Latest news with #Russian-manufactured
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Bomb Threats, Deep Fakes, and Cyber Threats Target Our Elections. Congress Must Act Now
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American democracy runs on a simple promise: your vote matters. But that promise means nothing if foreign adversaries can hack our systems, if bomb threats shut down polling places, or if election workers flee their posts in fear. Right now, the infrastructure that protects this promise is at risk of collapse—threatening not just democracy, but Americans' power to influence everything from our local schools to the economy. Budget negotiations are now underway, and Congress has an opportunity to reverse this dangerous course before it's too late. Voting booths are pictured. Voting booths are frontline experience illustrates exactly what's at stake. The state's Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt warned of "serious consequences" in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security. In 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—the federal agency created to protect our country's critical infrastructure, including election systems—helped Pennsylvania election officials respond to bomb threats on Election Day, quickly debunk a Russian-manufactured fake video targeting Bucks County that claimed to show ballots being destroyed, and coordinate responses when election offices received envelopes containing suspicious white powder. CISA was created through bipartisan legislation and overwhelmingly approved by Congress. The agency serves as the backbone of America's election security infrastructure, providing cybersecurity assessments, threat intelligence briefings, and physical security support. It coordinates critical information sharing between federal, state, and local officials. Last year alone, it conducted over 700 cybersecurity assessments, 1,300 physical security assessments, and provided weekly vulnerability assessments to nearly 1,000 election officials. These networks give local officials real-time threat intelligence and rapid response coordination. This has never been more important. Foreign adversaries including Russia, China, and Iran are conducting increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks against election infrastructure. In Western Pennsylvania, the Iranians hacked the Aliquippa Water Authority. Physical threats are mounting too—from bomb threats and vandalism to suspicious packages targeting election offices. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, now is the time to prepare. Unfortunately, the opposite is happening. As Schmidt noted, "No state has a national or global perspective on the nature of threats and the capabilities of bad faith actors." Local jurisdictions lack both the funds and expertise to replace federal programs that provide global threat assessments and coordinate responses across thousands of election offices. Yet the Trump administration has systematically gutted this security infrastructure. CISA has been hit by funding cuts from DOGE, the elimination of partnerships with states, mission changes away from countering misinformation, and hostility from Trump himself over the agency's affirmation of 2020 election results. Nearly 1,000 people—one-third of CISA's workforce—have already left the agency. Election security activities remain frozen, and funding for information sharing networks has been terminated. The Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center—which provided free cybersecurity services to cash-strapped communities—has been shuttered entirely. Meanwhile, the president's proposed budget seeks massive cuts to election funding, including an 18 percent cut to CISA's funding and complete elimination of election security grants. There's strong bipartisan precedent for robust federal election security funding. The largest election security investment in recent history—$825 million—happened under President Donald Trump in 2020. Republican and Democratic election officials across the country are now calling for restored support for election security programs. Congress must act immediately. First, Congress needs to restore CISA's election security activities and rebuild the workforce of advisors who serve as critical contacts for local officials during incidents. Second, Congress must appropriate at least $825 million in Help America Vote Act funding, matching the successful 2020 investment. Third, Congress must include a requirement ensuring two-thirds of funds go directly to the local officials who actually run our elections. Pennsylvania faces particular targeting as a key swing state, but every state depends on federal coordination and expertise that only agencies like CISA can provide. States and local communities shouldn't be abandoned and forced to face foreign adversaries and domestic threats alone. Congress has the power to restore the defenses that keep our elections secure. Our democracy has survived for nearly 250 years because each generation defended it when it mattered most. Congressman Chris Deluzio represents Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district. Brian Lemek is the executive director of Defend The Vote Action Fund. The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
In pharma JV, Pakistan to import Russian insulin
Listen to article Pakistan is set to import insulin from Russia with the help of joint ventures between pharmaceutical companies of the two countries. In that regard, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan. Russian government representative Denis Nazarov, senior officials of the Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of National Health Services and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) were present in the huddle. Discussions focused on the purchase of insulin from Russia, progress on pharmaceutical joint ventures and the development of protocols for policy implementation. It was noted that DRAP had earlier granted permission to Genetics Pharmaceuticals, Lahore, for the import of insulin from Russian firm Zavod Medisintez. Haroon Akhtar emphasised that the establishment of a pharmaceutical joint venture between Pakistan and Russia marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. He noted that Pakistan is a major consumer of insulin and its regular supply from Russia could greatly benefit diabetic patients across the country. He stated that in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision, efforts are underway to initiate local manufacturing of insulin. In this connection, a joint protocol between local manufacturers and Russian companies is expected to be finalised soon. He directed all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive proposal. Sources revealed that a registration letter for the import of insulin from Zavod Medisintez was issued by DRAP on May 5, 2025 in favour of Genetics Pharmaceuticals. Subsequently, the company applied for an increase in the maximum retail price (MRP) on the basis of a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is allowed under the Drug Pricing Policy, 2018. A revised MRP letter was issued to Genetics Pharmaceuticals on June 16, 2025. The manufacturer is demanding the MRP quoted by the originator brand of insulin, Eli Lilly. However, the importer has not so far submitted any application and justification for the increase in MRP. It is relevant to mention that leading local manufacturers, Getz Pharma and BF Bio Sciences, are selling locally manufactured insulin at MRPs equal to or lower than the MRP permitted for insulin import from Russia. If the MRP of Russian-manufactured insulin is increased, it will be higher compared to that of another European company, Novo Nordisk Pharma. The importer has two options to apply for increase in the MRP of insulin imported from Zavod Medisintez: an application may be submitted under the hardship category as per paragraph 9 of the Drug Pricing Policy, 2018 and the importer should submit evidence of import in commercial quantity from Russia. The MRP will be calculated on the basis of import price of the vaccine based on the value determined by Pakistan Customs on goods declaration under the Customs Act, 1969. The MRP will be based on the following formula: trade price = landed cost + 40% mark-up. The landed cost includes the import price converted into Pakistani rupees, customs duty, import levies and expenses. The MRP will be calculated by grossing up the trade price to provide for 15% retail discount. Hardship applications will be considered by the drug pricing committee and the MRP determined on the basis of above formula will be placed before the DRAP policy board. After endorsement by the board, the recommended MRP will be considered by a cabinet committee and its recommendation will be placed before the cabinet for approval.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Shtil-1 can fire one missile in every 2 seconds, to rev up air defence of Tamal
NEW DELHI: An improved version of the Shtil missile (Shtil-1) will be the primary weapon for anti-air defence of the latest Russian-manufactured frigate INS Tamal commissioned into the Indian Navy. Describing the latest version of the missile, sources from Russia said, 'The Russian Shtil-1 shipborne, medium-range, multi-channel, vertical-launch Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system uses a fundamentally new 9M317ME missile, the latest digital technology and software.' Shtil is a 3-stage launch vehicle that uses liquid propellant. It is the first launch vehicle to successfully launch a payload into orbit from a submarine. The SAM system offers improved performance in comparison with the Shtil-1 variant with an inclined launch of missiles. 'The system provides omnidirectional collective defence of ship squadrons and convoys as well as omnidirectional individual defence of the ship carrying the system against attacks by enemy anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, boats and ships,' the sources said. What makes the missile system a robust weapon is the 'interval between missiles' launches is 2-3 seconds.' Trials of the Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system with 9M317ME SAMs fitted aboard the (Project 11356) frigate Tamal have been successfully completed at a Baltic Sea range before the frigate's delivery. They involved the participation of its developers from the Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation. INS Tamal is the eighth ship that Rosoboronexport transferred to the Indian Navy. Sources term the transfer of the Russian-manufactured frigates to the Indian Navy as being 'in line with the main vector of Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation, which is evolving, firstly, on the basis of long-term contracts, and secondly, with an emphasis on localising the production of Russian equipment and weapons at Indian enterprises in accordance with the Make in India initiative.' Kashmir shipborne SAM systems Russia is modernising the older version, Kashmir shipborne SAM systems, delivered to India since the late 1990s and installed on Project 15 Delhi class destroyers.
NDTV
01-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Indian Navy Commissions Stealth Frigate INS Tamal In Russia
New Delhi: Indian Navy's Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tamal that features an array of guns, surveillance systems and BrahMos supersonic missile was commissioned into the force in Russia's coastal city of Kaliningrad. The 125m long, 3900-tonne warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. INS Tamal is the eighth Krivak class frigate to be inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The warship has been built at Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, and is the last such platform that has been inducted from a foreign source, officials said. INS Tamal is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes. The combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of network centric warfare capabilities and advanced electronic warfare suite, the officials said. India as part of the broader contract for Tushil class is also building two similar frigates called the INS Triput class at Goa Shipyard Ltd with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. Tamal's construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed at Kaliningrad. At the Naval headquarters, the project was steered by the Directorate of Ship Production under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. The ship has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors, such as vertical launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 MM gun, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems. The crew, comprising over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months. The ship's name, Tamal, symbolises the mythical sword used for combat by Indra -- the King of the gods. The ship's mascot is inspired by the congruence of the 'Jambavant' -- the immortal bear king of Indian mythology and the Russian national animal, the Eurasian brown bear. Tamal's design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics.
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Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Stealth frigate INS Tamal commissioned into Indian Navy in Russia
Indian Navy's Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tamal that features an array of guns, surveillance systems and BrahMos supersonic missile was commissioned into the force in Russia's coastal city of Kaliningrad. The 125m long, 3900-tonne warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. INS Tamal is the eighth Krivak class frigate to be inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The warship has been built at Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, and is the last such platform that has been inducted from a foreign source, officials said. INS Tamal is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes. The combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of network centric warfare capabilities and advanced electronic warfare suite, the officials said. India as part of the broader contract for Tushil class is also building two similar frigates called the INS Triput class at Goa Shipyard Ltd with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. Tamal's construction was closely overseen by an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed at Kaliningrad. At the Naval headquarters, the project was steered by the Directorate of Ship Production under the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. The ship has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors, such as vertical launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 MM gun, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems. The crew, comprising over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months. The ship's name, Tamal, symbolises the mythical sword used for combat by Indra -- the King of the gods. The ship's mascot is inspired by the congruence of the 'Jambavant' -- the immortal bear king of Indian mythology and the Russian national animal, the Eurasian brown bear. Tamal's design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics.
