Category: DJF

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Iran-Israel conflict: Foreign Secretary’s statement

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

Oral statement to Parliament

Iran-Israel conflict: Foreign Secretary’s statement

The Foreign Secretary made a statement to the House of Commons on 16 June 2025, updating on the Israel-Iran conflict.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will remind the House that the Foreign Office has been responding to 2 crises this past week.

My Honourable Friend, Minister Falconer, will update on the Government’s extensive efforts to assist those who lost loved ones in Thursday’s devastating Air India plane crash.

Just 9 days ago, I was in Delhi, strengthening our friendship. Our nations are mourning together. My thoughts are with all those suffering such terrible loss.

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will now turn to the Middle East. Early last Friday morning, Israel launched extensive strikes across Iran. Targets including military sites, including the Iranian enrichment facility at Natanz, and key commanders and nuclear scientists.

The last 72 hours has seen Iranian ballistic missile and drone strikes across Israel, killing at least 21 Israelis and injuring hundreds more. And Israeli strikes have continued, including on targets in Tehran, with the Iranian authorities reporting scores of civilian casualties.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has said his operations will “continue for as many days as it takes to remove the threat”. Supreme Leader Khameini has said Israel “must expect severe punishment”.

Madam Deputy Speaker, in such crisis our first priority is of course the welfare of British nationals. On Friday, we swiftly stood up a crisis team in London and the region, and yesterday I announced that we now advise against all travel to Israel as well as our long-standing travel of not travelling to Iran.

Madam Deputy Speaker, today I can update the House that we are asking all British nationals in Israel to register their presence with the FCDO, so that we can share important information on the situation and leaving the country.

And I can announce today that we are further updating our Travel Advice to signpost border crossing points, and sending Rapid Deployment Teams to Egypt and Jordan to bolster our consular presence near the border with Israel, which has already been supporting British nationals on the ground.

Israel and Iran have closed their airspace until further notice, and our ability therefore to provide support in Iran is extremely limited. British nationals in the region should closely monitor our Travel Advice for further updates.

Madam Deputy Speaker, the situation remains fast-moving. We expect more strikes in the days to come. This is a moment of grave danger for the region.

I want to be clear, the United Kingdom was not involved in the strikes against Iran. This is a military action conducted by Israel.

It should come as no surprise that Israel considers the Iranian nuclear programme an existential threat. Khameini said in 2018 that Israel was a “cancerous tumour” that should be “removed and eradicated”.

We have always supported Israeli security – that’s why Britain has sought to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon through extensive diplomacy. We agree with President Trump when he says negotiations are necessary and must lead to a deal.

That has long been the view, Mr Speaker, of the so-called ‘E3’ – Britain, France and Germany – with whom we have worked so closely on this issue. The view of all of the G7 who have backed the efforts of President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. And for more than 2 decades, the cross-party view in this House.

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and Lord Hague of Richmond led diplomatic efforts on the issue. Baroness May of Maidenhead and the former Right Honourable Member for Uxbridge did too, and this Government has continued to pursue negotiations, joining France and Germany in 5 rounds of talks with Iran this year alone.

Ours is a hard-headed realist assessment of how best to tackle this grave threat. Fundamentally, no military action can put and end to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Madam Deputy Speaker, just last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors passed a non-compliance resolution against Iran, the first such IAEA finding in 14 years.

The Director-General’s Comprehensive Report details Iran’s failure to declare nuclear materials. Iran remains the only state without nuclear weapons accumulating uranium at such dangerously high levels. Its total enriched stockpile is now 40 times the limit in the JCPoA, and their nuclear programme is part of a wider pattern of destabilising activity.

The Government has taken firm action in response. When they transferred ballistic missiles for use in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, we imposed extensive sanctions including against Iran Air, and cancelled our bilateral air services agreement.

In the face of unacceptable IRGC threats here in the UK – with some 20 foiled plots since 2022 – the CPS has for the first time charged Iranian nationals under the National Security Act, and we have placed the Iranian state, including the IRGC, on the enhanced tier of the new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

Madam Deputy Speaker, a widening war would have grave and unpredictable consequences, including for our partners in Jordan and the Gulf. The horrors of Gaza worsening, tensions in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq rising, the Houthi threat continuing.

That’s why the Government’s firm view, as it was last October in the ballistic missile attack on Israel, is that further escalation in the Middle East is not in Britain’s interests, nor the interests of Israel, Iran or the region.

There are hundreds of thousands of British nationals living in the region. And with Iran a major oil producer, and one fifth of total world oil consumption flowing through the Straits of Hormuz, escalating conflict poses real risks for the global economy.

As missiles rain down, Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. But our priority now is de-escalation.

Our message to both Israel and Iran is clear. Step back. Show restraint. Don’t get pulled ever deeper into a catastrophic conflict, whose consequences nobody can control.

Madam Deputy Speaker, the Prime Minister chaired COBR on the situation last Friday and spoke to PM Netanyahu, President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He is now at the G7 Summit in Canada, discussing with our closest allies how to ease tensions.

And the Government has deployed additional assets to the region, including jets for contingency support to UK forces and potentially our regional allies concerned about the escalating conflict.

In the last 72 hours, my Honourable Friend the Minister for the Middle East and I have been flat out trying to carve out space for diplomacy. I have spoken to both Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar and Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, underlining Britain’s focus on de-escalation.

I have also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal. I’ve had calls with US Secretary Rubio, EU High Representative Kallas and my counterparts from France and Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. These conversations are part of a collective drive to prevent a spiralling conflict.

Madam Deputy Speaker, this new crisis has arisen as the appalling situation in Gaza continues. This weekend, hospitals in Gaza reported over 50 people were killed and more than 500 injured while trying to access food.

This Government will not take our eye off the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We will not stop calling for aid restrictions to be lifted and an immediate ceasefire. We will not forget about the hostages.

This morning, I met Yocheved Lifschitz and her family, whose courage and dignity in the face of Hamas’ barbarism was a reminder of the plight of those still cruelly held in Gaza. We will not stop striving to free the hostages and end that war.

Madam Deputy Speaker, our vision remains unchanged. An end to Iran’s nuclear programme and destabilising regional activity. Israel, secure in its borders and at peace with its neighbours. A sovereign Palestinian state, as part of the two-state solution.

Diplomacy is indispensable to each of these goals. Britain will keep pressing all sides to choose a diplomatic path out of this crisis.

I commend this statement to the House.

Updates to this page

Published 16 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Telling the Story of the Arctic”: New Photo Exhibition at HSE

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

The opening of the exhibition “Khatanga. Heritage” took place in the atrium of the HSE building on Pokrovsky Boulevard, organized with the support of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS). As part of the educational project, photo materials with interactive excursions are presented, as well as a series of videos and a podcast, drawing attention to the cultural and environmental aspects of the region.

The project became a logical continuation of a large-scale environmental campaign “Arctic. General cleaning”, during which work was carried out over two years to clean the banks of the village of Khatanga in the Krasnoyarsk Territory from accumulated metal waste. Volunteers from different parts of Russia took part in the expeditions, they carried out research, media and environmental activities. In three shifts, volunteers managed to remove more than 700 tons of industrial waste, which significantly improved the ecological situation in the area and made it possible to create an extensive archive of photo and video materials.

As Andrey Lavrov, Senior Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, noted, the Russian Geographical Society has been a partner of the Higher School of Economics since 2022. He recalled that Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technologies HSE actively cooperates with the Russian Geographical Society, and the university students work a lot on Arctic topics, including within the framework of the project “Rediscovering Russia”. “It was important for us to tell the story of the Arctic, a strategically important territory for Russia, through such an exhibition,” said Andrei Lavrov.

Russia is a huge country, it is almost impossible to see everything in it, says Professor Fuad Aleskerov, head of Department of Mathematics FEN HSE. “Such exhibitions give an understanding of where and what we have in our homeland. In addition, the photographs describe what our volunteers saw when they came to the Arctic to clean up trash. I myself participate in environmental projects, and support them financially. In this case, we need working hands, and if I were a student now, of course, I would go too,” he emphasized.

Dmitry Kobets, a representative of the Russian Geographical Society and a visiting lecturer at the HSE Department of Mathematics, did not know in his student years that one could spend one’s vacation on an expedition and benefit entire regions. He believes that it is important to tell students about this opportunity by organizing such exhibitions.

“I thought that an expedition was a matter for big scientists, but it turns out that it is not. The Russian Geographical Society (and not only it) provides an opportunity for young specialists who have just started their journey to go on an expedition. And there is no need to do complex scientific work. Maybe you just want to relax and change the intellectual vector of activity that prevailed from September to June. And after the expedition, you also create a good community,” added Dmitry Kobets.

In total, four thematic virtual tours were prepared for the exhibition.

1. “Khatanga. Three suns for luck”, which takes you into the world of creativity, where each photographic work carries its own unique emotion and story.

2. “The cold raised me”, dedicated to the harsh Arctic region, which is currently home to less than 6,000 people: the history of Khatanga, its people, and its natural conditions.

3. “Khatanga – this is us”, which tells about the members of the expedition: young photographers, scientists, journalists, athletes and managers.

4. “A snowflake won’t melt” — a quiz journey for the exhibition’s youngest spectators.

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.

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: International Journal of Applied and Advanced Scientific Research

Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

Mission

International Journal of Applied and Advanced Scientific Research (IJAASR) is a bi-annual, open access, peer reviewed and fully refereed international journal with minimal processing charge. It broadly covers research work on next generation cutting edge technologies and effective marketing strategies.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: W&T Announces Settlement Agreement with Majority of Surety Providers
Source: W & T Offshore Inc

Headline: W&T Announces Settlement Agreement with Majority of Surety Providers

HOUSTON, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) (“W&T” or the “Company”) today announced that it has come to a settlement agreement with two of its largest surety providers which calls for the dismissal of a previously filed lawsuit. The settlement agreement requires the surety providers to withdraw their current collateral demands, and further provides that the surety providers may not make additional collateral demands or increase premiums through December 31, 2026.

Key highlights for the settlement agreement include:
- Dismissal of all claims by the applicable party in the lawsuit, without prejudice;
- Two participating surety providers, together with W&T’s other major surety provider who did not attempt to increase premiums or call for collateral, represent nearly 70% of W&T’s surety bond portfolio;
- Premium rates for all existing bonds provided by the two surety providers will be locked in at W&T’s historical rates without increase through December 31, 2026, representing a prolonged rate lock in excess of “ordinary course” rate negotiations, thereby providing consistency and predictability in W&T’s premium expense;
- W&T is not required to provide any collateral to the applicable sureties, and the applicable surety providers will immediately withdraw all demands for collateral;
- Surety providers may not make demands for collateral through December 31, 2026, outside certain limited circumstances involving unlikely events of default; and
- Parties retain the right to negotiate and establish new surety bonds at rates to be determined in the ordinary course.
Tracy W. Krohn, W&T’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased with the agreement that we have reached with two of our largest surety providers, and we believe that the objectives achieved in this outcome illustrate the strength of the legal position that W&T has aggressively advanced since the beginning of these unnecessary surety lawsuits. This outcome is very positive for W&T overall, as we will not acquiesce to unjustified collateral demands made by the applicable sureties and we have locked in our historical premium rates through the end of 2026. We believe the entry into these settlement agreements vindicates our resolve to stand up to surety providers’ unjustified demands on independent oil and gas operators, such as W&T. For the past 40 plus years, W&T has reliably plugged and abandoned assets, paid its negotiated premiums and operated responsibly in the Gulf of America. We demand fairness and transparency for all oil and natural gas producers in the Gulf of America and will continue to pursue the pending litigation against our other surety providers that have unlawfully colluded and decided to not deal fairly with W&T and other independent oil and gas producers.”

“This agreement, coupled with the promising developments in the regulatory environment driven by the White House’s directives, alleviates some of the uncertainty that has unnecessarily and artificially suppressed our stock price and we expect that this will allow us to deliver more value to our shareholders. Since the start of the year, we have strengthened our balance sheet, and we have a solid cash position with sufficient liquidity to enable us to continue to evaluate growth opportunities, both organically and inorganically. Operationally and financially, our start to 2025 has been strong, and we expect production to continue to increase thus driving more value creation. We are well-positioned to succeed and believe that the future is bright for W&T.”

About W&T Offshore

W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of America and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had working interests in 52 fields in federal and state waters (which include 45 fields in federal waters and seven in state waters). The Company has under lease approximately 634,700 gross acres (496,900 net acres) spanning across the outer continental shelf off the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, with approximately 487,200 gross acres on the conventional shelf, approximately 141,900 gross acres in the deepwater and 5,600 gross acres in Alabama state waters. A majority of the Company’s daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T, please visit the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including those regarding the potential outcome of the litigation, the impact of the settlement on the Company, potential growth opportunities, and the Company’s future production are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future production and sales, prices, market size, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and speak only as of the date of this release. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results described in these statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, unless required by law.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ including, among other things, the regulatory environment, including availability or timing of, and conditions imposed on, obtaining and/or maintaining permits and approvals, including those necessary for drilling and/or development projects; the impact of current, pending and/or future laws and regulations, and of legislative and regulatory changes and other government activities, including those related to permitting, drilling, completion, well stimulation, operation, maintenance or abandonment of wells or facilities, managing energy, water, land, greenhouse gases or other emissions, protection of health, safety and the environment, or transportation, marketing and sale of the Company’s products; inflation levels; global economic trends, geopolitical risks and general economic and industry conditions, such as the global supply chain disruptions and the government interventions into the financial markets and economy in response to inflation levels and world health events; volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices; the global energy future, including the factors and trends that are expected to shape it, such as concerns about climate change and other air quality issues, the transition to a low-emission economy and the expected role of different energy sources; supply of and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas, including due to the actions of foreign producers, importantly including OPEC and other major oil producing companies (“OPEC+”) and change in OPEC+’s production levels; disruptions to, capacity constraints in, or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver the Company’s oil and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; inability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain adequate financing to fund capital expenditures, meet the Company’s working capital requirements or fund planned investments; price fluctuations and availability of natural gas and electricity; the Company’s ability to use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk; the Company’s ability to meet the Company’s planned drilling schedule, including due to the Company’s ability to obtain permits on a timely basis or at all, and to successfully drill wells that produce oil and natural gas in commercially viable quantities; uncertainties associated with estimating proved reserves and related future cash flows; the Company’s ability to replace the Company’s reserves through exploration and development activities; drilling and production results, lower–than–expected production, reserves or resources from development projects or higher–than–expected decline rates; the Company’s ability to obtain timely and available drilling and completion equipment and crew availability and access to necessary resources for drilling, completing and operating wells; changes in tax laws; effects of competition; uncertainties and liabilities associated with acquired and divested assets; the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and successfully integrate any acquired businesses; asset impairments from commodity price declines; large or multiple customer defaults on contractual obligations, including defaults resulting from actual or potential insolvencies; geographical concentration of the Company’s operations; the creditworthiness and performance of the Company’s counterparties with respect to its hedges; impact of derivatives legislation affecting the Company’s ability to hedge; failure of risk management and ineffectiveness of internal controls; catastrophic events, including tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics and other world health events; environmental risks and liabilities under U.S. federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations (including remedial actions); potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the Company’s ability to recruit and/or retain key members of the Company’s senior management and key technical employees; information technology failures or cyberattacks; and governmental actions and political conditions, as well as the actions by other third parties that are beyond the Company’s control, and other factors discussed in W&T Offshore’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q found at www.sec.gov or at the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com under the Investor Relations section.

CONTACT: Al Petrie Sameer Parasnis

Investor Relations Coordinator Executive VP and CFO

investorrelations@wtoffshore.com sparasnis@wtoffshore.com

713-297-8024 713-513-8654

Source: W&T Offshore, Inc.

Released June 17, 2025
MIL OSI Economics –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD earnestly follows up on court ruling against eight former Principal Hawker Control Officers

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

FEHD earnestly follows up on court ruling against eight former Principal Hawker Control Officers
The FEHD will seek advice from the Civil Service Bureau to determine appropriate follow-up actions following the court judgment, including whether to consider cancelling, suspending, or reducing the pension benefits of the officers concerned under Section 29 of the Pension Benefits Ordinance (Cap. 99).

Following the incident, the FEHD has reviewed the recruitment procedures for Assistant Hawker Control Officers and introduced refinements to the modus operandi and the monitoring mechanism. Such enhancements include emphasising to recruitment board chairpersons and members that failure to uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and confidentiality during the selection process may result in disciplinary action or even criminal liability; adjusting the composition of recruitment boards to ensure a more balanced representation of relevant grades and enhance objectivity and diversity in the selection process; providing additional guidance to board secretaries to strengthen their role in supporting procedural fairness; and arranging for supervisory staff to observe interviews on an irregular basis and offer feedback on overall selection arrangements with a view to further ascertaining the propriety of the process.

In addition, the FEHD has strengthened integrity training for enforcement and supervisory officers at all levels, including inviting officers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption to conduct seminars on anti-corruption laws and related administrative codes to heighten staff awareness of corruption risks and the offence of misconduct in public office. The department also continues to use various channels to remind staff at all levels of the importance of upholding core civil service values and conduct at all times.
Issued at HKT 19:00

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CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tech research projects announced

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Innovation & Technology Commission today announced the second batch of 25 projects to be given funding via the Research, Academic & Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme.

These projects were recommended by the scheme’s steering committee. The total funding awarded amounts to over $1 billion.

The projects cover health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, electrical and electronic engineering, advanced manufacturing, Chinese medicine, and computer science/information technology.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong welcomed the second batch of projects to be supported by the scheme.

He said: “The successful approval of the second batch of projects marks the Government’s continued commitment to promote commercialisation of local research and development outcomes through the RAISe+ Scheme.

“The scheme fosters effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors, injecting new momentum into local innovation and technology development, which in turn expedites the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.”

The commission, aiming to nurture more I&T projects and startups with potential, will continue to work closely with universities and industry for the projects’ smooth implementation.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Driven by a Dream: Farah Al Fulfulee’s Quest to Reach the Stars

Source: NASA

Farah Al Fulfulee was just four years old when she started climbing onto the roof of her family’s house in Iraq to gaze at the stars.
“It scared me how vast and quiet the sky was, but it made me very curious. I grew a deep passion for the stars and constellations and what they might represent,” she said.
Her father noticed her interest and began bringing home books and magazines about space. Al Fulfulee first read about NASA in those pages and was fascinated by the agency’s mission to explore the cosmos for the benefit of all humanity.
“Right then I knew I had to be an astronaut! I must go to space myself and get a closer look,” she said. “I knew I must find a way to go and work for NASA and fulfill my dream, working with other people like me who had a passion to explore the universe.”

As a girl growing up in the Middle East, Al Fulfulee had few opportunities to pursue this dream, but she refused to give up. Her dedication to schoolwork and excellence in science and math earned her a spot at the University of Baghdad College of Engineering. She completed a degree in electronic and communication engineering — similar to American electrical and computer engineering programs — and graduated as one of the top 10 students in her class. “We had a graduation party where you dress up as what you want to be in the future,” she recalled. “I wore a spacesuit.”

Al Fulfulee was ready to launch her career, but Iraq did not have a developed space industry and finding work as a female engineer was a challenge. She accepted a project engineer position with a prominent Iraqi engineering firm in the information technology sector and spent four years working for the company in Iraq, Turkey, and Jordan, but she was disappointed to discover that her role involved very little engineering. “I was the only female on the team,” she said. “It was not common for a woman to work in the field or with customers, so I was always left behind to do office work. The job was not fulfilling.”
Still determined to join NASA, Al Fulfulee kept looking for her chance to come to the United States and finally found one in 2016, when she moved to Oklahoma to be near her sister. A new challenge soon rose: Without a degree from an American school or previous work experience in the United States, engineering opportunities were hard to come by. Al Fulfulee spent the next six years working in quality assurance for a human resources software company while she completed a MicroMasters program in software verification and management from the University of Maryland and honed her English and leadership skills.
Her big break came in 2022, when she landed a job with Boeing Defense, Space, and Security as a software quality engineer. “I was so excited,” she said. “I knew I was much closer to my dream since Boeing worked in the space industry and I would be able to apply internally to work on a space program.”

Less than one year later, Al Fulfulee became a system design and analysis engineer for the International Space Station Program and joined the Station Management and Control Team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. She helps develop requirements, monitors performance, and validates testing for electrical systems and software supporting space station payloads. She also designs hardware, software, and interface specifications for those systems. Al Fulfulee has served as the team’s point of contact, delivering verification assessment and data assessment reports for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 and Crew-10 missions, as well as the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 flight. She is currently working to support testing and verification for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11.
“I could not be happier,” she declared.
She is also not stopping. “I won’t quit until I wear the blue suit.”

Al Fulfulee has been an enthusiastic volunteer for various NASA studies, including the Exploration Atmosphere Studies that tested spacewalk safety protocols in an analog environment. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Space Operations Engineering from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She is an avid gardener and learning how to grow produce indoors as a volunteer experimental botanist with the Backyard Produce Project, noting that such knowledge might come in handy on Mars.
She is also helping to inspire the next generation. Earlier this year, Al Fulfulee was a guest speaker at the Women in Tech & Business Summit in Iraq – an event designed to encourage Iraqi women to pursue technology careers. “I was the only person representing women in space,” she said. “It was a really moving experience.” Al Fulfulee provided practical advice on breaking barriers in aerospace and shared her story with the crowd.
“I know my path is long and across the continents,” she said, “but I am enjoying my journey.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Explore Our Dynamic Sun!

Source: NASA

from NASA’s Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific/Night Sky Network
Have you ever wondered about what the Sun is made of? Or why do you get sunburned on even cloudy days? NASA’s new Explore the Sun toolkit brings the wonders of solar science to you, offering answers to these questions and more!

A collaboration between NASA’s Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Night Sky Network program, this resource was developed for informal educators, amateur astronomers, and astronomy enthusiasts alike, providing engaging activities for anyone eager to learn more about our nearest star.
Whether you’re hosting a solar viewing event or an indoor presentation, the Our Dynamic Sun toolkit provides easy-to-use materials designed to spark curiosity. Each card in the set pairs NASA images with clear explanations for each topic:

“What color is the Sun?” (hint: it’s not yellow!)
“How does the Sun affect us here on Earth?”
“When will the Sun die?”

These cards not only answer common questions the public may have, but also highlight how NASA’s solar research helps us understand space weather, solar storms, and their impacts on our daily lives.
Bring the Sun’s story to your community and inspire the next generation of explorers. You can download this free Our Dynamic Sun toolkit here: https://bit.ly/suntoolkit

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NASA Employees Named 2025 Service to America Medals Honorees

Source: NASA

Two NASA employees are being honored as part of the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, also known as the Sammies, recognizing outstanding federal employees who are addressing many of our country’s greatest challenges.
Rich Burns of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and John Blevins of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, were selected out of 350 nominees and are among 23 individuals and teams honored for their achievements as federal employees. They will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington on Tuesday, June 17, that also will be live streamed on the Sammies website. The honorees will be commended via videos and presenter remarks and receive medals for their achievements.
Named after the founder of the Partnership for Public Service, the 2025 Service to America Medals awards celebrate federal employees who provided critical public services and made outstanding contributions to the health, safety, and national security of our country.
“Rich and John exemplify the spirit of exploration and service that defines NASA and our nation’s civil servants,” said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. “Their leadership, ingenuity, and dedication have not only advanced America’s space program but also inspired the next generation of innovators. We are proud to see their achievements recognized among the very best of federal service.”

Burns was the project manager of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and oversaw operations from the developmental stage to the successful landing of the spacecraft’s Sample Return Capsule.
The mission launched on Sept. 18, 2016, and after a nearly four-year journey, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully collected a sample from the asteroid Bennu on Oct. 20, 2020, which returned to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, providing scientists with 120 grams of pristine material to study, the largest amount ever collected from an asteroid. Working to solidify OSIRIS-REx as a success, Burns set up multiple partnerships and communicated frequently with scientists, large and small businesses, NASA centers, and others to ensure the mission’s vision was carried out though each phase.
During the mission, Burns had to handle unique challenges that required adapting to new situations. These included improving flight software to help the spacecraft avoid hazardous parts of Bennu’s rocky surface and working with NASA leaders to find a way to best protect the sample collected from Bennu after a large stone propped the collection canister open. Finally, when the sample was set to return to Earth, Burns worked extensively with NASA and military partners to prepare for the landing, focusing on the safety of the public along with the integrity of the sample to ensure the final part of the mission was a success.
Burns helped OSIRIS-REx exceed its objectives all while under the original budget, allowing NASA to share a portion of the sample with more than 80 research projects and make new discoveries about the possible origins of life on our planet. The spacecraft, now known as Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Apophis Explorer, is scheduled to rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis in 2029.
“It’s humbling to accept an award based on the achievements of the amazingly talented, dedicated, and innovative OSIRIS-REx team,” Burns said. “I consider myself privileged to be counted among a team of true explorers who let no obstacle stand in the way of discovery.”

Blevins is the chief engineer for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and is responsible for the various technical decisions that need to be made to ensure each mission is successful. This included calculating structural needs, thermal analyses of the effects, and studies of vibrations, acoustics, propulsion integration, among other work.
Artemis I, the first test flight of the SLS rocket, successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 16, 2022. In the time leading up to and during launch, Blevins led the team integrating the hardware for the mission working to address unexpected events while SLS was on the pad prior to launch. This included significant lightning storms and two hurricanes impacting Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Blevins built a working coalition of engineering teams across the agency that previously did not exist. His ability to forge strong relationships on the various teams across the agency allowed for the successful launch of Artemis I. He continues to lead the engineering team behind SLS as they prepare for Artemis II, the second flight of SLS and the first crewed lunar mission of the 21st century.
“This is a reflection on the hard work and dedication of the entire Artemis Team,” Blevins said. “I am working with an incredibly competent, dedicated team agencywide that goes above and beyond to promote the space exploration goals of our nation. I am honored to accept the award on their behalf.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Oklahoma Survivors Can Apply for SBA Loans

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Oklahoma Survivors Can Apply for SBA Loans

Oklahoma Survivors Can Apply for SBA Loans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Businesses and residents in seven Oklahoma counties impacted by the March 14-21 wildfires and straight-line winds are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster assistance loans from the U

S

Small Business Administration (SBA)

FEMA partners with other agencies to meet the needs of survivors after a disaster, and SBA loans are the largest source of federal recovery funds

Residents and businesses in Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee and Payne counties can apply for these loans if they sustained property damage

Affected homeowners, renters and businesses do not need to wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application – and are under no obligation to accept an SBA loan if an application is approved

Residents can still apply for an SBA loan if they received assistance from FEMA

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3

25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2

688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years

Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement

SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement

Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan of up to $500,000 for primary residence repairs or rebuilding

The SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $100,000 to replace important personal property, such as damaged automobiles

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property, destroyed real estate, inventory, machinery and equipment, and other essential assets

The SBA can lend additional funds for measures that help protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future

SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits to help recover from economic damage caused by a declared disaster

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program may be used to cover operating expenses, including fixed debts, payroll, rent, and other bills not paid due to the disaster

EIDLs are available even if the business or private nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage

The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises

Oklahoma residents can apply for a disaster loan online at SBA

gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955

For the latest information about Oklahoma’s recovery, visit fema

gov/disaster/4866

Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

com/FEMARegion6/
thomas

wise
Mon, 06/16/2025 – 20:03

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Meijer Issues Recall on Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds Due to Presence of Undeclared Cashews

Source: US Food and Drug Administration

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
June 13, 2025
FDA Publish Date:
June 16, 2025
Product Type:
Food & BeveragesAllergens
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Undeclared cashews

Company Name:
Meijer
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
Frederick’s by Meijer

Product Description:

Product Description
Dark Chocolate Almonds

Company Announcement
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 13, 2025 – Meijer is announcing a recall of certain packages of Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds because they may also contain dark chocolate-covered cashews, which are not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashews run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.
The recall includes Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds in black stand-up pouches sold at Meijer stores in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin with a sell-by date of 05/07/2026 or 05/28/2026, and 8-count, 1.5-ounce multi-pack boxes with a sell-by date of 05/05/2026. Meijer has not received any claims of illness associated with this recall to date.
The following products are included in the recall:

UPC

Recalled Product Name

Sell By Date(s)

7-08820-68730-1

Frederik’s by Meijer Dark Chocolate Almonds (12 oz.)

05/07/2026,05/28/2026

7-19283-11923-0

Frederik’s Dark Chocolate Almonds 8-count 1.5 oz.

05/05/2026

This recall was initiated after Meijer was informed of the issue by a customer who received the product.
Customers with allergies or sensitivities to cashews should discontinue use and return the product to the customer service desk at any Meijer store for a full refund. Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact Meijer at 800-543-3704 from 7 a.m.-1 a.m. EDT daily. Customers with questions or concerns about their health are encouraged to contact their primary care provider.
About Meijer: Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Meijer
800-543-3704

Product Photos

Content current as of:
06/16/2025

Regulated Product(s)

Topic(s)

Follow FDA

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: DHS Bolsters America’s Supply Chains, Critical Infrastructure, and Domestic Industry Through Arctic ICE Pact

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: DHS Bolsters America’s Supply Chains, Critical Infrastructure, and Domestic Industry Through Arctic ICE Pact

epresentatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met with Canadian and Finnish counterparts as part of a two-day summit for the ongoing Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral agreement to strengthen United States supply chains, increase domestic jobs, and improve U

S

shipbuilding capabilities to defend the American people

“ICE Pact is a key component of America’s economic future

President Donald Trump and U

S

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem understand that economic security is national security,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

“By revitalizing U

S

shipyards, creating jobs, strengthening industrial capabilities, and opening up the Arctic’s vast potential to American businesses, the Trump administration is putting America’s prosperity and security first

”
During the two-day event, government leaders discussed with public and private stakeholders plans to advance four key areas: technical expertise and information exchange; workforce development; relations with allies and industry; and research and development

The three partner countries concluded this successful meeting with a commitment to reconvene in person by the end of the year for a meeting hosted by the U

S

government

Icebreakers are vital for America’s presence in the Arctic, a region increasingly contested by Russia and China due to its growing potential for oil and gas exploration, critical minerals, trade route traffic, fishing, and tourism

Russia maintains the largest icebreaker fleet in the world with 40-plus icebreakers and has made the Arctic its top naval priority; China is rapidly expanding its presence in this field as well and is collaborating with Russia on Arctic expansion efforts

In contrast, until last month, the United States Coast Guard operated just two icebreakers

In late May, the U

S

Coast Guard Cutter Storis began its maiden voyage to the Arctic

ICE Pact will steer more investment into U

S

industry to boost our icebreaker fleet

Plans developed during ICE Pact meetings will allow the U

S

, Canada, and Finland to build American-made Arctic and polar icebreakers

###

MIL OSI USA News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Securing new financial resources for EU and Member States’ budgets to support strategic priorities and economic resilience – E-001743/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
A global solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy remains the Commission’s preferred option.

A proliferation of national or regional measures would generate fragmentation of the international tax landscape and may create double taxation issues.

The Commission has taken note of the content of the Executive Order on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) global tax deal issued by the President of the United States.

In the statement issued during the 17th plenary meeting of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) held in April 2025,[1] members reiterated their commitment to the two-Pillar solution and pursue the discussions on both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.

The Commission will continue to engage with the United States in this respect and w ill liaise with Member States on the best way forward in case a global solution cannot be agreed.

Lastly, discussions concerning potential new EU own resources within the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework are ongoing. These deliberations will unfold in due course.

[1] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issues/beps/statement-oecd-g20-inclusive-framework-on-beps-april-2025.pdf.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Securing new financial resources for EU and Member States’ budgets to support strategic priorities and economic resilience – E-001743/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
A global solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy remains the Commission’s preferred option.

A proliferation of national or regional measures would generate fragmentation of the international tax landscape and may create double taxation issues.

The Commission has taken note of the content of the Executive Order on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) global tax deal issued by the President of the United States.

In the statement issued during the 17th plenary meeting of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) held in April 2025,[1] members reiterated their commitment to the two-Pillar solution and pursue the discussions on both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.

The Commission will continue to engage with the United States in this respect and w ill liaise with Member States on the best way forward in case a global solution cannot be agreed.

Lastly, discussions concerning potential new EU own resources within the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework are ongoing. These deliberations will unfold in due course.

[1] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issues/beps/statement-oecd-g20-inclusive-framework-on-beps-april-2025.pdf.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Preservation of Indo-Greek sites in Pakistan – E-001581/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The High Representative/Vice-President appreciates the interest of the Honourable Member in this important matter and acknowledges the cultural significance of these historical sites.

The EU is aware of the challenges faced by Pakistan in protecting its cultural heritage, including the Indo-Greek sites, and the efforts made by the international community to support their preservation.

The EU is committed to promoting the protection of cultural heritage in the context of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) monitoring under the GSP[1].

The EU is aware of an ongoing project aiming at preserving the Bazira site (reports of the project can be found in the news outlet quoted by the Honourable Member)[2].

Nevertheless, if additional evidence appears, the EU will be ready to further inquire and to discuss this issue with the Pakistani authorities in the appropriate fora.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/978/oj/eng, https://gsphub.eu/conventions/International%20Covenant%20on%20Economic,%20Social%20and%20Cultural%20Rights%20(1976), https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/cescr.pdf.

[2] https://www.dawn.com/news/1869913, https://www.dawn.com/news/1725863.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Preservation of Indo-Greek sites in Pakistan – E-001581/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The High Representative/Vice-President appreciates the interest of the Honourable Member in this important matter and acknowledges the cultural significance of these historical sites.

The EU is aware of the challenges faced by Pakistan in protecting its cultural heritage, including the Indo-Greek sites, and the efforts made by the international community to support their preservation.

The EU is committed to promoting the protection of cultural heritage in the context of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) monitoring under the GSP[1].

The EU is aware of an ongoing project aiming at preserving the Bazira site (reports of the project can be found in the news outlet quoted by the Honourable Member)[2].

Nevertheless, if additional evidence appears, the EU will be ready to further inquire and to discuss this issue with the Pakistani authorities in the appropriate fora.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/978/oj/eng, https://gsphub.eu/conventions/International%20Covenant%20on%20Economic,%20Social%20and%20Cultural%20Rights%20(1976), https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/cescr.pdf.

[2] https://www.dawn.com/news/1869913, https://www.dawn.com/news/1725863.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Lowering of the reporting threshold for beneficiaries active in primary agricultural production to EUR 10 000 per calendar year – E-001598/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
As regards individual aid awards, the publication thresholds for beneficiaries of state aid active in the primary agricultural production were modified as part of the general revision of the transparency rules. This revision concerned state aid in all sectors.

The fitness check preceding the revision showed that only around 20-25% of state aid awards were subject to a publication obligation under the previous transparency rules[1] (which set the publication threshold at EUR 60 000 for the primary agricultural sector).

In certain Member States with limited state aid spending capacity, this reporting was limited to only a very small fraction of the state aid granted.

The low proportion of individual aid awards that were published undermined the transparency objective. Hence, the threshold for publication was lowered to EUR 10 000 for the primary agricultural sector[2].

The choice of the modalities of implementation of the transparency requirements, such as by means of a multi-page tax declaration mentioned in the question, remains at the discretion of the Member States.

The thresholds for publishing individual aid awards were modified across sectors following the assessment of their appropriateness to achieve the relevant transparency objectives and are currently considered as fit for the purpose.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.C_.2014.204.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AC%3A2014%3A204%3AFULL and https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/702/oj/eng#:~:text=ELI%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fdata.europa.eu%2Feli%2Freg%2F2014%2F702%2Foj%20of%2025%20June%202014%20declaring%20certain,Treaty%20on%20the%20Functioning%20of%20the%20European%20Union.

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:C:2022:485:TOC and https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2022:327:TOC.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Recruitment of minors into organised crime – 17-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

The recruitment of minors into serious and organised crime has increasingly become a tactic used by criminal networks to avoid detection, capture and prosecution. By using minors, the criminal networks increase the distance between the criminal activity and the network’s core members or leaders, hampering identification. Even though there is a lack of reliable and comparable data on this phenomenon, several EU Member States have reported an increase in the involvement of minors in serious and organised crime. While the rising demand for recreational drugs seems to be the main driver behind the increase, minors are involved in other markets too, including property crime and online fraud. Criminal networks exploit children as young as 12 years for low-skilled roles such as local street dealers, cash couriers, warehouse operators and extractors of drugs from shipping containers. Easier access to firearms has led to a shift from minor crime to more serious, especially violent, crime, such as extortion and killings. Many minors are lured into organised crime by the promise of financial gain, social status, or sense of belonging, whilst others may be coerced or forced into this lifestyle due to their circumstances or environment. The consequences of such involvement are far-reaching, affecting not only the minors involved, but also the communities and society as a whole. The processes for recruiting minors into organised crime are still poorly understood, but there is a clear trend of increased use of digital tools for recruitment and communication, such as encrypted messaging services, apps and video games that are popular with young people. The EU recognises the severity of the problem and the need for closer cooperation between the affected Member States and for an integrated preventive response. By facilitating the exchange of best practices amongst Member States, integrating the local dimension into efforts to counter the infiltration of criminal networks into the economy and society, and by adopting a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, the EU contributes to preventing the recruitment of minors into organised crime and to mitigating the devastating consequences.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU billions for Ahmed al-Sharaa, a.k.a. Abu Mohammad al-Julani – E-001182/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

On 11 March 2025, gravely alarmed by the violence in Syria’s coastal region, the High Representative/Vice-President issued a statement[1] strongly condemning the horrific crimes committed against civilians.

The EU called for a swift, transparent and impartial investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. It welcomed the transitional authorities’ establishment of an independent investigative committee and called on them to allow the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all violations.

The EU remains attentive to the actions of the new authorities in ensuring the protection of all Syrians without any kind of discrimination.

The EU continues to call for an end to violence across Syria and urges involved parties to protect all Syrians. The EU supports a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, upholding the universality and indivisibility of human rights and principles of equality and non-discrimination among all components of society .

The EU Brussels Conference pledges ensure support to Syria and neighbouring countries, that host a considerable number of refugees.

The EU’s non-humanitarian assistance is subjected to extensive monitoring/evaluation mechanisms, including third party monitoring and risk assessments.

The EU’s approach is gradual and commensurate with steps taken by the transitional government. The EU’s assistance follows strict implementation parameters. It aims to foster social cohesion by bringing together all Syrians without discrimination.

The EU’s humanitarian aid is delivered through trusted partners in all parts of Syria . It seeks to respond to life-saving emergencies based on needs, accountability to affected populations, transparency, efficiency, effectiveness , and humanitarian principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence) [2].
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/.
- [2] EU Treaties and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, see Joint Statement by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission, OJ C 25, 30.1.2008, p. 1-12, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A42008X0130%2801%29.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Turkish military ‘Sea Wolf’ exercise threatens peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean – E-001912/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The EU has repeatedly expressed its expectation by Türkiye to de-escalate tensions in the interest of regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean[1].

In particular, the Commission has underlined in the 2024 report on Türkiye[2] that, as stemming from obligations under the Negotiating Framework, Türkiye is expected to make an unequivocal commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and the peaceful settlement of disputes including through the International Court of Justice.

Türkiye must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighbourly relations and respect the sovereignty of all Member States over their territorial sea and airspace as well as all their sovereign rights, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

This is essential to ensure a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and Türkiye[3].

The EU continues to stress that Türkiye should commit and actively contribute to normalising its relations with the Republic of Cyprus[4].

[1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/57442/2022-06-2324-euco-conclusions-en.pdf.

[2] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/8010c4db-6ef8-4c85-aa06-814408921c89_en?filename=T%C3%BCrkiye%20Report%202024.pdf.

[3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6157.

[4] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16983-2024-INIT/en/pdf.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Next steps and policy outlook for EU-SADC (Southern African Development Community) Economic Partnership Agreement – E-001583/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has been provisionally applied since 2016.

A comprehensive external ex-post evaluation of the EPA was published in September 2024[1]. It shows that the EPA has delivered on its main aim to increase trade in goods between both sides, with an overall increase since 2016 of 24% (31% for SADC exports and 18% for EU exports).

It has also helped to diversify SADC exports as particularly visible in the South African automotive sector. The Commission will publish a staff working document this year to follow-up on the ex-post evaluation study.

The ex-post evaluation study is also used as input for the EPA review that is provided for in Article 116 of the EPA[2]. In the course of the review, both sides are assessing to what extent the implementation of the EPA can be further complemented or improved. Based on the current state of play, the Commission does not expect any reopening of the agreement or any addition of new trade areas.

The Commission aims at concluding the review by the next EU-SADC Joint Council (at political level) that will be prepared beforehand by the EU-SADC Trade and Development Committee (at senior official level; both meetings are envisaged to take place in 2026 at a date still to be determined).

[1] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/ex-post-evaluations_en.

[2] Art. 116: (1) The Parties agree to review this Agreement in its entirety no later than five (5) years after its entry into force. Such review is without prejudice to instances of adjustments, reviews or revisions otherwise provided for in this Agreement, such as those contemplated under Articles 12(2), 16(8), 17(5), 18(5), 26(10), 33(3), 35(6) and 65(e). (2) As regards the implementation of this Agreement, either Party may make suggestions oriented towards adjusting trade-related cooperation, taking into account the experience acquired during the implementation thereof. (3) The Parties agree that this Agreement may need to be reviewed in light of further developments in international economic relations and in the light of the expiration of the Cotonou Agreement; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22016A0916(01).
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Shortening timelines for anti-dumping proceedings – P-001968/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Before taking action against unfairly traded imports (i.e. dumped of subsidised), the Commission must first establish that these practices are taking place and that they are causing harm to the EU industry. This requires investigations which are complex and subject to a strict legal framework.

In 2018, as part of the modernisation of the trade defence instruments, the length of anti-dumping investigations was shortened by one month.

Since then, provisional measures are imposed eight, and in some cases seven months after initiation. Also, in October 2024, the Commission decided to register imports in all ongoing new investigations to facilitate the retroactive application of measures, i.e. before the date of provisional measures, if the legal conditions allow[1].

As regards citric acid, there are anti-dumping measures in place on imports of the product from China ranging between 16.3% and 42.7% since 2008.

These measures were most recently extended for a further five years, in April 2021, following an expiry review[2]. These measures reflect the levels of dumping found in the context of an investigation conducted in line with World Trade Organisation and EU legislation.

Measures in place may be reviewed on request by interested parties where there are changed circumstances of a lasting nature. The Commission conducts such reviews where it receives evidence from the European industry that action is warranted and will assist any industry in using the instruments.

[1] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-register-imports-all-products-under-trade-defence-investigations-bid-fight-unfair-2024-09-24_en.

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021R0607&from=EN.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Public procurement irregularities in Spain and favourable treatment – E-001206/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Directive 2000/78/EC[1] aims to combat discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in the context of employment and occupation.

Article 61 of the EU Financial Regulation[2] concerns persons involved in EU budget implementation. As the situation described by the Honourable Member does not seem to concern issues of discrimination or the implementation of the EU budget, Directive 2000/78/EC and Article 61 of the EU Financial Regulation have no relevance in this context.

The Commission is not competent to intervene in individual cases , if they do not concern a possible breach of EU law . Employment matters unrelated to rules of EU law fall within the remit of the national authorities and courts.

In addition, o utside the implementation of EU law, it is for Member States to ensure compliance with fundamental rights in accordance with their constitutional order and their obligations under international law.

[1] OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16-22.

[2] OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Israeli legislation on registration and visa issuance for international NGOs – E-001532/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
On 24 February 2025, during the 13th meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, the High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) and the Commissioner for the Mediterranean expressed the EU’s concerns in relation to the Israeli legislation on registration and visa issuance for international non-governmental organisations (NGO) as well as with the bill aiming to introduce financial and operational restrictions for internationally funded NGOs.

In particular, the ‘risk of restrictions for foreign-funded NGOs, limiting civil society and its democratic participation and activity’ was highlighted in the EU statement[1].

Similar concerns continue to be shared with Israel authorities at different levels of representation, both in Brussels and in Israel. The EU is closely following the matter, including through regular contact with international NGOs.

In its relations with Israel, the EU considers that political engagement and frank and open dialogue are the most effective ways to convey EU concerns.

The Association Agreement with Israel[2] is the legal basis of the EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Israeli authorities and it provides mechanisms to discuss issues and advance the EU’s point of view. In this framework, the EU will continue to reaffirm its commitment to the applicability of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The EU keeps under constant review all agreements with third countries, and the principles and values upon which they are based. The possibility of a review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement has been discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May 2025.

Based on this discussion, the HR/VP has announced that such a review will be undertaken.

[1] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6511-2025-INIT/en/pdf.

[2] https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/israel/documents/eu_israel/asso_agree_en.pdf.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Transparency of EU funding to NGOs and links to political activities and irregular immigration – P-001458/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

The Commission refers to its replies to the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report 11/2025[1].

A definition of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has been recently included in the Financial Regulation (FR),[2] together with the need to indicate in a direct management grant application whether the entity is an NGO.

The Commission will explore whether this recent definition of an NGO should and could be further clarified. Such clarification should not increase administrative burden for NGOs, be proportionate and not limit access to EU funds.

There is no indication that the NGO status poses a higher risk for the EU budget, compared to other types of entities. The NGO status is generally not a prerequisite for receiving EU funding.

The Commission will explore increasing the frequency of updates in the Financial Transparency System[3]. In accordance with Article 38 FR, the Commission will make available on a centralised website information on recipients of EU funds under all management modes as for post 2027 programmes.

The Commission’s current data mining and risk-scoring tool ‘Arachne’ serves control and audit, and not to verify respect of EU values.

The FR provides for further development of this IT tool only as regards control and audit functions[4]. The Commission is open to exploring the feasibility of introducing further risk indicators to enhance checks on compliance with EU values, provided this is technically possible and in line with the applicable rules.

Any such assessment could be carried out only following the further development of Arachne, which is to be delivered by the end of 2027.

Interest representatives that apply for EU funding, which would typically include NGOs, must register in the Transparency Register[5] and declare their main sources of funding, the amount of each contribution above EUR 10 000 exceeding 10% of their total budget and the name of the contributor.
- [1] https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications?ref=SR-2025-11.
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402509.
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/index.html; the annual publications are based on Article 38 of the Financial Regulation (OJ L 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, p. 1-239), and in accordance with the third paragraph of the article, information on recipients is not disclosed in specific cases outlined therein.
- [4] See recitals 29-32 and Article 36 of the FR. See also the Joint statement of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the single data mining and risk-scoring tool provided for in Article 36 of the Financial Regulation on the occasion of the adoption of Regulation 2024/2509, OJ C, C/2024/5767, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/5767/oj.
- [5] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/index_en.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – ETS maritime surcharges – E-001705/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

All sectors, including maritime transport, need to contribute to the EU climate neutrality goal by 2050 and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a key policy to achieve this objective.

While the ETS Directive[1] allows for the transfer of the ETS costs from the shipping company to another entity operating the ship, it does not regulate the pass-through of costs to shippers.

The Commission’s report[2] on the monitoring of the ETS extension to maritime transport shows that shipping companies typically pass ETS costs to shippers, with a limited impact on overall transport prices in 2024, estimated between 1% and 5% for deep sea container services.

A case study revealed that surcharges do not always reflect the EU ETS costs expected on specific routes, possibly due to shipping companies’ strategies in redistributing costs among their lines.

Information to be published by 30 June 2025 in Thetis Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)[3] will detail ship level emissions reported by shipping companies under the ETS, possibly aiding shippers in their commercial discussions.

In terms of effectiveness, companies passing on the ETS costs would generally incentivise their consumers to shift towards greener alternatives.

At the same time, the ETS would continue incentivising investments in mitigation reduction solutions in synergy with other policies such as FuelEU Maritime[4].

The Commission will continue closely monitoring the implementation of the ETS extension to maritime transport, with reports due every two years.

The above-mentioned report should therefore be seen as the first step of an ongoing process providing the foundation for future analysis and for possible enhancements of the monitoring approach.
- [1] Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
- [2] COM(2025) 110 final — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0110.
- [3] The dedicated Union information system developed and operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency that supports the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2015/757 — https://mrv.emsa.europa.eu/.
- [4] Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Mobility poverty in the EU’s outermost regions – E-001290/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Commission announced, in the Mid-term Review Communication[1], the launch of consultations for an updated strategy for the outermost regions to address their permanent constraints. Several EU instruments already include favourable conditions for their transport needs.

The European Regional Development Fund[2] supports airport infrastructure only in these regions and compensates for airports’ higher operating costs.

The Connecting Europe Facility[3] supports transport infrastructure with higher co-financing rates. Several Public Service Obligations ensure connectivity with outermost regions[4], and social aid schemes support air transport for their residents[5].

Outermost regions benefit from specific provisions under transport-related climate legislation. Domestic flights and sea journeys between an outermost region and its Member State are exempted from the Emissions Trading System[6] until end 2030 and can be exempted under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation[7] until end 2029.

Around EUR 1.6 billion was set aside from the Emissions Trading System revenues to cover price difference between the use of eligible sustainable aviation fuels and fossil kerosene, covering exceptionally the full difference at outermost regions’ airports.

The Social Climate Fund regulation[8] requires that relevant Member States consider outermost regions’ specificities in their national plans.

As set out in the communication COM(2025) 46 final The road to the next multiannual financial framework[9], the future budget will include a strengthened, modernised cohesion and growth policy, in partnership with national, regional and local authorities, including outermost regions.

[1] A modernised cohesion policy: the mid-term review, COM(2025) 163 final.

[2] Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02021R1058-20241224 .

[3] Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02021R1153-20240718.

[4] Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02008R1008-20201218.

[5] Based on Article 107(2)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

[6] Directive (EU) 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the European Union and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the European Union greenhouse gas emission trading system. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02023L0959-20230516.

[7] Article 2(4) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC.

[8] Regulation (EU) 2023/955 establishing a Social Climate Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02023R0955-20240630.

[9] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0046.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Non-recognition of academic qualifications awarded to students of the Italian subsidiary (Enna) of Romania’s ‘Dunărea de Jos’ University of Galaţi – E-001153/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Under the intergovernmental Bologna process, the common agreement is that i f a Romanian university’s branch in Italy offers a programme accredited in full compliance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)[1] by the Romanian quality assurance system, it would provide the necessary evidence for trust, which is the basis for recognition by other European Higher Education Area (EHEA) countries.

However, this remains a non-binding commitment, meaning there is no legal barrier preventing Italy from establishing its own accreditation procedures.

In the Rome Ministerial Communiqu é[2], part of the Bologna process, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that external quality assurance arrangements, when conducted in accordance with the ESG , apply equally to transnational higher education within the EHEA as they do to domestic provision. However, this political commitment does not translate into a legal obligation.

Directive 2005/36/EC[3] applies only when the purpose of recognition is for professional reasons, which does not correspond to the situation described. Accreditation procedures are not addressed in this context.

In the case of recognition for further study, there is no legally binding instrument at EU level. The non-binding Council Recommendation of 2018[4] states that higher education qualification acquired in one country should be automatically recognised at the same level in another one .

Regarding the Lisbon Recognition Convention of the Council of Europe and Unesco[5], the EU did not accede to this Convention and is not in a position to interpret its provisions. Relevant information can be provided by National Academic Recognition Centres (NARICs).

[1] Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area, https://www.enqa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ESG_2015.pdf.

[2] https://ehea.info/Upload/Rome_Ministerial_Communique.pdf.

[3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/36/oj/eng .

[4] Council Recommendation of 26 November 2018 on promoting automatic mutual recognition of higher education and upper secondary education and training qualifications and the outcomes of learning periods abroad, OJ C 444, 10.12.2018, p. 1, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2018_444_R_0001.

[5] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=165.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Possible withdrawal from the World Health Organization – E-000607/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
1. The EU and its Member States are the largest contributors to global health financing, including through contributions to the World Health Organisation (WHO), with whom the EU collaborates in line with its commitments and available resources.

2. The negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement were successfully concluded by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on 16 April 2025 and the text has been formally adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025. The Assembly has set out the arrangements for finalising the work on the annex on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, and for the eventual opening for signature of the Agreement. Throughout the negotiations, the Commission, acting as the Union Negotiator pursuant to Council Decision (EU) 2022/451[1], has cooperated closely with Member States.

3. Cooperation between EU and the United States of America (USA) agencies on health is ongoing, including between the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as between the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the USA Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such cooperation contributes to improving the health of both EU and USA citizens.

[1] The Commission negotiates the Pandemic Agreement on behalf of the European Union, for matters falling within Union competence, based on an authorisation from the Council of the European Union set out in Council Decision (EU) 2022/451 of 3 March 2022 authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as complementary amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (OJ L 92, 21.3.2022, p. 1). The Commission, as the Union negotiator, is guided by the negotiating directives annexed to the decision, laying down the main objectives and principles to be achieved.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Adoption of targeted sanctions against military individuals responsible for lethal attacks on civilians and other serious human rights violations in Sudan – E-001817/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The EU and its Member States are actively engaging with regional and international stakeholders to support efforts towards a political resolution of the conflict in Sudan.

Accountability for serious violations is an essential part of this effort. Besides supporting monitoring and documentation efforts by civil society, the EU has adopted sanctions in response to the continuation of the conflict, in coordination with international partners, to send a clear message that impunity will not be tolerated.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the EU has adopted three packages of restrictive measures[1] targeting entities and individuals from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces responsible for undermining the stability and political transition in Sudan.

The EU has also adopted sanctions to address grave human rights abuses in Sudan.

The EU is continuously monitoring the situation to assess the best possible course of action, using all the instruments of the EU foreign policy toolbox.

Via the Office of its Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, the EU has been able to engage directly with all stakeholders and pass critical messages of de-escalation.

The decision to adopt restrictive measures lies ultimately with the Council, which adopts sanctions by unanimity of its members. The European External Action Service continues to consult closely with Member States to ensure that EU action remains coherent, impactful, and aligned with the EU’s values and strategic objectives in the region.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2135/2024-06-24.
Last updated: 17 June 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 17, 2025


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