NewzIntel.com

Category: Balkans

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global Receives First Order for BeamSpot™ Curbside EV Chargers from Fortune 500 Utility Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, today announced that it has received the first order for its BeamSpot™ curbside chargers from a Fortune 500 company in the utility and energy solutions sector. Multiple corporate offices will each install three BeamSpot™ systems for EV charging and street lighting. This announcement comes shortly after last month’s launch of the product, which is part of Beam Global’s line up of renewably energized, grid independent, electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. The patented BeamSpot™ sustainable curbside charging system is a streetlight replacement that combines solar, wind and utility-generated electricity stored in Beam Global’s proprietary integrated batteries, to provide resiliency, lighting and curbside EV charging.

    “This first order demonstrates the marketability of the BeamSpot product,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “This product solves one of the toughest challenges facing the industry today – the need for ubiquitous, sustainable charging at the curb that can be deployed quickly and without major easements, construction or electrical work. We are excited to deliver these initial units to a long-term customer of Beam Global and are confident that our technology will provide significant value, making it an easy choice for them to place additional orders.”

    The BeamSpot™ curbside EV charging system integrates with existing streetlight electrical infrastructure and combines solar, wind and utility-generated electricity for EV charging. This off-grid-capable system, designed to operate without complex construction or utility upgrades, targets high-demand urban areas such as city centers, residential neighborhoods, parking lots, multi-unit housing and public venues. BeamSpot™ chargers aim to address the challenges of deploying EV infrastructure in dense areas, offering a scalable solution that reduces installation costs and increases resiliency. While there are existing streetlight EV charging solutions on the market, those rely entirely on the streetlight’s electrical circuit which is typically only equipped with enough capacity to power a light. The BeamSpot™ solution combines three sources of electricity in its on-board batteries allowing for a higher capacity EV charge which is largely provided by renewable energy, and which will continue to operate during blackouts and other grid failures. The BeamSpot™ product will also continue to light streets during grid failures, providing an essential disaster preparedness asset to the locations where it is deployed.

    To learn more about Beam Global’s sustainable charging solutions visit beamforall.com.

    About Beam Global
    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Chicago, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

    Forward Looking Statements
    This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. These statements relate to future events or future results of operations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Beam Global’s actual results to be materially different from these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Beam Global expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unfortunate expression of approval for Albania’s accession to the EU – E-002177/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002177/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)

    The EU Ambassador to Albania said in a statement that Albania can continue its accession path ‘without the need for a plan B’ and he praised ‘the efforts of the Albanian Government in a particularly lengthy and complex process in which candidate countries are asked to implement a series of economic, legislative and sometimes constitutional reforms’. This was following the approval given by the intergovernmental conference (IGC) of the European Council, which ‘examined the negotiating chapters overall for Albania’.

    Unfortunately, this ‘overall examination’ appears hypocritical when one looks at the actual implementation of the Copenhagen accession criteria. Albania shows no respect for the rights of minorities and the implementing authority has full control over the (inexistent) judiciary, as can be seen from the concerted action against the Greek ethnic minority of Northern Epirus. It is clear that the arrest of the elected mayor of Himara, who was a member of the Greek ethnic minority of Northern Epirus, and his removal from office, show a defeat of the institutions, of democracy and of the rule of law against the political machinations of a mafia state and of micropolitical decisions.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission not agree that the full reinstatement of the elected mayor of Himara would be the only way of showing genuine respect for the rule of law and for the rights of the Greek ethnic minority in Albania?
    • 2.Does it not believe that the failure to reinstate the Greek mayor of Himara should be considered a blocking issue for Albania’s accession tot he EU?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    Last updated: 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Administrator Samantha Power at a Swearing-in Ceremony for Emily Coffman-Krunic as Mission Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Source: USAID

    ADMINISTRATOR SAMANTHA POWER: Dobro jutro [good morning], here. Dobar dan [good evening], there. 

    It’s really great to be part of this event. Jim [Hope], really lovely to hear from your perspective. Jim has most recently been our Mission Director in Ukraine, and this is the first ceremony that I’ve had the chance to hear him emcee. But, it’s great to hear from a fellow Mission Director what these ceremonies mean. Certainly, they mean the world to us. 

    Ambassador [Michael] Murphy, as much as you think you know about Emily, you are about to learn much more. You will have a lot more ammo to use in various interagency deliberations. But, I want to thank you for joining and doing so in the spirit you did, I’ve actually – we haven’t had the chance to meet in person – but I devour your cables and your tweets. But above all, I have the greatest respect for just how you have not taken the easy path there and really stood. I think, very strongly in the face of an awful lot of resistance and many many headwinds – for not only American values but ultimately for the dignity of the people of the country and of the region. Really, really grateful to you for that. I’ve admired you from afar for a long time. 

    I do want to recognize – and Emily and I just talked about the tragedy of the historic floods that have really besieged really small communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, very specifically Jablanica and Konjic. I know that Ambassador Murphy and Emily are already working with affected communities to support recovery efforts and even visited and met with the affected people. That means the world, I’m sure, to them, that someone has their back. But, our thoughts, of course, go out to those communities. There’s a lot coming at the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and when the floods pile on, it must be very overwhelming. So again, just a reflection of how much the American people care about the people of the country, and you all are incredible ambassadors for that. 

    Emily has a full house here today, in person and online, and maybe breaking some records if we add up all the miles traveled for each of the family members. But, we have her father Daniel and her mother Blanche, beaming in on the screen. And, here in the audience, we have her sisters Elizabeth, Ginny, and Julie. Ginny flew in all the way from England, and, incredibly, Julie has made the time to be here today after spending the past few weeks helping hurricane recovery efforts in western North Carolina. 

    And again, the parallel between what happens in Bosnia and the extremity of that and what happens here is just a reminder of the universality, sadly, of these challenges these days. 

    Thank you to the sisters, you seem like an incredibly close-knit group. I was like, “Are you thinking of visiting?” And they were like, “Ah, we’ve been there many times, you know!” So, I know Emily is incredibly lucky to have you in her corner. 

    We’re also joined by Emily’s children, of course – by Adrian, who studies engineering at the University of North Florida, and Emily’s daughter Stella, who began her own studies recently in anthropology in Amsterdam. I know that through your lives you’ve had to make big changes often to accommodate mom’s spirit of public service – leaving schools, and friends, and communities. So, thank you for your own sacrifices. You are the reason your mom does everything she does. So, thank you. 

    Alright, this is your life portion. 

    Emily was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to two parents we just got to see, who instilled in her the value of helping others. Her mom was a nurse before becoming a great caretaker for her four daughters, and then her mom worked at a local school. Emily’s dad was a pilot in the Navy and then a lawyer. 

    As a child, Emily was a go-getter who loved adventure, apparently. Although she was not the oldest, I’m told that she was the one who always directed the games among the girls. Emily went on to earn her degree in philosophy from Texas Christian University, before working at Merrill Lynch, where she saved up enough money to keep fueling her adventures. 

    She went to Guatemala for three months to learn Spanish and to Chile for six months to teach English to children of the indigenous Mapuche people, where she caught the spark, I guess, for international development work. Emily went on to earn her master’s in international peace and conflict resolution at American University, while also volunteering at the International Rescue Committee. 

    One day, Emily heard that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, was looking for people to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s very first municipal elections since the war. The country, as all of you know, had emerged from a horrific conflict with the signing of the U.S.-brokered Dayton Accords just the year before, and tensions were high as elections neared – with the question of whether the Dayton agreement could result in lasting peace and whether democracy really could be meaningfully ushered in. 

    Emily still had two months left in her degree program, but everyone she talked to, including the professors whose classes she would be skipping out on, said, “You have to do this. This is too important not to do.” 

    But, she was conflicted, because she was clearly a better student than I was. And so, she called her dad, and he was the last person she just had to make sure that she wasn’t doing something crazy. Her dad, Dan, of course, was worried about her going to war-torn Bosnia – again, the bullets had barely ceased firing, and this election was really soon after the war had ended.

    But, Emily asked him, and he expressed some reluctance, you know, given that the headlines had recently been very grim. But, Emily asked him, “Dad, what exactly were you doing when you were 27?”

    And his answer was, “I guess I was flying jets off aircraft carriers in the ocean…”

    So, Emily went on, booked her ticket with everybody’s full support. As you heard, she went on to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina for eight years, eventually joining the World Conference of Religions for Peace, one of USAID’s partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the Chief of Party.

    Emily knew that for development efforts to be effective there, after such vicious inter-ethnic conflict, there needed to be enhanced communication and cooperation. The demonization across lines had been very, very intense.

    Muslims, Croats, Bosnian Serbs, Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Jews – everyone kind of had to come together in dialogue. So, as you heard again from Ambassador Murphy, she and her team founded this inter-religious council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it really has, over the years, worked to mobilize faith leaders, faith communities, in service of reconciliation and rebuilding. 

    The work has never been easy. The demons, not only from the wars of the 1990s, but dating even further back, loom large. The misinformation which really impedes, you know, the ability to sustain, sometimes, that trust that those encounters can breed – all of that makes it immensely challenging.

    But, Emily continued to help the council members establish common ground and find productive ways to work together. Over these last decades, this Council has played an important role on everything from organizing youth reconciliation, to addressing gender-based violence, to facilitating the protection of holy sites for all groups.

    I think this shows a characteristic that has defined Emily’s work over the years. Even in incredibly difficult environments where the odds seem low of succeeding, she has managed to help people see that there is a path forward, if they can come together.

    In Rwanda, Emily arrived at a time when the democracy team’s funding had been nearly zeroed out for two years in a row. The Mission was actually considering stopping all democracy and governance programming. But, Emily understood that supporting democracy, again as Ambassador Murphy reinforced, was, in fact, fundamental to advancing development. 

    To make enduring progress on any front, developmentally, citizens have to be empowered to demand and work toward the change that they want in their own communities. They also have to be able to, through raising their voice at the ballot, be able to get rid of leaders who are corrupt or governing poorly and in a way that isn’t bettering the lives of citizens. 

    In the words of Joseph Rurangwa, an FSN in Rwanda, Emily “fought for DG’s identity” – fought for democracy and governance’s identity. Apparently, she worked day and night to convince partners, donors, and colleagues that democracy and governance was worth the investment. 

    Emily went to battle, and Emily won. The Mission in Rwanda didn’t just revitalize the small democracy team that Emily had come to lead. It created an entirely new standalone democracy and governance office. The office went from having two activities in other portfolios to an entire portfolio of 13 democracy and governance activities: from training journalists, to hosting election roundtables for citizens and human rights training for Rwandan youth, to even creating the Mission’s first-ever activity supporting the LGBTQI+ community in Rwanda. Joseph says, “Emily steered the boat in troubled waters, and with her at the helm, 800,000 flowers bloomed all at once.” 

    In Jordan, where Emily started as the Democracy, Rights, and Governance Office Director and ultimately became the Deputy Mission Director, she helped manage a portfolio completely unknown to her: water. Water is a huge, huge issue, as everyone knows. For Jordan, specifically, the country is the third most water scarce country in the entire world. And, while a country is considered to face water scarcity when it has less than 500 cubic meters of water per person per year, Jordan has just one-fifth of that. Just to give you a sense of the magnitude of this challenge. And water, as we know, again, all of us, from our own lives, is necessary for just about everything. 

    Jordan’s water portfolio is the largest budget for any single portfolio for USAID, and it is also a country – one of the few countries in the world – where USAID finances large infrastructure projects. So, it was a huge task, and though Emily had no formal background in water, she quickly became fluent in everything from project finance to major infrastructure construction. One colleague at the time says, “Emily came to the job with so much humility and curiosity. It really inspired all of us to feel like we were all in this together.”

    Emily led the team as they took on two tasks. First, while Jordan had an existing water sharing agreement with its neighbor Israel, Emily knew that in spite of the complex relationship between the countries, they could and should share more water. 

    So, she and the team helped negotiate an agreement in which the two countries agreed to double the volume of water that they shared. This was a historic agreement that spared further water rationing in Jordan. But, Emily also knew that to meet the scale of need, Jordan needed to develop its own desalination ability, turning saltwater into drinkable water. So, she oversaw the design and procurement of the third-largest desalination project in the world, leading it through political negotiations, financial hurdles, and technical discussions, as donors, partners, diplomats, and elected officials came together to achieve a workable plan. Emily’s efforts paid off. 

    USAID was able to catalyze nearly $3 billion against our $300 million pledge from donors like the Development Finance Corporation, the European Union, and the Islamic Development Bank. When construction is complete, slated to be in about five years, the project will pump newly desalinated water from the south of Jordan, 280 miles uphill, to the population centers of Jordan, who need the water for daily life – through pipes that are so big that you can actually drive a car through them. This single desalination project will meet a full 40 percent of Jordan’s water needs, transforming its water security.

    Emily has spent the past year, of course, applying the skills that she honed leading these kinds of ambitious projects in difficult environments in the Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she returned to serve as Deputy Mission Director. We are told that the first two weeks that Emily was back on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina, she met every single person at the Mission, from the Ambassador to the Foreign Service Officers to the Foreign Service Nationals to the cleaning staff, to get to know all of those who are part of her new team.

    When it was announced that she was going to be the new Mission Director, her predecessor, Courtney Chubb – an extraordinary Mission Director in her own right – but as Courtney described it, when word went out that she was going to be promoted, the Ambassador was completely overjoyed. And, as Courtney put it, “I’ve never seen so many smiles on the faces of our Mission staff.”

    And just to say a word about that Mission staff and having a chance to engage you all directly, you’re extraordinary. Our Foreign Service Nationals – as Courtney and I discussed when I was on the ground there on a visit, and Emily and I just discussed – you all are really some of the leading lights in the world. The amount you know, the amount you have achieved, the amount you have circumnavigated, all that stands in your way to make the peace enduring and to try to strengthen checks and balances and institutions. Many of our FSNs in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been there more than 20 years, some more than 30 years. It’s just an incredible team. And to have as a Mission Director, as you do, someone who so values you and recognizes how much she has to learn from you every day, that’s the best kind of teamwork that can be expected.

    So, there is no better person, I think, in something of a returning home, second home really, to Emily but for Emily Coffman-Krunic to be taking the helm as the Mission Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina is a special place. It is a country whose people continue to experience incredible hardship. I talked earlier about the flooding, but there’s a lot of man-made disasters happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because so many elected leaders do not put their people first. Some do, and they are extraordinary, what they put up with as well.

    But, when institutions don’t work always on behalf of the people, it makes what the people do to make development happen even more impressive. And, the efforts that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have made, initially, to rebuild, to revitalize, to grow, really speak just to the resilience of all communities, and it’s an inspiration for those of us who only get to visit every now and then. 

    Since 1996, the U.S. government has provided more than $2 billion, including $1.5 billion from USAID alone, in assistance in efforts to support, again, those on the ground who are building a democratic and inclusive European country. One of the most complicated government structures in the world, makes things very, very challenging. It is hard, often, for leaders to agree on the kinds of basic policies or basic initiatives that the people really expect from them. When they agree, it can be very challenging to operationalize those efforts. But nonetheless, again, there is so much good that is happening on the ground. 

    The virulent nationalism that lives on, usually most vocally in those who don’t know how to or don’t care to deliver basic services for the citizens of the country, continues to threaten the progress that has been made. We see the direct targeting of NGOs and development partners. We see attacks on independent media. We see, basically, threats to this effort to build a strong, independent, and vibrant European country, which is so clearly what young people in the country want. 

    USAID has an incredibly important role to play in support of the whole country team’s effort to push back against these challenges. We are working to counter harmful nationalistic rhetoric and narrative, with the goal of strengthening the security and the dignity for individuals and for communities within the country. We are expanding our work with independent media, with civil society, with investigative journalists. We are working to contribute to economic development, to help the private sector drive growth, and to include all groups like LGBTQI+ communities, women and Roma populations, in the progress that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are trying to drive. 

    Now, Emily, I want to end these remarks on something your son Adrian told us. We asked Adrian what it was like to grow up and to travel the world with you. And Adrian said, “I always knew that what my mom did was helping people. It made me want to be a better person.” 

    So, Emily, I think it’s safe to say you’ve made so many of us here want to be better people, even I, just listening to your journey, but also seeing what you’ve been doing on the grounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in Jordan, just during my time here. And, what I love about your spirit is you never give up. You don’t care about the odds. You just invest body and soul, bring questions and not answers in the first instance, empower your teams, and you have one of the best teams in the world there, as you well know, and you do it all with an eye to future generations and what would mean the most. 

    So, we are thrilled that you’re our Mission Director in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I look forward to making it official and swearing you in. Congratulations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Is the European Court of Human Rights being manipulated by deported criminals challenging national removal orders? – E-002121/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002121/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)

    Ardit Binaj, an Albanian citizen who entered the UK illegally in 2014, was sentenced to 36 months in jail for burglary and 18 weeks in jail for a separate theft in 2016. After serving 6 months of his sentence, he was deported to Albania under a prisoner transfer agreement.

    Five months later, in January 2017, he re-entered the UK illegally to reunite with his Lithuanian partner.

    He deliberately waited until his son was born in 2020 before applying for the right to stay in the UK, and he married his partner, Diana Bolgova, in October 2020. Mr Binaj’s application was rejected in February 2023, but he successfully contested his second deportation, invoking Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) on the grounds of violation of his right to a family life.

    This case highlights legal loopholes that allow foreign criminals who have already been convicted and deported to use ECHR provisions to stay in a country, despite having repeatedly broken national laws.

    • 1.Although the Convention does not fall within the remit of the EU institutions, is the Commission aware of this worrying situation, which could lead to some countries leaving the Convention?
    • 2.Does it believe that the European Court of Human Rights prevents countries from controlling their own immigration policies and hinders their sovereign right to deport illegal foreign criminals within the EU?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    Last updated: 28 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Floods in Poland – P-001841/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)[1] works on a 24 hours/7 days basis to carry out its mandate that includes, among other tasks, monitoring of unfolding or potential disasters and their impact.

    In this context, the ERCC daily monitors the forecast estimates for potential flooding across Europe, through the dedicated European Flood Awareness System (EFAS)[2] of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service.

    The EFAS complements national systems, contributing to monitoring and raising awareness about floods and related events, while retaining the supporting role that the Commission has in this field.

    As of 13 September 2024, due to the heavy rains and strong winds which affected large parts of Central and Eastern Europe, Member States such as Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania pro-actively activated the Rapid Mapping of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service[3] for floods. Poland activated the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)[4] on 18 September 2024.

    From the onset, the ERCC was in contact with the national civil protection authorities of Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to raise awareness about possible upcoming floods and offered support through the UCPM.

    • [1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/emergency-response-coordination-centre-ercc_en
    • [2] https://www.copernicus.eu/en/european-flood-awareness-system
    • [3] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/rapid-mapping-portfolio
    • [4] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en
    Last updated: 28 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The effects of climate change on the wine sector – E-002096/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002096/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    The EU is the biggest wine producer in the world, accounting for 62 % of global wine production. In 2020 there were 2.2 million wine holdings in the EU and vineyards covered around 2 % of the Union’s utilised agricultural area.

    The wine sector is the EU’s biggest agri-food sector in terms of exports; in 2022 the sector contributed EUR 130 billion to the EU’s GDP, equivalent to 0.8 % of the total.

    Romania, the EU’s sixth biggest wine producer, saw a drop in grape production in 2024, and oenologists are worried by these changes. The drought and low yield meant that grapes ripened much faster and needed to be harvested earlier.

    According to experts, on top of these major production losses, over-ripening will make it very difficult for wineries to obtain quality wines.

    What measures does the Commission plan to take to protect the wine sector, which is a key contributor to the EU’s GDP?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    Last updated: 28 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Dead fish in the Pagasetic Gulf – E-001574/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. EUR 150 million have been allocated from the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy programme ‘Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development’ to support the disaster management system of the affected Greek regions to address the consequences of the floods. Additionally, around EUR 13 million have been allocated from the ‘Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ programme to support the adaptability of enterprises and workers affected by the floods. Under shared management Greece is responsible for the selection and implementation of projects in line with programme objectives and priorities.

    2. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) provides financial assistance to EU countries facing severe natural disasters according to the specific rules set out in Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002[1]. EUSF financial assistance is intended to supplement the countries’ own public expenditure to finance essential emergency and recovery operations. Following Greece’s application, the Budget authority approved mobilisation of EUR  101.5 million of EUSF assistance for Greece following the floods in September 2023. The EUSF aid calculation methodology has been established in 2023 and accepted by the European Parliament and the Council.

    Under the Greek Rural Development Programme 2014-2022, support is foreseen from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for investments to restore agricultural and forestry potential following natural disasters, adverse climatic or catastrophic events amounting to EUR 45 million[2].

    At the end of 2023, the Commission provided an additional exceptional funding of EUR 43 million through the agricultural crisis reserve[3]. These funds were paid to farmers around lake Karla by the end of May 2024.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).
    • [2] https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/prosklisi/1i-prosklisi-ekdilosis-endiaferontos-gia-tin-ypovoli-aitiseon-stirixis-sto-ypometro-5-2-tou-paa-2014-2022/
    • [3] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2820 of 15 December 2023 providing for emergency financial support for the agricultural sectors affected by natural disasters in Greece and Slovenia, OJ L, 2023/2820, 18.12.2023.
    Last updated: 28 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Street art as a tool to fight for peace | UN Peacekeeping

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    This year peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Cyprus, Abyei and the Democratic Republic of the Congo harnessed the power of street art to promote social change.

    Local artists and peacekeepers collaborated to create murals addressing issues such as youth engagement, misinformation, and gender-based violence.

    Learn more about the power of artivism: https://bit.ly/3YB1LIq

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYP7bcaYfSs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Romanian Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Scheme to Steal Identities of Victims on Public Assistance to Fraudulently Obtain EBT Funds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Romanian man pleaded guilty today to his role in a scheme that involved using illegal skimmers on ATMs to harvest data, creating counterfeit debit cards using the stolen account holders’ information, and then using the cards to make cash withdrawals from numerous victims’ accounts.

    Sorin-Miguel Ghiorghe, 46, of the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and one count of possession of device-making equipment.

    Ghiorghe – whom prosecutors believe illegally entered the United States – admitted that he and his accomplices used counterfeit cards to fraudulently make withdrawals from the accounts of numerous victims, and that he specifically used the counterfeit cards to withdraw thousands of dollars from victims’ accounts.

    According to the indictment, the skimming ring focused on illegally accessing funds administered by the California Department of Social Services to low-income California residents through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts, including CalFresh and CalWorks benefits.  When law enforcement searched the apartment Ghiorghe was living in, they located ATM-skimming equipment and EBT account numbers in other peoples’ names. 

    United States District Judge John F. Walter scheduled a January 6, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Ghiorghe will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each bank fraud count, up to 10 years in federal prison for the unauthorized access devices and device-making equipment counts, and a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to his underlying sentence for the aggravated identity theft count.

    The United States Secret Service investigated this case and received significant assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department.

    Assistant United States Attorney Max A. Shapiro of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Global Anti-Racism Champions Awards

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    These phenomenal civil society leaders demonstrate extraordinary courage, strength, leadership, and commitment in the fight against racism and discrimination worldwide. This year’s Global Anti-Racism Champions from Bolivia, Ghana, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia share their advice for creating a better world.

    The six awardees this year include:
    Dintie Sule Tayiru:  A human rights advocate for the Fulbe community from Ghana
    Elvis Shakjiri:  A Roma human rights activist from North Macedonia
    Urmila Chaudhary:  A Dalit and labor rights activist from Nepal
    Tanya Duarte:  An Afro-Mexican feminist and anti-racism activist from Mexico
    Tomasa Yarhui Jacomé:  An Indigenous political leader and human rights advocate from Bolivia   
    John Leerdam:  A Black Dutch activist and former parliamentarian from the Netherlands  

    To learn more, visit https://www.state.gov/garc2024/

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAQ7m_gNMVY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Awarded the National Guard Association’s Montgomery Medal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was awarded the Montgomery Medal from the National Guard Association of the United States (NAGUS). The Montgomery Medal recognizes individuals or organizations who provide outstanding support to the NGAUS. Senator Klobuchar is receiving the award for championing issues important to National Guardsmen and veterans, such as bolstering the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program, helping pass the historic PACT Act to ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances get the healthcare they need, and investments into the National Guard’s readiness and operational capabilities. At the presentation ceremony, NGAUS Minnesota Chapter President Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 5 Brett Setterlund presented Klobuchar with the medal. Klobuchar, Minnesota National Guard Major General Shawn Manke, and CWO 5 Setterlund delivered remarks.  
    “It’s a privilege to receive the Montgomery Medal from the National Guard Association,” said Klobuchar. “The men and women of the National Guard put everything on the line when they put on the uniform, and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay. That’s why I’ve fought to provide them with the resources and support they need to keep our state and our nation safe.”
    Colonel Jamie Lindman read the following citation at the award ceremony:
    For her exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering support for the Minnesota National Guard, Senator Amy Klobuchar is awarded the Montgomery Medal. Her commitment to the welfare of Soldiers, Airmen, and their families is exemplified through her tireless advocacy and legislative achievements. Senator Klobuchar’s profound impact on the lives of National Guard members is evident in her comprehensive approach to support and promote our service. 
    She spearheaded the development of the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program, transforming it into a national model that provides crucial support to service members reintegrating into civilian life. Her advocacy for improving childcare access and championing PACT Act legislation to address toxic exposure demonstrates her commitment to enhancing the quality of life for military families. Senator Klobuchar’s leadership in modernizing the National Guard has been instrumental in securing advancements that enhance readiness and operational capabilities. From securing new aircraft for both the 148th Fighter Wing and 133rd Airlift Wings to advocating for infrastructure improvements at Camp Ripley Training Center, her efforts ensure the Guard remains a critical asset to our nation’s defense. Her dedication to fostering partnerships locally and globally strengthens the Guard’s capabilities and interoperability with international allies. Her support for initiatives like the State Partnership Program with Norway underscores her commitment to enhancing strategic military ties and improving readiness for joint operations. Senator Klobuchar exemplifies the values of service, leadership, and dedication and leaves an indelible mark on the Department of Defense, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Minnesota National Guard.
    Read the full citation HERE.
    As a member of the National Guard Caucus, Senator Klobuchar is a leading advocate in the Senate for the National Guard.
    Since her election to the Senate, Klobuchar has fought to secure regular funding to extend and expand to the national level Minnesota’s pioneering Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon helps soldiers transition from military to civilian life through counseling and other services.
    In 2023, the United States Air Force announced that Minnesota’s 133rd Airlift Wing was selected to receive eight new C-130J aircraft. Klobuchar worked across the aisle to help secure these aircraft for Minnesota’s 133rd Airlift Wing. The 133rd also leads the nation’s longest continuous troop exchange with Norway, and our Croatia and Norway State Partnership Programs. All these partners benefit and embrace the 133rd’s tactical airlift mission.
    In 2022, provisions from Klobuchar’s Toxic Exposure Training Act to improve education and training for VA health care personnel passed as part of the bipartisan PACT Act.
    In 2019, Klobuchar introduced legislation that became law to ensure that children of Guard members and Reservists are identified as students of military families in school records. This requirement, which already applied to children of active-duty servicemembers, ensures that schools and teachers know which students have parents in the Guard and Reserves and help accommodate those needs.
    In 2017, Klobuchar introduced legislation to help reduce the cost of service for National Guard members and make a big difference for thousands of soldiers in the Minnesota National Guard by reducing the mileage that can be claimed on taxes from 100 to 50. In Minnesota, 30 percent of all National Guard members travel more than 50 miles for training and can be burdened with costly travel expenses simply for completing their required duty training each month. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Launches General Recommendation 40 on the Equal and Inclusive Representation of Women in Decision-Making Systems

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this morning launched its general recommendation no. 40 on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems. 

    In opening remarks, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, congratulated everyone involved in the general recommendation.  The outdated patriarchal system was at the root of many problems faced today.  The power to suppress and silence, to wage war and wreak havoc, was too often wielded by angry egotistical short-sighted men.  Women remained starkly underrepresented in decision-making systems.  General recommendation 40 put forward immediate, concrete recommendations across the board to make gender parity a reality by 2030.  Gender parity could not be partial; it needed to be 50/50. 

    Presenting the general recommendation, Nicole Ameline, Committee Expert, said general recommendation 40 offered an operational, concrete roadmap accessible to all States and would be accompanied by tools, mechanisms and new solutions.  The Committee was counting on States, especially parliaments, civil society and the United Nations system, to build together this necessary transition, without delay. 

    Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Chair of the Human Rights Committee; Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, United Nations Women; and Martin Chungong, Secretary-General, Inter-Parliamentary Union, also gave statements.  Countries and civil society then took to the floor to reiterate their support for general recommendation 40.

    Speaking in the discussion were France, China, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Ireland, Luxembourg, Burkina Faso, Spain, Chile, Italy, Slovenia, Bolivia, Russian Federation, Egypt, Mexico, Norway, Belgium, Benin, Azerbaijan, Cabo Verde, Nepal, Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, South Africa, Algeria, Mauritius, Venezuela, Gambia and Colombia.

    Also speaking were: GQUAL Campaign, Women@the table, International Disability Alliance and FUNDACIÓN LEGĀTUM.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-ninth session is being held from 7 October to 25 October.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 5.pm. on Friday, 25 October to close its eighty-ninth session. 

    Introductory Statements

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, said today would go down in history.  Today there would be roadmap to begin securing the principle of parity as a universal principle to manage and lead the world. 

    VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, congratulated everyone involved in the general recommendation.  The conflict, deepening inequality, and the destruction of the planet begged the question of how to build a more peaceful tomorrow when today was violent and full of turmoil.  The outdated patriarchal system was at the root of many problems faced today.  The power to suppress and silence, to wage war and wreak havoc, was too often wielded by angry egotistical short-sighted men.  Women remained starkly underrepresented in decision-making systems.  This was a grave paradox and so this important general comment needed to be a milestone. 

    While there had been some progress in gender parity, it came at a very slow pace.  Gender parity was a human right.  The rights of women in all their diversity were non-negotiable.  Gender parity was transformative and unlocked capacities to innovate and be creative.  Women were agents of peace.  Their full participation in society helped to prevent conflict.  It was beyond time for women to take their rightful place at all the important tables.  Gender equality needed to be built into the algorithms which ruled today’s digital lives.  General recommendation 40 put forward immediate, concrete recommendations across the board to make gender parity a reality by 2030.  Gender parity could not be partial; it needed to be 50/50.  Achieving true gender parity meant the deeply entrenched patriarchal structures needed to be dismantled.  This could involve Constitutional amendments, legal reforms, national action plans, and temporary special measures.  Regimes which amounted to gender apartheid needed to be denounced. 

    NICOLE AMELINE, Committee Expert, said general recommendation 40 was designed by the Committee within the framework of its mandate, and was part of the urgency of our time, characterised by disruptive developments that were changing systems, and which needed to lead to a radical revision of decision-making systems.  Only a systemic, comprehensive and inclusive approach based on 50/50 parity as a principle of governance could ensure the respect of this fundamental right and the progress of societies.  At a time when the escalation of conflicts, crises and tensions were severely impacting women’s rights, when the digital transition was reinventing organizational systems, when the climate transition was affecting living conditions, the only response to these challenges was in collective intelligence and parity that associated women at all levels and in an inclusive way in the decision-making system. 

    Only a global movement could ensure the necessary paradigm shift.  General recommendation 40 offered an operational, concrete roadmap accessible to all States and would be accompanied by tools, mechanisms and new solutions. The Committee was counting on States, especially parliaments, civil society and the United Nations system to build together this necessary transition, without delay.  Ms. Ameline thanked all those who had been involved in the launch. 

    TANIA MARÍA ABDO ROCHOLL, Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, underscored the importance of a cross-cutting approach when it came to the general recommendation.  General recommendation 40 was a specific call to action to ensure equal access and power in decision-making.  The recommendation was a gift that the Committee had given to all women in the world. 

    NYARADZAYI GUMBONZVANDA, Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, United Nations Women, congratulated the Committee for the recommendation.  United Nations Women had supported the drafting process during the five regional consultation meetings.  General recommendation 40 was a visionary parity roadmap envisaging steps that States needed to take to reach parity at all levels.  This should inspire everyone to push forward and commit to making gender equality a reality. 

    MARTIN CHUNGONG, Secretary-General, Inter-Parliamentary Union, said the launch of general recommendation 40 was a milestone which marked the beginning of a new chapter for women’s leadership.  The adoption of the new recommendation came at a time of political polarisation and multiple crises.  Women’s representation in parliaments had steadily improved, reaching 27 per cent, but there was still much work to do.  Violence against women in politics was an abhorrent phenomenon.  As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence reshaped decision-making, it was important that women had a place at the table. 

    Discussion

    In the discussion, speakers among other things said today was a truly historic day and congratulated the Committee for the adoption of the general recommendation.  The recommendation came at a time when the world was facing challenges which called for equal representation of women and men.  Speakers reiterated their support to the recommendation.  Parity and a participatory approach were vital in decision-making.  Many speakers reaffirmed their commitment to equality in all its forms and to parity in parliaments, including increasing funding to women-led organizations. 

    In the face of the many global challenges that the world was confronting today, it was clear that current governance systems needed to be revised to ensure that women’s voices were at the forefront of decision-making processes at every level.  Many speakers emphasised that they fully shared the Committee’s recommendation on the importance of ensuring the equal participation of women and girls in decision-making on emerging issues, such as new digital technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as on climate action.  Ensuring all women and girls’ full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making processes was necessary to develop climate policies that were inclusive, fair and sustainable.  Women needed to be equal users of technology and equal architects of the networks which shaped the future.  To achieve and sustain a well-functioning democracy, women’s political participation was a prerequisite.

    While the world had come a long way in the last century, progress remained slow.  At the outset, decision-making spheres were unfortunately influenced by traditional rules built around the patriarchal system, as well as by the almost instinctive precedence of men over women.  The major challenges in terms of equality and inclusion in decision-making faced by many countries remained that of the fight against harmful traditional practices and the neutrality of the legal framework. 

    Despite being powerful agents of change, women were underrepresented in decision-making at all levels, especially those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

    States were urged to take bold, concrete steps to close gender gaps, both nationally and within the United Nations system.  This included advocating for initiatives like appointing the first-ever female Secretary-General of the United Nations, and ensuring gender parity in leadership positions, such as the Presidency of the General Assembly.  These were vital steps to create an inclusive global governance framework that delivered for all.

    One speaker noted that 50/50 parity was counterproductive.  What was done in such countries where women were more than 50 per cent in parliament? If countries were just working with figures, they would not achieve the necessary results.  The general recommendation was the view of experts and did not impose additional obligations on States.

    Another speaker said the adoption of the general recommendation was on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration.  This provided an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the significant challenges which remained when addressing gender equality.  Special temporary measures were still needed to achieve equality in economic sectors and in decision making.

    Speakers underscored that ensuring equal and inclusive representation of women was not only essential for progress but also a moral imperative and an international obligation.  The systemic exclusion of women from decision-making processes robbed the world of the potential of half its population.  General recommendation 40 provided critical guidance for States to address this imbalance and ensured equal representation in both the public and private sectors.

    Concluding Remarks 

    ANA PELÁEZ NARVÁEZ, Committee Chairperson, thanked everyone who had contributed to the launch of general recommendation 40.  She encouraged everyone to spread the word and assist the Committee and States in its implementation.  Ms. Peláez Narváez thanked Committee Expert Nicole Ameline for her contributions and important legacy. 

    ________

    CEDAW.24.033E

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

    English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Key Figures of Notorious Serbian Clan Arrested in Barcelona

    Source: Europol

    The clan leader was apprehended in Barcelona on 18 October, followed by the arrest of his lieutenant on 22 October. Both were wanted for charges including murder, attempted murder and kidnapping of rival gang members in Serbia, Austria, Germany and Spain.The clan leader was considered one of Europe’s most wanted and dangerous fugitives.The ” VračarClan”, a sub-clan of the “Kavač”…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN Western Balkans tour (Kosovo)

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Press Conference with HE Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgfi87kZdkw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New technologies helping to search for missing persons in Serbia and Kosovo

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English

    A group of experts from the School of Criminal Sciences at the University of Lausanne has travelled to Serbia and Kosovo under a mandate conferred by the FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division. It will assess the possible deployment of laser and radar technology to search for missing persons. The mission is taking place between 14 and 25 October.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance of the Italy-Albania protocol with EU law – P-002206/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    22.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002206/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Cecilia Strada (S&D), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Pina Picierno (S&D), Lucia Annunziata (S&D), Giorgio Gori (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Giuseppe Lupo (S&D), Stefano Bonaccini (S&D), Pierfrancesco Maran (S&D), Raffaele Topo (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Matteo Ricci (S&D), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Carolina Morace (The Left), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Mario Furore (The Left), Giuseppe Antoci (The Left), Pasquale Tridico (The Left)

    On 15 October 2024, during the midday press briefing, in response to a question concerning the legality of transfers of migrants to countries outside the EU under the newly established Italy-Albania protocol, the Commission spokesperson acknowledged that:

    ‘It is currently not possible for the EU to have this option right now. To make such a model possible, the EU law would need to regulate the forced return to a third country, which is not the country of origin. So in our assessment, the current rules do not foresee this.’

    Under Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union, the Commission is to ensure the application of the Treaties, and of measures adopted by the institutions pursuant to them, as well as oversee the application of Union law under the control of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).

    In light of the above, and considering the recent CJEU ruling of 4 October 2024 on the designation of non-EU countries as safe countries of origin for the purpose of accelerated border procedure, will the Commission:

    • 1.Abide by its position from 2018 confirming the illegality of such measures under current EU law?
    • 2.Launch a formal infringement procedure against the Italy-Albania protocol, ratified by Italy’s Law No 14/24, in accordance with Articles 258-260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 22.10.2024

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Nicola Zingaretti (S&D), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Dario Nardella (S&D), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Antonio Decaro (S&D)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Housing crisis in the European Union – E-002099/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002099/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    The lack of affordable housing is a common problem not just in Romania, but also throughout Europe. On 11 September, the Romanian National Institute of Statistics published the number of dwellings becoming available in the first half of the year: around 26 000, which was around 6 000 fewer than in the first half of 2023.

    Some 70 900 dwellings were built in Romanian in 2023, bringing the total number of dwellings to almost 10 million, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, against the backdrop of an ageing population and a demographically-shrinking population.

    Young people are those most affected by the lack of housing. It means they are forced to stay in their parents’ home longer than they would like. The age at which young people leave their parents’ home is a good indication of how difficult it is for them to get a foothold in the property market.

    Croats, Slovaks, Greeks, Spaniards and Italians leave their parents’ home the latest, while the inhabitants of the Nordic states leave the earliest.

    • 1.What steps will the Commission take to deal with this crisis, which is having a profound impact on the development and lives of young Europeans?
    • 2.What cohesion policy mechanisms could help in this endeavour?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    Last updated: 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Poland expands EIB’s Ukraine reconstruction fund with €25 million

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Poland provides €25 million to EIB fund supporting critical recovery projects in Ukraine.
    • Polish contribution increases size of EU for Ukraine Fund to nearly €400 million.

    The Polish government has contributed €25 million to a European Investment Bank (EIB) fund dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale military invasion in 2022. The agreement between the EIB and Poland increases the size of the EU for Ukraine Fund to €398.35 million.

    Created by the EIB in 2023, the fund aims to help rebuild infrastructure, restore essential services and stimulate economic growth in Ukraine. Part of the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) initiative supporting vital public and private reconstruction projects and improving access to finance for entrepreneurs in the country, the fund has received contributions to date from 14 EU countries.   

    “Poland joining the EIB-led EU for Ukraine Fund marks an important step in supporting Ukraine’s economic resilience,” said EIB vice-President responsible for operations in Ukraine, Teresa Czerwińska. “Thanks to the Polish contribution, the fund is now worth nearly 400 million euros. This money will help drive public sector investment to rebuild critical infrastructure, as well as propping up Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses to keep the economy going. On top of that, the EIB finances from its own resources advisory support to prepare infrastructure investment projects despite the ongoing war.”

    “Supporting Ukraine has been a long-standing priority for Poland, including through development cooperation. Since the Russian aggression on Ukraine in 2022 our efforts have intensified to address humanitarian needs and help Ukraine in recovery and post-war reconstruction. Poland is proud to be one of the initiators of the establishment of the EU for Ukraine Fund in 2023 and now to fulfil our political commitment with financial contribution of €25 million EUR. We hope that these funds will also help Ukraine to modernize on its EU accession path” said Polish Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jakub Wiśniewski.

    In addition to Poland, the EU for Ukraine Fund has received contributions from Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain.

    The guarantees provided under the Fund enable the EIB to support reconstruction projects in Ukraine that might otherwise be too risky to finance. The EU for Ukraine Fund also supports project promoters and beneficiaries by lowering the borrowing costs for them through investment grants.

    The fund has already supported several projects including by providing €25 million for an initiative to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine and Moldova and €50 million for a new metro fleet in the capital Kyiv. Other projects in the pipeline include renovation works for damaged housing, repairs to Ukraine’s critical export routes and an emergency response line for life-threatening situations.

    Background information 

    Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB has been unwavering in its support for the country’s EU integration, which has become even more vital given Russia’s war against Ukraine. With a portfolio of signed projects valued at €7.3 billion, the Bank has invested in municipal infrastructure, energy, transport and small businesses, all with the goal of improving daily life, boosting economic growth and lending support for Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction efforts. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EIB has provided immediate relief, disbursing over €2 billion of financing for emergency repairs to the country’s ravaged infrastructure.

    Through the EIB’s EU4U Fund and the broader initiative, the Bank remains committed to stepping up its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU Member States and international partners. The EIB also plays a key role in implementing the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Romania: The NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network decided to set up a communication plan to prevent fraud with European funds

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    The Fight Against Fraud Department – DLAF coordinated the second meeting of the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network, held virtually on 22 October.

    DLAF opened the discussions on the establishment of a joint Communication Plan, which will create an integrated communication of all the member institutions of NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network. The implementation of the Communication Plan is occasioned by the adoption, in December 2023, of the „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” (NAFS), which establishes that one of the main objectives is the prevention of fraud with European funds. Communication is involved in achieving this goal. As a result, the implementation stages aimed at creating the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network at the beginning of 2024, which includes communication and PR specialists from several public institutions engaged in the fight against fraud with European funds and setting up annual communication plans. At this stage, the Network has undertaken to finalise, by the end of the year, a joint strategic document (target audience, messages, logo, communication channels, etc.) and the 2025 action plan.

    During the meeting, DLAF presented to the communication specialists the model of good practice of the Anti-fraud Communicators Network (OAFCN), created and coordinated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Participants were able to find out details about Network’s history, about the flow of relevant information between member institutions and about the communication campaigns carried out by OLAF and the institutions of the OAFCN Network. As an OAFCN member, DLAF highlighted the good collaboration between the Department and OLAF, as also appreciated at the 33rd Meeting of the OLAF-OAFCN Anti-Fraud Communicators Network (2-3 July 2024). 

    As a guest of the meeting, the Ministry of European Investments and Projects (MIPE) provided details on the communication strategy, dedicated to promoting and disseminating information about the programmes financed by the Cohesion Policy, for the programming period 2021-2027, carried out by the Ministry. The institution also provided information on how the National Network of Responsible for the communication of the 2021-2027 programmes works, which it coordinates.

    Both the example of the functioning of the OLAF’s OAFCN Network and the model of cooperation in the InformEU Network, created by the European Commission, of which MIPE is also part and it presented at the meeting, may be useful in drawing up a strategic and action plan for the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network.     

    Background:

    The Fight Against Fraud Department – DLAF is the national coordinator for the communication and dissemination of information on the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in Romania.

    The „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” offers the opportunity for Romanian public institutions to set up a joint strategic framework in the fight against fraud with European funds, on several areas.

    Read the original press release (in Romanian)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Bosnia and Herzegovina, we will help you rebuild and recover

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    In Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the heart of Europe, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, saw the destruction caused by the recent floods.

    Europe stands with Bosnia and Herzegovina and we will help rebuild and recover.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M921bJoa8wA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: BSTDB Supports Kernel Group with USD 25 million in Pre-Export Finance Facility

    Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    Press Release | 25-Oct-2024

    Enhancing Ukraine’s Agricultural Exports in Challenging Times 

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is providing up to USD 25 million to a pre-export finance facility for Kernel Group, a leading player in Ukraine’s agricultural sector and one of the world’s largest sunflower oil exporters.  The BSTDB funds will help the company have the necessary working capital to procure, process, store, and transport oilseeds and vegoils, ensuring their export to global markets.

    BSTDB’s financing is part of a USD 150 million syndicated facility, arranged by ING Bank NV and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.

    “We are pleased to extend our continued and unwavering support for Kernel’s operations during this critical and challenging times.  Agriculture remains an essential pillar of Ukraine’s economy despite the immense challenges posed by the conflict. By facilitating production and exports of vital agricultural goods, we are not only sustaining a vital industry that feeds millions, but we also actively contributing to the economic resilience and recovery of Ukraine. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to supporting the country’s long-term prosperity, even under the most testing circumstances”, said Dr. Serhat Köksal, BSTDB President.

    “In spite of the challenging political and economic environment, Kernel repaid its 2024 Notes on time and continues to meet its financial commitments. The strong credit history allowed the Company to attract new financing even during current unprecedented times. We are thankful to our partners, including the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, for their support and willingness to continue our long-term cooperation. The facility is aimed to finance our working capital for procurement of sunflower seeds and beans for further processing and exporting of the vegetable oils and meals to the international market thus making an important contribution to the world food safety.”, commented Sergiy Volkov, the CFO of Kernel.

     

    Kernel is a leading vertically integrated Ukrainian agribusiness player with domestic and international operations. It is the largest oilseed crusher in Ukraine.

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.

     

    Contact:

    Haroula Christodoulou

    Phone: +30 2310 290533

    : @BSTDB

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study finds UK adults aren’t connected to nature

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Published: 25 October 2024 at 13:05

    New research led by ARU finds barriers prevent everyone enjoying nature equally

    New research indicates that UK adults experience less of a connection with nature than adults from most other countries, ranking 59th out of 65 national groups surveyed.

    The study, which includes data from 56,968 adults aged between 18 and 99, also found that levels of connection with nature are associated with several socioeconomic and demographic factors across countries.

    Led by Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the study involved over 250 academics from over 60 countries and is published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

    The UK was ranked 59th out of 65 on the Connectedness to Nature Scale, which asks participants to rate statements, such as “I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me”, “I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world”, and “I often feel part of the web of life”.

    Data for some countries was separated into different languages – for example English and French responses from Canada – providing 65 national groups. Nepal, Iran, and South Africa were the top three nations, while Israel (63rd), Japan (64th), and Spain (65th) were at the bottom of the rankings.

    The UK scored better on the Nature Exposure Scale, which measures people’s contact with nature around their home and work, their recreational visits, and their nature awareness.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Lithuania were the leading three countries, with the top 10 nations on the Nature Exposure Scale all European, with the exception of French-speaking Canadians. The UK was 31st out of 65, and the bottom three nations were Lebanon, South Korea and, finally, Brazil.

    Across all nations, the study found that women reported both higher nature connectedness and greater nature exposure than men, consistent with previous research showing that women overall tend to have greater environmental concern and empathy with nature. Both connectedness to nature and nature exposure scores also increased with age, which is possibly linked to older adults having more time and opportunities to engage with nature.

    Taking results from the two measures together, greater nature exposure and connectedness to nature scores were both linked to socioeconomic factors. Higher scores were significantly associated with greater financial security, living in a rural location, a higher level of education, being in a committed relationship, and being in a racial majority in that particular country. 

    Lead author Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

    “Spending time in a natural environment can provide a number of really important benefits. 

    “My previous research has shown how being in green spaces, ‘blue’ environments, such as by rivers or the coast, and even snowy landscapes can improve different facets of psychological well-being and mental health, and of course there are physical health benefits from spending time outdoors in nature.

    “The evidence that being in nature is good for you is undeniable, but crucially this new study shows that exposure to nature and levels of connectedness to nature are not enjoyed equally by different nations or across different social groups.

    “The significant associations with financial wealth, being better educated, and being part of the racial majority within a particular country reflects known socioeconomic inequities in terms of lack of access to natural environments. Racial minorities may also experience natural environments differently, for example in terms of a sense of belonging, and this can impact on people’s attitude to nature and their desire to access it.

    “Unfortunately, barriers to accessing nature exist in countries across the world and it is important these barriers are broken down to allow people from all backgrounds to access and enjoy the benefits of natural spaces.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO tests integration of joint high-end maritime strike capabilities

    Source: NATO

    On 24 October 2024, NATO kicked-off “Neptune Strike 2024.” This enhanced vigilance activity will take place across Europe, from the central Mediterranean and Adriatic up to the North and Baltic Seas and will run until 31 October 2024. During this period, NATO will take operational control of cutting-edge maritime warfare capabilities from numerous Allies, including multiple aircraft carriers and expeditionary strike groups that will be deployed across several operational domains.

    In total, some 20 surface vessels and submarines, along with special operations forces and numerous aircraft, are participating, with around 15.000 supporting personnel. Participating nations to this NATO deployment include Albania, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a powerful demonstration of Allies’ ability to work together through NATO to deter and defend.

    Read more from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum

    Read more from Naval Striking and Support Forces

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Congratulations to the first-ever cohort of students of the College of Europe in Tirana.

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    College of Europe has opened its doors in Tirana, Albania.
    And its first-ever cohort of students is making history.

    We wish them a great year!

    #collegeofeurope

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GADq2FdxKX0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Panetta’s Statement Calling on Congress to Prioritize the Repeal of Outdated Trade Restrictions with Kazakhstan

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

    Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), chair of the House Kazakhstan Caucus, released the following statement reiterating his call for the repeal of outdated trade restrictions with Kazakhstan:

    “As we approach Kazakhstan’s Republic Day, celebrating its sovereignty from the Soviet Union, I call on the U.S. Congress to prioritize the removal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment as it applies to Kazakhstan.”

    “The Jackson-Vanik Amendment is a Cold War relic, interfering with the United States’ efforts to grow our trade and diplomatic relationships with countries that surround Russia. This amendment continues to prevent Kazakhstan from receiving Permanent Normal Trade Relations status, despite its full compliance with the Trade Act of 1974 and status as a country annually granted Normal Trade Relations.

    “Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Congress removed the application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to numerous former Soviet states, including Albania, Estonia, Armenia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and notably, Russia. Kazakhstan remains a glaring outlier.

    “Kazakhstan is a respected member of the World Trade Organization and a reliable partner in implementing U.S. sanctions and export control regimes. The bilateral trade relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan totals $2.5 billion each year. Strengthening our trade relationship with Kazakhstan has the potential to open a new trading partner for critical minerals and other resources while fostering greater investment and diplomatic ties between our two nations. It is long overdue to eliminate this outdated amendment’s application to Kazakhstan, and I will continue my efforts to achieve this goal.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Wrongly convicted of a crime? Your ability to clear your name can come down to your postcode

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kylie Lingard, Senior lecturer, University of Wollongong

    Shutterstock

    If you’re found guilty of a crime, it’s a basic principle of Australian law that you have a right to appeal.

    But having a right and being able to exercise it are two different things, especially when it comes to fresh evidence casting doubt on your conviction.

    In Australia, your ability to challenge a conviction with fresh evidence depends on where you live, because each state and territory has different rules. Too often, it also depends on the resources someone can access, including money and knowledge of the legal system.

    Everyone should have the same opportunities to clear their name, so how can we make accessing appeals more equitable?

    State by state

    Direct pathways to appeal differ between the states and territories.

    In all postcodes, it’s difficult to get appeal courts to consider fresh evidence in the first instance.

    South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT allow multiple appeal applications if “fresh and compelling” evidence emerges after your first appeal. Since 2013, six convictions have been quashed this way, including Henry Keogh’s in SA after the state coroner recanted trial evidence.

    Tasmania and WA allow subsequent appeals only for serious offences, while SA has no such restriction.

    New South Wales and the Northern Territory don’t allow subsequent appeals, so people there have less direct access to the courts if wrongly convicted.

    There are, however, indirect ways people can seek an appeal with fresh evidence.

    In all states, you can ask the government to refer your case back to an appeal court. For example, the Victorian Attorney-General referred Faruk Orman’s case after evidence emerged about his lawyer’s misconduct. Referral decisions are made in secret and not reviewable.

    In the ACT, you can ask the Supreme Court for a judicial inquiry into your conviction. If you get an inquiry, the inquiry officer can refer your case back to the appeal court if they find reasonable doubt. This led to David Eastman’s conviction being quashed.

    These inquiries are only available if the issue can’t be properly addressed in an appeal, for example because the time for filing an appeal has lapsed. But, the ACT introduced subsequent appeals in 2024 which have no time limit, so it is unclear whether this pathway is still usable.

    In NSW, you can ask the government for an inquiry, but decisions are made in secret and open to political and media influence. This pathway led to Kathleen Folbigg’s acquittal.

    You can also ask the NSW Supreme Court for an inquiry or direct referral of your case back to the appeal court. This path is available for all offences and sentences and decisions are public. Since 2014, 59 conviction review applications to the NSW Supreme Court have resulted in one inquiry order and six referrals, with three successful appeals.

    The inquiry (currently underway) involves the Croatian Six, convicted in 1981 for conspiracy to bomb sites in Sydney. After many failed attempts, they finally secured an inquiry with fresh evidence casting doubt on police and witnesses’ trial evidence.

    These different pathways across the country create an uneven playing field, where some wrongfully convicted people may have more opportunities to clear their name than others.

    The right resources

    Access to appeals doesn’t just depend on location. It’s also about resources.

    To succeed in getting an appeal via any of the above pathways, you need the power to obtain documents and the resources to gather other evidence. You also need the ability to prepare a strong case. That’s before you even get to court.

    Judicial inquiries have investigatory powers and resources, but are expensive. For example, the Eastman inquiry cost the ACT government $12 million.

    The United Kingdom and New Zealand have independent bodies called Criminal Cases Review Commissions. Scotland has its own version.



    Read more:
    Kathleen Folbigg pardon shows Australia needs a dedicated body to investigate wrongful convictions

    These commissions have the power to compel evidence and resources to investigate claims of wrongful conviction at no cost to applicants. They also have the power to refer cases back to the courts. While these commissions don’t refer many cases overall, about 70% of of cases referred in the UK are successful on appeal.

    But, even for commissions, a strong initial application is important. In the UK, the Cardiff University Innocence Project engages law students to investigate claims of innocence and prepare applications for claims with merit.

    Canada and the United States don’t have criminal case review commissions. Innocence Projects there review claims of innocence and help prepare applications for government or court review.

    This is similar to the work of the few innocence clinics in Australia, such as those at RMIT and Griffith universities.

    Innocence initiatives around the world work with limited investigatory resources and powers compared with those of a review commission. In the absence of a such a commission in Australia, second appeals are useful, but they are expensive to run, hard to access and don’t address the resource issue.

    The free NSW Supreme Court pathway doesn’t address the resource issue either. But it can lead to an inquiry or referral, is open and accountable, and comes with guiding criteria and discretion to make short shrift of baseless applications.

    My research suggests free pathways to appeal are important justice mechanisms for the wrongly convicted, but they work best when applicants have legal help to prepare a clear and concise application. Involving law students to help edit applications could make it easier for decision-makers to review cases and help applicants without lawyers get a fairer chance to be heard.

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

    – ref. Wrongly convicted of a crime? Your ability to clear your name can come down to your postcode – https://theconversation.com/wrongly-convicted-of-a-crime-your-ability-to-clear-your-name-can-come-down-to-your-postcode-240310

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Support to German-led action to halt at least EUR 300 million in online fraud

    Source: Eurojust

    The General Public Prosecution Office of Dresden and the Police Directorate of Chemnitz started investigations in June 2020, following complaints from online investors. They had been lured to professionally designed websites, promising high returns on low investments. Victims only received a maximum of 3% of their initial investment, if any money was returned at all. Through the websites, the perpetrators managed to gain access to personal data and bank account details, creating fake customer accounts to lend credibility to the scheme.

    To date, around 120 German victims are known, who have lost approximately EUR 12 million. However, further assessments by German investigators indicate that there are many more victims worldwide, with the fraud totaling at least EUR 300 million. It could even be as high as EUR 500 million. As result of these investigations, a number of suspects have been identified, including the one alleged main perpetrator, who has now been arrested. Investigations into the fraud are ongoing.

    Due to links with Serbia, a JIT was set up with the help of the Agency in February this year, to ensure close cooperation between German and Serbian judicial and law enforcement investigators. Eurojust also organised four coordination meetings with participation of German, Cypriot and Serbian representatives to prepare for the action day and assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance to Serbia.

    During the action day, 22 places were searched in Cyprus and Serbia. Furthermore, computer equipment, hard drives, mobile phones and digital data have been seized. Germany will ask the Cypriot authorities to surrender the arrested suspect.

    The action day was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities on the ground:

    • Germany: General Public Prosecutor’s Office (Generalstaatsanwaltschaft) Dresden; Police Directorate (Kriminalpolizeiinspektion) Chemnitz
    • Cyprus: Cyprus Police
    • Serbia: Special Prosecutоr’s Office for High-Tech Crime, Service for Combating High-Tech Crime (MOI)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Brutality of Croatian border police – E-002123/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002123/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Damien Carême (The Left), Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Nela Riehl (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Per Clausen (The Left), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE), Irena Joveva (Renew), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE)

    In an article published on 10 October 2024[1], The Guardian again reported on the brutality of the Croatian border police: strip-searching and threatening asylum seekers, and burning their phones, passports and other belongings after pushing them back to Bosnia. Illegal pushbacks accompanied by violence, including sexualised violence as also described in this article, have been reported multiple times by the United Nations as well as non-governmental organisations. However, the burning of documents and phones, both needed to seek asylum and to record the presence of asylum seekers on EU territory, is a new, terrifying ‘practice’ of deterrence.

    Croatia has been a member of the Schengen area since 1 January 2023, following the Commission’s positive evaluation of Croatia’s application of the Schengen acquis, including its fundamental rights obligations.

    • 1.Has the Commission-supported and often criticised ‘independent human rights monitoring mechanism’ reported on this practice of burning phones and documents, and have steps been taken to investigate and remedy this illegal behaviour?
    • 2.What does the Commission plan to do in the context of the reformed Schengen Evaluation and Monitoring Mechanism and Schengen Borders Code, as well as the Schengen Council and Forum, to ensure the rule of law and effective access to asylum at the Croatian-Bosnian border?
    • 3.What steps are being taken with the Croatian authorities to roll out the new fundamental rights monitoring mechanisms set out in the Screening Regulation?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/10/photos-croatia-police-phones-passports-asylum-seekers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Billion Dollar Commercial Drone Market Poised for Continued Growth, Driven by A.I. Technological Advances

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The commercial drone market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand from various industries such as construction, agriculture, security, military applications and so much more. Drones offer benefits like cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced safety for businesses. Market size is projected to reach USD12.3 billion by 2025, driven by technological advancements and regulatory approvals. AI is driving market transformation… The global commercial drones market size is estimated to grow by USD $126.87 billion from 2024-2028, according to a report from Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 57.74% during the forecast period. Rising applications of drones is driving market growth, with a trend towards new developments and launches of commercial drones. The report continued: “The commercial drones market is experiencing significant growth due to the continuous introduction of new drones, components, and software solutions by vendors. Companies across various industries are integrating drones into their operations for managing assets, monitoring sites, inspecting facilities, and capturing real-time data… featuring advanced autonomous flight technology and Artificial Intelligence, ensuring safe and stable flight in challenging environments. Such innovations increase the availability of advanced drone products and software solutions, fueling the adoption of commercial drones in the forecast period.” Active Tech Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), C3 AI (NYSE: AI), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN), AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    “The Commercial Drone Market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in sectors like… Agriculture. Drones equipped with high-quality Cameras are trending, with VAPOR Helicopter leading the way. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are revolutionizing Decision making in industries, from Inspection activities to Farm management. Hybrid drones, combining features of Quadcopters, Octocopters, and Hexacopters, are gaining popularity. In Agriculture, drones help reduce costs, increase Yield, and monitor crops using services like Raptor Maps. Filmmakers and Ecommerce sectors also benefit from aerial photography and warehouse management. The Commercial Drone Market is experiencing significant growth as Quadcopters, Octocopters, and Hexacopters find increasing applications in various sectors. Challenges in flight control, firmware, middleware, computer vision, and environmental awareness are being addressed through technological advances in electronics, computing, microcontrollers, and processors.”

    ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) Issues Big Development News Today on Adding Patent Assets to the Company – Get the full details by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Additional Groundbreaking ZenaTech Inc. Developments this week include:

    ZenaTech Announced a Software Company Acquisition Adding Significant Capabilities to Building AI Drones – ZenaTech also announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire ZooOffice Inc., the holding company for software companies Jadian and DeskFlex, from ZenaTech’s former parent company. The acquisition of these two software companies will provide important compliance and inspection software as well as scheduling and mapping software that will be incorporated into ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone AI drone solutions. This transaction further expands ZenaTech’s portfolio of SaaS software solutions and customer base and is expected to add to recurring revenue in the government sector among others. The acquisition is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals that may be required.

    “Adding Jadian and DeskFlex software capabilities to the ZenaTech portfolio is part of our strategy to offer full stack, integrated AI drone solutions targeted to multiple sectors such as Agriculture. Jadian’s compliance software will be integrated with ZenaDrone drone hardware and sensors to help farmers track and manage regulatory and environmental requirements such as crop traceability, fertilizer and pesticide use, water conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Deskflex scheduling and mapping software will add value integrated into our property management sector solutions,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. Read this full release at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zenatech-announces-software-company-acquisition-113000656.html

    Other recent developments in the technology industry include:

    C3 AI (NYSE: AI) recently announced the newly re-branded C3 AI Asset Performance Suite, a collection of powerful, purpose-built AI applications that work together to help enterprises maximize value and improve sustainability performance. The C3 AI Asset Performance Suite includes C3 AI Reliability, C3 AI Process Optimization, and C3 AI Energy Management. These applications offer enterprises optimized asset performance through improvements in operational efficiency across business units.

    “C3 AI is the leader in AI-powered predictive maintenance, and our customers are some of the most satisfied in the industry because our technology makes a positive impact on their bottom line and continually maximizes their investments,” said Thomas M. Siebel, CEO, C3 AI. “This re-brand of the C3 AI Asset Performance Suite is in recognition that customers realize the most value by deploying applications that work in concert together and address entire value chains; in this case, with predictive maintenance, process optimization, and energy management.”

    SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN), a global leader in voice artificial intelligence, recently announced its SoundHound Chat AI voice assistant has launched new customization tools to help transform how automotive brands interact with their customers within the vehicle. The new features are currently being piloted with some of SoundHound’s OEM partners.

    In addition to the core features offered from SoundHound Chat AI’s best-in-class voice assistant – which integrates generative AI capabilities with car controls and real-time domains like flight times, navigation, and weather – OEMs will be able to take control with customizations that work for their loyal consumers and align closely with their identity as an automaker. This new layer of customization will provide drivers with a more engaging and informative experience, allowing them to explore vehicle features and functionalities with greater ease and effectiveness.

    AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced that the U.S. Army has awarded a $54.9 million delivery order for the production of Switchblade® loitering munition systems. The recently announced award includes an additional contract ceiling of $743 million with $54.9 million in new funding. This contract is issued as part of a broader, previously executed, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, and ensures continued support for both the U.S. Army and several allied partners, including Lithuania, Romania, and Sweden.

    Work on this contract will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026. The award, which leverages fiscal 2023 and 2024 Army funds along with Foreign Military Sales, highlights AV’s ongoing commitment to delivering proven, battlefield-ready technology that meets the evolving needs of modern armed forces.

    NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) recently announced that it has contributed foundational elements of its NVIDIA Blackwell accelerated computing platform design to the Open Compute Project (OCP) and broadened NVIDIA Spectrum-X™ support for OCP standards.

    At this year’s OCP Global Summit, NVIDIA will be sharing key portions of the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 system electro-mechanical design with the OCP community — including the rack architecture, compute and switch tray mechanicals, liquid-cooling and thermal environment specifications, and NVIDIA NVLink™ cable cartridge volumetrics — to support higher compute density and networking bandwidth.

    NVIDIA has already made several official contributions to OCP across multiple hardware generations, including its NVIDIA HGX™ H100 baseboard design specification, to help provide the ecosystem with a wider choice of offerings from the world’s computer makers and expand the adoption of AI.

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN Western Balkans tour (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Press Conference with HE Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pb67gxViAU

    MIL OSI Video –