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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PlanD celebrates 35th anniversary

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    PlanD celebrates 35th anniversary
    PlanD celebrates 35th anniversary
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         ​The Planning Department (PlanD) held the 35th Anniversary (35A) Opening Ceremony today (February 12). The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Ms Doris Ho; and the Director of Planning, Mr Ivan Chung, officiated at the opening ceremony.      Officiating at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the PlanD strives to effectively utilise limited land resources to address social and livelihood needs, support and promote economic development, enable citizens to have a better place to live and work, and continuously improve the living environment through forward-looking planning and land allocation. After years of dedicated work by the PlanD and colleagues from various departments, the Government has assumed a leading role in land supply. Looking ahead, the Northern Metropolis is the new engine of Hong Kong’s economic development, an important area for implementing innovation and technology industrial development, deepening integration into development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and aligning with national development strategies, which involves innovative planning approaches, institutional innovation and reforms, and adaptive implementation strategies. Mr Chan said he hoped that PlanD colleagues will be bold in reforms, dare to break new ground, and innovate continuously, as well as embrace the new environment and new developments with an open mindset, charting a more ambitious development blueprint for Hong Kong.     Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Linn said that Hong Kong’s development has been continuously advancing and moving forward with enhancing speed, quantity, quality and efficiency, as Hong Kong needs sufficient land to embrace changes and strive for innovations, so as to promote economic and industry development. Land creation is no longer limited to housing development, but also plans for industry development, eco-tourism, and even improvement of people’s living environment. Throughout the process of land preparation and provision, the Government has been embracing innovation and changes with constant reforms to lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s future development. She encouraged PlanD colleagues to make continuous progress and continue to shine for a sustainable, livable and vibrant future for Hong Kong.     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chung said that looking back over the past 35 years, in the face of changes in the macro-environment such as economic restructuring and demographic shifts, the PlanD has taken a prudent, robust and flexible approach to town planning work with a view to promoting optimal use of land resources and creating development space and capacity for Hong Kong. Looking ahead, the PlanD will work together with different sectors in the community to take forward and implement various planning projects, promote the optimal utilisation and balanced development of land resources for enhancing the well-being of the people of Hong Kong. At the same time, the Government will enhance interaction with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and sharpen Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the global arena. Together, the Government and the PlanD will plan for a future with boundless opportunities.      The PlanD will effectively utilise the City Gallery and outreach programme, including organising exhibitions in different districts and visiting schools, to strengthen its connection with the community. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of Hong Kong’s town planning among the public, particularly the younger generations, and to encourage citizens to participate in town planning matters.      For more information, please visit the PlanD 35A website (www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/about_us/35a/index.html), PlanD’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/plandgovhk) or its Instagram account (www.instagram.com/plandgovhk), or call 2231 5000.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, February 12, 2025Issued at HKT 21:51

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Manthan, the flagship annual defence innovation event, held at Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Manthan 2025, the flagship annual defence innovation event, was held as part of Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru on February 12, 2025. Organised by the Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production, the event brought together stakeholders of the defence innovation ecosystem, including innovators, industry leaders, academia, incubators, investors, thought leaders, and senior government officials.

    As part of the event, a Roundtable Conference was chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar. He stressed on enhancing India’s combat readiness through the adoption of futuristic technologies to secure a strategic advantage in defence. He emphasised that by integrating latest innovations into the defence strategy, the country can modernise its Armed Forces, strengthen its readiness for future combat scenarios, and maintain a technological edge over potential adversaries.

    ⁠Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, ⁠Chairman IN-SPACe, Axilor Ventures, ⁠SKEGEN Management Advisors, ⁠CMDs of major DPSUs, CEO Bharat Forge Defence & Aerospace and President, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, ideaFORGE, Sagar Defence, NewSpace Research & Technologies Pvt Ltd and major Incubators including IITs and IIMs attended the roundtable.

    The conference deliberated on emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector, with a focus on supporting defence start-ups & MSMEs, enhancing innovation capabilities and fostering strategic collaborations within the defence ecosystem. This was particularly relevant as iDEX-DIO has collaborated with leading investors and banks to accelerate defence innovation and enable ease of doing innovation.

    Manthan 2025 stood as a testament to the scale and speed of iDEX, showcasing the rapid strides made in defence innovation and the pivotal role of startups in transforming India’s defence capabilities. It contributed to driving the self-reliance mission of the Ministry of Defence as the nation progresses towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.

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    VK/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2102448) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LOK SABHA SPEAKER GREETS THE PEOPLE ON THE OCCASION OF GURU RAVIDAS JAYANTI

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has extended greetings on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. In his message Shri Birla has said, “Tributes to Sant Shiromani Shri Guru Ravidas Ji on his birth anniversary. With the message of social harmony and brotherhood, he emphasized on making the world more beautiful. His teachings spread equality, harmony, justice and brotherhood and aim at eradicating the evil practices. The life of Sant Shiromani and his teachings will continue to guide mankind for ages.”

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    AM

    (Release ID: 2102446) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India (2)

    BHARAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BUSINESS & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WORLD, IT ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN ALL SECTORS: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    IT SHOULD BE OUR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE CITIZENS A STAKEHOLDER IN GOVERNANCE: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MORE THAN HUNDRED CEOs, OWNERS & FOUNDERS FROM 16 COUNTRIES CALL ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    MEMBERS OF DELEGATION SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN BHARAT’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND ITS LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS

    CONSTITUTION OF BHARAT AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY FORM BEDROCK OF PEACE, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD’S LARGEST DEMOCRACY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    DELEGATION OF HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI CALLS ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 7:10PM by PIB Delhi

     Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla has asserted that Bharat not only provides business and investment opportunities to the world but it also provides leadership and solutions to the world in various sectors of economy and in global affairs. Addressing a delegation of more than 100 CEOs, Owners and Founders of renowned companies from 16 countries in parliament House complex today, Shri Birla said that Bharat has taken the centre stage in global leadership due to political stability and good governance with a vision of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam. In an engaging and enriching interaction with the delegation of Harvard Business School Alumni Group, Shri Birla said that Constitutionof Bharat and parliamentary democracy form the bedrock of peace, growth, and development in the world’s largest democracy. He emphasized the significance of Bharat’s foundational democratic principles in shaping the nation’s trajectory and fostering an environment conducive to prosperity.

    The delegation demonstrated a keen interest in understanding India’s economic progress and its rising stature on the global stage. During the interaction, the members of the delegation sought to learn more about the policies that have propelled India’s growth and its evolving role in the international community. Shri Birla welcomed their questions and provided thoughtful responses, particularly regarding economic investments and the functioning of parliamentary democracy. He informed the delegation that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, country is moving ahead on the path of holistic development with the larger goal of Viksit Bharat. Shri Birla welcomed the delegation members to invest in Bharat and assured them of support from all stakeholders in this process. In response to a question, Shri Birla observed that parliamentary democracy is the best form of governance and it provides effective solutions to various issues.

    He added that it should be our endeavor to make our citizens stakeholders in democratic form of governance, which will lead to ‘Good Governance’. The delegation which comprised business leaders in their respective countries, thanked Lok Sabha Speaker for providing deeper understanding of Bharat’s political and economic landscape, addressing the growing global curiosity about the nation’s development.

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    AM

    (Release ID: 2102449) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Valedictory event of Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at Valedictory event of Aero India 2025

    “Nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security; Providing our soldiers with the best of everything is our national responsibility”

    “The time has come for the private industry to take a lead in defence manufacturing sector in India”

    India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing displayed through 33 state-of-the-art items at ‘Samarthya’ indigenisation event, first-of-its-kind at Aero India

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:59PM by PIB Delhi

    “India is going through a revolutionary phase of transformation and is moving towards becoming a global leader in defence innovation & aerospace technology,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the Valedictory event of 15th Aero India in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 12, 2025. Raksha Mantri stated that, at the beginning, holistic national empowerment was the underlying philosophy of the mantra of self-reliance given by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “This philosophy gradually turned into our national spirit and now it is rapidly moving ahead to becoming a national resolution and national revolution,” he said. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the energy and enthusiasm being witnessed at Aero India 2025, stating that the growing participation of domestic & global exhibitors at the event and the breath-taking aerobatic performances by the Indian Air Force have made the 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition an unparalleled & historic event. He expressed optimism towards deeper and meaningful engagements amongst participating defence and aerospace companies.  

    Elaborating on the drastic change being witnessed in the field of defence manufacturing in the country, Raksha Mantri expressed appreciation over the fact that while 65-70% of defence equipment was imported a decade ago, today almost the same percentage of weapons/platforms are being manufactured on the Indian soil. “Today, we are at a juncture where many defence products, including fighter jets, missile systems & naval vessels, are not only protecting our borders, but also catching the attention of the world. From small artillery to large platforms like Brahmos and Akash missile system, we are exporting a variety of products to many countries. We have forged new partnerships at the global level, which has resulted in increased defence exports,” he added. 

    Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that India possesses a strong defence industrial complex, comprising 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), 430 licensed companies & about 16,000 MSMEs. He underlined that, with its current share of 21% in total defence production, the private sector is playing an active role in achieving the goal of self-reliance. He listed out the policies being constantly rolled out by the Government for the progress of both public and private sectors, including the revision of Defence Acquisition Procedure and the launch of initiatives/schemes such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) and Technology Development Fund (TDF). The time has come for the private industry to take a lead in the defence manufacturing sector in India, he said. 

    Raksha Mantri stressed on the fact that, in addition to the public & private sectors, the Armed Forces play the biggest role in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance. “National security is of utmost importance and there is no scope for any compromise. Nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security. Be it the equipment for our soldiers or provision of proper amenities for them & their families, providing them the best in everything is our national responsibility. I am happy to say that today our forces are not only being equipped with the ‘best’ weapons/technologies, they possess the platforms manufactured in India,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated the Armed Forces for their full trust in indigenously-manufactured defence products. “The military has wholeheartedly adopted weapons and equipment manufactured in the country. Only with the complete satisfaction of our Armed Forces can we move ahead to achieve self-reliance at a faster pace. The huge Defence Industrial Complex being built in India is based on the trust and faith of all our forces,” he said. 

    Raksha Mantri reiterated the Government’s commitment to constantly increase defence preparedness, keeping in mind the dimensions of warfare emerging today. He said Aero India 2025 has shown the potential that the future of Indian defence and aerospace sector is not just limited to the skies, but beyond it. He expressed gratitude to everyone for participating in the 15th Aero India, and hoped that it sows seeds of many collaborative, mutually beneficial and successful ventures & alliances amongst the participants. 

    Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh graced ‘Samarthya’ indigenisation event, which was first-of-its-kind at Aero India. It showcased India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing through 33 major items including 24 of DPSUs, DRDO & Indian Navy and nine successful innovation projects of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). 

    The items included ELECTRO BLOCK of Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun, Electric Mobile Part for submarine, Torsion Bar Suspension of HMV 6×6, Extruded Al alloy for components of LCA MK-I/II, LCH, Indian High temperature alloy (IHTA) Forged, Solution Annealed & Machined Billet, VPX-135 Single Board Computer, Muzzle Bore Sight of Tank T-90, RudraM II MISSILE, Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range, C4ISR System, DIFM R118 Electronic Warfare Systems, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast Receiver, Next-Generation Electric Ferry, Computerised Pilot Selection System, Counter measures for illegal drones (RF Jammer Guns), 4G/LTE TAC-LAN, Generation of Quantum Secure Keys between two nodes connected directly over 200 Kms) QKD – Armos, Abhed1 Secure Hardware based offline Encryption, Advanced autonomous systems for the armed forces, Attack surface monitoring tool, AI/ Ml Based Analytical and Decision Support Platforms (DeepDarshak), Smart Compressed Breathing Apparatus, Fire Wire for IFDSS, Portable RCS measuring device, Penetrator Assy for 125mm FSAPDS, Pilot Parachute PSU-36 for SU-30MKI, Knock out Engine (KOE) Charge for Konkurs-M missile, Diffusion Technology based Drivers Night Sight for BMP II and 30mm Six Barrel AO-18 Gun for AK630M Naval Gun. 

    During the event, three booklets – Coffee Table Booklet ‘Samarthya’ on Indigenisation; Compendium of Problem Definition Statement (CPDS) i.e. 2025 and Booklet of HQ IDS – were released by Raksha Mantri. The Coffee Table Booklet provides an overview of the indigenisation journey led by the Department of Defence Production. The Booklet of HQ IDS offers insights into conducting multi-domain operations in a data-centric environment, in the backdrop of emergence of new & transformative technology. 

    The CPDS aims to bridge the gap between the operational challenges of the Indian Army and the innovative solutions offered by academia, industry start-ups and research institutions. It contains 82 Problem Statements across 11 functional domains of warfare, including AI, communications, electronic warfare, situational awareness, survivability, mobility, armament, unmanned systems, cyber, logistical challenges etc.  It also includes problem statements for Indigenisation/ import substitution to reduce our import dependency for certain components or assemblies of legacy equipment. 

    The CPDS is a structured approach where the Army identifies and documents critical operational challenges and provides a platform for the Indian defence ecosystem to engage directly while accelerating the research and deployment of cutting-edge technologies tailored to the Army’s needs. The detailed guidelines elaborating on the procedure for submitting responses and evaluation criteria have been included in the Compendium available for download in the Army Design Bureau webpage of Indian Army website.   

    During the event, employees and associated industry partners of the DPSUs, DRDO, Services, who have contributed immensely in the indigenisation of the displayed items were felicitated during the event. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth; Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan; Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi; Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi; Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh; Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh; Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar were among those who attended the event.

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    VK/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2102439) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

    Source: Government of India

    WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

    Hurry up! Only two days left, don’t miss this chance to have your work recognized on a global stage, Submit your entry by February 15th

    WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge, attracts global submissions, uniting creators from over dozen countries & more than 52 Indian institutes like NIDs, IITs & SRFTI

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Do you have a vision that speaks through the lens and a story that unfolds in every frame? If creativity runs through your veins the WAVES Awards of Excellence presents a golden opportunity

    The much-anticipated Student Showreels & Professional Ad Film Competition is officially open for submissions! Submit your entry by February 15th.

    Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with ASIFA India, a UNESCO-recognized global NGO promoting animation, is hosting WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in Animation, Visual Effects, and Extended Reality (XR), reinforcing India’s creative leadership on the global stage.

    About the awards

    There are two competition categories:  Student Showreels (No time restriction) and Professional Ad Films (limit 60 seconds). The submissions reflect themes of India’s socio-cultural landscape, and modern technology like:

    • Wellness & Yoga

    • Gaming for Social Impact

    ASIFA India has witnessed an exceptional response with enthusiastic participation

     

    ASIFA India has received an overwhelming response with 1238 submissions of finished works from various demographics: Students (75%), Professionals (25%), Women (35%) and Emerging Creators (50%). The participation of women and young creators underscores the challenge’s role in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and fresh perspectives in India’s AVGC sector.

                                       

    Submissions have been promoted across various continents, resulting in over 60 global entries from 13 countries, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Greece, Cyprus, Iran, Finland, the Philippines, Germany, Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico, China, and Mexico. Global Animated Film association Asifa (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) is promoting the competition globally via its 40 Chapters in various counties.

    ASIFA also received submissions from more than 52 institutions in India and abroad. Leading global educational institutions like BAU Centro Universitario de Artes y Diseño de Barcelona, Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UTD, Tehran University of Art, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Academy Of Art University, Academy of Design, Colombo, Kennesaw State University student have submitted their top entries to this prestigious festival.
    Students from Prestigious Indian Institutions including all NID, IITs (IDC School of Design and DOD at various IIT’s), SRFTI, Symbiosis, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art, Banasthali Vidyapith, Ajeenkya D Y Patil University, BIT Mesra, UID, Srishti Manipal have also submitted their best work.

    Glimpses of Submissions of Waves Awards of Excellence

    WAVES Winners Gain Global Opportunities

     

    Winners will receive in-person support for portfolio review by experts, opportunity to interact with global jury from US, Greece & India. They will also receive networking opportunities by direct engagement with key stakeholders, including international studios, producers, and government officials for potential career opportunities. Animation studios and independent developers will receive guidance on funding, IP development, and business scalability.

    ASIFA India organized series Meet ups across 15 Indian sub-chapters to inspire creators from various cities for their participation in the upcoming WAVES Awards of Excellence. In the session ‘Deep Dive into Excellence from Mentors’ eminent global Jury like Briana Yarhouse from USA & Dr. Anastasia Dimitra from Athens, Greece gave tips to participants.

    Global Jury Members Briana Yarhouse, Dr.Anastasia Dimitra sharing their expertise during a Virtual Meet recently, joined by Deanna Morse(Member of Oscars), Celebrity Artist Dhimant Vyas, BN Vichar& Others..Session Moderated by Sanjay Khimesara, President, Asifa India & Vinita Bachani, Core Committee Member

     

    For more information and to submit your work, visit the submission portal here:

    https://www.asifaindia.com/waoe/

     

    About ASIFA INDIA

    ASIFA India is a non-profit organization established in 2000 with the goal of promoting the art, craft, and profession of VFX, Animation & Gaming in India. ASIFA India has been working tirelessly to create a platform for creators including- Animators, Vfx & Gaming artists, students, and professionals to network, learn, and showcase their work.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha/Shatrunjay kumar

    (Release ID: 2102429) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Competency Framework to Strengthen India’s Scientific Workforce

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Competency Framework to Strengthen India’s Scientific Workforce

    The Minister Reviews ‘Vigyan Shakti’ Initiative to Drive Science-Led Development and Collaboration

    Growing Participation in Research Grants: Dr. Jitendra Singh Assesses Common Fellowship Portal

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Proposes Industrial Calendar to Boost Research-Industry Linkages and Accelerate Innovation

    Expanding Opportunities: Minister Advocates Tribal Student Internships in Scientific Institutes

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    In a high-level meeting with Secretaries of Scientific Ministries, Departments, and Organizations and other higher officials,  Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the need for a structured competency framework for individuals working in scientific institutions. The Minister directed that the framework, developed in coordination with the Capacity Building Commission, should incorporate both functional and domain-specific competencies. Emphasizing the importance of outreach, he insisted that “how much is my outreach to the public stakeholders” be included as a key performance indicator (KPI), a facet often overlooked by science ministries.

    Taking stock of the ambitious “Vigyan Shakti” initiative, the Minister reviewed its progress and reiterated its role as a unified repository aimed at catalysing scientific efforts into developmental outcomes. Built on pillars such as inter-agency collaboration, industry-academia interactions and leadership and governance, the initiative seeks to maximize returns on investment in science. As part of this, he assessed the India Science, Technology, and Innovation (ISTI) Portal, which is envisioned to consolidate the database of India’s science and technology ecosystem and enhance accessibility to critical research resources.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also reviewed the status of the Common Fellowship Portal, designed as a one-stop platform for research grants  India. According to the latest data, the portal has garnered over 5,000 registered users, with more than 1,500 having completed their profiles and being eligible to apply for fellowships. The Minister expressed satisfaction at the growing participation and encouraged further awareness efforts to make research grants more accessible to young scientists.

    In a push to bridge the gap between research and industry, Dr. Jitendra Singh proposed that all scientific labs under various ministries develop a dedicated calendar for industrial meets. He highlighted that a structured engagement with the private sector would not only accelerate the commercialization of scientific discoveries but also enhance their impact on public welfare. Such an Initiative, he stated, would ensure that technological breakthroughs reach the masses faster and more efficiently.

    In a move to promote inclusivity in scientific research, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged all departments to explore opportunities for attaching tribal students to various scientific institutes for internships and exposure. He stressed that such initiatives would provide underprivileged students with valuable insights into research and innovation, fostering a more diverse and inclusive scientific community.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, along with Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Biotechnology; Shri Ravi Chandran, Secretary, Earth Sciences; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space and other senior officials.

    The meeting marked a significant step towards institutionalizing structured scientific engagement, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the benefits of research extend beyond laboratories to public stakeholders.

     

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2102421) Visitor Counter : 62

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar pays Floral Tributes To Guru Ravidas on his Birth Anniversary

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, paid floral tributes to one of the greatest saints ever born in India, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi today. Present on the occasion were all members of Dr. Ambedkar Foundation and officials of the Ministry. 

    “We should follow the path shown to us by Guru Ravidas Ji”, said Dr. Virendra Kumar. Inspired by the thoughts of Guru Ravidas Ji, the Ministry works for the welfare of the underprivileged and marginalized communities’ through its schemes and policies, he added.

    In the General Body Meeting organized by Department of Social justice and empowerment on 12 February 2025, members and officers celebrated Guru Ravidas Jayanti and thanked Dr. Virendra Kumar for  his working towards most marginalized communities’ their rights, welfare, and representation.

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    VM

     

    (Release ID: 2102414) Visitor Counter : 55

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Communications

    TRAI Strengthens Consumer Protection with Amendments to TCCCPR, 2018

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 to further strengthen consumer protection against Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). The revised regulations aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers.

    Since its implementation, TCCCPR-2018 has made breakthrough use of technology for spam control through blockchain-based regulatory framework. Despite the robust measures in place, spammers have evolved their tactics, necessitating further regulatory enhancements to safeguard consumer interests. Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper (CP) on the Review of the TCCCPR 2018 on 28th August 2024 to seek stakeholders’ views on key regulatory amendments needed to enhance consumer protection and curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC). The consultation focused on several vital issues, including redefining commercial communication categories, strengthening consumer complaint redressal mechanisms, tightening the threshold norms for action against UCC, bringing in higher accountability of senders and telemarketers, curbing the misuse of 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, implementing stricter measures against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs), etc.

    The amendments introduced today build upon stakeholder feedback and extensive internal deliberations to reinforce consumer rights and prevent misuse of telecom resources while at the same time aiming that the legitimate commercial communication occur through registered entities, based on the preference and consent of the customers, thereby, balancing the interests of consumers with the need for supporting legitimate economic activities in the country.

    Salient Features of the consumer-centric amendments made to the regulations:

     

    1. Ease of reporting spam and Revamped Complaint mechanism:
      1. Consumers will now be able to make complaintagainst spam (UCC) calls and messages sent by unregistered senders without the need of first registering their preferences for blocking or receiving commercial communications.
      2. To make the complaint process simpler and more effective, it has been mandated that if a complaint made by a customer contains bare minimum essential data such as number of the complainant, number of Sender from which the Spam/UCC has been received, date on which spam is received and a brief about the UCC Voice Call/Message, the complaint shall be treated as a valid complaint. Access Provider can collect additional information from the complainant to support the investigation.
      3. Further, a customer can now make a complaint about spam/ UCC within 7 days of receiving spam as compared to earlier 3-day time limit.
      4. The access providers have been mandated to display the options for registering spam/UCC complaints at a prominent and easy to find place in their mobile App and Web portal. Additionally, their mobile App should be able to auto capture call logs, SMS details after obtaining permission from the subscriber and extract necessary details through it for complaint registration. Moreover, the mobile app should also have the facility to register complaints using screenshots provided by the complaint.
      5. Time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to5 days.
      6. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent. As compared to earlier criterion of ‘having 10 complaints against the sender in last 7 days’ to trigger action, it has been modified to “having 5 complaints against the sender in last 10 days’. This would enable faster action and at the same time, coveringmore number of spammers.

     

    1. Empowering Customers:
      1. Improved mechanism for opting out from promotional communication: Telecom operators must now provide a mandatory option in the promotional messages using which a customer may opt out of receiving such messages, thereby, making preference modification simpler and easier for the consumers.
      2. Message headers will now carry standardized identifiers to help consumers easily distinguish between promotional, service, and transactional messages. Customers will be able to identify the type of commercial message by just looking at its header as “-P”, “-S”, “-T”, and “-G” will be suffixed to the message header for identification of promotional, service, transactional, and government messages, respectively.
      3. A separate category for messages sent by government has been created so that customers do not miss important government communications beneficial to them.
      4. A sender shall not make a request seeking consent of a customer who has opted out, before ninety (90) days from the date of such opt-out by the customer. However, customer will have the option to opt-in any time.
      5. The consent given by a customer for completing any ongoing transaction shall be valid only for 7 days so that businesses do not keep on making calls or sending messages to the customer indefinitely on the pretext of the consent given earlier.
      6. Further, consent of the customer which is implicit in case of transactional and service commercial communications, shall be valid only for the duration  or discharge of the contract between the customer and the sender, and, therefore, no service call can be made to the customer by such a sender thereafter unless the customer gives explicit consent for it.
      7. The amendments bring in disclosure of the use of auto-dialers/ robo calls, and its regulation to prevent undue disturbance to the customers.

     

    1. Stringent Measures against Spammers/ Senders of Unsolicited Commercial Communications
      1. Access providers must suspend all telecom resources of a sender found guilty of repeated violations. For the first violation of the regulatory threshold, outgoing services of all telecom resource of the sender will be barred for 15 days. For subsequent violations, all telecom resources of the sender, including PRI/SIP trunks, will be disconnected across all access providers for a period of one year and the sender will be blacklisted.
      2. Any call made or message sent to deceive or attempt to deceive customers has been classified as UCCso far as misuse of telecom resources is concerned, thereby, enabling quick regulatory actionagainst the telecom resources of the sender of such communication, including disconnection and blacklisting. This amendment will make disconnection of such telecom resources swift due to use of blockchain based technology.
      3. The amendment restricts senders from using normal 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, ensuring that all commercial communications originate from designated headers or specific number series. While the 140 series will continue to be used for promotional calls, the newly allocated 1600 series is designated for transactional and service calls, with implementation already in progress. This change enables recipients to easily identify the type of commercial communication based on the Caller Line Identification (CLI).

     

    1. Stringent provisions to ensure compliance of regulations
      1. In case of failure of the access providers to implement these regulations,provisions for imposing financial disincentives in graded manner have been introduced. A financial disincentive (FD) of Rs 2 lakh for first instance of violation, Rs 5 lakh for second instance of violation and Rs 10 lakh per instance for subsequent instances of violation, shall be imposed on access providers in case of misreporting of the count of UCC. These FDs shall be imposed separately for registered and unregistered senders. Moreover, these FDs will be in addition to the FD imposed on access providers against invalid closure of complaints, and not fulfilling their obligations in respect of registration of Message Headers and Content Templates.
      2. The Access Providers have been enabled to prescribe a security deposit for the senders and telemarketers, which can be forfeited in case of violation of regulations by the senders and telemarketers. To make the provision more effective, access providers have been mandated to enter into a legally binding agreement with all the registered Senders and Telemarketers wherein their roles and responsibilities as well as the actions that can be taken against them in case of non-compliance,shall be incorporated.

     

    1. Strengthening the ecosystem:
      1. Access providers are mandated to analyze call and SMS patterns based on parameters such as unusually high call volumes, short call durations, and low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios. This will help flag potential spammers in real-time.
      2. Telecom operators are required to deploy honeypots which are dedicated numbers that attract and log spam calls and messages, to analyze emerging spam trends and take pre-emptive action against suspected spammers.
      3. The revised regulations limit the number of intermediaries between the Principal Entity (PE) and the Telemarketer (TM) to ensure full traceability of messages. This will enhance accountability in commercial communication.
      4. Senders and telemarketers must undergo physical verification, biometric authentication, and unique mobile number linking during registration. Additionally, operators must maintain comprehensive records of complaints and sender details, ensuring that violators are quickly identified and penalized.
      5. To enhance accountability in commercial communication, TRAI has mandated strict Principal Entity (PE) – Telemarketer (TM) traceability. This ensures seamless tracking of messages from sender to recipient, reducing the risk of spam and unauthorized commercial communications.

     

    TRAI has mandated that Access Providers to ensure strict compliance with these new regulations and take proactive measures to identify and block violators.

     

    The revised regulations will enable TRAI in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a more secure and trusted digital communication environment. All stakeholders, including businesses and telecom operators, are advised to align their systems with the amended framework to ensure seamless implementation.

    For further information, Shri Deepak Sharma, Advisor (QoS-II), TRAI, may be contacted at 011-20907760 or at email-idadvqos@trai.gov.in

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2102413)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR hosts One-Day Workshop on International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Empowering Girls in STEM

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully organized a one-day workshop on the first decadal anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Themed “Empowering Girls for Participation in STEM: Fostering Awareness for Inclusive Education,” the event aimed to inspire and encourage young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Aligning with UNESCO’s theme, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” the workshop was held at the CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. The workshop brought together 56 undergraduate female students from four renowned women’s colleges of the University of Delhi, Gargi College, Kalindi College, Lady Irwin College, Deshbandhu College and Miranda House, alongside esteemed academicians, researchers, and policymakers. It provided a valuable platform for mentorship, resources, and critical insights into government initiatives, scholarships, and funding opportunities available for women in STEM.

    In the welcome address Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR emphasized the importance of gender equality in STEM and the need to create an enabling environment for women to excel in scientific careers. She reflected on the challenges faced by women in transitioning from academia to professional roles, underscoring the significance of gender sensitization and breaking stereotypes. Dr. GeethaVaniRayasam, Head, CSIR-Human Resource Development Group, delivered an insightful talk on CSIR’s various initiatives to support women in science. The session was further enriched by esteemed speakers discussing challenges and opportunities in STEM for young women. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Mini Thomas, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Former Director, NIT Trichy, who served as the Chief Guest. She encouraged young women to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields and urged institutions to create more opportunities for women scientists.

    The second session featured Dr. Monika Kulshrestha, Chief Scientist, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, who emphasized the importance of maintaining good health while striving for lifelong learning and professional growth. This was followed by an expert lecture by Dr. AmbikaBehl, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, titled “Highway Engineering Field: A Man’s World” She shared her journey from laboratory research to fieldwork, addressing gender biases and societal expectations. She emphasized the need for women to step out of their comfort zones, recognize their strengths, and navigate professional challenges with confidence. Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Delhi branch convenor of the Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA), delivered an IWSA related talk. The interactive segment of the workshop included a group discussion based on pre-filled questionnaires, allowing students to express their aspirations and challenges in STEM education. Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered a talk on “Opportunities for Undergraduate Girls in STEM” and provided valuable information on government schemes, funding opportunities, and resources available to support women in STEM careers.

    The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, followed by the National Anthem. CSIR-NIScPR reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gender gap in STEM and fostering an inclusive scientific community for future generations. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering young women in STEM, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive in scientific careers.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2102402) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month

    Governor Josh Stein Proclaims February as Career and Technical Education Month
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt joined students and administrators at Wake Technical Community College to issue a proclamation designating February as Career and Technical Education month. 

    Governor Stein also toured the auto tech labs at Wake Tech and spoke to school administrators, apprenticeship students, and business leaders to discuss issues facing North Carolina’s workforce.  

    “We intend to make North Carolina the #1 state for apprenticeships in the nation. Investing in career and technical education is key to creating an economy in North Carolina that works for everyone,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Alongside our community colleges and corporate partners, we can shape the workforce of the future right here in North Carolina.”

    “Our community colleges are a wonderful source of opportunity and a great way to train our workforce for the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. “I’m looking forward to working with Governor Stein on career and technical education and making sure we invest in training and apprenticeship programs across our state.”

    “We were incredibly excited to welcome Governor Stein to our campus,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “Wake Tech is home to nearly 50,000 career technical students, 150 corporate apprenticeship partners, and some of the best workforce education facilities in the country.”

    Governor Stein is committed to growing North Carolina’s economy by investing in workforce development and job training. This includes strengthening apprenticeships and investing in community college career and technical education programs in high-demand industries that give North Carolinians the opportunity to succeed. 

    Feb 12, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards

    Governor Josh Stein Announces Tar Heel Artists to Receive North Carolina Heritage Awards
    jejohnson6

    Governor Josh Stein announced today that six traditional artists or groups will receive the 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards for their lifetime contributions to the state’s cultural vitality. The N.C. Heritage Award is the state’s highest honor for traditional artists.

    The 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards honorees are: Gaurang Doshi, a North Indian classical musician from Winston-Salem; Helen Gibson, a woodcarver from Brasstown; The Glorifying Vines Sisters, a gospel quartet from Farmville; Chester McMillian, a Round Peak guitarist from Mount Airy; and Herman and Loretta Oxendine, Lumbee traditional artisans from Pembroke. Loretta Oxendine passed away Oct. 6, 2024, and will be honored posthumously.

    Since 1989, the N.C. Heritage Awards have recognized North Carolinians who have significantly influenced culture in their communities, such as teaching or training local artists, making seminal recordings or objects, being recognized as the sole or one of few practitioners continuing the tradition, or continuing an art form or style that can be traced back along a lineage of artists for generations. The 2025 honorees were all nominated by their peers and selected through a panel process.

    “North Carolina’s traditional arts community embodies the joy and diverse culture of our great state,” said Governor Stein. “I congratulate the 2025 Heritage Award recipients for their accomplishments and thank them for their contributions to North Carolina’s cultural life.”

    “This year more than ever, we are reminded of the value of our local traditions and the importance of safeguarding those art forms for future generations,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “This group of artists tells the extraordinary story of our state’s rich cultural heritage.”

    “Recipients of the North Carolina Heritage Awards represent the abundance of North Carolina’s cultural life,” said Jeff Bell, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “We celebrate the exceptional groups and individuals who dedicate their entire lives not only to a practice but also to their communities. Through them, we honor the importance of all North Carolinians.”

    The 2025 North Carolina Heritage Awards ceremony will take place at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on June 7, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., and will feature performances and demonstrations by each artist. PineCone, the Piedmont Council on Traditional Music, will partner with the N.C. Arts Council to produce the ceremony as part of its Down Home concert series. Tickets are available now at www.pinecone.org.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Feb 10, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Eyes to the Skies for the N.C. Bird Count at Aquarium

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Eyes to the Skies for the N.C. Bird Count at Aquarium

    Eyes to the Skies for the N.C. Bird Count at Aquarium
    jejohnson6

    KURE BEACH

    All eyes will be on the skies Friday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) hosts the Great Backyard Bird Count. NCAFF environmental educators will inspire the community to join the count and launch newly minted bird counters on an exciting journey to earn an NC Bird Count badge. Special activities throughout the day offer an exciting time for anyone and everyone to help scientists gather information on birds in the state to support their conservation. Visitors will be able to walk out the doors of the Aquarium or use binoculars at the birding window to start counting right away.

    Science Across NC
    There will be four days of bird counting! The North Carolina Bird Count, organized by Science Across NC, runs Feb. 14-17, and includes more than 30 organizations across the state. This is a good excuse and a unique opportunity for people to experience the natural world happening in their own neighborhood.

    “Birds are important species to observe, because healthy habitats for birds are also healthy homes for many other animals. Birds are also fun to watch, because they are usually easy to find and active throughout the year,” said Sammy Calderon, NCAFF environmental educator.

    Take the First Step
    Anyone can participate in the count, and it takes only a few steps to get plugged into the action. The first step is to create a free eBird account through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology ebird.org or their app, available for Android and Apple. Then, it’s just a matter of visiting a favorite spot to watch birds and enter the information into the app.

    “The more people who join the count, the better,” said Calderon. “We are excited about inspiring the community to participate in the count and also take conservation action like turning off lights to reduce light pollution for migrating birds, among other ways to protect them.”

    How to Protect Songbirds

    • Use bird-friendly window treatments
    • Turn off lights at night to reduce light pollution for migrating birds.
    • Purchase certified Bird Friendly© coffee to preserve neotropical bird wintering grounds.
    • Keep cats indoors to prevent predation of songbirds.
    • Select grass-fed beef to help save grassland birds.
    • Purchase certified sustainable paper products to help preserve the nesting grounds of boreal forest songbirds. Better yet, choose reusable items.

    Why it Matters
    Bird count is a big help in identifying local bird populations, migration patterns and other data that supports the conservation of birds. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the first-ever comprehensive assessment of net population changes in the U.S. and Canada reveals across-the-board declines that scientists call “staggering”:

    • All told, the North American bird population is down by 2.9 billion breeding adults, with devastating losses among birds in every biome.
    • Forests alone have lost 1 billion birds.
    • Grassland bird populations collectively have declined by 53%, or another 720 million birds.

    AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction
    NCAFF is accredited through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the highest standards in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. Another way the Aquarium team supports bird conservation is through AZA SAFE: North American Songbirds (NAS). NAS is part of the AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction program. SAFE NAS focuses on more than 300 species in the order Passeriformes that spend part of their annual cycle in North America. Songbird population declines in North America persist because of habitat loss, climate change, building collisions, and predation from outdoor domestic cats.

    For more information, visit Count Birds With Us, contact Sammy Calderon or call 910-772-0500.

    Online Tickets Required
    While at the Aquarium, visitors will also find immersive experiences including two families of Asian small-clawed otters, a couple of alligators and a 235-000-gallon habitat with two sand tiger sharks. The Bird Count activities are included with admission. Online reservations are required to visit the Aquarium at NCAFF Tickets.

    About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher  
    The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; EBT card holders: $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3-12. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. General information: ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher

    Feb 10, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why federal courts are unlikely to save democracy from Trump’s and Musk’s attacks

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Maya Sen, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

    Many people may look to federal courts as a bulwark of the U.S. Constitution. Jose Luis Pelaez/Stone via Getty Images

    State governments, community groups, advocacy nonprofits and regular Americans have filed a large and growing number of federal lawsuits opposing President Donald Trump’s barrage of executive orders and policy statements. Some of his actions have been put on hold by the federal courts, at least temporarily.

    As a scholar of the federal courts, however, I expect the courts will be of limited help in navigating through this complicated new political landscape.

    One problem is that the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years has moved sharply to the right and has approved of past efforts to expand the powers of the presidency. But the problem with relying on the courts for help goes beyond ideology and right-leaning justices going along with a right-leaning president, as happened in Trump’s first term.

    One challenge is speed: The Trump administration is moving much faster than courts do, or even can. The other is authority: The courts’ ability to compel government action is limited, and also slow.

    And that doesn’t even factor in statements by Trump, Vice President JD Vance and “special government employee” multibillionaire Elon Musk. All three have indicated that they are open to ignoring court rulings and have even threatened to seek the impeachment of judges who rule in ways they don’t like.

    President Donald Trump and multibillionaire Elon Musk are working together to restructure the U.S. government.
    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

    Speed

    Musk has been put in charge of White House efforts to cut government services, both in spending amount and reach.

    Constitutional law is clear: The executive branch cannot, on its own, close or shut down a federal agency that has been established by Congress. That is Congress’ job. But Trump and Musk are trying to do so anyway, including declaring that the congressionally established U.S. Agency for International Development will be shut down and turning employees away from the agency’s offices in Washington, D.C.

    The administration’s strategy, it seems, is the longstanding tech-company mantra: “move fast and break things.” The U.S. courts do not – and by design cannot – move equally quickly.

    It can take years for a case to wind its way through the lower courts to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. This is by design.

    Courts are deliberative in nature. They take into account multiple factors and can engage in multiple rounds of deliberation and fact-finding before reaching a final ruling. At every stage, lawyers on both sides are given time to make their cases. Even when a case does get to the Supreme Court – as many of these lawsuits likely will – it can take months to be fully resolved.

    By contrast, Trump’s and Musk’s actions are happening in a matter of days. By the time a court finally resolves an issue that happened in late January or early February 2025, the situation may have changed substantially.

    Volunteers hand out USAID flour at the Zanzalima Camp in Ethiopia in 2021.
    J. Countess/Getty Images

    For an example, consider the effort to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development. In the space of a week, the Trump administration put most of USAID’s workers on administrative leave and halted USAID’s overseas medical trials, which included pausing potentially lifesaving treatments.

    As of this writing, a district judge has temporarily blocked the order putting USAID workers on leave. But even if the courts ultimately conclude several months from now that the Trump administration’s actions regarding USAID were unlawful, it might be impossible to reconstitute the agency the way it used to be.

    For instance, many workers may have been demoralized and sought other employment. New personnel would have to be recruited and trained to replace them. Contracts that were terminated or invalidated or expired would have to be renegotiated. And the countries and communities that had received help from USAID might be less committed to the renewed programs, because of concerns services could be cut off again.

    Breadth

    When Republicans disagreed with any of Joe Biden’s executive actions – for example, his student debt forgiveness plan – they went to federal court to obtain nationwide injunctions stopping the implementation of the plan.

    But injunctions will not be as helpful given Trump’s recent playbook. A court blocking one order isn’t enough to stop the administration from trying different tactics. In 2017, courts blocked the first two versions of Trump’s ban on travel to the U.S. from majority-Muslim countries – but ultimately allowed a third version to take effect. And if an attack on one agency is blocked, the administration can try similar – or different – tactics against other agencies.

    The strategy of moving fast and breaking things is successful if the other side – or even the process of repair – can’t keep up with all the different strategies. Courts can be part of the strategy to preserve the Constitution, but they cannot be its only defenders.

    Authority

    John Marshall served as the nation’s fourth chief justice, from 1801 to 1835.
    Painted by Henry Inman, via Wikimedia Commons

    Researchers have argued that court-issued injunctions mostly work to stop the government from doing something, not to compel the government into doing something. Judges are already expressing concern that the Trump administration may fail to comply with orders to stop funding freezes.

    For instance, a federal district judge in Massachusetts has ordered the government not only to refrain from implementing changes to federal research grant funding but to provide evidence to the court that it was complying with the court’s order, immediately and every two weeks until the case is decided.

    Another federal judge has already found the administration failed to abide by a court order – but so far has not imposed any consequences on Trump, the administration or other officials.

    It’s unclear whether Trump would obey Supreme Court rulings against him, either. On the campaign trail, Trump’s running mate JD Vance said, “When the courts stop you, stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say, ‘The chief justice has made his ruling, now let him enforce it.’” He also recently remarked that “Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power,” hinting at strong opposition to rulings the administration disagrees with.

    All this doesn’t mean the courts are useless, nor that people shouldn’t sue to challenge actions they deem illegal or unconstitutional. The courts – and the Supreme Court in particular – exist in part to arbitrate power disputes between Congress and the presidency. As Chief Justice John Marshall said in his landmark 1803 Marbury v. Madison ruling, “It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.”

    But the courts alone will not be sufficient. The courts are like an antibiotic on a cut, helping healing and staving off further infection. They cannot keep a grievously wounded patient alive. For this, a robust political strategy is necessary. It is in all Americans’ hands collectively to make sure that the constitutional structure is not just enforced, but also sustained.

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

    – ref. Why federal courts are unlikely to save democracy from Trump’s and Musk’s attacks – https://theconversation.com/why-federal-courts-are-unlikely-to-save-democracy-from-trumps-and-musks-attacks-249533

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Introduces Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, Secures Wins for WA Environment & Tribes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.12.25
    Cantwell Introduces Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill, Secures Wins for WA Environment & Tribes
    Bill would authorize USCG “Whale Desk” for additional 2 years to help ships steer clear of Puget Sound Orcas and other whales
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 that would reauthorize $30.45 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.
    “This legislation prioritizes the Coast Guard’s most important asset—the men and women of the Coast Guard, and their families,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The bill drives much needed reforms that will help prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment throughout the Coast Guard, including establishing confidential reporting, strengthening protective orders, expanding access to care for victims, and stronger accountability for leadership. Admiral Fagan made great progress during her term, and the next Commandant will need to continue to be a steady force that stands up for service members.
    “The bill also establishes a new Vice Admiral dedicated to improving recruitment, health care and child care for members. The bill also increases funding for core Coast Guard missions such as shipbuilding and cracking down on illegal fishing and drug smuggling.”
    Among many important provisions, the legislation includes historic protections for sexual assault and harassment, boosts workforce development programs and availability of affordable housing, increases funding to help U.S. Coast Guard deliver on critical priorities such as icebreakers and 52-foot heavy-weather lifeboats, raises penalties for abandoned and derelict vessels, and encourages more collaboration with Tribes.
    The legislation authorizes $14.93 billion for FY25 and $15.51 billion for FY26. The full bill text of the bipartisan U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 is available HERE. 
    Sen. Cantwell secured language for programs critical to Washington state in the legislation. Among those provisions, her bipartisan legislation:
    Expands Affordable Housing Opportunities: Allows the Coast Guard to acquire housing that is available both on the market and in new housing construction programs. This is particularly important in coastal areas — like Cape Disappointment, Grays Harbor, and Port Angeles — where Coast Guard families face a difficult time accessing affordable, quality housing due to competition with seasonal rentals and other challenges associated with remote units. This bill also expands the Coast Guard’s ability to enter into long-term leases for medical facilities, child development centers, and training facilities to expand access to services for Coast Guard families while reducing administrative overhead expenses and allowing for additional improvements to these facilities.
    Increases Federal Funding to Deliver on Icebreakers and Heavy Weather Lifeboats: The legislation increases authorized funding by 30% compared to 2024 appropriated funding levels, which will help the Coast Guard deliver on critical priorities such as polar icebreakers, 52-foot heavy-weather lifeboats, and other priority acquisition programs.
    Seattle will be home for the Coast Guard’s fleet of 3 polar icebreakers.
    Sen. Cantwell recently toured U.S. Coast Guard Station Disappointment, where the future fleet of heavy-weather lifeboats will be homeported to support search and rescue missions, which is critical to safety of people working in the fishing and maritime sector in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. In 2023, Sen. Cantwell secured a downpayment of $12 million to replace the heavy-weather boats in the 2023 Appropriations Act.
    Creates the First-Ever Tribal Advisor: Creates a new senior position within the Coast Guard to advise the Commandant and other Coast Guard leaders on how the Coast Guard can work more closely with Tribes. The new Special Advisor would also be charged with ensuring the Coast Guard upholds trust responsibilities to tribal governments, improving tribal engagement and consultation activities, and ensuring that Tribes have a voice on Coast Guard programs that impact tribes including oil spill preparedness and response, fisheries oversight, and the protection of natural resources.
    Boosts Local Tribal Partnerships to Improve Conservation: Provides the Coast Guard with new authorities to support habitat conservation and other resilience projects with state, local, and tribal governments. This important new authority would ensure tribes and other organizations can partner with the Coast Guard to protect treaty fishing rights and maintain access to cultural and natural resources.
    Reauthorizes the Whale Desk: Extends the Whale Desk at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound by two years, through FY2028. Authored by Senator Cantwell in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2022, the “Whale Desk” at Sector Puget Sound gives vessel operators and mariners near real-time data about the location of whales to reduce encounters that disturb whales, including noise pollution and ship strikes. The pilot program also includes a “hotline” where callers can report whale sightings in real time. The data collected will be valuable for researchers who track whale migration patterns.
    According to the Coast Guard, 75 whale sightings have been reported to the Sector Puget Sound Whale Desk since its opening in December 2023.
    Sen. Cantwell helped celebrate the launch of the Whale Desk in February 2024. Photos and videos are available HERE and HERE.
    Supports the Commercial Fishing and Maritime Industries: Continues to authorize the use of a satellite tracking system to mark fishing gear locations, which ensures gear is not lost and avoids potential damage by derelict gear. It also supports fishing vessels engaging in temporary towing operations as part of salmon hatchery development in Alaska.  The bill also creates new training and credentialing opportunities for qualified mariners, veterans, and the general public seeking to become mariners. It also expedites processing times for merchant mariner licensing documents to help close this critical workforce gap.
    Maps Arctic Maritime Routes: The Bering Sea is expected to see increased fishing, commercial, and other vessel traffic over the coming decades. As a key international trade and maritime route, this bill requires an analysis of projected traffic in the Bering Strait, and the emergency response capabilities and infrastructure needed to support this increased vessel traffic and prevent oil spills in the Bering Sea and the Arctic.
    Boosts International Pacific Cooperation: Requires the Coast Guard to develop a plan to increase international training opportunities in the Pacific, including with the Taiwan Coast Guard. This coordination will strengthen American relations, combat illegal fishing, and boost international security in the Pacific.
    Cracks Down on Abandoned Vessels: Improves oversight of derelict and abandoned vessels by requiring the Coast Guard to develop and maintain an inventory list of these vessels to improve tracking, management, and coordination between federal, state, tribal, and other relevant entities. It authorizes a new federal penalty of $500 a day for abandoning vessels.
    Abandoned and derelict vessels pose unique and costly threats to coastal communities and ecosystems by leaking pollutants and imperiling marine traffic. According to the WA Department of Natural Resources, DNR removed 319 derelict and abandoned boats from Washington state waterways 2021-2023.
    Protects Personnel from Illicit Drug/Fentanyl Exposure: As the Coast Guard carries out important drug interdiction missions to stop the flow of illegal drugs, this bill requires all installations to maintain a supply of naloxone or similar medication to treat opioid or fentanyl overdoses or exposure by Coast Guard members and the public in search and rescue or response calls.
    Require Stronger Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Prevention and Response: The bill would establish or update numerous Coast Guard and Academy authorities and programs to improve reporting, oversight, prevention, and accountability related to sexual misconduct. These provisions were drafted in response to Operation Fouled Anchor, which revealed gross mishandling of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases of U.S. Coast Guard personnel.
    A full breakdown of these protections is available HERE.
    Supporting Coast Guard Families Stationed in Washington:
    Creates the First Vice Admiral of Personnel: To support the more than 40,000 active service members, the bill establishes a new Vice Admiral leadership position solely focused on supporting the needs of personnel and their families, from housing to health care, investments in childcare, and improving recruitment and training programs.
    Jump Starts Hiring of Health and Family Service Providers Across Entire Service: Provides direct hiring authority to swiftly fill more than a hundred vacancies, including behavioral and mental health professionals, medical specialists, childcare service providers, housing supervisors, criminal investigators, and other positions to protect the health and wellbeing of Coast Guard members and their families. It also adds two new telemedicine rooms at the Coast Guard Academy.
    Improves College-to-Service Career Pathways: Updates the College Student Pre-Commissioning Program to allow more colleges and universities to participate and to increase recruitment of students interested in commissioning into a Coast Guard career. 
    Prepares Tsunami Evacuation Plans: Requires the development of tsunami evacuation and preparedness plans for Coast Guard units in tsunami zones, including across the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. It also requires the Coast Guard to consider vertical evacuation as a lifesaving option for Coast Guard members.
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Supports NOAA Corps Officers: To support the hundreds of NOAA’s commissioned officers, the bill makes improvements to personnel management, education assistance programs, pilot recruitment programs, and more. NOAA Corps members help manage maritime research, support disaster response, and monitor weather forecasting including hurricanes and atmospheric rivers, as well as performing other cutting-edge weather forecast and research needs.
    Modernizes NOAA Vessel Fleet: Authorizes replacement and modernization of the NOAA research vessel fleet and improves oversight of the fleet, which helps maintain our nation’s weather and scientific buoy network, conducts fisheries research, maps the ocean floor including in the Arctic, and supports other important oceanographic and conservation priorities.
    Removes Aging NOAA Vessels: Allows NOAA to use the proceeds of obsolete vessel sales to support the acquisition or repair of other NOAA vessels to help make the fleet more resilient in the future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – SEDE exchanges with EIB Vice-President de Groot & with NATO PA President Perestrello – Committee on Security and Defence

    Source: European Parliament

    SEDE_soldier_EU_defence.png © Adobe Stock

    On 18 February, the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) will hold an exchange of views with Robert DE GROOT, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), on the Bank’s role in strengthening European defence. This discussion is particularly timely after the recent informal European Council retreat discussions on the need to enhance the financing of European Defence. …

    SEDE Members will also have an exchange of views with Marcos PERESTRELLO, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). This item will be held jointly with the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (DNAT).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Georgia’s newly adopted anti-LGBTIQ+ law – E-001891/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU has stressed that the legislative measures in Georgia targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people undermine the fundamental rights of Georgians, and that this, and other negative developments, severely affect Georgia’s EU trajectory[1].

    The rights of LGBTIQ persons fall within the negotiations on Chapter 23 of the acquis on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights and therefore under the ‘fundamentals’ for EU accession[2], which determine the overall pace of the negotiations.

    Following recent developments, including with respect to LGBTIQ persons , and in line with the European Council conclusions of June 2024[3], the Commission took concrete measures halting high-level engagement with Georgia and conducting a review of its financial assistance. Over EUR 120 million from the 2022-2024 envelope were withheld or will be reallocated.

    The designation of safe countries of origin does not alter Member States’ obligation under EU law to examine applications for international protection and to grant such protection where the conditions are met.

    Being aware of the risks faced by LGBTIQ people in Georgia, the Commission supports the protection of their rights. EU-funded project[4] offer legal aid to vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ individuals.

    Significant support has also been provided to strengthen the civil society capacity to monitor the situation and promote the advancement of human rights.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/georgia-statement-spokesperson-legislative-package-family-values-and-protection-minors_en?s=221
    • [2] Under the 2020 revised Enlargement Methodology: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0057
    • [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf
    • [4] https://euneighbourseast.eu/projects/eu-project-page/?id=2183
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Situation in Syria and protection of minorities in the country following the fall of Assad to HTS – E-002863/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) confirms the EU’s commitment to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned peaceful and inclusive transition with the participation of all Syrian citizens, including the Syrian Kurdish population.

    The EU urges all Syrian and regional actors to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further violence, to ensure the protection of civilians, and to uphold international law, including international humanitarian law.

    Türkiye has a legitimate right and responsibility to fight against terrorism, ensuring that this is done in accordance with the rule of law, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in full respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of neighbouring states.

    The HR/VP evokes the European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024[1], calling for full respect for Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders, in accordance with international law.

    The HR/VP already expressed this position in her statement of 9 December 2024[2], and clearly reiterated it in multiple international meetings, including in Aqaba on 14 December 2024[3], where the international community agreed on common principles for engaging in support of a Syrian-led, Syrian owned transition.

    The HR/VP also took the opportunity to underline the EU’s position in her bilateral meetings with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and will continue to do so.

    The EU stands ready to support the new phase in Syria in coordination with regional partners and others. For this, the HR/VP is in close contact with her counterparts in the region.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/jhlenhaj/euco-conclusions-19122024-en.pdf
    • [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/09/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-fall-of-the-assad-regime/
    • [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/press-statement-eu-high-representative-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy-following-international_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular – RC-B10-0126/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0126/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0128/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0131/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0134/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0135/2024 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Željana Zovko, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Gabriel Mato, David McAllister, Vangelis Meimarakis, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Leire Pajín
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Carlo Fidanza, Alberico Gambino, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Assita Kanko, Mariusz Kamiński, Marlena Maląg, Bogdan Rzońca, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ivaylo Valchev, Jadwiga Wiśniewska
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Bernard Guetta, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Catarina Vieira
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0126/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0126/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

    (2025/2547(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas since 2018, the Nicaraguan regime has systematically, repeatedly and arbitrarily persecuted human rights defenders (HRDs), opposition and religious representatives, among others; whereas over 5 600 NGOs have been dissolved, including religious groups – mainly Catholic – and their assets confiscated;

    B. whereas imprisoned political opponents, along with HRDs, have been expelled from the country, stripped of their nationality and deprived of their political rights; whereas since 2018, 245 members of the clergy have been arbitrarily arrested or expelled, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez, Sakharov Prize finalist;

    C. whereas in January 2025, the regime passed a constitutional reform that eliminates the separation of powers and political pluralism, establishing an Ortega-Murillo co-presidency that controls all branches of government, independent institutions and the media, and ignores adherence to international human rights conventions and treaties;

    1. Strongly condemns the Ortega-Murillo regime’s widespread, systemic human rights violations against its population, democratic opposition, students, civil society organisations (CSOs) and its persecution of religious leaders, primarily Catholic; urges the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained, and the restoration of the rule of law and the legal status of all organisations, freedoms and the rights of exiled individuals, including their safe return; insists that these are essential conditions for any prospect of meaningful dialogue;

    2. Denounces the use of statelessness and exile as a weapon against dissenting voices; reiterates the need to end restrictions on civic space and to respect the right to dissent;

    3. Calls on the Ortega-Murillo regime to reverse its constitutional reform and all repressive laws institutionalising totalitarianism, to fully respect its international human rights obligations, and to implement the recommendations made by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua; calls for its mandate to be extended;

    4. Calls for the EU to include specific guarantees of human rights compliance when allocating EU funds, including through multilateral and financial institutions, and to ensure that the funds do not contribute to strengthening the Ortega-Murillo regime;

    5. Highlights the key role played by CSOs, HRDs, the Catholic Church and journalists in Nicaragua; calls for the EU to reinforce its regular dialogue with them, including those in exile, to support their vital work, as well as countries receiving migrants fleeing Nicaragua, such as Costa Rica;

    6. Calls on the Member States, in accordance with the Rome Statute, to open investigations through the International Criminal Court into the Ortega-Murillo regime for crimes against humanity;

    7. Reiterates its demand that the democratic clause of the EU Association Agreement be triggered; rejects any prospect of holding any parliamentary dialogue with members of Nicaragua’s regime-controlled National Assembly;

    8. Reiterates its call to expand the list of sanctioned individuals to include Ortega, Rosario Murillo and their inner circle;

    9. Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy;

    10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States and the Nicaraguan authorities.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Change of algorithm on X before US election – P-002623/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has been investigating X, designated as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act (DSA)[1], for suspected breaches of different articles, including suspected lack of compliance with, amongst others, Article 34(1) and (2) and 35(1) of the DSA.

    These provisions oblige providers of designated platforms inter alia to diligently identify, analyse and assess various systemic risks, and put in place effective mitigation measures.

    The current investigations against X include risks linked to civic discourse and elections in the EU, including risks stemming from the design and functioning of its algorithmic systems.

    On 17 January 2025, the Commission ordered X to retain internal documents and information regarding future changes to the design and functioning of its recommender algorithms, while also requesting internal documentation on its recommender system relating to past changes.

    The Commission also ordered access to certain technical interfaces (APIs) to allow direct fact-finding on content moderation and virality of accounts.

    These measures will allow the Commission services to take all relevant facts into account in the assessment under the DSA of systemic risks and their mitigation.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1-102.
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Implementing the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act – 12-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) entered into force on 29 June 2024. Its implementation comes at a critical juncture, where the stakes and challenges facing the European net-zero technologies sector remain as pressing as ever. The NZIA aims to address some of the barriers to the development of the European net-zero manufacturing sector. Numerous third countries are intensifying efforts to expand their clean energy manufacturing capacity, heightening competitive pressure on the EU. With the NZIA, the EU aims to boost its industrial base, strengthen its economic security, and accelerate the clean energy transition. While net-zero technologies span a wide range of sectors, the NZIA applies specifically to a subset of 19 net-zero technologies. It seeks to reduce the administrative burden on manufacturers by streamlining and accelerating permitting procedures. To this end, it sets up a net-zero regulatory burden scientific advisory group. Some specific net-zero manufacturing projects, recognised as ‘net-zero strategic projects’, will receive additional benefits, including accelerated permitting processes, priority handling in dispute resolution, and advisory support for accessing financing. The NZIA also includes provisions on public procurement for clean technologies and auctions to deploy renewable energy sources, introducing mandatory non-price criteria. The European Commission should support the establishment of European net-zero industry academies to develop skills. Moreover, the NZIA includes provisions to develop permanent geological CO2 storage sites and CO2 transport infrastructure. The absence of additional dedicated EU funding to support the implementation of the NZIA has drawn significant criticism from numerous stakeholders. Stakeholders have also expressed concerns that the NZIA offers little beyond regulatory streamlining. Some anticipate limited practical application of the provisions on public procurement and auctions. Additionally, the NZIA has been criticised for lacking a strategic focus, as it targets too many technologies simultaneously. Furthermore, some critics worry that accelerating administrative procedures could place additional pressure on local communities and the environment, overburden national public authorities, and exacerbate conflicts at the local level.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Horizon Europe: efficient grant agreements – E-002691/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. Compared to Horizon 2020, there is no increased complexity in the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement[1]. Provisions have been further simplified and harmonised, a data sheet included, and the number of Articles, Annexes and the types of grant agreements reduced.

    The Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement is based on a corporate model, with streamlined common provisions to all directly and indirectly managed EU funded programmes, to simplify implementation and facilitate synergies. The number of exceptions and special cases stems from specific rules applicable to different EU programmes.

    Specific provisions for different types of actions are detailed in Annex 5. The type of Model Grant Agreement is included in the documents published with a call for proposals. These measures overall help beneficiaries anticipating the applicable grant agreement provisions and further address them, where necessary, in the consortium agreement in a timely manner.

    2. The Commission is planning to progressively simplify the proposal application template by removing the request to provide information on various non-financial obligations. This simplification will be mirrored in the related reporting requirements.

    3. While not being a legal obligation, the Commission advises consortia to prepare and sign consortium agreements before the beginning of the grant implementation , in order to have a solid basis for the internal arrangements and avoid conflicts. This explanation is part of the training events that the Commission regularly organises.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/agr-contr/unit-mga_he_en.pdf
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Management of invasive species – E-002927/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. Invasive alien species (IAS) of Union concern are subject to the restrictions mentioned in Article 7 of the IAS Regulation[1]. This includes Article 7(h), releasing into the environment. Releasing an IAS after containment is not permissible.

    2. To support the implementation of IAS Regulation, the Commission has published a manual on humane treatment of vertebrate IAS[2] helping competent authorities in making management choices, including an assessment of animal welfare implications. Competent authorities can use this manual but are held nevertheless to the requirements of the legislation itself which, in its Article 1, states that the regulation sets out rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impact on biodiversity of the introduction and spread within the Union, both intentional and unintentional, of invasive alien species.

    3. The EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE)[3] allows funding for developing, testing and implementing innovative humane management methods.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35-55.
    • [2] https://easin.jrc.ec.europa.eu/easin/Document/Final-deliverables-humane/Manual_management_vertebrate_IAS_incl_welfare_medres.pdf
    • [3] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life_en
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Follow-up question due to lack of answer to Question E-002172/2024 – E-002922/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The measure referred to by the Honourable Member has been announced as part of the Spanish action plan but has not been adopted yet and, therefore, the Commission is not in a position to assess it. Also, the Commission would not assess individual political statements.

    Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the European Media Freedom Act[1] and to take the necessary steps for enforcement.

    In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation on the independence of media and journalists and may decide to take appropriate action including, where appropriate, infringement proceedings.

    It will continue assessing all relevant developments related to media freedom and pluralism in all Member States, including Spain, under the annual Rule of Law Report[2].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401083
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Improving the quality of life of people living with diabetes – E-002544/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Research and innovation (R&I) on non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and its comorbidities, has been a longstanding priority of the Commission.

    Over EUR 274 million supported 108 diabetes-related projects in the previous Framework Programme for R&I Horizon 2020[1],[2]. In addition, the current programme, Horizon Europe[3], continues to invest in diabetes research. So far over EUR 109 million has supported 50 R&I projects on diabetes[4].

    The project portfolios on diabetes in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe also include the Innovative Medicines Initiative and the Innovative Health Initiative[5] projects that have addressed detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications[6].

    With its broad call topics, Horizon Europe will further support excellent and impactful R&I on non-communicable diseases, including diabetes.

    The design of call topics is coordinated with the Programme Committee delegations of Member States and Associated Countries, which also convey priorities of scientific communities, civil societies and citizens (including patients). The funding opportunities under Horizon Europe are published on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal[7].

    Coordination of diabetes research is also ensured between EU programmes, including EU4Health[8] where policy research related to diabetes and its co-morbidities is developed and implemented through collaborative actions among Member States.

    While it takes good note of the importance of continuing to provide support to research on diabetes in different subpopulations of patients, at the current early stage of preparation of the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation the Commission cannot provide further details regarding this specific research area.

    • [1] Horizon 2020 ( (2014-2020) https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-2020_en
    • [2] For instance, the DIABFRAIL-LATAM project has focused on improving the quality of life of ageing populations with diabetes associated with comorbidities; https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/825546
    • [3]  Horizon Europe (2021-2027) https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    • [4] For instance, the project MELISSA aims to provide mobile artificial intelligence solution for diabetes adaptive care. https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101057730
    • [5] https://www.ihi.europa.eu/about-ihi/imi-ihi
    • [6] More on IMI/IHI project portfolios: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/projects-results/health-spotlights/impact-diabetes
    • [7] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
    • [8] https://health.ec.europa.eu/funding/eu4health-programme-2021-2027-vision-healthier-european-union_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission measures to uphold journalists’ rights and protect journalists and publications threatened by the Russian Federation – E-002264/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As stated in its reply to Written Question P-001987/2024, the EU firmly condemns Russia’s ongoing intimidation, harassment and killing of European journalists and other media workers who report from its war of aggression against Ukraine.

    This also includes the use of politically motivated arrest warrants issued by Russia against international journalists reporting from war zones and frontlines[1].

    The EU has consistently condemned Russia’s attempts to obstruct the work of European and other journalists and has regularly addressed these issues in multilateral fora like the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe where Russia is present.

    The EU will remain steadfast in its commitment to protect media freedom and the safety of journalists around the world and in war zones.

    The Commission will ensure the effective application of the European Media Freedom Act[2] and the anti-SLAPP Directive[3]. It will also monitor Member States’ actions to put in practice the recommendation[4] on the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and the recommendation[5] on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings to safeguard the independence of media and journalists and will continue assessing all relevant developments related to media freedom and pluralism in all Member States, including Romania, under the annual Rule of Law Report[6].

    • [1] Further detailed guidance on extradition to third states and a summary of the relevant case law of the Court of Justice in this respect can be found in the Guidelines on Extradition to Third States of June 2022, see Commission Notice — Guidelines on Extradition to Third States, Official Journal of the European Union, (2022/C 223/01).
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401083
    • [3] Directive — EU — 2024/1069 — EN — EUR-Lex.
    • [4] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/recommendation-protection-safety-and-empowerment-journalists
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A138%3ATOC
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en
    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of the DEVE Committee 18 February – Committee on Development

    Source: European Parliament

    Meeting of the DEVE Committee 18 February | Highlights | Home | DEVE | Committees | European Parliament

    Debates:

    • Exchange of views with Jakub Wiśniewski, Undersecretary of State on the priorities of the Polish Presidency;
    • Consideration of the draft report on Financing for development – ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville;
    • Consideration of draft opinion and exchange of views on BUDG draft report on a revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world;
    • Exchange of views with David Miliband CEO of the International Rescue Committee’s 2025 Emergency Watchlist;
    • Exchange of views with UNDP on the State of play of the implementation of the SDGs;
    • Exchange of views with the UN Resident Coordinator, UNODC and Human Rights Watch (HRW) on the humanitarian, security and development situation in Haiti, jointly with the Subcommittee on Human Rights and in association with the Delegation to the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly.

    Votes:

    • DEVE opinion on the 2023 discharge of the general budget of the EU related to the Commission

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye – RC-B10-0100/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0100/2025 (The Left)
    B10‑0103/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0110/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0119/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0121/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0124/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Michalis Hadjipantela, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Evin Incir, Nikos Papandreou, Pina Picierno
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Alexandr Vondra, Assita Kanko, Carlo Fidanza, Emmanouil Fragkos, Galato Alexandraki, Alberico Gambino
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Malik Azmani, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Vladimir Prebilič
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Isabel Serra Sánchez, Özlem Demirel
    on behalf of The Left Group

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0100/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0100/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

    (2025/2546(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas Türkiye is expected, as a candidate country, to align with the EU acquis in all areas, including adherence to the rule of law and fundamental rights, as outlined in the Copenhagen criteria; whereas the accession process has been stalled since 2018 due to a continued deterioration in democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law;

    B. whereas Türkiye has systematically misused counter-terrorism laws to target elected officials, opposition politicians and human rights defenders, as noted by the UN Special Rapporteur and the Venice Commission;

    C. whereas Türkiye’s practice of replacing democratically elected mayors with government-appointed trustees instead of a member of the municipal council is a blatant attack on the most basic principles of local democracy, predominantly targeting Kurdish regions;

    D. whereas since the 2024 local elections, the interior ministry has dismissed eight mayors from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and two from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), replacing them with Ankara-appointed trustees; whereas this practice has been enabled by legal amendments introduced through an emergency decree in 2016;

    E. whereas several mayors, including DEM mayors Mehmet Sıddık Akış (Hakkâri) and Abdullah Zeydan (Van), have been arrested on the basis of vague and unsubstantiated terrorism-related allegations; whereas Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, is facing multiple legal challenges and possible political disqualification;

    1. Condemns the arbitrary dismissal and imprisonment of democratically elected mayors and their replacement by unelected government trustees, a practice that violates democratic principles and disenfranchises millions of voters;

    2. Calls for the immediate release, acquittal and reinstatement of all elected mayors, unless there is credible, court-verified evidence of wrongdoing, in line with international legal standards;

    3. Expresses deep concern over the impact of these actions on local governance, particularly in Kurdish-majority areas; underlines the need to continue the Kurdish peace process;

    4. Calls for judicial reforms to abolish the trustee system, in line with the recommendation by the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission, and restore the independence of the judiciary;

    5. Urges Türkiye to align its policies with the ECHR and fully implement all ECtHR rulings, in line with Article 46 ECHR, including in cases involving political imprisonment;

    6. Recalls that financial assistance to Türkiye under the IPA III and the NDICI is conditional upon respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, and that sufficient funding needs to be allocated to civil society;

    7. Reaffirms the EU’s commitment to supporting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Türkiye, and calls for the EU to closely monitor the situation and take the necessary diplomatic measures; calls on the VP/HR to consider imposing restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Turkish officials assuming the role of trustee and those appointing them;

    8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Council of Europe and the Turkish authorities.

     

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the Polish Presidency priorities in DEVE – Committee on Development

    Source: European Parliament

    On 18 February from 9:15 to 10:30, the DEVE Committee will hold an exchange of views with Jakub Wiśniewski, Poland’s Undersecretary of State responsible for international development cooperation. Mr Wiśniewski will present to the DEVE Committee the main priorities of the Polish Presidency in the areas of development cooperation and humanitarian aid

    The Polish Presidency is expected to brief Members on its main priorities, including development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and Agenda 2030. In the current competitive and multipolar geopolitical environment, this exchange of views will provide an opportunity for Members to engage with the rotating Presidency of the Council on issues of common concern and foster close cooperation in support of the Team Europe approach.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Loans of repatriated ethnic Greeks from former USSR countries – E-000486/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000486/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    The Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece expresses the anguish of thousands of families repatriated from former USSR countries, who are facing the threat of their homes being auctioned or seized for loans they had taken out using a rehabilitation programme under the Law of 2000. After the onset the economic crisis in 2009, many families found themselves unable to make their loan repayments.

    The large increases in repayment instalments and interest are due to the fact that the loans were linked to Greek State bonds, the prices of which sky-rocketed during the period of the memoranda signed by the Greek governments of ND, SYRIZA and PASOK with the EU, the European Central Bank and the IMF. The funding for the repatriation programme was provided by the Public Investment Programme, which also included funds from the Third and Fourth Community Support Frameworks.

    Given the EU’s shared responsibility for leading thousands of families of repatriated people down a dead end,

    • 1.What is the Commission’s position on the urgent request to write off the amounts that have amassed from increases, recapitalisations and compound interest?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s position on the urgent request for the annual service cost, after the above write-offs, not to exceed 10% of the annual taxable amount, in order for such people to be able to save their only home, which for them was a lifelong dream?
    • 3.What is the Commission’s position on the urgent request to cease any enforcement actions or other coercive measure on the part of credit institutions and the State, so that they do not lose their homes?

    Submitted: 4.2.2025

    Last updated: 12 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –