NewzIntel.com

Category: Baltics

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development

    Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.

    “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”

    “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”

    “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”

    According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”

    Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”

    To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

    Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.        

    The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Letter of the Holy Father on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the erection of the Apostolic Administration of Estonia

    Source: The Holy See

    Letter of the Holy Father on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the erection of the Apostolic Administration of Estonia, 03.11.2024
    The following is the Letter sent by the Holy Father to Bishop Philippe Jourdan of Tallinn, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the erection of the Apostolic Administration of Estonia:

    Letter of the Holy Father
    To The Most Reverend Philippe Jourdan
    Bishop of Tallinn
    With fond memories of my Apostolic Journey to your country in 2018, I send heartfelt greetings, together with the assurance of my spiritual closeness, to you and the entire Catholic community on the happy occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the creation of the Apostolic Administration of Estonia, recently raised to the level of a Diocese.
    This significant milestone in your history marks a century of steadfast fidelity to the Catholic faith, which has enabled this small yet vibrant Church to be a source of compassion and spiritual nourishment for countless men and women across the nation. At the same time, this anniversary commemorates unwavering hope and trust in the Lord through decades of suffering, occupation and oppression.
    In this regard, as you reflect upon these past hundred years, I join you in giving thanks to Almighty God for the example of faith offered by your courageous and resilient forefathers who were instrumental in nurturing and sustaining the Catholic community in Estonia. In a particular way, I think of Servant of God Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, whose witness to Christ and fortitude in remaining close to his flock, even to the shedding of his blood, sowed seeds which even today are bearing fruit. May his testimony always be a source of inspiration for you and remind you that even the tiniest of plants, the smallest of gestures and the lowliest of offerings can grow far beyond their humble beginnings to bestow a rich harvest (cf. Mt 13:31-32).
    Moreover, I am confident that this admirable legacy of faith and charity that characterizes your Diocese will encourage the present generation of priests, religious and lay faithful to continue to grow in joyful missionary discipleship as they look to the future. Indeed, may the present centenary be an opportunity for spiritual renewal in your land, igniting a renewed sense of zeal for evangelization, especially among young people. In this way, they will more effectively be able to proclaim God’s message of love, mercy, and reconciliation, and so, bring the light of Jesus and the liberating power of the Gospel to the many men and women of today who do not even believe in God.
    It is likewise my hope that as the Catholics of Estonia seek to build a society rooted in peace, justice, solidarity, and the dignity of every human person, they will work increasingly with the men and women of other Christian denominations in bearing a united witness to God’s promises. This is especially important in the context of today’s war in Europe, which is a source of deep anxiety and tragically echoes the darker moments of yesteryears. Even so, the Holy Spirit can guide you to be an eloquent sign of continued trust in God’s providence and lead Estonian Christians, together with all people of good will, to extend the hand of friendship to refugees and the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. May Christ the Prince of Peace bless you with his gifts of perseverance, fraternal unity and concord.
    With these sentiments, it is my fervent prayer that the grace of God will continue to accompany you, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Church in Estonia, as you embark upon the next chapter of your journey full of faith, hope, and love. Entrusting all of you to the intercession of Saint Victor and to the loving protection of Mary, Mother of the Church, I gladly impart my Blessing as pledge of abundant heavenly graces.
    Rome, Saint John Lateran, 1 November 2024
    FRANCIS

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Take off for extra tourism and trade capacity

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Government is boosting aviation competition, trade and tourism opportunities for Australians, securing new or updated air services arrangements with seven international markets following months of negotiations.

    These arrangements will allow Australian airlines to expand their international networks and international airlines to increase operations into Australia, a boost for Australian travellers and diaspora communities.

    This includes unrestricted capacity with Canada and Malaysia – the first arrangements of this type since a deal struck with India in 2018.

    Along with Canada and Malaysia, arrangements have landed with Hong Kong, Chile, Mongolia, Latvia, and Rwanda.

    Australia now has more than 110 bilateral air services arrangements in place with other countries or economies, with today’s announcement following recent enhanced arrangements secured in the past 12 months with Türkiye, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. 

    Each arrangement is negotiated to serve Australia’s national interest, with the Australian Government signing with some of our larger tourism markets, including:

    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 50,000 weekly passenger seats with Malaysia, and unrestricted capacity for passenger services from 2026
    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 50 weekly passenger services with Canada, and unrestricted capacity for passenger services from 2026
    • Immediate increase in available capacity for airlines to 84 passenger services per week, and unlimited cargo services with Hong Kong 
    • A doubling of available capacity for airlines to and from Chile by 2025

    Inaugural arrangements were signed between the Australian Government and the governments of Latvia, Mongolia and Rwanda, each allowing 14 passenger services per week to and from Australia along with unrestricted dedicated cargo services. 

    These arrangements deliver on our commitment in the Aviation White Paper to expand capacity under our bilateral air services arrangements ahead of demand, ensuring airlines have adequate time to plan for additional future services and add new routes to their schedules. It also aligns with our commitments to prioritise negotiations within our region.

    These arrangements have already resulted in significant additional capacity being added into the Australian market, supporting growth in visitor numbers. For example, ABS data for the 12 months to August shows arrivals from Vietnam were 49 per cent higher than pre-pandemic, making it Australia’s fastest growing inbound visitor market.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “We’re expanding our international aviation network to increase competition and deliver a better experience for Australian travellers. 

    “Whether travelling to these countries or using them as stepping stones to the rest of the world, each of these arrangements represents a stronger connection with our global market – for travel, trade and tourism. 

    “We committed to this in our Aviation White Paper and today we are delivering on that commitment – landing additional capacity in the international sector.” 

    Quotes attributable to Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:

    “Increased flights means we can welcome more visitors to Australia, boosting our tourism industry and supporting jobs and local economies, particularly in regional Australia.

    “It also means we can get more cargo in the bellies of outbound flights, giving our exporters more opportunities for growth and to expand into new markets.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada concludes the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday concluded the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula, which she co-hosted in Montréal with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

    November 1, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday concluded the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula, which she co-hosted in Montréal with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

    At the conference, the ministers announced the Montréal Pledge —concrete steps to help return prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children, including support as these people reintegrate into their daily lives. 

    Minister Joly hosted foreign ministers and high-level representatives from more than 70 countries and international organizations to advance Ukraine’s 10-Point peace formula, identify diplomatic approaches to address the human dimension of the war and strengthen the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The minister chaired a session on identifying strategies to increase the exchange of information on the locations, health statuses and legal statuses of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians and deported children.

    The harrowing survivor testimonies — from a detained Ukrainian military medic, the wife of an imprisoned journalist and a former prisoner of war — shared during the conference served as powerful reminders of the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    As co-chair of Working Group 4 and leader of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Minister Joly thanked Qatar, South Africa and the Holy Sea for their offer to serve as intermediaries to support and negotiate the return of children. She also thanked the United Arab Emirates for the role they are continuing to play on mediating the exchanges of prisoners of war. Finally, she expressed her appreciation to Norway, Lithuania and Qatar, who have offered to provide a supportive environment for returning Ukrainians returning home.

    During the conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed the diverse group of states that came together to find diplomatic solutions and concrete actions to protect Ukrainian people.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development

    Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.

    “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”

    “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”

    “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”

    According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”

    Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”

    To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

    Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.        

    The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BBAChain Pre-Seed Round Closes as Demand Surges, Seed Round Now Open

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  BBAChain is celebrating important achievements. With the project’s Pre-Seed Round completed and all BSP (BBAChain Revenue Sharing Program) packages sold out, BBAChain is positioning itself for a successful bull run.

    The Pre-Seed Round saw strong support from early backers, contributing to the success of BBAChain’s roadmap and creating a solid foundation for what’s coming. The BSP program, designed to share revenue with early participants, reached full capacity, signaling high investor interest and confidence in BBAChain’s future.

    The recent BBAChain halving event marked an important milestone for the project and a strong advantage against other blockchains, reducing BBA supply and potentially increasing the value of the coin as scarcity grows. The timing of the halving aligns with the first anniversary of BBAChain’s Mainnet, following the roadmap of the project and showing the ongoing commitment of the company to delivering on its promises.

    Now that BBAChain is launching its Seed Round, the project hopes to expand further and create partnerships that will help it achieve more. According to the roadmap, the company plans to list BBA Coin on exchanges before the end of 2024, as well as develop various aspects of the BBAChain ecosystem, such as BTI Exchange and BTI Swap.

    BBAChain’s Seed Round of financing has officially started, welcoming not only VCs, angel investors, accelerators, and incubators, but also retail investors and anyone who wants to be part of the next cryptocurrency generation.

    What is BBAChain?
    BBAChain is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain aiming to reshape different areas of society. With the ability to process more than 100,000 transactions per second for less than a few cents, BBAChain offers speed and scalability. Beyond technical efficiency, BBAChain is building a native ecosystem that includes a decentralized exchange, centralized exchange, crypto academy, NFT marketplace, euro-pegged stablecoin, pay adapter, and a multi-chain wallet. What truly sets BBAChain apart is its ambition to bring national elections onto the blockchain through its Decentralized Democracy initiative, ensuring transparent and secure voting processes. An initiative that has multiple applications not only in the public sector but also in the private one too. With a powerful referral program incentivizing growth, strategic partnerships, and the upcoming listing of the BBA Coin, BBAChain positions itself as a unique opportunity in the evolving crypto space.

    Contact
    Name: Christian Trejo, CSO
    Email: contact@bbachain.com
    Website: https://bbachain.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BBAChain. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/217e3ce1-9442-4786-97dc-736bd3fd2743

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Eurozone GDP up 0.4% in Q3

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The eurozone’s seasonally adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2024, marking an improvement from the 0.2 percent growth seen in the previous quarter, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by Eurostat.

    The GDP in the European Union (EU) grew by 0.3 percent in the third quarter, maintaining the same pace as in the second quarter, according to data from the EU’s statistical office.

    Year-on-year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 0.9 percent in both the euro area and the EU from July to September, up from a 0.6 percent increase in the euro area and 0.8 percent in the EU in the second quarter.

    Germany, the eurozone’s largest economy, reversed its second-quarter contraction to achieve 0.2 percent growth in the third quarter, according to Eurostat data. Meanwhile, France and Spain saw growth rates of 0.4 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.

    Ireland posted the highest growth rate in the third quarter, with a 2 percent increase, while Hungary saw a significant decline of 0.7 percent. Latvia and Sweden also reported negative growth during the same period.

    Bert Colijn, senior economist at ING, noted that third-quarter GDP growth in the eurozone was partly fueled by one-off factors, including Ireland’s volatile GDP growth influenced by multinational accounting activities and a boost in French GDP driven by the Olympics.

    Colijn expressed caution regarding the eurozone’s economic outlook, forecasting weaker GDP growth in the fourth quarter. In a research report, he noted that “the eurozone economy remains sluggish for the moment.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Šiaulių Bankas results for 9M 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Profit. Šiaulių Bankas earned a net profit of €63.6 million
    • Return on capital. Achieved a return on equity (RoE) of 15.4%
    • Loan portfolio. New loan financing contract volumes grew by 8%, with the loan portfolio exceeding €3.4 billion
    • Asset quality. The quality of the loan portfolio remains strong – the cost of risk (CoR) of the loan portfolio was 0.31%
    • Net fee and commission income. Net fee and commission income amounted to €21.0 million, an increase of 44% compared to the same period last year
    • Capital and liquidity. Two successful bond issues of €300 million and €50 million in the international capital markets strengthened the bank’s capital and liquidity position
    • New dividend policy. Šiaulių Bankas commits to pay out at least 50% of the previous year’s net profit

    “Šiaulių Bankas continues to maintain stable growth. We expanded our market share across all financing segments: the corporate financing portfolio grew, more new contracts were signed, and growth in the mortgage segment gained even stronger momentum. Net fee and commission income also increased, and we made a significant contribution to capital markets by issuing more bonds in the first three quarters than initially planned for the entire year.

    We are focusing on another key area – capital efficiency. Šiaulių Bankas made its international debut with substantial bond issues, strengthening our capital and liquidity position. We have introduced a new dividend policy and are continuing our share buyback program, committed to increasing returns to shareholders while meeting the capital requirements outlined in our strategy,” says Vytautas Sinius, CEO of Šiaulių Bankas.

    Šiaulių Bankas Group earned an unaudited net profit of €63.6 million in in the first three quarters of 2024, which is 3% less than in the corresponding period of 2023. Operating profit before impairment and income tax amounted to €85.4 million, an 8% decrease compared to operating profit of €93.1 million in the first three quarters of 2023.

    Net interest income in the first three quarters of 2024 grew by 4% compared to the corresponding period of 2023 to €121.1 million, while net fee and commission income grew by 44% to €21.0 million.

    All loan book segments grew in the first three quarters of the year, with the total loan portfolio increasing by 17% (€498 million) to €3.43 billion (growth of 8% or €241 million in Q3 alone). New credit agreements worth €1.3 billion were signed during the three quarters of the year, 29% more than in the corresponding period of 2023 (€1.0 billion).

    The quality of the loan portfolio remains strong with provisions of €7.3 million made in the first three quarters of the year due to the strong portfolio growth and model adjustment, compared to provisions of €8.4 million in corresponding period of 2023. The cost of risk (CoR) of the loan portfolio for three quarters of 2024 was 0.31% (0.41% in corresponding period of 2023).

    The deposit portfolio grew by 8% (€240 million) over the three quarter period and exceeded €3.4 billion at the end of September (growth of 2% or €78 million in Q3 alone). The bank’s funding structure was reinforced by a €300 million bond issue on the international market. After the quarter, in October, the bank issued an additional Tier 1 bond of €50 million, which strengthened its funding structure as well as capital structure. This will allow the bank to continue its rapid and sustainable growth and to implement its new dividend policy.

    Šiaulių Bankas maintained a high level of operational efficiency – the group’s cost-to-income ratio in the three quarters of this year reaching 45.6%1 (34.4%1 in the corresponding period of 2023) and the return on equity of 15.4% achieved (18.9% in the three quarters of 2023). The capital and liquidity position remained strong and prudential ratios were met by a wide margin. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 21.22%2 and the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) at 156.0%2.

    Income Statement (€’m) 2024 9M YTD  2023 9M YTD % ∆
           
    Net Interest Income 121.1 116.1 4%
    Net Fee and Commission Income 21.0 14.6 44%
    Other Income 24.9 13.6 84%
    Total Revenue 167.0 144.3 16%
           
    Salaries and Related Expenses (35.4) (25.5) 39%
    Other Operating Expenses (46.2) (25.6) 80%
    Total Operating Expenses (81.6) (51.1) 59%
           
    Operating Profit 85.4 93.1 (8%)
    Provisions (6.9) (8.5) (18%)
    Income Tax Expense (14.9) (19.0) (22%)
           
    Net Profit 63.6 65.7 (3%)
           
    Balance Sheet Metrics (€’m) 2024-09-30 2023-12-31 % ∆
           
    Loan Portfolio 3,429 2,932 17%
    Total Assets 4,944 4,809 3%
    Deposits 3,419 3,178 8%
    Equity 577 543 6%
           
    Assets under Management3 1,870 1,556 20%
    Assets under Custody 1,862 1,943 -4%
           
    KPIs 2024 9M YTD 2023 9M YTD ∆
           
    Net Interest Margin (NIM) 3.6% 4.3% -73bps
    Cost-to-Income Ratio (C/I)1 45.6% 34.4% +1125bps
    Return on Equity (RoE) 15.4% 18.9% -357bps
    Cost of Risk (CoR) 0.3% 0.4% -10bps
    Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)2 21.22% 21.34% -12bps

    Overview of Business Segments

    Corporate Client Segment

    The business loan portfolio grew by 24% year-on-year, driven by an increase in new lending volumes in the first 9 months of the year to €854 million, or 45% compared to the corresponding period last year. In the Q3 alone, the total amounted to €393 million. Since the beginning of the year, the portfolio has grown by €0.3 billion to over €1.8 billion.

    This underlines the favourable business environment in key strategic sectors including energy, manufacturing and retail. Šiaulių Bankas also further strengthens its commitment to green projects by financing a 29.5 MWh wind farm in western Lithuania, boosting the region’s economic growth and further diversifying its loan portfolio.

    Private Client Segment

    Lending activity in the retail segment increased significantly. New mortgage loans signed in the first nine months of 2024 amounted to €187 million and increased by 39% compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year, the total portfolio of housing loans has grown by 16% (€127 million) to over €0.9 billion.

    New consumer loans totaling €191 million were issued in the first nine months of the year, up 12% compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year, the consumer loan portfolio has grown by 21% (€61 million), reaching €0.35 billion.

    Šiaulių Bankas continues to prepare for a growth phase in retail banking segment. Along with implementing new core banking platform, preparations are being made for an active sales promotion phase: the number of direct marketing consents is growing, a new CRM system is being implemented, sales processes are being optimised and the competences of employees are being strengthened.

    Investment Client Segment

    In the first nine months of 2024, the volume of new bond issues reached €185 million, up 16% year-on-year, reflecting consistent investor interest and growing confidence in the bank’s financial products. In the third quarter of the year alone, due to the seasonality of the capital markets, new bond issues amounted to € 31 million.

    In Q3, the Bank also introduced a new option for investors to buy bonds through the Bank’s securities platform. This is an opportunity for customers to acquire bonds conveniently and quickly on their own online.

    Assets managed by SB Asset Management, the asset management company of Šiaulių Bankas Group, reached €1.38 billion at the end of Q3 2024 and increased by almost €200 million this year. Most of this increase was driven by the return on investment of the funds under management, which generated a profit of €142 million for clients.

    Pension funds managed by SB Asset Management maintain competitive performance in both the short and long term. In the Q3 of the year alone, the returns of Tier II pension funds were the highest in 7 out of 8 life cycle funds, and the 4-year performance of the funds was the best in 6 out of 8 life cycle funds, compared to other managers’ funds in the same age group.

    1 eliminating the impact of the client portfolio if SB draudimas
    2 preliminary data
    3 includes Asset Management and Modernisation Funds AuM

    Šiaulių Bankas invites shareholders, investors, analysts and all interested parties to a webinar presentation of the financial results and highlights for the second quarter of 2024. The webinar will start on 31 October 2024 at 8.30 am (EET). The webinar will be held in English. Please register here. Please find attached the information that will be presented at the webinar.

    If you would like to receive Šiaulių Bankas’ news for investors directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

    Additional information:
    Tomas Varenbergas
    Head of Investment Management Division
    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Remembering Common History and Listening to Folklore: How to Celebrate National Unity Day in the Capital

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From November 3 to 4, Moscow will celebrate one of the warmest holidays of autumn — National Unity Day. The capital will traditionally be decorated with congratulatory posters. They will be placed on billboards and bus stops. Russian tricolors will appear on the streets and in public transport. Residents and guests of the city will enjoy concerts, plays, reenactors’ performances, exhibitions and master classes. In total, over 200 events will be held. You can join them in parks, libraries, estates, museums and cultural centers. Most of the events will be free, but some will require pre-registration. You can follow the holiday schedule in the section “Poster” on the mos.ru portal.

    Particularly spectacular programs on the occasion of National Unity Day await guests atVDNKh and in the cinema park “Moschino”. At the country’s main exhibition, Muscovites and tourists will see the most famous places, learn about space programs, and will also be able to attend the “Bread Ear – Russia’s Gold” festival. It will include master classes with theatrical performances reflecting different eras in the country’s history. A large tent with four zones will be prepared for guests. They will be transported to the 12th, 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. There they will learn how to bake gingerbread, kalachi and bread according to traditional recipes. Admission is free, with prior registration on the exhibition website. http://vdnkh.ru/specials/day-of-national-unity/

    And on November 3 and 4, the Moskino cinema park will present a large-scale historical reconstruction dedicated to the liberation of Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612. It was this event that united the country. Guests of the cinema park will be able to travel back to those times and see how the militia of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky defeats the invaders in a decisive battle. Additional information and conditions of visit are published on the cinema park website “Moschino”.

    In order to visit several sites and not miss the most interesting, it is worth planning your weekend leisure in advance. You can move around the city comfortably on public transport. On Saturday, November 2, the metro, Moscow Central Circle, trams and ground transport will operate according to the working day schedule. On November 3 and 4 – according to the weekend schedule. For those who use a personal car, the Sunday parking payment regime will be in effect on November 3. You will have to pay only on streets with rates of 380, 450 and 600 rubles per hour, as well as in places where a dynamic rate is in effect. On National Unity Day, November 4, parking on all streets will be free. Parking lots with barriers will continue to operate on a paid basis on both weekends.

    Attend concerts and master classes in parks

    On November 4, the Severnoye Tushino Park is planning an entertainment program called “People’s Games.” Children and adults will be able to get in a good mood, find new friends, and just have fun. The events will start at 11:00 on the central square of the park. At 13:00, a master class on painting wooden spoons will be held in the Development and Creativity Club pavilion. Beautiful painted spoons can be used as interior decoration or as a gift for loved ones. From 15:00, the same pavilion is waiting for those interested in ancient Chinese writing. At the Chinese language master class, you can not only learn words and learn to write hieroglyphs, but also learn more about the rich culture of China. The classes are suitable for children aged six and older and adults. Admission is free.

    Thematic classes will be held in Kuzminki Park on November 4. During the classes, everyone will be taught how to make a traditional toy “Bird” using decoupage technique, making a magnet “Heart” using coffee beans, and will also help you select materials and compose a greeting card “I love Russia”. A festive concert will be held on the park stage. The guests will be treated to performances by the pop song theater “Dream”, dance studio “Pearl” and many others. The concert starts at 11:00. Also, as part of the “Kind Letters” project, you can send good wishes to the soldiers taking part in the special military operation, put handmade souvenirs in the envelopes, or write poems for the soldiers.

    At 16:00 on November 4, a free patriotic concert “In Unity Is Our Strength” will begin at the Fili Hall exhibition center in Fili Park. Musical and dance groups will perform for the guests, and songs about love for the native land will be heard.

    And on the central square of Lianozovsky Park from 18:00 to 20:00 guests will be shown the documentary film “Minin and Pozharsky”.

    A master class on creating national costumes of the peoples of Russia will be held in Krasnaya Presnya Park. First, participants will be told about the types of ornaments and their meaning, and then they will be asked to repeat the patterns in their sketches forcostumes.

    A concert featuring performers from the Tagansky District will be held in Tagansky Park on Monday at 1:00 p.m. The audience will be treated to more than just musical numbers. They will also be given a master class on drawing costumes of the peoples of Russia.

    On November 4, in Sokolniki Park, everyone will be able to take part in the games of the chess and checkers club (6th Luchevoy Prosek, Building 3). Checkers tournaments will start at 12:00. You can register on site at 11:30. And chess tournaments are scheduled for 17:00. You can also register on site half an hour before the start. The number of participants is limited.

    In addition, on November 4 at 11:30 in the pagoda in 4th Luchevoy Prosek there will be a lecture by historian and publicist Evgeny Norin on the topic “The origin of the holiday of National Unity Day. Its historical and modern significance.”

    Exhibitions in museums and elsewhere

    National Unity Day is a great opportunity to organize a themed trip to a museum for the whole family. Especially since Moscow hosts many exhibitions and excursions dedicated to the art, architecture, history and nature of Russia, the traditions and customs of its peoples.

    On November 3 at 12:00, the Moscow State Art Gallery of the People’s Artist of the USSR Ilya Glazunov (Volkhonka Street, Building 13) will host a tour entitled “Defenders of the Russian Land in the Works of Ilya Glazunov.” Art lovers will be taken around the gallery and told about paintings dedicated to great victories, military valor, and glorious pages of Russian history. Participation in the tour is free with an entrance ticket.

    In addition, on November 3 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Gogol’s House (Nikitsky Boulevard, Building 7a) invites you to the world of an old Moscow estate, where you can learn how guests were received in the old days and what a real Moscow tea party is. Admission by prior arrangement registration.

    On November 3 from 15:00 to 16:00 in the Alexander Shilov Gallery (5 Znamenka Street) there will be a thematic excursion “Cultural Heritage of Moscow”. This is a wonderful opportunity to go through the halls of an old mansion accompanied by a guide, look into the gallery’s courtyard and see the back facade of an architectural monument – the creation of one of the most outstanding architects of the 19th century E.D. Tyurin. Guests will visit a cozy park in front of the gallery, admire the view of the historical center and listen to the history of the creation of the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. They will have a fascinating acquaintance with the works of Alexander Shilov. You can register by phone: 7 495 697⁠-73⁠-10.

    On the same day from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Burganov House Museum (Bolshoy Afanasyevsky Lane, Building 15, Building 9) will hold a sightseeing tour called “The Burganov House Surroundings”. Guests will see the sculptor’s works located near the museum building: in the Ecology Park, in the People-Legends Gallery, and on Arbat. Entrance by prior registration: 7 495 695⁠-04⁠-29.

    Not only museums have prepared exhibitions for city residents. On November 4, a joint exhibition with the Russian Geographical Society called “Peoples of Russia” will open at the Dynamo metro station. The public will be presented with photos by participants in the annual photo contest of the Russian Geographical Society “The Most Beautiful Country”.

    Folk art and eternal classics in cultural centers

    The cultural centers on November 3 and 4 are worth visiting for those who are partial to symphonic and instrumental music, as well as folklore.

    On November 3, the Vdokhnovenie cultural center (Litovsky Boulevard, Building 7) will host a concert of the brass band of the Moscow State Institute of Music named after A.G. Schnittke, “On the Day of National Unity.” The musicians, under the direction of conductor Honored Artist of Russia Alexey Karabanov, will perform works by Russian composers. The concert will begin at 19:00.

    And in the cultural center “Zelenograd” (Central Square, Building 1) on November 3 at 12:00 a festival of national cultures of Russia will begin, which will unite the traditions of the peoples living in it.

    On November 4, the Vnukovo Cultural Center (6 Bolshaya Vnukovskaya Street) is hosting a gala concert of the VIII All-Russian Festival of Traditional Folk Art “Narodnoye Siyaniye”. Creative groups and individual performers will take part in it. There will be nominations for amateur folk groups, folk song ensembles and soloists. The event will start at 12:00.

    The ZIL Cultural Center (4 Vostochnaya Street, Building 1) will help prolong the holiday feeling. There will be a large free concert there on November 5. The program includes performances by members of the Ozherelye folklore ensemble, the Karnaval variety and sports dance ensemble, the Children’s Ballet Theater, the Orpheus opera studio, and other groups. The host is theater and film actor Mikhail Dorozhkin.

    National Unity Day is a national holiday that was established in 2005. It is dedicated to an important historical event – the victory of the people’s militia led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky over the Polish invaders in 1612. Their feat is considered the embodiment of the courage and unity of the people.

    On National Unity Day, the capital traditionally organizes festive concerts with the participation of popular musicians and folk groups, and holds a variety of cultural and educational events.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/146002073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Europe should consider putting boots on the ground in Ukraine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Viktoriia Lapa, Lecturer, Institute for European Policymaking, Bocconi University

    The mantra “as long as it takes” has become the European Union’s rallying cry in support of Ukraine’s resistance against Russia. Initially, some experts predicted that Ukraine would fall within three days – yet nearly three years have passed, and Ukraine is still standing. This prolonged struggle has come at an immense human cost.

    It’s clear that the decision to resist was made by the Ukrainian population, and they are grateful to the EU for its support. However, hopes that Ukraine can repel the invaders are fading, and there is no clear end in sight. “As long as it takes” for the EU translates, for Ukrainian ears, to “as many of your lives as we can afford to sacrifice”. Ukrainians are weary, even as they hold the front line, but the west has not communicated a commitment to fully engage in stopping Russian aggression and deterring future threats. Instead, it seems focused on a policy of “de-escalation management”. This only emboldens Russia and its allies.

    What is even more concerning is the absence of a coherent strategy for managing Russia. What would the EU do in the event that the war were to magically end tomorrow? Is there a plan in place, or will EU leaders simply offer Russia a reset?

    The EU has excelled in rhetoric when it comes to Ukraine but has fallen short in delivering military support. It remains reluctant to draw firm red lines for Russia as a response to attacks on European soil or to adopt a more assertive stance.

    The supply of shells to Ukraine is a case in point. The EU pledged to supply 1 million rounds of ammunition by March 2024, but by January, Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, admitted that the bloc would only deliver half of that on time while committing to send 1.1 million shells by the year’s end. To address this shortfall, Czech president Petr Pavel proposed an initiative at the Munich Security Conference in February, aiming to provide 800,000 shells to Ukraine by the year’s end, sourcing ammunition globally instead of solely from EU manufacturers. By August 2024, the EU had sent Ukraine only 650,000 shells out of the promised 1 million.

    Various news outlets have reported that the result is a grim picture on the front line, where for every shell fired by Ukraine, Russian forces are firing ten or more.

    Additionally, the EU has been reluctant to take decisive action, even in response to Russian attacks on its territory. Recent incidents, such as a narrowly avoided plane crash in Germany attributed to suspected sabotage, reflect a troubling increase in aggressive behaviour from Russian saboteurs. The only response so far has been a relatively weak sanctions framework to be used on those involved in such attacks.

    A strategy for the future

    The EU must adopt a proactive approach to securing peace in Ukraine, recognising that Russia is currently unwilling to negotiate – but would also never negotiate from a position of weakness.

    A clear strategy – including security guarantees for Ukraine, preferably through a pathway to Nato membership – could help put pressure on Russia and facilitate negotiations. It’s clear that bringing Ukraine into Nato might take years, but in the meantime, European countries should consider deploying troops to Ukraine as a security guarantee for this interim period.

    As the Lithuanian minister of foreign affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, rightly said: “At the beginning of the year, Emmanuel Macron hinted at putting boots on the ground. At the end of the year, North Korea had actually done so. We are still on the back foot, reacting to escalation instead of reversing it. Macron’s ideas should now be revisited – better late than never.”

    Security agreements do of course exist between Ukraine and its EU and G7 partners, but not a single country has hinted at a possibility of providing, as a guarantee for peace, such a security guarantee as “troops on the ground”. EU countries must consider this seriously.

    And with a view to what happens after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU needs at least the beginnings of an idea about what its terms would be for re-engaging with Russia. Otherwise it risks enabling Russia to set its own terms.

    The situation on the ground is dire. While the west boasts economic strength, it lacks visionary leadership and political will. It should not allow Russia to take the lead and must adopt a clear strategy for Ukraine’s victory. Otherwise, we are heading toward the scenario described by Timothy Garton Ash in his Financial Times article advocating for Ukraine’s accession to Nato:

    Consider the alternative. A defeated, divided, demoralized, depopulated Ukraine, pulsating with anger against the West and – as Zelenskyy hinted last week – probably seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Moscow triumphant. The rest of the world concluding that the West is a paper tiger. Xi Jinping encouraged to have a go at Taiwan. Biden and Harris going down in history as the leaders who ‘lost Ukraine’.

    One could add: the EU faces disintegration, regressing to its pre-union state. Ursula von der Leyen is remembered as the leader whose “as long as it takes” policy resulted in an epic failure to secure a safer future for Europe and Ukraine. Does the west want to see itself in this way?

    Viktoriia Lapa is an Affiliated Scholar at the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development, a research partnership between the School of Law of the University of Bologna and the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy (SAIS Europe).

    – ref. Why Europe should consider putting boots on the ground in Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/why-europe-should-consider-putting-boots-on-the-ground-in-ukraine-242279

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: WhiteBIT Surpasses 5 Million Users, Strengthening Its Leadership in Europe’s Crypto Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As WhiteBIT approaches its 6th anniversary in November, the exchange continues to reinforce its role as a prominent player in Europe’s cryptocurrency sector, driven by a focus on user experience, security, and strategic partnerships. 

    WhiteBIT, one of Europe’s largest centralized crypto exchanges, is proud to announce it has reached a major milestone, exceeding 5 million users. In the past year, WhiteBIT added over 1 million new users, more than doubling its user base since 2022. The platform’s trading volume exceeded $1 trillion across spot and futures markets, and its B2B services now support over 1,000 business clients. This growth reflects the increasing trust in WhiteBIT as a secure platform for digital asset trading among investors. 

    “Our mission from the start has been to make cryptocurrency accessible, secure, and trusted across Europe and beyond. Hitting 5 million users is more than just a number—it’s a validation of our efforts. We keep focusing on continuous innovation and fostering trust in the digital economy,” comments Volodymyr Nosov, CEO of WhiteBIT.

    Growth Fueled by Strategic Partnerships

    Partnerships have been a cornerstone of WhiteBIT’s growth strategy. Collaborations with major football clubs and organizations, such as FC Barcelona, FC Trabzonspor, and the Ukrainian national football team, as well as FACEIT in e-sports have bolstered its brand presence. Moreover, WhiteBIT has established an alliance with Georgia’s Hash Bank.

    For its institutional clients, WhiteBIT has partnered with Fireblocks, a leader in digital asset management, which strengthens its services for businesses looking to expand in the crypto space.

    Expanding Ecosystem and Technological Advancements

    WhiteBIT has also made strategic advancements in blockchain technology, unveiling its rebranded blockchain, Whitechain, which has already processed 50 million transactions and facilitated 25,000 NFTs. Additionally, WhitePool, the exchange’s Bitcoin mining pool, has ranked among the top 15 mining pools worldwide and is now one of the largest mining pool backed by a centralized exchange.

    Global Expansion and Commitment to Security

    WhiteBIT has been rapidly expanding its presence beyond Europe, establishing offices in Australia, Georgia, the UK, and Turkey. With a team of over 1,100 professionals globally, WhiteBIT is steadily growing its international footprint while staying rooted in its Ukrainian origins.

    In its growth, security remains a top priority for WhiteBIT. According to cer.live, the exchange consistently ranks among the top five most secure platforms. Its robust security protocols, including WAF firewalls, strict AML policies, and mandatory KYC procedures, recently earned WhiteBIT the Hacken Security Award 2024 at TOKEN2049 in Singapore.

    WhiteBIT continues to lead in blockchain innovation, fostering technological progress and championing the global cryptocurrency community. As the exchange grows, WhiteBIT empowers users and businesses to embrace digital assets while bridging the gap between traditional finance and the evolving world of cryptocurrency.

    About WhiteBIT

    WhiteBIT, established in 2018, is one of the largest centralized crypto exchanges in Europe. It offers over 600+ trading pairs, 300+ digital assets, and supports 9 national currencies. WhiteBIT is an official partner of the Ukrainian national football team, FC Barcelona, FC Trabzonspor, and FACEIT. The exchange is dedicated to advancing blockchain technology and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in all jurisdictions where it operates.

    Users can visit:

    Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Telegram | Discord | Medium

    Contact

    WhiteBit

    pr@whitebit.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: INVL Technology Interim unaudited information for 9 months of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Equity of the Company and the Company’s net asset value as of 30 September 2024 was EUR 44.44 million or EUR 3.71 per share. At the end of 2023, these figures were EUR 43.53 million and EUR 3.61 respectively.

    Investments of the Company into managed companies amounted to EUR 44.83 million at the end of September 2024 and EUR 34.20 million at the end of September 2023.

    The net profit of the Company for 9 months of 2024 was EUR 1.11 million, the net loss of the Company for 9 months of 2023 amounted EUR 538 thousand.

    Additional information:

    INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, had an equity and a net asset value of EUR 44.44 million at the end of September this year, which is 2.1% more than at the start of the year. Their per share value of its equity and NAV was EUR 3.7067 and was up 2.8% from the start of the year.

    INVL Technology had an unaudited net profit of EUR 1.11 million in nine months of 2024, compared to a loss of EUR 0.538 million in the same period last year.

    “INVL Technology’s portfolio companies, which work in the areas of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the development and deployment of supercomputers and information systems, are growing their revenues and profit. In selling the business, we hope to attract the interest of international and regional investors,” says Kazimieras Tonkūnas, INVL Technology’s managing partner.

    In mid-March this year, the company announced that it had signed an agreement with the Zurich branch of M&A intermediation service provider Corum Group’s Luxembourg-based unit Corum Group International, to advise and serve as M&A intermediary on the sale of the company’s portfolio of businesses.

    Performance of INVL Technology’s portfolio companies

    INVL Technology’s portfolio companies had aggregated revenues of EUR 47.60 million in the January-September, which is 12.5% more than in the same period last year. Their gross profit increased 14.5% in the same period of comparison to EUR 13.22 million, while their aggregated EBITDA grew 2.2 times larger to EUR 3.45 million.

    INVL Technology owns and manages the cybersecurity company NRD Cyber Security, the GovTech company NRD Companies, and the Baltic IT company Novian.

    NRD Cyber Security, which also owns NRD Bangladesh, in January-September of 2024 increased its consolidated revenue by 26.74% from the same period last year to EUR 5.853 million. The company’s gross profit grew 14.9% in the period of comparison to EUR 3 million, while its EBITDA rose 28.9% to EUR 941,000.

    NRD Companies had consolidated revenue of EUR 6.88 million in the first nine months of this year, which is 17.9% less than in the same period of 2023. The company earned a gross profit of EUR 3.3 million, or 9.3% more than in January-September last year, while the group’s EBITDA decreased by 2.1% to EUR 0.69 million. Norway-based NRD Companies has the subsidiaries Norway Registers Development in Norway, with a branch in Lithuania, and NRD Systems and Etronika in Lithuania.

    Novian had aggregated revenues of EUR 31.54 million in January-September 2024, 18.6% more than in the same period of 2023, while its gross profit of EUR 6.12 million was 24.2% larger than a year earlier. The Novian group’s EBITDA for the first three quarters of this year increased 6.7 times versus the same period of 2023 to EUR 1.799 million. The group consists of Novian in Lithuania with the technology-area businesses Novian Technologies, Zissor in Norway, Novian Eesti in Estonia, Andmevara in Moldova, and Novian Rwanda (earlier Norway Registers Development Rwanda) in Rwanda, and the software services businesses Novian Systems and Novian Pro in Lithuania.

    INVL Technology’s managing partner Kazimieras Tonkūnas notes that the companies are expected to deliver good results for the full year 2024 as well.

    INVL Technology, which is managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is a closed-end investment company which must exit its investments no later than mid-July 2026 and distribute the money to shareholders.

    The person authorized to provide additional information:
    Kazimieras Tonkūnas
    INVL Technology Managing Partner
    E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Cinema Park “Moskino” invites you to a historical program in honor of National Unity Day

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On November 3 and 4, the Moskino Cinema Park will present a large-scale historical reconstruction for National Unity Day. The holiday is dedicated to an important event in Russian history that united the country — the liberation of Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian occupation in 1612. City residents and tourists will be able to travel back to those times, get acquainted with the daily life of the residents and see how the militia of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky defeats the invaders in a decisive battle.

    “150 reenactors from Moscow, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, Tolyatti and Kaluga will take part in recreating the atmosphere and events of the 17th century. Visitors will be treated to more than 60 historical shows, master classes, lectures, concerts and performances,” she said.

    Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    The main part of the program will take place in the Cathedral Square decorations. At 11:00 on November 3 and 4, guests are invited to watch the troop parade, at 12:00 — the performance of horsemen, at 13:00 — maneuvers and drill training of riflemen and pikemen. The largest will be the reconstruction of the decisive battle of the second people’s militia led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky with the Polish-Lithuanian army, the victory in which helped lead the country out of the Time of Troubles. The event will begin at 17:00.

    Craft classes and interactive activities will be held from 10:00 to 18:00. The territory will house a camp, command headquarters, folk theater, archery range, as well as mints and printing houses. Craftsmen will offer to master the art of blacksmithing and pottery, calligraphy, practice throwing a lasso and pikemanship. Also planned are performances by artists of the court and puppet theaters, lectures on musical instruments of those times and old Russian games.

    Tours of exhibitions of national costumes, military equipment and the everyday life of Muscovites in the 17th century will help you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the era.

    On the Gonzaga Theatre site, folk music and dance groups will perform at 12:00 on the weekend. On Sunday at 17:00, there will be a meeting with producer and director Eduard Boyakov. In December, he will organize a multimedia show in the cinema park, the plot of which is connected with the events of the Time of Troubles.

    On November 3 and 4, the Uyezdny Gorod set will host an immersive performance based on the novel by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov, The Twelve Chairs. In addition, at various venues, those wishing to do so will be able to take part in filming scenes based on cult films such as The Man from Boulevard des Capucines and Buratino, as well as take photos as the characters from the films.

    Additional information and conditions of visit are published on the websitecinema park “Moskino”.

    How to get there, where to buy a ticket and what to take with you: instructions for guests of the Moskino cinema park

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145912073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: HMC Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan return home from Baltic Sea deployment

    Source: Government of Canada News

    His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Glace Bay and Shawinigan returned home today from a four-month deployment with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) in the Baltic Sea under Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s support to NATO deterrence and defence measures.

    October 29, 2024 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Glace Bay and Shawinigan returned home today from a four-month deployment with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) in the Baltic Sea under Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s support to NATO deterrence and defence measures.

    This deployment facilitated NATO objectives, highlighting Canada’s commitment to international security and stability, while providing the Royal Canadian Navy with the flexibility to conduct various exercises and operations with allies and partners. Participation in joint-NATO missions like Operation REASSURANCE strengthens diplomatic relationships and promotes shared security principles, defence professionalization, and capacity building among nations.

    During their deployment, both ships took part in training exercises with the SNMCMG1 Naval Taskforce, which included sailors and ships from the German Navy, Latvian Naval Forces, Lithuanian Naval Forces, Portuguese Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, and Belgian Navy. While deployed, and in support of enhanced vigilance activities, beginning on August 29 HMCS Shawinigan monitored a Russian submarine and surface vessel through the Baltic and North Seas before handing over responsibility to His Majesty’s Ship Iron Duke, of the Royal Navy on September 1.

    “I am extremely proud of our sailors in His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan. These crews operated in an area of strategic importance which demonstrated Canada’s commitment to our NATO Allies, contributed to maritime security and directly supported a variety of Canadian interests across the region. Along the way we visited some of the most beautiful areas in the world and developed lasting relationships with our shipmates and Allies, bringing Canadian value everywhere we sailed.”

    Lieutenant-Commander Paul Morrison, Task Force Commander

    Media Relations 
    Department of National Defence 
    Phone: 613-904-3333 
    Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Strengthens Community Engagement with New Reddit and Discord Campaigns Amid Growing Market Excitement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC Exchange, one of the world’s longest-serving crypto exchanges, has strengthened its community-building efforts by expanding its social media presence on Reddit and Discord. Through these platforms, BTCC is creating an interactive space where users can freely discuss market trends, speculate on price movements, and stay updated on the latest BTCC news.

    In early September, BTCC launched its official subreddit, which now hosts over 1,500 members actively engaging in discussions and sharing insights. To foster participation, BTCC has introduced a weekly engagement campaign on Reddit, rewarding the community’s most active users.

    Participants earn points for every comment, with moderators awarding bonus points for quality contributions such as helpful advice and insightful market analysis. Winners are selected weekly based on their engagement, bringing the community closer while enhancing members’ understanding of market movements.

    Alongside Reddit, BTCC also launched a Discord channel, which quickly attracted more than 2,000 users within its first week. On Discord, users can discuss trading strategies, explore price predictions, and analyze market trends. As part of the launch, BTCC is offering new joiners a 70 USDT trading voucher to open a BTCUSDT position, allowing them to experience futures trading risk-free. Any profits generated from these trades can be withdrawn, giving users a unique opportunity to benefit directly from their engagement on the platform.

    “We’re excited to offer popular platforms for our users to connect, share knowledge, and grow together,” said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC. “We’re dedicated to supporting our users with spaces to gain insights from each other, especially as we enter this potentially historic bull run. Our Reddit and Discord communities allow users to freely exchange ideas, helping them make informed decisions in a dynamic market.”

    The launch of BTCC’s social channels aligns perfectly with the current market excitement, as the crypto community anticipates heightened volatility and potential new all-time highs amid the upcoming U.S. election cycle.

    About BTCC

    Established in 2011, BTCC is a trusted cryptocurrency exchange dedicated to providing a safe trading environment for users worldwide. With a focus on security and user experience, BTCC remains at the forefront of the crypto industry.

    Follow BTCC on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/btcc_official/

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice on Public Offering of Subordinated Bonds of LHV Group

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AS LHV Group (hereinafter LHV) hereby announces a public offering of LHV’s subordinated bonds. The offering is conducted on the basis of the prospectus affirmed by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (FSA) on 28 October 2024, that has been disclosed on the date of this announcement on the web pages of LHV and the FSA. The public offering of the subordinated bonds will be carried out in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

    This is the second issue of subordinated bonds, in the amount of up to EUR 20 million, under the bond programme confirmed in 2023. Under the bond programme EUR 35 million worth of subordinated bonds have previously been issued and altogether it is possible to raise up to EUR 200 million.

    Main Terms of Offering

    LHV offers publicly up to 20,000 subordinated bonds of LHV „EUR 6.00 LHV Group subordinated bond 24-2034” with the nominal value of EUR 1,000, the maturity date of 15 November 2034 and a quarterly paid fixed interest rate offered to the investor at the rate 6% per annum. Subordinated bonds will be offered at a price of EUR 1,000 per one bond. Subordinated bonds will be issued in a dematerialised book-entry form and registered in Nasdaq CSD SE under ISIN code EE3300004993.

    The subscription period for the bonds will start on 29 October 2024 at 10:00 and will end on 12 November 2024 at 16:00. The subordinated bond offering is intended for retail and institutional investors operating in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and made possible for the clients of account-managing financial institutions that are members of the Estonian securities settlement system.

    A subordinated bond represents an unsecured debt obligation of LHV before the investor. The subordination of the bonds means that upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of LHV, all the claims arising from the subordinated bonds shall fall due and shall be satisfied only after the full satisfaction of all unsubordinated recognised claims in accordance with the applicable law. Among other things, with subordinated bonds, the risk of conversion of liabilities and claim rights (bail-in risk) must be considered.

    Timetable of Offering

    29.10.2024 at 10:00 Start of the subscription period for the subordinated bonds
    12.11.2024 at 16:00 End of the subscription period for the subordinated bonds
    On or about 13.11.2024  Disclosing the allocation results of the subordinated bonds
    On or about 15.11.2024 Transfer of the subordinated bonds to investors’ securities accounts
    On or about 18.11.2024 Expected listing of the subordinated bonds and admission to trading on the regulated market operated by Nasdaq Tallinn AS (on the Baltic Bond List of the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange)

    Submitting Subscription Undertakings 

    In order to subscribe for the subordinated bonds an investor has to submit, during the subscription period, a subscription undertaking to the custodian who holds the investor’s securities account opened at Nasdaq CSD SE, with the format accepted by the custodian and in accordance with the prospectus and offer conditions. The subscription undertaking must be submitted before the end of the subscription period. The investor may use any method that such investor’s custodian offers to submit the subscription undertaking (e.g., physically at the client service venue of the custodian, over the internet or by other means). The subscription undertaking will be forwarded to Nasdaq CSD SE.

    Listing and Admission to Trading

    LHV intends to submit an application to Nasdaq Tallinn AS for the listing and admission to trading of the LHV’s subordinated bonds on the Baltic Bond List of the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange. The expected date of listing and admission to trading is on or about 18 November 2024.

    While every effort will be made and due care will be taken in order to ensure the listing and the admission to trading of the subordinated bonds, LHV cannot ensure that the subordinated bonds will be listed and admitted to trading.

    Availability of Prospectus and Terms of Offering

    The Prospectus has been published and can be obtained in electronic format from LHV’s website https://investor.lhv.ee/en/ and from the website of the FSA https://www.fi.ee/en. Additionally, the Estonian translation of the Prospectus has been disclosed and made available together with the Prospectus on the LHV website https://investor.lhv.ee/en and is also available through the information system of Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange. The terms and conditions of the subordinated bonds and the final terms of the offering together with the summary of the prospectus and their translations to Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian have been published and can be obtained in electronic format from LHV’s website https://investor.lhv.ee/en.

    Before investing into LHV’s subordinated bonds we ask you to acquaint yourself with the prospectus, the terms and conditions of the bonds, the final terms and if necessary consult an expert.

    LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. The LHV Group’s key subsidiaries are LHV Pank, LHV Varahaldus, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Bank Limited. The Group employs nearly 1,200 people. As at the end of September, LHV’s banking services are being used by 445,000 clients, the pension funds managed by LHV have 116,000 active clients, and LHV Kindlustus protects a total of 169,000 clients. LHV Bank Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, holds a banking licence in the United Kingdom and provides banking services to international financial technology companies, as well as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Priit Rum
    Communications Manager
    Phone: +372 502 0786
    Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee

    Important information:
    This information is an advertisement of securities within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and does not constitute an offer of bonds of AS LHV Group or an invitation to subscribe for or acquire bonds. The offer of the bonds will be made on the basis of the Terms and Conditions of the Prospectus published on the day of the public offer of the bonds and approved by the Finantsinspektsioon (Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority), and the Final Terms of the First Issue. The Prospectus is available on the websites of the Finantsinspektsioon and AS LHV Group at fi.ee and investor.lhv.ee, respectively, where the Terms and Conditions referred to and the Summary of the Prospectus are also available. Investors should read the information published in the Prospectus, its Terms and Conditions, and the Final Terms of the First Issue before making an investment decision in order to understand all the facts relating to the investment. The approval of the prospectus by the Finantsinspektsioon does not constitute an approval of AS LHV Group or the securities offered. The bonds are publicly offered in the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, and the Republic of Lithuania.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

    MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

    Date：2024-10-19
    Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

    October 19, 2024  
    No. 359  

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates that the administrations and friendly members of parliament of more than 30 countries, as well as the European Union, have publicly expressed concern over the cross-strait situation or stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability after China once again recently launched military drills to intimidate Taiwan. Countries including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and the Republic of Korea variously urged China to exercise restraint and stated that differences should be resolved through dialogue and not the threat of force or coercion. 
     
    The maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the common interests of both sides of the strait and the international community. There is a high degree of consensus within global society over the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. MOFA once again calls on China to face up to the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a free and democratic way of life, willingness to engage in international cooperation alongside China, and goodwill toward maintaining regional security and pursuing peace and shared prosperity. It urges China to stop using use military provocation or other means to threaten and suppress Taiwan and disrupt the regional status quo. Only this can facilitate the positive development of cross-strait relations and satisfy the expectations of the international community.
     
    MOFA calls on all nations to continue to voice concern over the cross-strait situation and support Taiwan. Taiwan will further work with its diplomatic allies and like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA thanks countries that have publicly expressed concern over Taiwan Strait situation and stressed importance of cross-strait peace and stability in concerted effort to safeguard rules-based international order

    • Date：2024-10-19
    • Data Source：Department of Policy Planning

    October 19, 2024  

    No. 359  

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates that the administrations and friendly members of parliament of more than 30 countries, as well as the European Union, have publicly expressed concern over the cross-strait situation or stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability after China once again recently launched military drills to intimidate Taiwan. Countries including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and the Republic of Korea variously urged China to exercise restraint and stated that differences should be resolved through dialogue and not the threat of force or coercion. 

     

    The maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the common interests of both sides of the strait and the international community. There is a high degree of consensus within global society over the importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. MOFA once again calls on China to face up to the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to respect the Taiwanese people’s choice of a free and democratic way of life, willingness to engage in international cooperation alongside China, and goodwill toward maintaining regional security and pursuing peace and shared prosperity. It urges China to stop using use military provocation or other means to threaten and suppress Taiwan and disrupt the regional status quo. Only this can facilitate the positive development of cross-strait relations and satisfy the expectations of the international community.

     

    MOFA calls on all nations to continue to voice concern over the cross-strait situation and support Taiwan. Taiwan will further work with its diplomatic allies and like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and jointly advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aktsiaselts Infortar Investor Webinar introducing the results of the Q3 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Infortar will organize a webinar for investors on 4 November 2024 at 12:00 (EET) in Estonian and at 14:00 (EET) in English to introduce the third quarter 2024 results. The webinar will be attended by the Chairman of the Board of Infortar Ain Hanschmidt, the Managing Director of Infortar Martti Talgre and Investor Relations Manager Kadri Laanvee.

    The webinar will be hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform. Please note that to participate, no prior registration is required, and no reminder of the webinar will be sent. You can either participate by joining from your web browser or via Microsoft Teams application. When using a smart device to join the webinar, you first need to download the Microsoft Teams application from either Play Store or App Store.

    Please join the webinar via the following links:

    Questions can be sent to kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee before the webinar and via Teams Q/A during the event. The webinar will be recorded and will be available online for everyone on the company’s website at https://infortar.ee/en/reports.

    Aktsiaselts Infortar operates in seven countries, the company’s main fields of activity are maritime transport, energy and real estate. Aktsiaselts Infortar owns a 68.47% stake in Aktsiaselts Tallink Grupp, a 100% stake in AS Eesti Gaas and a versatile and modern real estate portfolio of approx. 113,000 m2. In addition to the three main areas of activity, Aktsiaselts Infortar also operates in construction and mineral resources, agriculture, printing, taxi business and other areas. A total of 104 companies belong to the Aktsiaselts Infortar group: 95 subsidiaries, 4 affiliated companies and 5 subsidiaries of affiliated companies. Excluding affiliates, Aktsiaselts Infortar employs 6,625 people.

    Additional information:

    Kadri Laanvee
    Investor Relations Manager
    Phone: +372 5156662
    e-mail: kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee
    www.infortar.ee/en/investor

    The MIL Network –

  • 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: Bigbank’s Unaudited Financial Results for Q3 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bigbank’s total gross loan portfolio grew to a record 2.1 billion euros by the end of the quarter, increasing by 158 million euros (+8%) quarter on quarter and by 451 million euros (+28%) year on year. All three main product lines posted solid quarter-on-quarter growth. The corporate loan portfolio grew by 46 million euros (+7%) to 703 million euros, the housing loan portfolio by 78 million euros (+17%) to 534 million euros and the consumer loan portfolio by 36 million euros (+4%) to 837 million euros.

    On the deposit side, the term deposit portfolio showed solid growth, increasing by 86 million euros to 1.25 billion euros (+7%) in the third quarter. The savings deposit portfolio decreased by 82 million euros to 1.01 billion euros during the quarter. This was mainly because our deposit customers continued to switch their short-term savings products to 3- to 9-month term deposits to lock in an attractive interest rate for the chosen period. The Group’s total deposit portfolio grew by 11 million euros (+0.5%) over the quarter and by 484 million euros (+27%) over the year to 2.27 billion euros.

    Bigbank ended the first nine months of 2024 with a net profit of 27.6 million euros, compared with 29.4 million euros for the same period in 2023. In the third quarter, Bigbank earned a net profit of 11.8 million euros. Compared to the third quarter of 2023, net profit decreased by 0.6 million euros (-5%).

    Group’s net interest income increased compared to the third quarter of 2023: net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 was 27.7 million euros (Q3 2023: 26.1 million euros), 1.6 million euros (+6%) higher than a year earlier. Net interest income for the first nine months of 2024 was 79.1 million euros, up 6.3 million euros (+9%) year on year.

    In the third quarter, the credit quality of the loan portfolio remained stable compared to the previous quarter. However, compared with the 2023 figures, there was some deterioration in the consumer and corporate loan portfolios, but this is due to a decline in quality in the first quarter of 2024. The quality of the housing loan portfolio remains excellent.

    Net loss allowances for loans and provision expenses totalled 4.2 million euros. This represents a significant decrease of 2.1 million euros compared to the previous quarter (6.3 million euros) and a decrease of 0.8 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2023 (5.0 million euros).

    The Group’s income tax expense increased by 0.6 million euros to 2.4 million euros compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase was driven by the introduction of advance income tax in Latvia at the end of 2023, which was only reflected in the figures for the fourth quarter of 2023 but will affect all quarters in 2024.

    The Group’s investment property portfolio, which includes both agricultural land and commercial real estate, stood at 48.7 million euros at the end of the third quarter. During the quarter, the Group sold agricultural land of 0.3 million euros.

    Income statement, in thousands of euros Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9M 2024 9M 2023
    Net interest income 27,717 26,090 79,090 72,790
    Net fee and commission income 2,316 2,097 6,725 6,116
    Net income (loss) on financial assets 1,023 3,965 4,101 4,976
    Net other operating income -974 -1,033 -2,800 -1,686
    Total net operating income 30,082 31,119 87,116 82,196
    Salaries and associated charges -6,813 -6,072 -19,576 -17,687
    Administrative expenses -2,827 -3,845 -8,781 -11,158
    Depreciation, amortisation and impairment -2,145 -2,001 -6,297 -4,361
    Total expenses -11,785 -11,918 -34,654 -33,206
    Provision income (expense) 1,223 79 -106 -882
    Profit before loss allowances 19,520 19,280 52,356 48,108
    Net loss allowances on loans and financial investments -5,410 -5,023 -19,293 -13,985
    Profit before income tax 14,110 14,257 33,063 34,123
    Income tax expense -2,371 -1,887 -5,503 -4,169
    Profit for the period from continuing operations 11,739 12,370 27,560 29,954
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations 0 61 29 -557
    Profit for the period 11,739 12,431 27,589 29,397
             
             
             
    Statement of financial position, in thousands of euros 30 Sept 2024 30 June 2024 31 Dec 2023 restated* 30 Sept 2023
    Cash and cash equivalents 475,284 626,081 518,672 406,837
    Debt securities at FVOCI 14,992 9,907 15,400 14,942
    Loans to customers 2,059,625 1,902,001 1,662,002 1,608,720
    Other assets 87,126 89,255 91,324 88,709
    Total assets 2,637,027 2,627,244 2,287,398 2,119,208
    Customer deposits and loans received 2,274,269 2,264,137 1,946,314 1,791,581
    Subordinated notes 83,437 88,148 76,109 71,490
    Other liabilities 14,585 22,113 20,182 18,909
    Total liabilities 2,372,291 2,374,398 2,042,605 1,881,980
    Equity 264,736 252,846 244,793 237,228
    Total liabilities and equity 2,637,027 2,627,244 2,287,398 2,119,208

    Commentary by Martin Länts, chairman of the management board of Bigbank AS: “The third quarter of 2024 marked the continuation of stable and strategic growth for Bigbank, highlighted by a significant milestone as our gross loan portfolio surpassed 2 billion euros for the first time, reaching 2.1 billion euros. Our bank’s strategy focuses on stable growth in the home loan and business loan product lines, and this is reflected in the results. In the third quarter, our gross portfolio grew by 158 million euros (+8%), marking the largest quarterly growth in Bigbank’s history. I would particularly highlight the home loan portfolio’s quarterly growth of 78 million euros (+17%), bringing it to a total of 534 million. In a declining interest rate environment, we are also pleased with the 6% growth in net interest income compared to Q3 2023 and the 9% year-on-year increase for the first nine months.”

    Bigbank AS (www.bigbank.eu), with over 30 years of operating history, is a commercial bank owned by Estonian capital. As of 30 September 2024, the bank’s total assets amounted to 2.6 billion euros, with equity of 264,7 million euros. Operating in nine countries, the bank serves more than 150,000 active customers and employs over 500 people. The credit rating agency Moody’s has assigned Bigbank a long-term deposit rating of Ba1, as well as a baseline credit assessment (BCA) and adjusted BCA of Ba2.

    Argo Kiltsmann
    Member of the Management Board
    Tel: +372 53 930 833
    Email: Argo.Kiltsmann@bigbank.ee 
    www.bigbank.ee

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Thursday, 24 October 2024 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2024-10-24

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Thursday, 24 October 2024 – Strasbourg

    IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:00.


    2. Composition of committees and delegations

    The PPE Group had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of the committees and delegations:

    ENVI Committee: Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz

    FISC Subcommittee: Danuše Nerudová

    Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee: Michał Szczerba

    Delegation for relations with Israel: Hildegard Bentele to replace Daniel Buda

    Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee: Daniel Buda to replace Hildegard Bentele

    The decisions took effect as of that day.


    3. Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report (debate)

    Commission statement: Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report (2024/2871(RSP))

    Janusz Wojciechowski (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Liesbet Sommen, on behalf of the PPE Group, Gabriele Bischoff, on behalf of the S&D Group, Paolo Borchia, on behalf of the PfE Group, Mariateresa Vivaldini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Brigitte van den Berg, on behalf of the Renew Group, Nela Riehl, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Li Andersson, on behalf of The Left Group, Rada Laykova, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak, Heléne Fritzon, Pascale Piera, Georgiana Teodorescu, Grégory Allione, Sara Matthieu, Marina Mesure, Diego Solier, Andreas Schwab, Niels Fuglsang, Annamária Vicsek, Marlena Maląg, Hristo Petrov, Benedetta Scuderi, Dario Tamburrano, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Marcos Ros Sempere, Antonella Sberna, Ľudovít Ódor, Rasmus Andresen, Hanna Gedin, Sérgio Humberto, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Elisabetta Gualmini, Kris Van Dijck, Billy Kelleher, João Oliveira, Giusi Princi, Tiemo Wölken, Beatrice Timgren, Catarina Martins, Andrea Wechsler, Marit Maij, Tobiasz Bocheński, who also answered a blue-card question from Branislav Ondruš, Arba Kokalari, Johan Danielsson, Paulius Saudargas, Idoia Mendia, Andrzej Buła, Estelle Ceulemans, Axel Voss, Alex Agius Saliba, Esther Herranz García, Marc Angel, Maravillas Abadía Jover, Annalisa Corrado and Bruno Gonçalves.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva.

    IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
    Vice-President

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nina Carberry, Nikolina Brnjac, Tomislav Sokol, Maria Grapini, Branislav Ondruš, Grzegorz Braun and Milan Mazurek.

    The following spoke: Janusz Wojciechowski.

    The debate closed.


    4. Abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse (debate)

    Commission statement: Abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse (2024/2887(RSP))

    Janusz Wojciechowski (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Lídia Pereira, on behalf of the PPE Group, Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, Piotr Müller, on behalf of the ECR Group, Laurence Farreng, on behalf of the Renew Group, Kim Van Sparrentak, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Pernando Barrena Arza, on behalf of The Left Group, Petras Gražulis, on behalf of the ESN Group, Eleonora Meleti, Sabrina Repp, Fabrice Leggeri, Ivaylo Valchev, Hristo Petrov, Alexandra Geese, who also answered a blue-card question from Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ivan David, Milan Mazurek (The President reminded the speaker of the provisions of Rule 10), Zoltán Tarr, Francisco Assis, Susanna Ceccardi, Paolo Inselvini, Irena Joveva, Lena Schilling, Christine Anderson, Ondřej Dostál, Manuela Ripa, Gerolf Annemans, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Marc Jongen, Łukasz Kohut, Alexandre Varaut, Taner Kabilov, Sebastian Kruis, Tiago Moreira de Sá, who also answered a blue-card question from Bruno Gonçalves, Hermann Tertsch and Mathilde Androuët.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Matej Tonin, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sebastian Tynkkynen and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Janusz Wojciechowski.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    5. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:05.


    6. Sakharov Prize 2024 (announcement of the winner)

    The President announced that Parliament had decided to award the 2024 Sakharov Prize to María Corina Machado, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, and to President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans fighting to restore freedom and democracy to their country.


    7. Request for the waiver of immunity

    The competent Lithuanian authorities had sent the President a request for Petras Gražulis’s immunity to be waived in connection with legal proceedings in Lithuania.

    Pursuant to Rule 9(1), the request had been referred to the committee responsible, in this case the JURI Committee.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ
    Vice-President

    8. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:10.

    ⁂

    The following spoke: Lukas Sieper (the President took due note).


    9. Voting time

    For detailed results, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.


    9.1. Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B10-0133/2024, B10-0129/2024, B10-0131/2024, B10-0133/2024, B10-0136/2024, B10-0139/2024, B10-0141/2024 and B10-0142/2024 (minutes of 24.10.2024, item I) (2024/2890(RSP))

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2024)0029)

    (Motions for resolutions B10-0129/2024 and B10-0131/2024 fell.)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 1)


    9.2. People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B10-0134/2024, B10-0130/2024, B10-0132/2024, B10-0134/2024, B10-0135/2024, B10-0137/2024, B10-0138/2024 and B10-0140/2024 (minutes of 24.10.2024, item I) (2024/2891(RSP))

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2024)0030)

    (Motions for resolutions B10-0130/2024 and B10-0132/2024 fell.)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 2)

    (The sitting was suspended at 12:17.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    10. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 15:00.


    11. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    12. Protecting our oceans: persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities (debate)

    Commission statement: Protecting our oceans: persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities (2024/2888(RSP))

    Janusz Wojciechowski (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Francisco José Millán Mon, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christophe Clergeau, on behalf of the S&D Group, France Jamet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Billy Kelleher, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Emma Fourreau, on behalf of The Left Group, Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group, Hélder Sousa Silva, André Rodrigues, André Rougé, Ana Miranda Paz, Per Clausen, Seán Kelly and Thomas Bajada.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Niels Geuking, Jean-Marc Germain, Pernando Barrena Arza and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Janusz Wojciechowski.

    The debate closed.


    13. Explanations of vote

    Written explanations of vote

    Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.

    Oral explanations of vote


    13.1. Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (RC-B10-0133/2024)

    The following spoke: Seán Kelly.


    13.2. People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (RC-B10-0134/2024)

    The following spoke: Seán Kelly.


    14. Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the start of the next sitting.

    With Parliament’s agreement, the texts adopted during the part-session would be forwarded to their respective addressees without delay.


    15. Dates of forthcoming sittings

    The next sittings would be held on 13 November 2024 and 14 November 2024.


    16. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 15:41.


    17. Adjournment of the session

    The session of the European Parliament was adjourned.

    Alessandro Chiocchetti

    Roberta Metsola

    Secretary-General

    President


    LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT


    I. Motions for resolutions tabled

    Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0129/2024)
    Giorgos Georgiou
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0131/2024)
    Tomasz Froelich
    on behalf of the ESN

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0133/2024)
    Sergey Lagodinsky, Ville Niinistö, Maria Ohisalo, Catarina Vieira, Hannah Neumann, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Markéta Gregorová, Michael Bloss, Alice Kuhnke, Isabella Lövin, Pär Holmgren, Marie Toussaint
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2980(RSP)) (B10-0136/2024)
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Udo Bullmann, Raphaël Glucksmann, Francisco Assis
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0139/2024)
    Nathalie Loiseau, Petras Auštrevičius, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Bernard Guetta, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0141/2024)
    Rasa Juknevičienė, François-Xavier Bellamy, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, David McAllister, Sebastião Bugalho, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Daniel Caspary, Loucas Fourlas, Sandra Kalniete, Łukasz Kohut, Andrey Kovatchev, Andrius Kubilius, Miriam Lexmann, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (B10-0142/2024)
    Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Aurelijus Veryga, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Assita Kanko
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):
    on the situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia (2024/2890(RSP)) (RC-B10-0133/2024)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0133/2024, B10-0136/2024, B10-0139/2024, B10-0141/2024 and B10-0142/2024)
    Rasa Juknevičienė, François-Xavier Bellamy, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, David McAllister, Sebastião Bugalho, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Daniel Caspary, Loucas Fourlas, Sandra Kalniete, Łukasz Kohut, Andrey Kovatchev, Andrius Kubilius, Miriam Lexmann, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Raphaël Glucksmann, Udo Bullmann, Matthias Ecke, Francisco Assis
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Emmanouil Fragkos, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Assita Kanko, Marion Maréchal, Aurelijus Veryga, Geadis Geadi, Rihards Kols, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Charlie Weimers
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Nathalie Loiseau, Petras Auštrevičius, Helmut Brandstätter, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Bernard Guetta, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Moritz Körner, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Sergey Lagodinsky
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0130/2024)
    Danilo Della Valle
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0132/2024)
    Petr Bystron, Hans Neuhoff
    on behalf of the ESN

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0134/2024)
    Markéta Gregorová, Ville Niinistö, Maria Ohisalo, Hannah Neumann, Diana Riba i Giner, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Erik Marquardt
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0135/2024)
    Engin Eroglu, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Helmut Brandstätter, Dan Barna, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Bernard Guetta, Svenja Hahn, Nathalie Loiseau, Ľubica Karvašová, Karin Karlsbro, Ana Vasconcelos, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0137/2024)
    Yannis Maniatis, Kathleen Van Brempt, Tonino Picula
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0138/2024)
    Adam Bielan, Charlie Weimers, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Michał Dworczyk, Carlo Fidanza, Alexandr Vondra, Alberico Gambino, Rihards Kols, Reinis Pozņaks, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Assita Kanko, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    on the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (B10-0140/2024)
    Miriam Lexmann, Sebastião Bugalho, Rasa Juknevičienė, Danuše Nerudová
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):
    on the misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (2024/2891(RSP)) (RC-B10-0134/2024)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0134/2024, B10-0135/2024, B10-0137/2024, B10-0138/2024 and B10-0140/2024)
    Michael Gahler, Miriam Lexmann, Sebastião Bugalho, Rasa Juknevičienė, Danuše Nerudová
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Kathleen Van Brempt, Tonino Picula
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński, Charlie Weimers, Michał Dworczyk, Alexandr Vondra, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Rihards Kols, Maciej Wąsik, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Alberico Gambino, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Carlo Fidanza
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Engin Eroglu, Petras Auštrevičius, Helmut Brandstätter, Dan Barna, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Bernard Guetta, Svenja Hahn, Ľubica Karvašová, Karin Karlsbro, Moritz Körner, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Ana Vasconcelos, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Markéta Gregorová
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group


    II. Petitions

    Petitions Nos 1126-24 to 1190-24 had been entered in the register on 18 October 2024 and had been forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(9) and (10).

    The President had, on 18 October 2024, forwarded to the committee responsible, in accordance with Rule 232(15), petitions addressed to the European Parliament by natural or legal persons who were not citizens of the European Union and who did not reside, or have their registered office, in a Member State.


    III. Documents received

    The following documents had been submitted by Members:

    – Mathilde Androuët, Jordan Bardella, Nikola Bartůšek, Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain, Markus Buchheit, Valérie Deloge, Elisabeth Dieringer, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Jean-Paul Garraud, Roman Haider, France Jamet, Virginie Joron, Julien Leonardelli, Aleksandar Nikolic, Philippe Olivier, Gilles Pennelle, Pascale Piera, Pierre Pimpie, Julie Rechagneux, André Rougé, Julien Sanchez, Malika Sorel, Rody Tolassy, António Tânger Corrêa, Matthieu Valet, Tom Vandendriessche, Roberto Vannacci and Alexandre Varaut. Motion for a resolution on the surge in the number of sub-Saharan migrants (B10-0065/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: LIBE
    opinion: DEVE

    – Virginie Joron. Motion for a resolution on the creation of a European fund, financed by the extraordinary profits from ‘COVID-19 vaccines’, to compensate victims and to finance research into the treatment of long COVID and its persistent side-effects (B10-0067/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI
    opinion: BUDG

    – João Oliveira. Motion for a resolution on solutions to the housing crisis (B10-0068/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: EMPL
    opinion: ECON

    – Beatrice Timgren. Motion for a resolution on the audit of green investments in light of Northvolt developments (B10-0069/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: CONT
    opinion: ENVI

    – Charlie Weimers. Motion for a resolution on limiting the freedom of movement for serious criminals (B10-0075/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: LIBE

    – Dick Erixon. Motion for a resolution on design and concept flaws of new own resources (B10-0076/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain and Catherine Griset. Motion for a resolution on Pink October (B10-0087/2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI


    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Antoci Giuseppe, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Bryłka Anna, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Deutsch Tamás, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Gemma Chiara, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomes Isilda, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Grossmann Elisabeth, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Gyürk András, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jaki Patryk, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubilius Andrius, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lange Bernd, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Negrescu Victor, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Niebler Angelika, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Piperea Gheorghe, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Singer Christine, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Squarta Marco, Stancanelli Raffaele, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban-Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Virkkunen Henna, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Gómez López Sandra, Homs Ginel Alicia, Lalucq Aurore

    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 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 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-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:

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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 Europe: EU anti-fraud office coordinates seizure of around 40,000 litres of illicit alcohol

    Source: European Union 2

    The European Anti-Fraud Office coordinated an action that led the EU Member States’ and Norwegian customs authorities to seize around 40,000 litres of illicit alcoholic beverages. The targeted action is part of operation OPSON XIII, the global initiative coordinated alongside Europol to tackle food fraud and ensure the safety of food and beverages across Europe. 

    The operation, which ran from December 2023 to May 2024, focused on identifying and removing counterfeit and substandard food and drinks from markets while disturbing the criminal network behind these illicit products. 

    As in previous years, OLAF led a targeted action focused specifically on illicit alcoholic beverages. The operation revealed sophisticated schemes aimed at infiltrating the EU market with products of inferior quality – mostly beer, homemade alcohol and wine. Fraudsters used deceptive packaging, falsified documents and false labels to sell these products to consumers. 

    The OLAF coordinated action involved customs authorities from 15 Member States and one non-EU country: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Slovakia. 

    More information on Operation OPSON XIII is available in Europol’s press release.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Christmas air mail – latest dates of posting 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

          Hongkong Post today (October 24) announced the latest air mail posting dates for Christmas this year. While the dates are provisional, they have been calculated based on the requirements of respective postal administrations, and are for reference only. These dates and services are subject to availability of flights, and may be altered at short notice. Members of the public are advised to post earlier than the dates shown. They may visit the Hongkong Post web page at (www.hongkongpost.hk/en/about_us/whats_new/index.html) on the service availability for various destinations before posting.
     

    Destinations
    Letters and packets
    Parcels

    Asia and the Middle East

    Bangladesh
    December 5
    November 29

    Brunei Darussalam
    December 3
    *

    India
    December 2
    November 29

    Indonesia
    December 6
    December 5

    Iran
    December 3
    December 2

    Israel
    December 3
    *

    Japan
    December 4
    December 4

    Jordan
    December 3
    December 2

    Korea
    December 3
    December 3

    Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    December 9
    December 6

    Lebanon
    November 29
    November 28

    Malaysia
    December 3
    December 2

    Myanmar
    December 3
    *

    Nepal
    December 3
    *

    Pakistan
    December 9
    December 2

    Saudi Arabia
    December 3
    December 2

    Singapore
    December 2
    November 29

    Sri Lanka
    December 9
    *

    Taiwan
    December 4
    December 2

    Thailand
    December 4
    December 2

    The Mainland
    December 9
    December 5

    The Philippines
    December 3
    December 2

    United Arab Emirates
    December 5
    December 4

    Vietnam
    December 6
    December 5

    Other destinations in Asia
    and the Middle East
    December 5
    December 4

    Central, South and North America

    Argentina
    November 19
    November 18

    Brazil
    December 2
    November 20

    Canada
    December 4
    November 28

    Chile
    November 28
    November 18

    Costa Rica
    November 19
    *

    Mexico
    November 29
    November 29

    Panama
    December 3
    December 2

    Peru
    December 3
    December 2

    United States
    December 5
    December 5

    Other destinations in Central, South and North America   
    November 28
    November 26

    Europe

    Austria
    December 3
    December 2

    Belgium
    December 5
    December 4

    Cyprus
    November 19
    November 18

    Czech Republic
    November 18
    November 18

    Denmark
    December 2
    November 29

    Estonia
    December 4
    December 3

    Finland
    December 5
    December 2

    France
    December 3
    December 3

    Germany
    December 6
    December 5

    Greece
    November 28
    November 27

    Hungary
    December 3
    December 2

    Iceland
    December 2
    *

    Ireland
    December 9
    December 2

    Italy
    December 3
    *

    Latvia
    December 2
    November 29

    Lithuania
    December 3
    December 2

    Malta
    December 3
    December 2

    Netherlands
    December 3
    December 2

    Norway
    December 3
    December 2

    Poland
    December 4
    December 2

    Portugal
    December 3
    November 28

    Romania
    December 6
    December 2

    Russia
    November 25
    November 15

    Serbia
    December 3
    December 2

    Slovakia
    December 4
    November 29

    Spain
    November 28
    November 28

    Sweden
    December 3
    December 2

    Switzerland
    December 9
    December 5

    Türkiye
    December 3
    December 2

    United Kingdom
    December 3
    December 3

    Other destinations in Europe
    November 26
    November 25

    Oceania

    Australia
    December 4
    December 4

    Fiji
    November 29
    November 28

    French Polynesia
    December 3
    December 2

    Nauru
    November 29
    *

    New Caledonia
    December 3
    December 2

    New Zealand
    November 29
    November 29

    Papua New Guinea
    November 26
    *

    Solomon Islands
    December 3
    *

    Tonga
    December 3
    December 2

    Other destinations in Oceania
    December 3
    November 25

    Africa

    Egypt
    December 6
    December 6

    Kenya
    December 3
    *

    Malawi
    December 4
    *

    Mauritius
    December 3
    November 27

    Morocco
    December 3
    December 2

    South Africa
    November 21
    November 20

    Other destinations in Africa
    December 3
    December 2

    * Service is currently under suspension

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Network smuggling migrants via Belarus busted in Poland

    Source: Europol

    The Polish Border Guard, supported by Europol, has successfully targeted a large criminal network smuggling migrants from Belarus and Russia into the EU. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a Europol Operational Task Force, made up of authorities from Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. A Europol expert supported the operation on the ground in…

    MIL Security OSI –