingly irrelevant, and multilateralism is gaining importance. In this context, we need to fine-tune our relations with India in light of emerging global and regional developments,” Saud said.

Meanwhile, Vijay Jolly, former in-charge of the BJP’s foreign cell, called for stronger cooperation from Nepal in India’s fight against terrorism. He emphasized that India respects Nepal’s independent foreign policy, provided it does not compromise regional stability.

Highlighting the deep-rooted neighbourly ties, Jolly asserted that there is no place for terrorism in South Asia. “SAARC is dead, and terror and trade cannot go together. After 2025, we need to give new dimensions to our bilateral ties,” he said while condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.

He also recalled India’s prompt assistance to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake and noted the frequent high-level visits between the two countries. “Prime Minister Modi has visited Nepal a record five times since 2014, while nine Nepali Prime Ministers have visited India. Over 7.5 million Nepali nationals live and work in India, which makes our relationship special and unique. The security forces of both countries are guarding their respective borders,” Jolly added.

India and Nepal share a long-standing relationship, marked by deep cooperation in defence, trade, development, and cultural exchange. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Nepal is a priority partner under India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.

The MEA further noted that frequent high-level exchanges have added momentum to the partnership and enabled both sides to review and enhance their ties across a broad spectrum.

IANS

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet 2022

Source: Scottish Government

Statistics on Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet published today.

The Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet (SNBS) 2022 presents the Nitrogen Use Efficiencies (NUEs) which are the headline measures of the SNBS and show the percentage of useful nitrogen outputs, for example food, relative to total nitrogen inputs.

In 2022, the whole economy NUE figure was 27%. Although the whole economy figure is dominated by food production, this figure is lower than the NUE for food production due to the inclusion of sources such as transport which produce no useful nitrogen outputs. The NUE for all food production is 33%, with the figure for agriculture ( 33%) being very similar, given that agriculture dominates food production. The 33% figure for all of agriculture comprises values for arable agriculture ( 70%) and livestock based agriculture ( 10%).

The largest component of nitrogen use in Scotland is associated with food production. Overall, out of the 66.9 kt N / yr of total useful nitrogen-containing outputs produced in Scotland, almost 89.5% of these are associated with food production (namely 53.6 kt N / yr of foodstuffs from agriculture, with the remainder from aquaculture and landings from sea fisheries).

Background

The full statistical publication is available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-nitrogen-balance-sheet-2022/

The units kt N / yr refers to thousands of tonnes of nitrogen consumed or produced per year.

Livestock based agriculture is inherently less nitrogen efficient than arable agriculture because only a small proportion of the ingested nitrogen by livestock ends up in useful nitrogen-containing produce.

This is the fourth time these data have been compiled.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/About

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The “Ready!” Command, or How the Work of Moscow Metro Drivers Has Changed

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

New stations, convenient navigation and modern trains – in May 2025 for the Moscow Metro turned 90 years old. All these years, underground transport has been developing and becoming more comfortable. The working conditions have also changed significantly for the drivers who have been transporting Muscovites and visitors to the city every day for almost a century. Today, more than 5.5 thousand men and women operate the trains in the capital’s metro.

We tell you how the first train drivers worked and how train control has changed over the years.

The first metro in history

May 15, 1935 Moscow metro officially opened for passengers. However, the very first train traveled underground earlier – in October 1934. It was driven by the engineer of the Dynamo plant Mikhail Shpolyansky. He was not a driver, but only tested his creation. The first representatives of this profession were three Muscovites: Ivan Ivanov, A. Trofimov and N. Timofeev (names have not been preserved).

“The Yaroslavl Railway invited drivers to work in the metro. They knew everything about the tracks and trains, they just needed to learn how to work underground. Training and certification were conducted on the territory of the Severnoye electric depot. By the time the first stage of the metro was launched, 40 train crews of three people were trained – a driver, a train conductor and a conductor,” says Anastasia Sharonova, chief specialist of the social initiatives department of the center for professional development of youth of the Moscow transport corporate university.

The first passengers of the capital’s metro were transported by heavy sand-yellow type A trains. The driver controlled the electric train using a controller similar to a steering wheel. The train master helped him monitor the operation of all systems. Together with the conductor, he was also responsible for boarding and disembarking passengers. The first electric trains did not have radio communication or sound signals announcing the closing of the doors. The conductor went out onto the platform and indicated with a special flag that boarding was complete. Then the train master commanded: “Ready!”, after which the driver closed the doors and the train departed.

In the first years of its operation, metro employees could be recognized by their dark blue uniforms. Men wore trousers, double-breasted jackets with wide lapels and caps, women wore skirts, berets and jackets. Each metro service had its own color. It was used for piping on collars, hats and sleeves. The uniforms of track service employees were distinguished by green piping, while those of the traffic service were crimson. Engine drivers belonged to the traction service, and their piping was blue.

In 1943, martial law was introduced in the People’s Commissariat of Railways of the USSR and the uniform of the metro employees changed. The drivers’ shoulders were given shoulder straps and their caps were given a silver stripe (braid).

“The shoulder straps of the junior staff looked like two hexagons superimposed on each other, which made them look like a hammer or a balalaika. That’s what the people called this detail. In 1954, a decree was issued prohibiting representatives of civilian departments from wearing military symbols. The shoulder straps were removed, but the braid was left. Wearing it is a tribute to tradition. Such a stripe was on the uniform of railway workers even in pre-revolutionary times,” notes Oleg Shukhat, leading specialist of the social initiatives department of the unified center for the development of youth projects and social initiatives of the corporate university of Moscow transport.

The history of the capital’s metro began with it. How the Sokolnicheskaya line was designed and built Underground History, or the Most Interesting Facts about the Development of the Moscow Metro Choose a specialty for life: how the Moscow transport youth professional development center works

Speed, maneuverability and modern technologies

Over the years, not only the uniform of the drivers changed, but also the rolling stock. After type A, the metro launched cars of the B, V and G series. The trains became lighter and therefore more maneuverable.

In 1978, the 81-717/714 (“Numbered”) train entered service underground. This is the most popular and recognizable series in the history of the capital’s metro. The train was equipped with automatic speed control devices and emergency passenger-driver communication.

In 1998, the Yauza (car type 81-720/81-721) appeared. It became even more convenient for drivers thanks to a new traction drive control system, allowing smooth acceleration and deceleration. In 2003, the Rusichi began operating in the metro. Their main difference is the articulated body.

“In 2017, the new generation of “Moscow” trains began running in the metro. And the work of the drivers has changed significantly. For example, in previous models, to make sure that all systems were functioning properly, you had to get out of the cabin, but in the new ones, everything is displayed on the display. Control has also become more convenient. The controller is a joystick, and for precision, a station passage warning system has been installed,” says Yuri Uzorin, an electric train driver at the Sokol depot.

He has been driving trains on the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line for 31 years. During his career, Yuri Uzorin has driven different models of trains, and now he carries passengers, including on the Moscow-2024.

“I dreamed of becoming a train driver since childhood. I loved watching trains go by, imagining that one day I would sit in the cabin. I graduated from school, technical school, and in 1993 I came to the metro. I studied and first became an assistant driver, and then a driver. Since then, a lot has changed: new lines and stations have opened, but one thing has remained the same – caring for passengers. The main thing for a metro driver is their safety. Therefore, our work is always clear and well-coordinated,” the mos.ru interlocutor emphasizes.

Sergei Sobyanin: Moscow metro carriages are among the best in the world Predecessors of the “Moscow”: what were the first trains in the metro like Oak, bronze and nickel: the capital’s restorers have recreated the nearly century-long history of the metro car

With the advent of new train models, a more thorough approach was taken to the training of train drivers. In the first years of the metro’s operation, there were no special training technologies. Future train drivers trained to operate trains at the depot and went out on routes together with experienced colleagues.

“Systematic training of train drivers appeared back in 1936. And in 1944, a metro technical school opened in the city. Train drivers could be trained, retrained, and improve their qualifications there. Later, the school was reorganized into a training and production center, and in 2021, a

Corporate University of Moscow Transport“They have been training drivers for the capital’s metro there for almost five years now,” says Anastasia Sharonova.

Manage the teams today teachon modern simulators – simulators of a real electric train cabin with buttons, switches and monitors. The student can choose a metro line and travel along the route. The simulator takes into account the track profile, the location of traffic lights, turnouts, signal signs and much more. The training lasts up to 4.5 months, it is completely free, students receive a scholarship.

Women at the controls

Since its opening, the metro trains have been driven by men, and the first female driver entered service in 1936. During the war, there were female locomotive crews. The work was accompanied by heavy loads, so in the 1980s, girls stopped being trained in the profession. However, trains were improved, became easier to operate and safer, and in 2020, an order from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation came into force, allowing female drivers to work.

Today, 130 women — drivers and their assistants — operate trains on the Filevskaya and Nekrasovskaya lines. Among them is Medina Trakic, who works at the Fili depot. She was one of the first women to undergo training in 2021.

“I started thinking about working as a train driver back in high school. But at that time, girls weren’t hired for that position. I decided to study to become a surveyor. By the end of my studies, I learned that women were being invited to work as train drivers again. I realized that my dream could come true! I passed the selection, retrained, and went to work on the line. That’s how I became one of the first female train drivers in the modern history of the metro,” says Medina Trakic.

She manages the trains and does not believe in stereotypes. According to her, who is behind the controller – a man or a woman – is not the main thing in the work.

“Stress resistance, responsibility and punctuality are important for a driver. The train must always arrive on time. You also need good health and a desire to learn something new. I love my job for the opportunity to constantly learn, improve my skills. The capital’s metro is constantly developing, becoming more beautiful, more convenient and pleasing Muscovites. Let it continue this way. 90 years is just the beginning,” emphasizes Medina Trakic.

You can find out more about the training and work of Moscow metro drivers at websiteand by phone numbers: 7 800 220-22-02, 7 495 622-22-22, as well as in personnel selection centers at the Delovoy Tsentr and Cherkizovskaya metro stations and at the Moscow Transport Corporate University.

Female drivers have been driving trains in the Moscow metro for four years The number of female train drivers in the Moscow metro has almost doubled in the past year Female drivers of the Nekrasovskaya metro line talk about self-control, stereotypes and support from loved ones

Quickly find out the main news of the capital in official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Tram tracks are being reconstructed on Turgenevskaya Square

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

At Turgenevskaya Square near the Chistye Prudy metro station, work has begun to connect the existing tram tracks with the new line being built on Akademika Sakharova Avenue and Masha Poryvayeva Street. The existing turnaround will be reconstructed with the installation of two turnouts.

Fences have been installed in this area, and pedestrian passages and approaches to the metro have been organized. For the duration of the works, the routes of trams No. 3, 39 and A have been changed in this area. Tram No. 3 temporarily runs from the Chertanovskaya metro station to Paveletsky Railway Station, then to the Proletarskaya metro station. Tram routes No. 39 and A have been merged into a single route No. 39 A from the Universitet metro station via Paveletsky Railway Station and Proletarskaya metro station to the MCD Kalitniki station.

Instead of trams, compensation bus No. 913 operates; its route was extended from Paveletsky railway station to Chistye Prudy metro station.

“Currently, the dismantling of the old rails of the turnaround circle and the road surface has been completed. A pit has been dug, and preparatory layers for the tram track are being laid on a monolithic foundation. As part of the necessary work to connect the tracks, two modern turnouts will also be installed, operating in automatic mode and allowing trams to change direction and move from the main track to the adjoining ones,” the press service of the Moscow Department of Capital Repairs reported.

The new double-track tram line running through the center will relieve Komsomolskaya Square and connect the eastern districts of the city with the southern ones. Its length is almost 2.1 kilometers, on one and a half kilometers of which contactless running technology will be used for the first time in Russia.

“Raised boarding platforms and modern bus stops with triplex glazing, comfortable benches and USB ports for charging gadgets will be installed along the tram tracks on Akademika Sakharova Avenue, Kalanchevskaya Street and Chistoprudny Boulevard,” the department’s press service noted.

It is also planned to improve the areas of Masha Poryvayeva, Kalanchevskaya, Krasnoprudnaya streets adjacent to the new line, as well as Komsomolskaya Square, Academician Sakharov Avenue, Chistoprudny and Sretensky Boulevards.

Construction of a tram line from Komsomolskaya Square to Chistye Prudy metro station has begun

Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: ‘Active Citizens’ to Choose Name for Baby Western Lowland Gorilla

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The Active Citizen project has begun vote,The participants will choose a name for the new inhabitant of the Moscow Zoo – a baby western lowland gorilla listed in the Red Book.

The little male was born in early February. His parents, a pair of gorillas Kira and Vizuri, are taking care of him with great care. Although the female holds the baby in her arms all the time, she sometimes allows other family members to come up and gently pet him. Visitors to the Moscow Zoo can see the baby in the Primates pavilion.

In the wild, these animals live in mangrove thickets, mountainous and tropical forests of Equatorial Africa. Therefore, experts have proposed options that reflect the connection of this species of primates with their homeland. Four of the five names begin with the letter K – this is a kind of tribute to mother Kira.

So, the baby can be called Quito. This is a city in Angola, where a stable population of western lowland gorillas still exists. Another name – Kuango – refers to the name of a river in the Congo basin. This is one of the regions where the primates live.

A small male can also be named Kwanzaa. In African American culture, this is the name of the holiday honoring the first fruits of the harvest. Another option is Kijani. In Swahili, this means “green,” which is associated with nature, growth, and fertility. Zuberi translates as “strong” or “mighty.” This name is usually given to boys.

The voting was prepared by the capital Department of Culture and the project “Active Citizen”Its users have already chosen names for many animals, including the Malayan bears Masha, Luchik and Zvezdochka, the alpaca Zephyr, the hyena Akela, the panda Katyusha and the tiger Amur.

Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it, and more than seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30–40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the capital Department of Information Technology and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”.

The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy” and the Moscow regional project “Digital Public Administration”.

Quickly find out the main news of the capital inofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Beijing-Hotan tourist train departs

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) — A special tourist train carrying 460 passengers departed from Beijing for Hotan City in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 3:33 p.m. Monday.

BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) — A special tourist train carrying 460 passengers departed from Beijing for Hotan City in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 3:33 p.m. Monday.

BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) — A special tourist train carrying 460 passengers departed from Beijing for Hotan City in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 3:33 p.m. Monday.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Kirill Kosarev, a graduate of the Geological and Geophysical Faculty of NSU, became a finalist in the project “Career in OFS”

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

In November 2024, the oilfield services company OFS Technologies launched the Career in OFS project (kareraofs.rf) for the second time — a program to find promising and talented students and graduates who want to start a career in the oil and gas industry. More than 80 educational institutions in Russia were invited to participate. In total, more than 450 people took part in the project.

The participants passed the selection tests, following which the best were invited to the final in-person stage in Tyumen, at the site of the company “OFS Technologies”. Among the 47 most promising participants was a graduate Faculty of Geology and Geophysics Novosibirsk State University – Kirill Kosarev.

— I have been participating in such projects all year. This is a great way to start a career in a large oilfield services company when you are just graduating from university, you have no experience yet, but you have knowledge and a desire to develop. In addition, this is an opportunity to make useful contacts, — Kirill Kosarev said about the reasons for participating in the project.

As part of the final stage, the participants visited the Remote Drilling Support Center and the Tyumen Oilfield Equipment Plant, a unique Russian manufacturer of submersible cable for oil wells. The contestants demonstrated their skills in a technical team task and also passed individual interviews with representatives of business areas and the HR department. In addition, the finalists passed an assessment, where they demonstrated the level of their technical knowledge acquired during their training.

— The selection of finalists took place through an online test and a video business card. But the final was much more interesting and difficult. A team challenge awaited us: we built structures from scrap materials in several stages. First, there was a technical task: assembly according to drawings, then interviews. The tasks were designed for those who do not yet have much production experience, so the hardest thing was to cope with the excitement, — Kirill shared.

Following the results of the competition, the winners received job offers at the facilities of the OFS Technologies company.

— When the selection stage was taking place, I was calm and confident: I already have good achievements in the oil and gas sector. I felt that I did well with the test and the answers in the video business card, — Kirill summed up.

We congratulate Kirill and all the finalists on their excellent results and wish them further professional growth, interesting projects and career victories!

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: MIR is now in Iran – the geography of the Russian payment system cards has expanded

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Mainfin Bank –

How does the integration of payment systems work?

The integration of the MIR payment system from the Russian Federation and Shetab from Iran has been ongoing in recent years – within the framework of an agreement signed by the heads of the central banks of the states. The interaction takes place in three stages:

In the summer of 2024, Shetab cardholders were given the opportunity to withdraw money from self-service terminals in Russia; now Russians can make purchases at cards MIR in Iran, but in a limited number of locations – where Spaparak terminals are installed; in the near future, Iranians will also be able to pay for purchases with their cards in the Russian Federation.

Acceptance of Russian cards in Iran is available for MIR plastic with contactless payment function – transactions via NFC (payment by smartphone) also work. For small purchases, entering a PIN code is not required.

In which other countries can Russians pay with MIR cards?

The geography of MIR cards has been steadily expanding since the departure of key payment systems from Russia – unconditional acceptance of plastic is available in Belarus, Abkhazia, Ossetia, and Cuba (they are planning to issue MIR cards on the island). Plastic is accepted with restrictions in a number of CIS countries, as well as in popular destinations among Russian tourists, including Vietnam, Laos, and the Maldives.

“Given the difficult geopolitical situation, tourists traveling abroad are advised to stock up on cash and purchase “All Inclusive” tours in order to protect themselves as much as possible from possible financial problems with Russian cards,” the expert noted.

At the same time, in 2024, due to the risk of secondary sanctions, several countries refused to work with the NPS “MIR”, including Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Turkey. Negotiations on the possible integration of payment systems are ongoing with India, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt and Thailand.

09:45 05/20/2025

Source:

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https://mainfin.ru/novosti/mir-teper-iv-irane-geografia-raboty-kart-rossijskoj-plateznoj-sistemy-rassirilas

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Conducted Expeditions to Study Polar Bears

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Rosneft conducted two scientific expeditions to study the populations of polar bears and marine mammals in the Kara Sea. Specialists from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution took part in the field work in the north of Krasnoyarsk Krai and on the Yamal Peninsula. The main goal of the research was a full-scale census, assessment of the distribution of polar bears and marine mammals using instrumental (photo and infrared aerial photography) and aerovisual methods.

The expeditions are carried out within the framework of Rosneft’s corporate program for the conservation of Arctic biodiversity, called “Tamura”. The polar bear is a bioindicator species. Based on the health of these endangered predators, scientists draw conclusions about the sustainability of northern ecosystems as a whole.

Eight flights of the AN-28 laboratory aircraft were made from the village of Sabetta in Yamal for a comprehensive survey of the inner delta of the Gulf of Ob and the southeastern part of the Kara Sea. The total length of the routes was almost 10 thousand km, more than 90 thousand images were taken, which will be processed using neural network algorithms. During the aerial visual observations, 22 polar bears, 23 walruses, 616 seals, 77 belugas, as well as rare bird species were recorded.

Ten flights of the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter were made from the village of Dikson to survey the ice of a number of islands, as well as the ice in the Yenisei Gulf to Sever Bay and along the northern coast of the Taimyr Peninsula to the mouth of the Uboynaya River. The length of the routes was almost 5 thousand km. During the work, 37 polar bears of various ages and both sexes were registered. Fifteen adult bears were captured, 10 animals were tagged with satellite collars and ear tags for remote tracking of migration routes. Scientists also took blood samples and fur samples from polar bears to study their health and genetic affiliation to a particular subpopulation.

Reference:

Rosneft and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources continue research work in the Arctic region as part of the national project “Ecology”. From 2024 to 2027, Rosneft plans to conduct research work in the north of Krasnoyarsk Krai and the Kara Sea.

In 2024, the Company’s Arctic Research Center organized 5 expeditions, during which scientists studied the Kara subpopulation of polar bears, wild reindeer, and rare bird species. The total length of air routes was almost 17,000 km, and water routes – more than 3,000 km.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 20, 2025

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic Day held at Gazprom School

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The private educational institution Gazprom School Saint Petersburg held the career guidance project Polytechnic Day. Teachers from Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University held a series of master classes for eighth-graders, introducing them to different educational profiles: physics and mathematics, humanities, economics and natural sciences.

The program began with classes in the natural sciences. Schoolchildren, together with students of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology Ekaterina Plotnikova, Ekaterina Makarova and Anastasia Pevzner, immersed themselves in the world of molecular cuisine. They mastered the technique of spherification, learned how to create molecular threads and spheres from foam.

Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Boris Lyamin and Chairperson of the SNO IPMET Margarita Yanchevskaya told schoolchildren about the principles of lean manufacturing. In the format of a business game, students analyzed problems arising from the inefficient organization of the workspace and proposed solutions.

At a lecture on digital engineering, Tamara Korobova, an engineer at the Computer Engineering Center, explained to students majoring in engineering the basics of computer modeling and engineering analysis. She also spoke about the role of a digital engineer in the modern technological world.

Teachers of the Humanities Institute Elena Krupnova and Anastasia Savina held classes for classes of linguistic and social-humanitarian profiles. In the lesson “Digital linguistics in the modern world” schoolchildren learned about a promising direction at the intersection of linguistics and IT, discussed the tasks of digital linguists and participated in a thematic quiz. Anastasia Savina held a master class “Practical techniques for effective communication”, where participants completed exercises to develop listening skills, learned to work with non-verbal signals, and also mastered methods of establishing contact with the interlocutor, maintaining interest in the dialogue and holding attention.

Polytechnic Day at Gazprom School is an important part of our interaction with leading educational institutions. We tried to make the program as practice-oriented as possible so that schoolchildren could get acquainted with promising areas of training in an interactive form. Such events help students to consciously approach the choice of their future profession, – emphasized the acting director of the Center for Work with Educational Organizations Georgy Shkolnik.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Lepota Day” at the Polytechnic: a family holiday that unites everyone

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

On Saturday, May 17, the Polytechnic Park was a celebration: excursions, master classes, car and motorcycle rides, songs, dances, a fashion show. All this and much more was included in the program of the family festival “Lepota Day”, which has become traditional for our university thanks to successful start last year.

The celebration for the Polytechnic University employees, their families and friends was organized by various departments of the university. They prepared several entertainment zones related to the main areas of “Lepota” – a project that has been implemented at the Polytechnic University for several years and affects various aspects of the life of the university community. These are health, sports, cultural development, care for the environment, emotional well-being, career and more.

We are glad that the family festival “Lepota Day” is already becoming a tradition and attracts the attention of not only guests, but also participants: this year, several initiative units, knowing about the successful experience of last year, themselves asked to include them in the program. Our festival is becoming larger and more diverse, everyone will find something to their liking. I am sure that such a warm family event not only unites polytechnics and introduces their children to the best university from the inside, but also performs the most important function of forming the corporate culture and ecosystem of “Lepota”, – emphasized the head of the SPbPU Public Relations Department Marianna Dyakova.

During the celebration, everyone was able to choose an activity to their liking. Participants enthusiastically painted the Polytechnic logo – a large letter “P”: they left warm wishes, confessed their love for their native university, and drew everything that came to mind.

Together with the guides of the SPbPU History Museum, the university staff and guests learned about the students’ exploits during the Great Patriotic War and how the university worked during the difficult period. The lives of the polytechnic students during the war years were also the subject of a reconstruction organized by the military-historical club “Our Polytechnic”. The activists taught those who wanted to learn archery, sword handling, and historical dancing.

Members of the role-playing club “Engineering Alliance” organized a medieval knight’s tournament. The sports and technical sports club “Extreme” demonstrated retro cars that are rarely seen on the streets. Moreover, you could ride them!

Festival participants learned about chemical processes at a show from the student community “KhimTim”, touched the technologies of the future and controlled robots from the “Omnivorous” team.

My daughter Alexandra really enjoyed the chemical show, and I enjoyed playing table tennis. Wonderful weather, a great holiday, a beautiful park of the Polytechnic University! We attend the family festival every year, and I can say that it has already become our tradition. The organizers are great, we had a lot of fun and positive impressions, — shared the scientific secretary of SPbPU Dmitry Karpov.

Nine-year-old Arina and five-year-old Katya, daughters of the director of the Higher School of Software Engineering Pavel Drobintsev, especially enjoyed studying 3D modeling.

Many visitors were attracted by the master class on creating a house for squirrels. Face painting was also very popular. The team of the psychological support center “Tochka Opory” held a class where participants sculpted from plasticine.

We came to the celebration with the whole family: my wife Tatyana, four-year-old daughter Arina and eight-year-old son Artem. Despite being busy and having a busy work schedule, we wanted to relax and spend the weekend together. The children took part in the chemistry show with great pleasure, built a house for a squirrel and made things out of plasticine. We had a great time, learned something new and talked to friends and colleagues in an informal setting, – said Vyacheslav Olshevsky, Director of the SPbPU Student City.

The master classes were also very much enjoyed by ten-year-old Sasha and eight-year-old Alena. They came to the party together with their grandmother Elena Druzhinina, a 1985 Polytechnic graduate.

I studied technical cybernetics, my husband graduated from the mechanical engineering department, and my daughter is also a graduate of the mechanical engineering department. You could say that the Polytechnic is our destiny! We had very friendly groups, and even formed several married couples. Every year we get together with classmates, attend various university events. I hope that my grandchildren will also become Polytechnicians, Sasha clearly has technical abilities, – shared Elena Druzhinina.

The event featured a fashion show, where the main stars were the pets of the Polytechnic University employees. The owners dressed their pets in costumes, giving everyone an unforgettable experience. Public relations specialist Alina Melnikova decorated her dog Iriska with a multi-colored hat, which suited her amazingly.

Iriska did a great job as a photo model today. She stood on the path, everyone was taking pictures of her and petting her, Alina Melnikova said.

Lead programmer of the IT Department Artem Prokofiev came to the festival with a Spitz named Loki: Loki has many costumes, we chose the most beautiful one for the show. My dog is very demanding and cunning by nature. If he doesn’t like something, it immediately becomes noticeable.

Through an exciting game and casual conversation, the Center for Career Guidance and Pre-University Training helped polytechnic students and their friends determine their interests, find a suitable area for development, and draw up a plan for mastering a specialty.

For fans of active recreation, the skateboarding community organized a master class on basic tricks, a relay race with prizes, and a mass race around the site. There was also a master class dedicated to the technique of Nordic walking.

Popular songs of the Russian stage were performed by the participants of the project “Star of Polytechnic”. This is an annual competition that gives students the opportunity to gain fame and develop themselves creatively. The finalists and participants of the project become welcome guests at events of various levels. In the Polytechnic Park, they delighted guests with modern compositions and hits of the Soviet era.

I love the Polytechnic University and the people who work here. I have worked at the Polytechnic all my life, my eldest son is a polytechnician. I came to the festival with my youngest son Egor. He enjoyed playing table tennis, he liked the retro cars. The podium show was great! I wish further development to the family festival “Lepota Den”, this is a wonderful tradition, – shared the director of the Department of Economics and Finance Elena Vinogradova.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University Technology and Innovation Support Center is again the best in Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

The Federal Institute of Industrial Property has summed up the results of the work of the network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) for 2024. Today, there are 185 such centers operating in Russia in all federal districts, and their activities are carried out within the framework of the international project of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Based on the results of the year, the TISC, created on the basis of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, took first place in the top 15 ranking.

It is important to note that the SPbPU center has maintained its leading position for the fourth year in a row, which confirms its high level of professionalism, efficiency of work and significant contribution to the development of the intellectual property system in Russia.

The experts assessed the quality of work on popularizing the legal protection of intellectual property objects in the regions, the number of services provided, and the level of qualification of the Center’s employees. It is pleasant to note that we were among the leaders in all respects, said Ismail Kadiev, head of the SPbPU TISC.

Another important indicator of the effectiveness of the TISC is the establishment of cooperation in the field of intellectual property between all participants in innovation processes.

The National Network of TISCs is part of the Russian innovation ecosystem and is designed to provide services and information to inventors, innovators, business communities, young scientists, to establish interaction between them, and to assist in matters of ensuring legal protection of patenting and registration of intellectual property.

The mission of the TISC is to provide patent and information support for innovations from the idea to the commercialization of the results of intellectual activity.

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May 20, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA highlights “remarkable” progress and launches real-world data consultation on International Clinical Trials Day
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

MHRA highlights “remarkable” progress and launches real-world data consultation on International Clinical Trials Day

“…the MHRA is once again taking a global lead” says Lord O’Shaughnessy

Major progress has been made in delivering a more efficient and adaptable regulatory framework for clinical trials, the Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reflected on International Clinical Trials Day.

New regulations – which represent the most significant update to the UK clinical trials landscape in 20 years – are designed to put participants firmly at the centre of how trials are run, while supporting faster, more streamlined approvals, making it easier to test new treatments in the UK.

Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive said:

I’ve experienced first-hand the life-changing impact clinical research can have on patients and their families. This, combined with the benefits it brings to the economy, is why it’s so important we ensure the UK is one the most attractive places in the world to conduct trials.

The UK is already a research powerhouse driven by innovation, with one in eight trials in the UK testing treatments in humans for the first time.

But we want to go further. Last month, we began implementing the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulation in over two decades. These reforms will address the research sector’s need for a more risk-proportionate regulatory framework for clinical trials and will help get cutting-edge new treatments to the NHS as quickly as possible.

Lord O’Shaughnessy, former health minister, senior partner at Newmarket Strategy and author of the landmark report into the UK commercial clinical trials landscape said:

The progress the MHRA has made in the two years since I published my review has been remarkable. Despite its global reputation for excellence, by 2023 trial approval set up times had slipped badly.

The MHRA is now delivering consistently good approval times while introducing further reforms to add speed and flexibility to the process.

With a clear mandate from the Prime Minister to reduce trial set up times to 150 days – which would be genuinely world-leading – the MHRA is once again taking a global lead.

Professor Sir Martin Landray, Chief Executive of Protas, said:

I am delighted with the progress the MHRA has made to deliver an efficient and coordinated regulatory process for clinical trials.

Innovation in clinical trials is much needed if we are to find better ways to prevent and treat the growing burden of common and life-threatening diseases. The UK can be in pole position to lead the charge, and regulatory enlightenment is a key part of this journey.

Developed in partnership with the Health Research Authority (HRA), and shaped by feedback from patients, researchers, doctors, and industry, the new regulations will take full effect from April 2026, following the 12-month implementation period.

To ensure these substantial reforms are phased in effectively, the MHRA and Health Research Authority (HRA) will be producing updated guidance. Already, the MHRA and HRA have launched a pilot Inclusion and Diversity Plan. Shaped by input from over 300 researchers, it offers practical guidance to help sponsors design more representative studies, to ensure that trials represent the populations they are designed to treat.

In the meantime, the MHRA has embedded improvements in processing clinical trial applications into standard working practice, with 100% of clinical trials and investigations applications having been handled within statutory timescales since September 2023.

Combined Review approval time with the Health Research Authority is now at 60 days or less for all trials, with an average time for Combined Review determination (including questions raised) of 40 days in March 2025.

Launch of consultation on use of real-world data

Beginning on International Clinical Trials Day, the MHRA is launching a six-week consultation on the use of real-world data for external control arms of clinical trials, which has the potential to help accelerate the approval of treatments, especially in cases when randomised controlled trials may not be ethical or feasible. It is another example of the work the MHRA is doing to support the set-up of innovative trials.

Real-world data refers to information that is collected from patients during the course of their normal clinical care. Data can include electronic health records (EHR), disease and patient registries, and patient reported outcomes (PRO) data, alongside data from other sources. Once this data is analysed, the information is referred to as real-world evidence (RWE).

The new guidance is for those planning a clinical trial which may include a real-world data external control arm with the intention of using the trial to support a regulatory decision on a medical product. This means that a control arm of the study would use data from patients not part of a specific clinical trial.

To access the guideline and participate in the consultation, please visit the MHRA website.

Notes to editors

Today (20 May 2025) is International Clinical Trials Day, which recognises the day the first randomized clinical trial began in 1747. As part of celebrations, the MHRA is proud to support the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in its #BePartofResearch campaign

The Lord O’Shaughnessy review into UK commercial clinical trials made 27 recommendations where action should be taken by the government and delivery partners, including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), to address key challenges and transform the commercial clinical trials environment. The Government has committed to implementing his recommendations in full.

The real-world data guidance is one of a series of guidelines on the use of real-world data for supporting regulatory decisions

For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

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Published 20 May 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 20, 2025