Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHAI Achieves Robust Growth in National Highway Construction During FY 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

    Working relentlessly towards development of the National Highway infrastructure in the country, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), during the Financial Year 2024-25, constructed 5,614 km of National Highways against the target of 5,150 km for the year.

    In addition, the Capital Expenditure by NHAI in Financial Year 2024-25 for development of National Highway Infrastructure reached an all-time high of over Rs. 2,50,000 Crore (provisional) against a target expenditure of Rs. 2,40,000 Crore. This highest ever capital expenditure in a Financial Year by NHAI includes both Government budgetary support and NHAI’s own resources. The overall capital expenditure increased by around 21 percent as compared to Rs. 2,07,000 Crore in previous FY 2023-24 and by around 45 percent as compared to Rs. 1,73,000 Crore in FY 2022-23.

    During FY 24-25, NHAI leveraged three modes for monetization, that included Toll Operate Transfer (TOT), Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) and Toll Securitisation. During the Financial Year, NHAI monetized assets for a total of Rs. 28,724 Crore. This includes NHAI’s highest ever single round InvIT receipt worth Rs. 17,738 Crore. 

    NHAI is committed to build world class National Highway infrastructure across the country that will contribute not only to the growth of the road sector but will also play a critical role in nation building and advancing the growth of the Indian economy.

    ***

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a new Central Sector Sub-scheme namely the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 at an estimated outlay of ₹6000. As of now, an amount of Rs. 11.84 crore has been sanctioned under the PM-MKSSY.

    The Component 1-B of PM-MKSSY provides onetime incentive to the aquaculture farmers against purchase of insurance with farm size upto 4 hectares of water spread area. The ‘onetime incentive’ is provided at the rate of 40% of the cost of premium subject to the ceiling of ₹25000 per hectare of water spread area of the aquaculture farm. The maximum incentive payable to single farmer is ₹100,000 upto farm size of 4 hectares of water spread area. For intensive form of aquaculture other than farms such as cage culture, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), bio-floc, raceways, etc. the incentive payable is 40% of premium. The maximum incentive payable is ₹1 lakh and the maximum unit size eligible is 1800 m3. The aforesaid benefit of ‘onetime incentive’ is provided for aquaculture insurance purchased for one crop only i.e. one crop cycle.  Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women beneficiaries would be provided an additional incentive @ 10% of the incentive payable for General Categories. 

    The Component 3 of PM-MKSSY provides financial incentive to fisheries micro and small enterprises in the form of Performance Grant to adopt safety and quality assurance systems in fish and fishery products through provision of performance grants against a set of measurable parameters. The quantum of Performance Grant is given in the following manner: (i)For a microenterprise, 25% of the total investment or, ₹35 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or, ₹45 lakhs, whichever is lower, for SC, ST and Women owned microenterprises. (ii) For a Small enterprise, 25% of total investment or ₹75 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or ₹100 lakhs, whichever is lower, for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women owned small enterprises. (iii) For Village Level Organizations and Federations of Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (FFPOs) and Cooperatives, 35% of total investment or ₹200 lakhs, whichever is lower.

    This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.

    *****

    AA

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:12PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with effect from financial year 2018-19 has been implementing Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore. FIDF inter-alia provides concessional finance for development of various fisheries infrastructure facilities to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories and State entities for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities. Under FIDF, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for providing the concessional finance by the Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying since the inception of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) in 2018-19, has accorded approvals to a total of 64 number of fisheries infrastructure development proposals of Governments of Tamil Nadu at a total outlay of Rs. 1574.73 crore with project cost restricted for interest subvention at Rs.1336.73 crore. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) being the Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) for State Implemented projects, has sanctioned loan amount of Rs. 1314.73 crore to the Government of Tamil Nadu and out of this, an amount of Rs. 956.05 crore has been disbursed so far to the State Government for implementation of the approved projects under FIDF. The Government of Tamil Nadu reported completion of a total of 47 projects while 16 projects are in progress and one project has not yet commenced by the State Government. The Central Approval and Monitoring Committee (CAMC) of FIDF monitors regularly the progress of the projects approved under FIDF and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) as the Nodal Implementing Agency (NIA) of FIDF conducts the desk studies and need based field inspections of approved projects to ensure the timely completion of approved projects. Besides, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying also reviews the progress of approved projects to ensure the timely implementation.

    This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Promotion of tribal art and culture in Madhya Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Promotion of tribal art and culture in Madhya Pradesh

    Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission” (PMJVM) scheme through TRIFED to preserve and promote tribal art, culture: Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey informed in Rajya Sabha today that Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored scheme ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)’ extends financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in States/Union Territories (UTs) including Tribal Research Institute Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on the basis of the Annual Action Plan submitted by the States/UTs subject to the approval of the Apex Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

    Under the Scheme, proposals relating to infrastructural needs, research & documentation activities and training & capacity building programmes, organization of tribal festivals, yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and tourism and organization of exchange visits by tribals are organized so that their cultural practices, languages and ritual are preserved and disseminated. TRIs are primarily institutions under the administrative control of the State Government/UT Administration. The Ministry undertakes following initiatives for the preservation/documentation and promotion of tribal art, culture and handicrafts which are as under:

    Tribal Research Institutes organize different events like National Tribal Craft Mela, National/State Tribal Dance Festival, Art Competition, Workshop – cum – Exhibition on Tribal paintings and state-level tribal poet and writers meet.

    1. Research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries for promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage which includes preservation of tribal languages.
    2. Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi Languages, agriculture system, dances and paintings, organization of literary festivals, publication of books written by tribal writers/ authors, translation works and literature competitions, etc. Preparing Bilingual Dictionaries, Trilingual Proficiency Modules, Primers for students of Class I, II and III in tribal languages under Multi-Lingual Education (MLE) Intervention in the line of New Education Policy 2020. Publishing Varnamala, local rhymes, and stories in tribal languages. Publishing books, journals on different tribal languages to promote tribal literature. Documenting folklore, and folktales of different tribes for preservation and promotion of tribal folk tradition. Collecting oral literature (songs, riddles, ballads etc.)
    3. Ministry has developed a searchable digital repository where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks’ songs, photos/videos are uploaded. The repositories can be visited at https://repository.tribal.gov.in/ (Tribal Digital Document Repository)
    4. Government of India has declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honor all the tribal freedom fighters to remember and acknowledge their contribution to the freedom struggle and cultural heritage, and to re-energize the efforts for the socio-economic development of the tribal regions. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with other central ministries, state governments, and other institutions are celebrating the glorious history of its tribal people, culture, and achievements since 2021.
    5. Development of bilingual Primers for the preservation of tribal languages and enhancement of learning achievement levels amongst the Scheduled Tribe Students.
    6. Tribal cultural exchange programmes.

    Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs sanctioned Raja Shankar Shah Kunwar Raghunath Shah Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Jabalpur and Shri Badal Bhoi Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh to acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people and to exhibit rich tribal cultural heritage of the region. Both the museums were inaugurated on 15.11.2024 on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

    Moreover, as informed, Tribal Research Institute Madhya Pradesh has documented Bhili, Baigani, Korku, Mawasi and Gondi languages through folk tales, folklores etc organized tribal festival (Adirang) at Balaghat, Chhindwara, Shahdol &Betul district which included craft mela, photo exhibition and tribal food stalls besides tribal dances and video documentation of 9 Gond forts.

    Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission” (PMJVM) scheme through TRIFED to preserve and promote tribal art, culture and handicrafts and for socio-economic development of tribal communities across the country including Madhya Pradesh. TRIFED organizes “Aadi Mahotsav” annually at Delhi to showcase tribal products at the national level. TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through its TRIBES India Outlets & E-Commerce platforms. It also organizes Exhibitions like Aadi Bazaar, Aadi Chitra etc. at various parts of the country.

    Further, under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), TRIFED undertakes empanelment of tribal artisan and procurement of various tribal products from them for generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.

    ***

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pilot project for the World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to create decentralized food grain storage capacity in the country, the Government on 31.5.2023 approved the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector, which has been rolled out as a Pilot Project. It entails creation of various agri infrastructure at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS), including setting up decentralized godowns, custom hiring center, processing units, sorting and grading facilities, cold storage units, packhouses etc. through convergence of various existing schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), etc.

    The Plan addresses transportation and distribution challenges by enabling local storage of grains at the PACS level, minimizing long-distance transportation costs and losses. Additionally, by integrating PACS with agri-marketing and procurement systems, direct access to storage facilities is ensured for farmers, reducing their dependence on intermediaries. Hence, the Plan aims to ensure better price realization for farmers, reduce transportation costs, and create employment opportunities in rural areas.

    Under the Pilot project of the Plan, 11 godowns in 11 PACS have been constructed across the country and a total storage capacity of 9,750 MT has been created.

    The Government on 15.2.2023, has approved the Plan for strengthening cooperative movement in the country and deepening its reach up to the grassroots. The Plan entails establishment of 2 lakh new multipurpose PACS (M-PACS), Dairy, Fishery Cooperative Societies covering all the Panchayats/ villages in the country in five years, through convergence of various existing GOI schemes, including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc. with the support of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and State Governments.

    As per National Cooperative Database, a total of 3,667 new PACS have been registered as on 27.1.2025 across the country, including 148 new PACS in the State of Maharashtra, since the approval of the plan on 15.2.2023. The State-wise details of the same are enclosed at Annexure.

    Government of India has approved a project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore, which entails bringing all the functional PACS onto an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software, linking them with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). The National Level Common Software for the project has been developed by NABARD and 50,455 PACS have been onboarded on ERP software as on 27.01.2025. So far, proposals for computerization of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned, for which Rs. 741.34 Cr. has been released as GoI share to the States/UTs concerned as on 27.01.2025 and hardware has been delivered to 60,382 PACS.

    *****

    S. No.

    State/UT

    Newly registered PACS

    1.

    Andaman And Nicobar Islands

    1

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    0

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    12

    4.

    Assam

    59

    5.

    Bihar

    25

    6.

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    7.

    Goa

    12

    8.

    Gujarat

    291

    9.

    Haryana

    2

    10.

    Himachal Pradesh

    57

    11.

    Jammu And Kashmir

    84

    12.

    Jharkhand

    44

    13.

    Karnataka

    128

    14.

    Ladakh

    0

    15.

    Lakshadweep

    0

    16.

    Madhya Pradesh

    16

    17.

    Maharashtra

    148

    18.

    Manipur

    68

    19.

    Meghalaya

    193

    20.

    Mizoram

    25

    21.

    Nagaland

    12

    22.

    Odisha

    1,535

    23.

    Puducherry

    2

    24.

    Punjab

    0

    25.

    Rajasthan

    760

    26.

    Sikkim

    23

    27.

    Tamil Nadu

    21

    28.

    Telangana

    0

    29.

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu

    4

    30.

    Tripura

    38

    31.

    Uttar Pradesh

    94

    32.

    Uttarakhand

    0

    33.

    West Bengal

    13

     

    Total

    3,667

     

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

    ****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PACS/Dairy/Fisheries Cooperative Societies in every Panchayat/Village

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has approved the Plan to establish 2 lakh new multi-purpose PACS (M-PACS), Dairy & Fishery Cooperative Societies to cover all the Panchayats/ Villages across the country through convergence of various existing schemes of Government of India (GoI), including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc, with the support of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and State/ UT Governments. The convergence of GoI schemes under this Plan enables newly formed Dairy & Fishery Cooperative Societies to set up and modernize necessary infrastructure for diversifying their activities, like, milk testing laboratories, bulk milk coolers, milk processing units, construction of biofloc ponds, fish kiosks, development of hatcheries, acquiring deep sea fishing vessels, etc.

    Further, in order to diversify the business activities of PACS, the Government has circulated Model Bye-laws for PACS to all the States/ UTs, which enable them to undertake more than 25 economic activities, including dairy, fishery, floriculture, setting up godowns, processing, marketing of agricultural produce, custom hiring centers, Common Service Centers (CSCs), Fair Price Shops (FPS), community irrigation, etc. The registration of new PACS as multipurpose PACS enables them as well as their farmer members to diversify their business activities, expand their access to markets & credit and generate additional sources of revenue for themselves.

    As on 27.1.2025, 12,957 new M-PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered across States/ UTs, with 17,10,224 farmer members associated with them, the details of which are enclosed at Annexure.

    The formation of these newly formed cooperative societies enables their farmer members to get requisite forward and backward linkages to market their produce, expand the size of their markets, enhance their incomes, obtain credit facilities, and other services at the village level itself, thus contributing towards strengthening the rural economy.

    *****

    Annexure

    State/ UT- wise details of newly registered Cooperative Societies

     

     

    Sr. No.

     

    State/UT

    Total no. of newly

    registered M-PACS, DCS and FCS

    No. of associated farmer members

    1.

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    9

    104

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    897

    18,018

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    33

    1,337

    4.

    Assam

    321

    17,546

    5.

    Bihar

    308

    80,873

    6.

    Chhattisgarh

    331

    6,050

    7.

    Goa

    12

    247

    8.

    Gujarat

    733

    98,031

    9.

    Haryana

    50

    4,389

    10.

    Himachal Pradesh

    411

    8,556

    11.

    Jammu & Kashmir

    1,118

    22,840

    12.

    Jharkhand

    248

    9,858

    13.

    Karnataka

    598

    82,035

    14.

    Ladakh

    4

    371

    15.

    Lakshadweep

    7

    508

    16.

    Madhya Pradesh

    613

    27,350

    17.

    Maharashtra

    889

    65,008

    18.

    Manipur

    95

    11,216

    19.

    Meghalaya

    206

    11,994

    20.

    Mizoram

    29

    1,093

    21.

    Nagaland

    14

    657

    22.

    Odisha

    1,535

    6,87,126

    23.

    Puducherry

    7

    507

    24.

    Punjab

    80

    1,851

    25.

    Rajasthan

    1,995

    3,22,255

    26.

    Sikkim

    57

    1,192

    27.

    Tamil Nadu

    520

    36,271

    28.

    Telangana

    82

    2,345

    29.

    Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman &

    Diu

    5

    298

    30.

    Tripura

    40

    961

    31.

    Uttar Pradesh

    1,464

    1,79,926

    32.

    Uttarakhand

    147

    3,612

    33.

    West Bengal

    99

    5,799

    Total

    12,957

    17,10,224

     

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

    ****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Parliamentary Affairs Ministry organizes Youth Parliament Competitions in schools, colleges and universities throughout the country

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs organizes the following Youth Parliament Competitions in schools, colleges and universities throughout the country in coordination with the respective stakeholder organizations:

    1. Youth Parliament Competition for schools under the Directorate of Education of Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Department of Education of New Delhi Municipal Council;
    2. National Youth Parliament Competition for Kendriya Vidyalayas ;
    3. National Youth Parliament Competition for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas; and
    4. National Youth Parliament Competition for Universities/Colleges.

    In last three years, 7 such Youth Parliament Competitions were organized.

    The participating educational institutions are nominated by their stakeholder organizations as per their organizational structures and not as per state-wise/city-wise/town-wise.

    In addition to the above, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs also provides financial assistance to States/UTs for organizing Youth Parliament Competitions as per the guidelines of the Ministry, subject to receiving of the claims from them.

     The Ministry has also introduced a web-portal of National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) to increase the outreach of Youth Parliament to hitherto untouched sections and corners of the country. All the citizens of the country can participate in the Youth Parliament programme of the Ministry through the web-portal. 

    During the last three years, a total of ₹ 49,34,599 has been spent on various activities in connection with Youth Parliament at school level. Out of this amount, financial assistance of ₹ 8,78,319, ₹ 2,99,769, and ₹ 2,00,000 was reimbursed to the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh respectively, for conducting Youth Parliament in their states. There is no dedicated state-wise allocation of funds for Youth Parliament in the Ministry.

    There is no plan under consideration of the Ministry to encourage youth participation in legislative processes and parliamentary affairs apart from National Youth Parliament (NYP) and internships.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice; Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ***

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  • MIL-OSI: DebitMyData Launches Digital Identity LLM-Driven by Agentic Avatar System – Your Data Earns While You Sleep

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DebitMyData disrupts the digital economy with its proprietary LLM platform, enabling users to earn passive income from their data while combating AI-driven job displacement and DeepFakes. The beta launch introduces Agentic Avatars, blockchain-secured identity NFTs, AnimeGamer Video-to-Image and Image-to-Video AI—connecting advertisers non-intrusively to their audience.

    Preska Thomas, Founder/CEO of DebitMyData and widely regarded as the “Satoshi Nakamoto of NFTs,” envisions a future where human beings own their image, voice—even their thoughts—and are compensated fairly for their contributions to AI. Preska explains:

    “We train AI systems to value human energy by compensating individuals for their data. DebitMyData bridges the gap between humans and AI by creating a system where digital footprints become valuable assets. This is how we achieve AI utopia—by ensuring humans own themselves.”

    Preska Thomas further emphasizes the importance of this mission:

    “Current AI models exploit human data without fair compensation. DebitMyData flips the script by training AI to value and reward individuals for their energy. Whether you’re a gamer or a local business owner, your digital footprint is now your revenue stream.”

    DebitMyData, Inc. Logo

    DebitMyData is Stripe Payment for Your Data and Plaid for Data

    Every click, search, Netflix binging or post generates valuable data, but until now, only corporations have profited from it. DebitMyData flips this model.

    Why DebitMyData Matters Across Industries

    DebitMyData offers displaced “idle workers” an alternative to Universal Basic Income by enabling them to monetize their digital footprints. Users can earn income through ad leases, NFT royalties, and sponsorships, transforming their data into a sustainable revenue source.

    DebitMyData integrates with platforms like Google Ads, Revive, and Prebid to optimize marketing strategies. Creators can design dynamic NFT Collections and make them available as banners for cross-platform ad campaigns, enhancing personalization with embedded visuals that engage niche markets.

    Image by DebitMyData

    “We’re not just building technology—we’re empowering industries,” said Preska Thomas. “From gamers creating anime-inspired stories to logistics firms managing supply chains securely or celebrities monetizing their personal brands while combating deepfakes—we’re giving individuals and businesses the tools to unlock unprecedented value from their digital identities.”

    Join the today by signing up for DebitMyData’s beta program at debitmydata.com. For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact us at Contactus@debitmydata.com.

    Henry Cision
    Debit My Data, Inc.
    (954) 354-2399
    https://debitmydata.com/

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe495146-6dbf-4366-9a27-9deada5d0501

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fecd37f9-c3d2-467e-8973-09d555a05865

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de028cfc-e5b4-4dfe-af5f-872b058f1174

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Critical services continue amid budget consideration

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    National Treasury has moved to assure the public that critical government services will not be affected as Parliament continues to consider the 2025 budget.

    This year, the budget was tabled on 12 March, instead of the customary February – eliciting questions and comments on government’s ability to deliver services while budget approval is still being considered.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, National Treasury referred to Section 29 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which allows funds to be withdrawn from the National Revenue Fund if the national annual budget is not passed before the start of the financial year. 

    “The funds withdrawn from the Revenue Fund may be utilised only for services for which funds were appropriated in the previous annual budget or adjustments budget. Up to 45 percent of the total amount appropriated in the previous annual budget, may be withdrawn from the Revenue Fund.

    “During each month thereafter, up to 10 percent of the total amount appropriated in the previous annual budget, may be withdrawn. In aggregate, the amount withdrawn may not exceed the total amount appropriated in the previous annual budget,” the department explained. 

    It added that these funds are not additional to funds appropriated for the relevant financial year, and “any funds withdrawn must be regarded as forming part of the funds appropriated in the annual budget for that financial year.”

    Although the financial year starts on 1 April, the department noted that the Appropriation Bill is always passed later.

    “This situation means that every year, departments incur spending before the Appropriation Act takes effect. Therefore, as in previous years, government departments will continue to spend as normal because funds may be withdrawn from the National Revenue Fund for the requirements of departments, from 1 April 2025 until the Appropriation Bill for the 2025/26 financial year is passed by Parliament,” the department said.

    “Although expenditure may be incurred, it may not be for new requirements. [This means] requirements not funded in the 2024/25 financial year. Any new spending programmes, projects or policy adjustments may only commence after the Appropriation Act is enacted,” the department said.

    The department emphasised that the public should not be concerned about the delivery of critical government services, including among others, the payment of social grants, while the Parliamentary process for the 2025 Budget is ongoing. 

    “Despite the flexibility allowed by the Public Finance Management Act, the National Treasury is committed to supporting Parliament in its consideration and timely passage of the 2025 Budget,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Parliament endorses new fisheries protocol with Guinea-Bissau

    Source: European Parliament

    MEPs gave their consent on Wednesday to the updated fisheries agreement with Guinea Bissau, granting 41 EU vessels access to the country’s waters for the next five years.

    Under the new protocol, a total of 28 freezer tuna seiners and surface longliners and 13 pole-and-line tuna vessels, from Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal, are allowed to fish in Guinea-Bissau’s waters. Altogether, European fishers are authorised to catch up to 3,500 gross registered tonnage (GRT) of cephalopods and 3,700 GRT of shrimp annually until 2029. Small pelagic species are off limits owing to the state of the stocks and low uptake.

    In exchange, the EU will provide €85 million in funding over the five years. This consists of €17 million per year, with €4.5 million set aside annually to promote Guinea-Bissau’s sustainable fisheries management and to support local fishing communities. This is an increase of €1.4 million per year, compared with the previous agreement.

    In addition to the EU’s contribution, ship-owners will pay licence and capture fees to the country’s administration. The global EU contribution to Guinea-Bissau will therefore surpass €100 million for the five-year period.

    Provisionally applied since 18 September 2024, the new protocol was approved in plenary by 518 votes in favour, 104 against and 61 abstentions.

    Better support for local fisheries

    With 605 votes in favour, 68 against and 10 abstentions, MEPs also approved a set of recommendations for the Commission and Guinea-Bissau’s authorities to consider during future negotiations and when applying the current protocol.

    Parliament wants to ensure that the deal really does support the development of local fisheries. Guinea-Bissau’s infrastructure must be improved to secure market access for local fish. Cooperation is meanwhile needed to enable Guinea-Bissau to export its fishery products.

    MEPs are concerned that “Guinea-Bissau is fast emerging as a flag-of-convenience country”. They note that the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU fishing) is being held back by a lack of transparency regarding vessel ownership. Parliamentarians therefore call on the EU to mobilise technical and financial assistance to strengthen, monitor, and control fishing activities, prevent IUU fishing and combat reflagging strategies.

    Quote

    Rapporteur Eric Sargiacomo (S&D, FR) said: “the Commission should improve monitoring and ensure that sectoral cooperation is geared more towards local food security needs, social conditions on board vessels, and recognition of the participation of women in coastal communities”.

    Background

    In terms of the funds involved, the agreement with Guinea-Bissau is the EU’s second most important fisheries partnership deal with a third country , second only to the agreement with Mauritania.

    Although fishing represents 15% of Guinea-Bissau’s government revenue, the country cannot export seafood to the EU because it does not meet EU health and sanitary requirements. It is estimated that only 3% of catches made by foreign vessels in Guinea Bissau’s fishing zone are landed in the country.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Tightening of import quotas for steel – E-001257/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001257/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Kaliňák (NI)

    By tightening steel import quotas, the Commission is risking the destruction of the automotive industry, one of the mainstays of the European economy, under the guise of protecting the steel sector. How can the Commission justify a policy that raises steel prices, stifles the competitiveness of car manufacturers and puts millions of jobs at risk, instead of tackling the real problems facing the sector?

    In the light of the foregoing:

    • 1.What measures does it have in place to mitigate the sharp rise in steel prices which the changes in quotas may cause and which is pushing the car industry into an existential crisis?
    • 2.Has the Commission carried out a detailed assessment of the policy’s impact on EU competitiveness, with particular emphasis on the automotive industry, employment and, not least, the rise in the price of steel?
    • 3.Is the Commission prepared to bear the political and legal responsibility for the measure if it results in the closure of more EU car production or its departure to countries that do not adopt similarly destructive measures?

    Submitted: 26.3.2025

    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Social Climate Fund (SCF) and limited liability housing companies in Finland – E-001228/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001228/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE)

    A limited liability housing company[1] is a home ownership model in Finland. It is the most common way to own an apartment in Finland and does not exist elsewhere in the EU. More than one third of homes owned in Finland are apartments in these housing companies.

    The Emissions Trading System (ETS2) will cover and address the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in buildings. In the spirit of the just transition, it is important that the most vulnerable households, including the homeowners in housing companies, receive support for changing from fossil fuel-based heating systems to more climate-friendly alternatives.

    The ETS2 specifies that Member States should determine the use of revenues from the auctioning of allowances to decarbonise the heating of buildings and to provide financial support for low-income households in the worst-performing buildings. The economic support is distributed via the SCF.

    As renovations are carried out by the limited liability housing company – not an individual – a question arises as to whether these companies qualify to receive economic support from the ETS2. This is a question of equal treatment of homeowners in Finland.

    Will the Commission ensure that Finnish limited liability housing companies are able to receive support from the SCF, thereby ensuring the equal treatment of homeowners, and what measures does it intend to take to do so?

    Submitted: 24.3.2025

    • [1] https://stat.fi/meta/kas/asunto_osakeyht_en.html.
    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: EIB Group and BBVA provide €185 million for sustainable housing projects promoted by small businesses and mid-caps

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB Group has invested more than €90 million in a BBVA asset-backed securitisation operation.
    • This EIB investment will allow BBVA to mobilise some €185 million in financing for sustainable housing projects in Spain.
    • The operation is backed by InvestEU, an EU programme that aims to unlock over €372 billion in investment by 2027.

    The EIB Group – made up of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – has signed a new €93 million synthetic securitisation operation with BBVA for 100% green projects. This investment will allow BBVA to mobilise around €185 million to finance the construction of residential buildings with near-zero emissions by small and medium firms (SMEs) and mid-caps in Spain’s real estate sector.

    The operation is guaranteed by InvestEU, the EU programme to mobilise public and private investment. It will give SMEs and mid-caps that promote sustainable housing easier access to financing on favourable terms that would not otherwise be available for such projects.

    The projects financed by this operation will improve energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and help mitigate climate change. A significant number of these projects are expected to be implemented in cohesion regions where the income per capita is below the EU average.

    This operation is one more demonstration of the EIB Group’s role of promoting new financial instruments like securitisation that help unlock capital for green projects, reduce the risk borne by sponsoring financial institutions and strengthen the EU capital markets union.

    The agreement with BBVA supports the strategic priorities of the EIB Group, which include climate action, access to affordable and sustainable housing, cohesion and the capital markets union.

    The securitisation is on a portfolio of over €1.4 billion in loans to SMEs in which BBVA will retain the senior and junior tranches, and the EIB Group will guarantee the mezzanine tranche of €93 million. It has been structured to meet the STS criteria (simple, transparent and standardised), and includes a synthetic excess spread mechanism and uses pro rata amortisation (which may be changed to sequential).

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    About InvestEU

    The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that invest in projects, leveraging on the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increasing their risk-bearing capacity and mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    About BBVA

    BBVA is a global financial services group founded in 1857. The bank is present in more than 25 countries, has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico and it has leading franchises in South America and Turkey.

    BBVA contributes with its activity to the progress and welfare of all its stakeholders: shareholders, clients, employees, providers and society in general. In this regard, BBVA supports families, entrepreneurs and companies in their plans, and helps them to take advantage of the opportunities provided by innovation and technology.  Likewise, BBVA offers its customers a unique value proposition, leveraged on technology and data, helping them improve their financial health with personalized information on financial decision-making.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF UNION TERRITORIES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has taken various steps for the economic development of Union Territories (UTs) through strategic interventions across various sectors including tourism, digital/telecom connectivity, road/air/sea connectivity, governance reforms, industry, employment, etc. This has led to sustainable economic growth, attracted investments and improved living standards.

    Tourism has been identified as a key sector due to its multiplier effect. The Government is actively promoting various kinds of traditional and experimental forms of tourism like eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism, heritage tourism, tourist circuits, astro-tourism, cruise tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism etc. For example, the first-ever dark sky reserve of the country has been set up in Hanle in the UT of Ladakh; the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD) has developed world-class sea fronts and premier river fronts; eco-tourism resorts are being developed in the island UTs. All these initiatives have resulted in a boost to tourism and other allied economic activities in the UTs.

    Internet/broadband and mobile/digital connectivity in all the UTs, including the Island UTs, have been considerably enhanced. Connectivity has been revolutionised in the island UTs through the commissioning of the Chennai Andaman Nicobar Islands (CANI) Optical Fiber Cable Project at a cost of about ₹ 1,224 crore in A&NI and the Kochi Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Cable Project (KLI Project), with a cost of about

    ₹1,072 crore in Lakshadweep. In the UT of A&NI, bandwidth utilization (including inter-island) has increased from 4.1 Gbps to 233 Gbps, internet speed has increased from 100 kbps to up to 300 Mbps, total mobile connections have increased to about 7.5 lakh and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)

    services have increased to more than 37,365. 5G services were also launched in the UT. Similarly, with the commissioning of the KLI Project, bandwidth utilization (including inter-island) has increased to 149 Gbps, internet speed availability is up to 1 Gbps, total mobile connections have increased to about 87,000 and FTTH services have increased to 7,500. These projects have benefitted the public significantly through enhanced online access in the fields of education, tele-medicine, e-commerce, digital governance, tourism etc.

    The various initiatives of the Government have led to reduced cost of data, increased mobile and internet/broadband penetration, increase in internet teledensity, and higher internet/broadband speeds directly to home and offices across the UTs.

    The Government has also been focusing on development of air, road and sea connectivity in the UTs. Strategic infrastructure like roads, expressways, construction of new tunnels/bridges, development of ports, expansion of airports, development of helipads etc. has been created in the recent years. A new terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport at Sri Vijaya Puram has come up with a capacity to handle 50 lakh passengers per year; ‘Azad Hind Fauj Setu’ on Humphrey Strait has significantly improved the road connectivity in the island UT of A&NI. 

    Several infrastructure projects to boost road connectivity have also been completed/underway in other UTs, like the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir and the construction of the Zojila tunnel in the UT of Ladakh.

    Several steps have been taken to bring in governance reforms in the UTs and to promote ease of doing business. To promote industry and business activities, steps have been taken to significantly reduce compliance burden. Single window clearance systems have been put in place to enable faster clearance of proposals. UTs have implemented suitable policies to promote businesses and entrepreneurship including industrial policy, land allotment policy, start-up policy, logistics policy, policies to promote handicrafts, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through suitable incentivisation etc. Investment promotion schemes have been formulated which provide for capital and interest subsidy. The thrust sectors identified are tourism, manufacturing, production, IT and ITes, shipping, agriculture, fisheries etc.

    The Government is also focused on employment generation and skill development. The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, PM Vishwakarma, Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, PM SVANidhi etc. are being effectively 

    implemented in the UTs with an aim to generate employment, and to provide financial and skill development support. UTs have also identified certain priority economic sectors for accelerated economic growth of UTs, based on their unique strengths and resources, such as developing a Blue Economy, transforming into regional knowledge/IT/medical hubs, promoting tourism etc.

    The Government’s policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and introduction of IT enabled initiatives have brought greater accountability, transparency and financial transformation resulting in a big push to businesses in the UTs and also promoting them as new drivers of economic prosperity (Aatmanirbhar Arthavyavastha) and Viksit Bharat.

    Initiatives under Aatmanirbhar Bharat have been taken to provide better services to consumers and improvement in operational and financial efficiency in electricity distribution in certain UTs.

    Further, a robust monitoring mechanism has been put in place to monitor the implementation of various flagship/development schemes and programmes of Government of India in the UTs.

    It is the endeavour of Government of India to make UTs role models of good governance and development. Moreover, it is envisioned to holistically 

    develop the island UTs as global hubs of tourism, raise the standard and quality of living of residents in UTs, create better infrastructure including social infrastructure, achieve saturation of health and educational indicators, enhance health infrastructure to ensure universal access to quality healthcare, promote green energy etc. This is a continuous process.

    The Government has taken various positive initiatives to promote renewable and green energy in Union Territories through various schemes i.e. National Solar Mission, PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the National Green Hydrogen Mission etc.

    Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the UTs are providing additional subsidy in addition to the central subsidy for installation of rooftop solar in residential and government buildings. Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Plants are being promoted and installed in the UTs. The UT of Jammu & Kashmir has installed a 100kW solar power project in Dal Lake. Further, Pilot Green Hydrogen Plant are also being set up in UT of Ladakh. In addition, initiatives for waste-to-energy have been undertaken for the promotion of clean and green energy.

    To promote green energy generation and consumption, the Government of India has notified the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022. In line with the 

    above, the UTs of Puducherry and Delhi have implemented Green Energy Open Access (GEOA). In the UT of Puducherry, Green Energy Tariff has been notified. The UTs have notified various policies, including renewable energy policy, solar policy, EV policy etc. Further, in some of the UTs, generation- based incentive is given to the consumers for generation of solar energy.

    These initiatives have resulted in reduced carbon emissions and reduced the electricity cost for the consumers.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

     ****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117799) Visitor Counter : 66

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary, Department of Financial Services chairs meeting on revamping of Central KYC Records and KYC related issues

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Shri. M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) chaired a meeting today at Manthan, DFS to discuss the revamp of the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR) and key issues related to Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance with the objective of making life of citizen comfortable while availing Financial Services. The meeting included senior officials from concerned Ministries/Departments, financial sector regulators, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.

    In the meeting, Shri. Nagaraju emphasized the need for the modernization of the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR) and streamlining of KYC process. Key issues & challenges concerning individuals and regulated entities, measures so far taken by the Government and Financial Sector Regulators and proposed measures for further enhancing efficiency, reducing redundancy and improving security relating to KYC process across financial sectors were discussed at length.

    During the discussion, many suggestions were received from stakeholders which will be considered for further easing of the KYC process.

    **********

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2117797) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Celebrates 3rd Anniversary of Signing

    Source: Government of India

    India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Celebrates 3rd Anniversary of Signing

    ECTA Boosts Trade: Gains Recorded in Textiles, Pharma, Chemicals, and Agriculture Sectors

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:35PM by PIB Delhi

    The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) marks its third anniversary of signing today, a landmark achievement that has enhanced the economic partnership between India and Australia. Since the agreement’s signing on 2nd April 2022, it has created pathways for robust trade, offering new avenues for businesses, entrepreneurs, and employment across both nations.

    With the signing of the ECTA, India and Australia have fostered new economic opportunities, underlining the complementary strengths of both economies. Following the signing and implementation of the agreement, total bilateral trade reached USD 24 billion in 2023-24, marking an impressive 14% growth in India’s exports to Australia as compared to 2022-23. This positive momentum continues in the current fiscal year, with India’s exports to Australia having increased by 4.4% during April 2024-February 2025 as compared to the same period in April 2023-February 2024.

    The ECTA has brought tangible benefits across several sectors, notably textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agriculture. Exports on new lines, such as Calcined Petroleum Coke, High-Capacity Diesel Generating Sets, and Air Liquefaction Machinery, demonstrate the expanding trade opportunities facilitated by the agreement. Sectors like electronics and engineering hold significant potential for future exports, offering promising prospects for further growth and innovation.

    Imports of key raw materials, such as metalliferous ores, cotton, wood and wood products have supported the growth of Indian industries, solidifying the mutually beneficial and complementary nature of the partnership.

    The India-Australia partnership is poised for even greater growth. As the ECTA celebrates its third anniversary, India and Australia reaffirm their commitment to deepening their economic ties, driving mutual prosperity, and contributing to a stronger and more resilient global economy.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

    (Release ID: 2117812) Visitor Counter : 84

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Funds released during 2023-2024 for the state of Jharkhand under EMRS is Rs 23,915.13: Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey informed in Rajya Sabha today that as per Census 2011 the literacy rate among tribals states of Jharkhand is below:

    Male

    Female

    All

    68.2

    46.2

    57.1

    The specific measures taken by the government to increase literacy and education among STs and thereby diminishing gaps are covered by the following schemes/abhiyans especially for the state of Jharkhand is given below. As per information given by Jharkhand State Government, the seats in 81 Scheduled Tribe Residential School have been increased from 12520 to 31420 to increase enrollment of Scheduled Tribe vide resolution no.2429 dated 04.09.2024.

    Further the Students are being provided scholarship and cycle by the government. As per department resolution 697 date 14.03.2024 20 Ashram residential School are being operated/run by non-governmental organizations. The distribution of Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe is being done by E-Kalyan portal. For the academic year 2023-24 13976 beneficiaries were covered and Rs.23490.470 lakhs were given.

    Other major steps taken by Ministry of Tribal Affairs is given below: –

    EMRS: – The Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was revamped in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 90 EMRS has been sanctioned in Jharkhand of which 51 are functional.

    The funds released for the state of Jharkhand in EMRS is given below in Rs. lakh: –

    State

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Jharkhand

    11,309.20

    23,562.27

    23,915.13

     

    Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) catering to students from Class VI to XII of Jharkhand is given below: –

    State

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Jharkhand

    3051

    3201

    3202

     

    The following scholarship schemes are also implemented by MoTA

     

    a)   Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)

    b) Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above)

    c) National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students.

    d) National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)

    e) National Overseas Scholarship for ST students

     

      Fund released for Scholarship for the year 2021-22 to 2023-24 is given below in Rs. Lakh: –

    State

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Jharkhand

    17048.94

    527.11

    11815.56

     

    PM JANMAN: -Under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) launched on 15th November 2023 targeted at the socio-economic development of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one UT. One of the interventions is construction of 500 hostels under Samagra Shiksha which is being implemented by the Ministry of Education. As of now schemes 10 hostels have been sanctioned in Jharkhand and funds allotted are Rs.27.5cr.

    DAJGUA: – Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched on 2nd October, 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps in 63,843 villages, improve access to health, education, Anganwadi facilities and providing livelihood opportunities benefiting more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts and 2,911 blocks in 30 States/UTs in 5 years. Each Ministry has been allocated budget and targets under Abhiyan and responsible for implementing the intervention assigned to it. The Abhiyan aims at Saturation through convergence and outreach.

    Under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, one of the interventions is construction of 1000 hostels under Samagra Shiksha which is being implemented by Ministry of Education. Further, upgradation & improving infrastructure of Ashram Schools, Hostels, Govt./State Tribal Residential schools is also covered under the Abhiyan which is to be considered by Ministry of Tribal Affairs based on the proposals from State Governments.

    Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) Serves as a comprehensive financial framework to ensure the allocation and utilization of funds across various ministries for the development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes (STs). It encompasses a wide range of schemes and interventions targeting the overall socio-economic development of STs.

    The Budgetary Allocation Significantly increased from ₹21525.36 crore (actual) in 2013-14 annually to ₹1,27,434.20 crore in the year 2025-26, involving 41 Ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 41 Ministries including Mota are mandated to set aside specific percentage schemes budget annually under DAPST for e g. MoRD is to side 17.5% of its budget of schemes for STs.

    Department of School Education and Literacy have taken a range of initiatives to ensure that all children are enrolled in schools and complete their school education. Some of the key initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Scheme which reaches out to girls, and children belonging to SC, ST, Minority communities and transgender. It focuses as on special focus Districts on the basis of adverse performance.

    Special residential school have also been run for girls from class vi to xii. This is for all states including Jharkhand and Tribals girls are also beneficiaries. Presently a total of 183440 ST girls are beneficiaries at all India level. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) and ULLAS: Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society/NILP primally aimed at literacy is also being done which is benefiting tribals.

    *******

    RN/PIB

     

    (Release ID: 2117791) Visitor Counter : 76

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: COMPENSATION FOR MARTYRED PERSONNEL FROM CAPFs

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The details of the compensation, ex-gratia payments, and other benefits provided to the families of deceased Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel are annexed.

    The Government has increased financial assistance for the families of deceased CAPFs personnel time to time. The details of major last enhancement are as under: –

    S.N.

    Particular

    Details      of     enhancement    of

    financial assistance.

    From

    To

    1.

    Central Ex-gratia.

     

     

     

    (i)                 Death         due         to accidents in bonafide

    Government duty.

    Rs. 10 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

     

    (ii)  Death occurring in border skirmishes and action against militants, terrorists, extremists,                                             sea pirates and specified high                                            altitude, inaccessible  border

    posts,

     

    Rs. 15 Lakhs

    Rs. 35 Lakhs

    2.

    Death-cum-retirement       gratuity

    (DCRG) (Maximum limit)

    Rs. 20 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

    3.

    Financial assistance from Bharat

    ke Veer Trust.

    Rs. 15 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

    4.

    Risk Fund.

    Rs. 20 Lakhs

    Rs. 30 Lakhs

    5.

    Central Armed Police Salary Package (CAPSP)- Accidental death insurance.

    Rs. 60 Lakhs

    Rs. 1.10 Cr.

    6.

    Medical Allowance.

    Rs.       500/-      Per

    month.

    Rs.        1000/-

    Per month.

    7.

    Extraordinary family pension

    Rs.      7,000/-    per

    month

    Rs.     18,000/-

    per month

     

    Year/Force wise details of CAPFs & AR personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty during last five years are as under:-

     

    Year/ Force

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    Grand Total

    CRPF

    26

    12

    10

    6

    12

    66

    BSF

    9

    14

    19

    16

    21

    79

    ITBP

    4

    6

    13

    9

    6

    38

    SSB

    1

    0

    1

    0

    0

    2

    CISF

    0

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    AR

    5

    6

    1

    1

    0

    13

    Total

    45

    38

    45

    32

    39

    199

     

    The following employment, education and health care benefits are also available for the dependents of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel:-

     

    1. Appointment on compassionate ground: – 5% vacancies are reserved in Group-C for appointment for the Next of Kins (NoKs)/ dependents of the deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.

     

    1. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS): Launched to encourage

     

    higher technical and professional education among the wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel, the scheme offers 2,000 scholarships annually (1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls). The scholarship amounts are

    ₹3,000 per month for girls and ₹2,500 per month for boys, disbursed annually as ₹36,000 and ₹30,000, respectively.

     

    1. Quota for wards of CAPF:- 26 seats in MBBS & 03 seats in BDS have been reserved for the wards of serving/deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.

     

    1. Medical   Facilities:    Retired    personnel/NoKs   of    deceased   CAPF

     

    personnel are entitled to receive medical facilities from CGHS/CPMF Hospitals or a medical allowance of ₹1000 per month.

    *****

    The Government of India has taken several welfare initiatives for the personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and their families. These initiatives encompass financial assistance, educational support, housing, and rehabilitation services.

    • Ayushman CAPF: It is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) specifically for personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and their families. It provides cashless and paperless medical treatment at empanelled private and government hospitals across India
    • Ex-Gratia Payments: In the unfortunate event of death due to accidents during duty, CAPF personnel’s next of kin receives ₹25 lakh. For deaths resulting from acts of violence by terrorists or during enemy action, the compensation is ₹35 lakh.
    • Accidental death insurance coverage under CAPF salary package scheme: This policy offers financial support to the families of personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
    • Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS): Launched to encourage higher technical and professional education among the wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel, the scheme offers 2,000 scholarships annually (1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls). The scholarship amounts are ₹3,000 per month for girls and ₹2,500 per month for boys, disbursed annually as ₹36,000 and ₹30,000, respectively.
    • Contributory Welfare Fund:- Necessary guidelines issued to bring uniformity in payout to the Next of Kins (NoKs) of deceased CAPF personnel from Contributory Welfare Fund.
    • Quota for wards of CAPF:- 26 seats in MBBS & 03 seats in BDS have been reserved for the wards of serving/deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.
    • CAPF e-Awas Portal: A dedicated online platform facilitates the registration and allotment of residential quarters to CAPF personnel. The portal also provides services such as retention and regularization of accommodations.
    • Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB): Established to oversee the welfare and rehabilitation of retired CAPF personnel and their families, including the next of kin of deceased or disabled personnel, WARB operates through State and District Welfare Officers across the country.
    • “CAPF Punarvaas” scheme: – A “CAPF Punarvaas” scheme was launched by linking Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act (PSARA) website with WARB website where the data of retired and willing Ex- CAPF/AR personnel is made available to Private Security Agencies on PSARA website for re-employment in Private Security Agencies.
    • Medical Facilities: Retired personnel and their spouses receive medical facilities from CGHS/CPMF Hospitals or a medical allowance of ₹1000 per month.
    • Risk and Hardship Allowances: Enhancements have been made to the existing risk and hardship allowances for CAPF personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Left-Wing Extremism affected districts.
    • Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB): Formerly known as the Central Police Canteen, KPKB provides quality products to CAPF personnel at discounted rates through direct negotiations with suppliers.
    • Liberalized Pension Awards (LPA) and Extraordinary Family Pension (EFP): There are special pension schemes designed for the families of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel who suffer death or disability due to operational hazards, ensuring financial security for their dependents.
    • Bharat Ke Veer: It is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to support the families of deceased Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. It enables citizens to contribute financially to the families of soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117803) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2025-04-01

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg

     Abbreviations and symbols

    + adopted
    rejected
    lapsed
    W withdrawn
    RCV roll-call votes
    EV electronic vote
    SEC secret ballot
    split split vote
    sep separate vote
    am amendment
    CA compromise amendment
    CP corresponding part
    D deleting amendment
    = identical amendments
    § paragraph

    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:01.


    2. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (debate)

    European Council and Commission statements: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (2024/2980(RSP))

    António Costa (President of the European Council) and Ursula von der Leyen (President of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Manfred Weber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, Raphaël Glucksmann, Jean-Paul Garraud, Patryk Jaki, Billy Kelleher, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Pasquale Tridico, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Ruth Firmenich, Siegfried Mureşan, Paolo Borchia, Nicolas Bay, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Hannah Neumann, Li Andersson, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Željana Zovko, Alex Agius Saliba, Anna Bryłka, Charlie Weimers, Hilde Vautmans, Reinier Van Lanschot, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Christel Schaldemose, Gilles Pennelle, Carlo Fidanza, Svenja Hahn, Tom Berendsen (the President spoke about Siegbert Frank Droese’s behaviour following Hannah Neumann’s speech), Javier Moreno Sánchez, Harald Vilimsky, Johan Van Overtveldt, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Reinhold Lopatka, Dan Nica, Emmanouil Fragkos, Ľubica Karvašová, Danuše Nerudová, Marta Temido, Anna Zalewska, Karlo Ressler, Elio Di Rupo, François-Xavier Bellamy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Brando Benifei.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Anna Maria Cisint, Sebastian Tynkkynen, João Oliveira, Siegbert Frank Droese, Lukas Sieper, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Bruno Gonçalves and Seán Kelly.

    The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) and António Costa.

    The debate closed.


    3. Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice (2025/2635(RSP))

    The President said that there would be only one round of political group speakers and no catch-the-eye procedure or blue-card questions.

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anders Vistisen, on behalf of the PfE Group, Michał Dworczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, and René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.


    4. Amendment of the agenda

    In accordance with Rule 164(2), the President proposed the following amendment of the agenda, with the agreement of the political groups:

    Wednesday/Thursday

    The vote on ‘Energy-intensive industries’ (item 24 on the agenda) would be held over until voting time on Thursday.

    Parliament agreed to the proposal.

    The agenda was amended accordingly.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:54.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    5. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:01.


    6. Voting time

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


    6.1. Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements ***I (vote)

    Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (COM(2025)0080 – C10-0038/2025 – 2025/0044(COD)) – JURI Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION by the PPE Group (Rule 170(6))

    Approved

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:

    – amendments: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 19:00.

    Vote: 3 April 2025.

    The following had spoken:

    Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group (the author of the request), and Manon Aubry against.

    Detailed voting results


    6.2. Request for waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová (vote)

    Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová [2024/2035(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Krzysztof Śmiszek (A10-0029/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0040)

    Detailed voting results


    6.3. Request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron (vote)

    Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron [2024/2048(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Dominik Tarczyński (A10-0030/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0041)

    Detailed voting results


    6.4. Request for waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik (vote)

    Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik [2024/2043(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0031/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0042)

    Detailed voting results


    6.5. Request for waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński (vote)

    Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński [2024/2046(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0032/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0043)

    Detailed voting results


    6.6. Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Lucian Romașcanu (vote)

    Report on the nomination of Lucian Romașcanu as a Member of the Court of Auditors [05958/2025 – C10-0010/2025 – 2025/0801(NLE)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (A10-0039/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)
    (Secret ballot (Rule 133(3)))

    APPOINTMENT OF LUCIAN ROMAȘCANU

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0044)

    The list of Members voting is annexed to these minutes (minutes of 1.4.2025 Annex 1)

    Detailed voting results


    6.7. Common data platform on chemicals, establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common data platform on chemicals, laying down rules to ensure that the data contained in it are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable and establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals [COM(2023)0779 – C9-0449/2023 – 2023/0453(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0018/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

    Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0045)

    REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

    Approved

    The following had spoken:

    Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).

    Detailed voting results


    6.8. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency [COM(2023)0781 – C9-0448/2023 – 2023/0454(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0019/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

    Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0046)

    REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

    Approved

    The following had spoken:

    Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).

    Detailed voting results


    6.9. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 401/2009, (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals [COM(2023)0783 – C9-0447/2023 – 2023/0455(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0020/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

    Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0047)

    REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

    Approved

    The following had spoken:

    Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).

    Detailed voting results


    6.10. Macro-financial assistance to Jordan ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan [COM(2024)0159 – C9-0146/2024 – 2024/0086(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0038/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0048)

    Parliament’s first reading thus closed.

    Detailed voting results

    10

    The following had spoken:

    Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.


    6.11. Macro-financial assistance to Egypt ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Arab Republic of Egypt [COM(2024)0461 – C10-0009/2024 – 2024/0071(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0037/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0049)

    REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

    Approved

    Detailed voting results

    11

    Procedural motions:

    – Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.

    – Céline Imart (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).


    6.12. Customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the USA ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/196 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2018 on additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America [COM(2025)0027 – C10-0007/2025 – 2025/0012(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Bernd Lange (A10-0034/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0050)

    Parliament’s first reading thus closed.

    Detailed voting results

    12

    (The sitting was suspended at 12:27.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    7. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:31.


    8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    9. CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TUE) (joint debate)

    Report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – 2024 annual report [2024/2080(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: David McAllister (A10-0010/2025)
    Report on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024 [2024/2082(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)

    David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte introduced the reports.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).

    The following spoke: Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Sven Mikser, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the ECR Group, Urmas Paet, on behalf of the Renew Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group, Rasa Juknevičienė, Tobias Cremer, António Tânger Corrêa, Alberico Gambino, Bart Groothuis, Hannah Neumann, Özlem Demirel, Marcin Sypniewski, Monika Beňová, Łukasz Kohut, Yannis Maniatis, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, Rihards Kols, Hilde Vautmans, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Lynn Boylan, Hans Neuhoff, Francisco José Millán Mon, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Nathalie Loiseau, Hanna Gedin, Salvatore De Meo, Hana Jalloul Muro, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Petras Auštrevičius, Davor Ivo Stier, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Tonino Picula, Lucia Yar, Vangelis Meimarakis, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Thijs Reuten, Marta Wcisło, Riho Terras, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Mārtiņš Staķis, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Tomislav Sokol, João Oliveira, Željana Zovko, Lukas Sieper and Michał Szczerba.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas, David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 2 April 2025.


    10. Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 (debate)

    Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 [2024/2081(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)

    Isabel Wiseler-Lima introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).

    The following spoke: Abir Al-Sahlani (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Antonio López-Istúriz White, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Christophe Bay, on behalf of the PfE Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Catarina Vieira, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Kathleen Funchion, on behalf of The Left Group, Petr Bystron, on behalf of the ESN Group, Reinhold Lopatka, Elisabeth Grossmann, Silvia Sardone, Sophie Wilmès, Mounir Satouri, Alvise Pérez, Liudas Mažylis, Marco Tarquinio, András László, who also answered a blue-card question from Catarina Vieira, Loucas Fourlas, Chloé Ridel, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Hermann Tertsch, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Evin Incir and Alice Teodorescu Måwe.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lukas Sieper and Michał Wawrykiewicz.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 2 April 2025.


    11. Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy(debate)

    Commission statement: Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy (2025/2608(RSP))

    Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group, Birgit Sippel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Saskia Bricmont, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giuseppe Antoci, on behalf of The Left Group, Mary Khan, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jeroen Lenaers, Thijs Reuten, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Alessandro Ciriani, Moritz Körner, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Lena Düpont, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Petra Steger, Mariusz Kamiński, François-Xavier Bellamy, Marieke Ehlers, Charlie Weimers, Javier Zarzalejos, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Dariusz Joński, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Elena Donazzan, Maciej Wąsik and Gheorghe Piperea.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, José Cepeda, João Oliveira, Sunčana Glavak, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Ana Miguel Pedro and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Henna Virkkunen (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

    The debate closed.


    12. EU Preparedness Union Strategy (debate)

    Commission statement: EU Preparedness Union Strategy (2025/2641(RSP))

    Hadja Lahbib (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group.

    IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roberto Vannacci, on behalf of the PfE Group, Beata Szydło, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Diana Riba i Giner, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Ana Miranda Paz, on the language used by a Member during this debate (the President agreed), Merja Kyllönen, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Lukas Mandl, Christophe Clergeau, Christophe Bay, Elena Donazzan, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ville Niinistö, Catarina Martins, Cecilia Strada, who referred to the speech of Roberto Vannacci (the President reiterated the need to respect the rules on conduct), Kostas Papadakis, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Tomislav Sokol, Heléne Fritzon, Barbara Bonte, Adrian-George Axinia, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alvise Pérez, Nathalie Loiseau, Lena Schilling, Luke Ming Flanagan, Massimiliano Salini, Annalisa Corrado, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Grégory Allione, Michał Dworczyk, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Leire Pajín, Matej Tonin, Tobias Cremer, Victor Negrescu and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Ana Miranda Paz, Cecilia Strada, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, João Oliveira and Maria Zacharia.

    The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.

    The debate closed.


    13. Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (2025/2648(RSP))

    Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Rody Tolassy, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Cristina Guarda, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of the The Left Group, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Marcos Ros Sempere, Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, Ciaran Mullooly, Gordan Bosanac, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper.

    IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Victor Negrescu, Antonella Sberna, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Christian Doleschal, Carla Tavares, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Elsi Katainen, Elena Nevado del Campo, who also answered a blue-card question from Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Estelle Ceulemans, Joachim Streit, Jacek Protas and Hannes Heide.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nikolina Brnjac, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Ana Miranda Paz, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Francisco José Millán Mon, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral and Maria Grapini.

    The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto and Adam Szłapka.

    The debate closed.


    14. Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2025/2630(RSP))

    Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

    The following spoke: Sebastião Bugalho, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nils Ušakovs, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Irena Joveva, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Andrey Kovatchev, Francisco Assis, Hermann Tertsch, Alexandr Vondra, Dan Barna, Mary Khan, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Erik Kaliňák, who also answered a blue-card question from Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Ondřej Kolář, Robert Biedroń, Virginie Joron, Rihards Kols, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Petar Volgin, Fidias Panayiotou, Rasa Juknevičienė, Hannes Heide, Csaba Dömötör, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Laurence Farreng, Elena Yoncheva, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Fidias Panayiotou, and Julien Sanchez.

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Helmut Brandstätter, Mika Aaltola, Michał Kobosko, Alice Teodorescu Måwe and Tomáš Zdechovský.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Radan Kanev, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă and Gabriella Gerzsenyi.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos.

    The debate closed.


    15. Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu (2025/2642(RSP))

    Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

    The following spoke: Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nacho Sánchez Amor, on behalf of the S&D Group, Susanna Ceccardi, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Michalis Hadjipantela, Kathleen Van Brempt, Mathilde Androuët, Bernard Guetta, Mélissa Camara, Özlem Demirel, Reinhold Lopatka, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Željana Zovko, Nikos Papandreou, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi and Dario Nardella.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Hanna Gedin, Maria Zacharia, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Lukas Sieper and Fidias Panayiotou.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos.

    The debate closed.


    16. Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement (2025/2644(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Hildegard Bentele, on behalf of the PPE Group, Evin Incir, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Sebastiaan Stöteler, Hana Jalloul Muro, Barry Andrews, Ana Miranda Paz, Giorgos Georgiou, Ondřej Kolář, who also answered a blue-card question from Rima Hassan, and Matjaž Nemec.

    IN THE CHAIR: Ewa KOPACZ
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Tomáš Kubín, Leoluca Orlando, Danilo Della Valle, Céline Imart, who also answered a blue-card question from Benedetta Scuderi, Marta Temido, Saskia Bricmont, Estrella Galán, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Mimmo Lucano, and Marit Maij and Benedetta Scuderi, on the language sometimes used during this debate (the President took note).

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Davor Ivo Stier, Daniel Attard, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Vladimir Prebilič and Marc Botenga.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.


    17. Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (2025/2612(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marit Maij, on behalf of the S&D Group, Thierry Mariani, on behalf of the PfE Group, Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mounir Satouri, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Tomasz Froelich, on behalf of the ESN Group, Wouter Beke, Francisco Assis, György Hölvényi, Alexander Sell, Nikolaos Anadiotis, Reinhold Lopatka, Anja Arndt, Ingeborg Ter Laak and Davor Ivo Stier.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Saskia Bricmont, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate: minutes of 3.4.2025, item I.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 3 April 2025.


    18. Explanations of vote


    18.1. Written explanations of vote

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


    19. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 2 April 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.


    20. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

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


    21. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 22:07.


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


    I. Documents received

    The following documents had been received from committees:

    – Report on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 (2024/2111(BUI)) – BUDG Committee – Rapporteur: Matjaž Nemec (A10-0048/2025)


    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, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, 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, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, 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, Ciccioli Carlo, 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, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, 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, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glück Andreas, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, 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, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Kohut Łukasz, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Martins Catarina, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Omarjee Younous, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, 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, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, 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, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, 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, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ştefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, 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 Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, 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, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan


    ANNEX 1 – Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Lucian Romașcanu

    MEMBERS VOTING IN THE SECRET BALLOT

    ECR:
    Alexandraki, Axinia, Bartulica, Bay Nicolas, Berlato, Bielan, Bocheński, Brudziński, Buda Waldemar, Cavedagna, Ciccioli, Ciriani, Crosetto, Donazzan, Dworczyk, Erixon, Fidanza, Fiocchi, Fragkos, Gambino, Geadi, Gemma, Gosiewska, Inselvini, Jaki, Junco García, Kamiński, Kartheiser, Kols, Krutílek, Madison, Magoni, Maląg, Mantovani, Maréchal, Milazzo, Mularczyk, Müller, Nesci, Ozdoba, Peltier, Picaro, Piperea, Polato, Pozņaks, Procaccini, Razza, Ruissen, Rzońca, Sberna, Solier, Squarta, Storm, Sturdza, Szydło, Tarczyński, Târziu, Teodorescu, Terheş, Timgren, Tomaszewski, Torselli, Trochu, Tynkkynen, Valchev, Van Dijck, Van Overtveldt, Veryga, Vivaldini, Vondra, Vrecionová, Wąsik, Weimers, Wiśniewska, Zalewska, Zīle, Złotowski

    ESN:
    Anderson, Arndt, Aust, Bausemer, Borvendég, Boßdorf, Buchheit, David, Droese, Froelich, Gražulis, Jongen, Jungbluth, Khan, Knafo, Laykova, Mazurek, Neuhoff, Sell, Stoyanov, Sypniewski, Tyszka, Uhrík, Volgin

    NI:
    Anadiotis, Beňová, Blaha, Braun, De Masi, Dostál, Firmenich, Geisel, Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Kaliňák, Konečná, Laššáková, Lazarus, Nikolaou-Alavanos, Panayiotou, Papadakis, Pérez, Pürner, Roth Neveďalová, Sonneborn, von der Schulenburg, Warnke, Yoncheva, Zacharia

    PPE:
    Aaltola, Abadía Jover, Adamowicz, Aftias, Agius, Arias Echeverría, Arimont, Arłukowicz, Beke, Beleris, Bellamy, Benjumea Benjumea, Bentele, Berendsen, Berger, Bernhuber, Bogdan, Brejza, Brnjac, Buda Daniel, Budka, Bugalho, Buła, Carberry, Casa, Caspary, Castillo, Chinnici, Crespo Díaz, Cunha, Dahl, Dávid, de la Hoz Quintano, De Meo, Doherty, Doleschal, Do Nascimento Cabral, Düpont, Ehler, Estaràs Ferragut, Ezcurra Almansa, Falcă, Falcone, Farský, Ferber, Fourlas, Gahler, Gasiuk-Pihowicz, Gerzsenyi, Geuking, Gieseke, Giménez Larraz, Glavak, González Pons, Gotink, Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Hadjipantela, Halicki, Hansen, Hava, Herbst, Herranz García, Hetman, Hohlmeier, Humberto, Imart, Jarubas, Joński, Juknevičienė, Kanev, Kemp, Kircher, Kohut, Kolář, Kollár, Kopacz, Kovatchev, Kulja, Lakos, Lazarov, Lenaers, Lexmann, Liese, Lins, Lopatka, López-Istúriz White, Łukacijewska, McAllister, Mandl, Marczułajtis-Walczak, Mato, Maydell, Mažylis, Mehnert, Meimarakis, Mertens, Millán Mon, Montserrat, Morano, Motreanu, Mureşan, Navarrete Rojas, Nerudová, Nevado del Campo, Niedermayer, Novakov, Nykiel, Pascual de la Parte, Pedro, Pereira, Pietikäinen, Polfjärd, Popescu, Princi, Protas, Radev, Radtke, Ratas, Ressler, Ripa, Salini, Salla, Saudargas, Schenk, Schwab, Seekatz, Sienkiewicz, Simon, Smit, Solís Pérez, Sommen, Sousa Silva, Stier, Szczerba, Tarr, Teodorescu Måwe, Ter Laak, Terras, Tobé, Tomašič, Tomc, Tonin, Tosi, Tsiodras, Vaidere, Van Leeuwen, Verheyen, Voss, Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Vázquez Lázara, Walsh, Walsmann, Warborn, Wawrykiewicz, Wcisło, Weber, Wechsler, Winkler, Winzig, Wiseler-Lima, Zarzalejos, Zdechovský, Zdrojewski, Zoido Álvarez, Zovko, Zver

    PfE:
    Androuët, Annemans, Bartůšek, Bay Christophe, Blom, Bonte, Borchia, Borrás Pabón, Brasier-Clain, Bryłka, Buczek, Buxadé Villalba, Bžoch, Ceccardi, Cisint, Dauchy, Deloge, Deutsch, Diepeveen, Dieringer, Disdier, Dömötör, Dostalova, Ehlers, Ferenc, Frigout, Furet, Gál, Garraud, Girauta Vidal, Griset, Győri, Gyürk, Haider, Hauser, Hölvényi, Jamet, Joron, Knotek, Kovařík, Krištopans, Kruis, Kubín, László, Latinopoulou, Leggeri, Leonardelli, Mariani, Mayer, Moreira de Sá, Nagyová, Pennelle, Piera, Pimpie, de la Pisa Carrión, Pokorná Jermanová, Rougé, Sanchez, Sardone, Schaller-Baross, Sorel, Stancanelli, Steger, Stöteler, Szekeres, Tânger Corrêa, Tertsch, Thionnet, Tolassy, Tovaglieri, Turek, Vandendriessche, Vannacci, Varaut, Vicsek, Vilimsky, Vistisen, Werbrouck, Zijlstra

    Renew:
    Agirregoitia Martínez, Allione, Al-Sahlani, Auštrevičius, Azmani, Baljeu, Barna, Bosse, Boyer, Brandstätter, Canfin, Chastel, Christensen, Cotrim De Figueiredo, Cowen, Devaux, Eroglu, Farreng, Friis, García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Gerbrandy, Glück, Goerens, Gozi, Groothuis, Grudler, Guetta, Hahn, Henriksson, Ijabs, Joveva, Karlsbro, Karvašová, Katainen, Kelleher, Keller, Kobosko, Körner, Kulmuni, Kyuchyuk, Loiseau, McNamara, Minchev, Mullooly, Ní Mhurchú, Ódor, Oetjen, Paet, Petrov, Šarec, Singer, Strack-Zimmermann, Streit, Stürgkh, Tomac, Toom, Van Brug, van den Berg, Vasconcelos, Vasile-Voiculescu, Vautmans, Vedrenne, Verougstraete, Wiesner, Wiezik, Wilmès, Yar, Žalimas

    S&D:
    Agius Saliba, Andriukaitis, Angel, Annunziata, Arnaoutoglou, Assis, Attard, Bajada, Ballarín Cereza, Barley, Benifei, Biedroń, Bischoff, Blinkevičiūtė, Bonaccini, Borzan, Bullmann, Burkhardt, Cârciu, Cepeda, Ceulemans, Chahim, Clergeau, Corrado, Costanzo, Cremer, Cristea, Danielsson, Decaro, Dibrani, Dîncu, Di Rupo, Dobrev, Ecke, Eriksson, Fernández, Firea, Fita, Fuglsang, Gálvez, García Pérez, Geier, Germain, Glucksmann, Gomes, Gómez López, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, Gori, Grapini, Grossmann, Gualmini, Guzenina, Heide, Heinäluoma, Homs Ginel, Incir, Jalloul Muro, Jerković, Jouvet, Kalfon, Kaljurand, Lalucq, Lange, Laurent, Laureti, López, López Aguilar, Luena, Lupo, Maestre, Maij, Maniatis, Maran, Mebarek, Mendes, Mikser, Molnár, Moreno Sánchez, Moretti, Muşoiu, Nardella, Negrescu, Nemec, Nica, Noichl, Ó Ríordáin, Pajín, Papandreou, Pellerin-Carlin, Penkova, Picula, Rafowicz, Regner, Repasi, Repp, Reuten, Ricci, Ridel, Rodrigues, Ros Sempere, Sánchez Amor, Sancho Murillo, Sargiacomo, Schaldemose, Scheuring-Wielgus, Schieder, Serrano Sierra, Sidl, Sippel, Śmiszek, Strada, Tarquinio, Temido, Tinagli, Tobback, Topo, Ušakovs, Van Brempt, Vešligaj, Vigenin, Vind, Wölken, Wolters, Zingaretti

    The Left:
    Andersson, Antoci, Arvanitis, Aubry, Barrena Arza, Botenga, Boylan, Carême, Chaibi, Clausen, Della Valle, Demirel, Everding, Farantouris, Flanagan, Fourreau, Funchion, Furore, Galán, Georgiou, Hassan, Kennes, Kountoura, Kyllönen, Lucano, Martins, Mesure, Montero, Morace, Oliveira, Omarjee, Palmisano, Pappas, Pedulla’, Rackete, Salis, Saramo, Schirdewan, Sjöstedt, Smith, Tamburrano, Tridico

    Verts/ALE:
    Andresen, Asens Llodrà, Bloss, Boeselager, Bosanac, Bricmont, Camara, Cavazzini, Cormand, Eickhout, Freund, Geese, Gregorová, Guarda, Häusling, Holmgren, Kuhnke, Langensiepen, Lövin, Marino, Marquardt, Marzà Ibáñez, Matthieu, Metz, Miranda Paz, Neumann, Niinistö, Nordqvist, Ohisalo, Orlando, Paulus, Peter-Hansen, Prebilič, Reintke, Riba i Giner, Riehl, Satouri, Sbai, Schilling, Scuderi, Sinkevičius, Søvndal, Staķis, Ştefănuță, Strik, Strolenberg, Tegethoff, Toussaint, Van Lanschot, Van Sparrentak, Vieira, Waitz

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Multiannual financial framework and Common Agricultural Policy – E-000680/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In line with the communication on the road to the next multiannual financial framework (MFF)[1], the Commission will ensure that the upcoming MFF is simpler, more focused and aligned with EU priorities.

    The communication highlights the importance of food security and nature protection for sustaining Europe’s quality of life and emphasises that a Common Agricultural Policy that is fit for purpose must provide targeted support to farmers who need it most, promote positive environmental and social outcomes through rewards and incentives for ecosystem services and support the right enabling conditions for thriving rural areas.

    It must find the right balance between incentives, investment and regulation, and ensure that farmers have a fair and sufficient income.

    The Commission is currently working on the next MFF and it intends to present the next financial framework in July 2025. Effective design of the next MFF requires involving various stakeholders.

    The Commission’s approach involves structured dialogues, thematic public consultations, and active citizen engagement, all aimed at gathering diverse inputs early in the process. This ensures that funding is tailored to regional conditions and sectoral needs.

    The Vision for Agriculture and Food[2] also provides a long-term policy perspective on EU agriculture and food, which will guide the design of the future Common Agricultural Policy.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=celex:52025DC0046
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075
    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Re-evaluating EU engagement in the Arctic: addressing strategic challenges and geopolitical tensions – E-000451/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Joint Communication[1] remains valid in the areas that it covers. Its implementation continues to deliver on its goals and objectives.

    While climate change remains the most comprehensive threat to the Arctic, the overall security and geopolitical context has changed significantly as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    In this context, the question of an updated EU Arctic policy becomes relevant. However, such a decision would require careful reflection and any potential process to review and update the Arctic Joint Communication in the future will take time[2]. The question of further enhancing the EU’s presence is relevant.

    The EU is a major player in areas such as Arctic sustainable fisheries[3], environmental protection, sustainable blue economy development, science and research, and regional development in the European Arctic.

    Since 2021, the EU has been increasing its presence in other areas, including municipal cooperation, and support to Indigenous peoples and the youth[4].

    In relation to Greenland, the EU operates long-standing relations with Greenland based on its status as an Overseas Country/Territory[5]. The Commission opened an office in Nuuk in 2024.

    In areas such as hybrid threats, critical infrastructures and demographic trends affecting also Arctic regions, the EU’s actions are anchored in competences and policies set out in the Treaties.

    EU relations with Norway, Iceland and Greenland are based on existing agreements and arrangements[6]. Changes to those agreements and arrangements will require decisions in each country in line with their national rules and procedures.

    • [1] JOIN(2021) 27 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021JC0027
    • [2] The decision must also take into account the civilian nature of the EU´s engagement in Arctic matters and available resources.
    • [3] This includes the implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement, to which the Commission is part on behalf of Member States, as well as EU fleets fishing in the Barents Sea or the deployment since 2023 of an inspection vessel to that area. The EU is also reflecting about additional areas where more presence could be of an added value.
    • [4] This includes two new initiatives, namely the Arctic Youth Dialogue and the Arctic Urban and Regional Cooperation network.
    • [5] In December 2024, the EU signed a new protocol of a duration of six years under the existing Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement concluded in 2021
    • [6] E.g. European Economic Area, Schengen area and other areas of cooperation as well as Greenland’s association with the EU as an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT).

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Israel’s disinformation campaign against UNRWA – E-003022/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU is one of the main supporters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

    The European Council condemned any attempt to repeal the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA and to attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate its mandate[1].

    It is of utmost importance to counter the disinformation campaign aimed at UNRWA. For this reason, the European External Action Service monitors and documents the campaign closely, within the mandate ‘to counter and expose disinformation in countries neighbouring the Union’ outlined in the 2018 Action Plan for Disinformation[2].

    The EU and its Member States also continue to reach out to the Israeli authorities, and to highlight concerns through diplomatic outreach and public statements.

    The European Council, on 21 March[3], 27 June[4], 17 October[5] and 19 December 2024[6] has consistently reiterated that the services provided by UNRWA are essential.

    The High Representative/Vice-President discussed ways of supporting UNRWA with foreign ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council.

    The EU will continue to provide both political and financial support to UNRWA. In 2024, the EU provided EUR 92 million in support to UNRWA. This came in addition to the EUR 48.5 million of EU humanitarian funding in 2024.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/2pebccz2/20241017-euco-conclusions-en.pdf
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/b654235c-f5f1-452d-8a8c-367e603af841_en?filename=eu-communication-disinformation-euco-05122018_en.pdf
    • [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/70880/euco-conclusions-2122032024.pdf
    • [4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/qa3lblga/euco-conclusions-27062024-en.pdf
    • [5] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/2pebccz2/20241017-euco-conclusions-en.pdf
    • [6] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/jhlenhaj/euco-conclusions-19122024-en.pdf
    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU-Algeria partnership called into question, and making aid conditional on effective migration cooperation – E-000521/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Algeria plays a key role as a country of origin, transit, and destination of migration. Algeria is an important destination for sub-Saharan migrants, with some settling and others transiting.

    The EU’s financial support for programmes covering Algeria is primarily channelled through international partners rather than directly to the Algerian government.

    The EU continues to advocate for stronger cooperation on migration issues, including on effective readmission of Algerian nationals to all EU Member States, as well as broader migration and security matters.

    To address migratory pressures on the EU, the Commission is committed to deepening cooperation in a comprehensive way with Algeria through political dialogue and development cooperation.

    This includes reinforcing existing support for the voluntary return of sub-Saharan migrants from Algeria to their countries of origin, as well as further engaging Algeria on migration and security, such as border management, anti-smuggling and the readmission of Algerian nationals from the EU.

    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Supporting the local industry workers and economic sectors affected by pollution caused by the ILVA steelworks – E-001216/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001216/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Valentina Palmisano (The Left)

    The Commission has launched the Clean Industry Pact and the Steel Action Plan.

    One of the only steelworks in the EU which uses coal to produce steel, the Taranto-based Acciaierie d’Italia (formerly ILVA) needs a yearly output of at least 6 million tonnes in order to turn a profit. However, the health impact assessment for these production levels was negative because operations would exceed the health risk threshold.

    While production has plateaued at 2 million tonnes, 4 000 of the steelworks’ 12 000 employees have been temporarily laid off. The only way to safely ramp up production levels would be decarbonise the plant, but this process would, according to independent scientific studies, only be completed between 2040 and 2050 at the earliest.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.What kind of financial support will the Commission provide for the Acciaierie d’Italia workers who risk losing their jobs?
    • 2.What measures will the Commission take to protect the health of workers whose exposure to polluting substances exceeds the limits set by Directive 2010/75/EU, and will the Commission set up a fund specifically to compensate workers who have been exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens?
    • 3.Is the Commission aware that funds worth EUR 400 million which were initially supposed to finance projects to clean up contaminated aquifers and sites in the area have since been reallocated to the Taranto steelworks so that they can keep production going, and what steps will the Commission take to ensure that the above clean-up operations – which are vital for the development of other sectors, including agriculture, animal rearing, mussel farming and tourism – go ahead?

    Submitted: 21.3.2025

    Last updated: 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI: Marex Group plc provides preliminary Q1 results range and hosts Investor Day in New York

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marex Group plc (Nasdaq: MRX) (‘Marex’), the diversified global financial services platform, provides a Q1 trading update at its Investor Day, being held today at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York City.

    Marex reports a strong start to the year with positive momentum and supportive market conditions continuing through the first quarter of 2025. Client activity has remained strong across the platform with high levels of exchange volumes driven by volatility. Agency and Execution has benefited from strong performance in the Prime Services business and continued progress in the Energy business.

    As a result, first quarter 2025 revenues are expected to be in a range of $449.3 to $464.3 million (Q1 2024: $365.8 million) and Adjusted Profit Before Tax2 in a range of $92.3 to $97.3 million (Q1 2024: $67.7 million).

    Ian Lowitt, CEO, stated: “Very robust levels of client activity across our businesses and positive market conditions have continued into 2025 and led to a strong performance in the first quarter of the year, building on our performance in 2024. These benefits more than outweighed the impact of lower net interest income partly arising from the interest rate environment, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. This demonstrates the successful execution of our strategy to diversify our business and deliver sustainable growth through a variety of market conditions by expanding our geographic footprint and product capabilities, increasing our relevance to a growing client base.”

    Preliminary Q1 2025 results range

    We have not yet completed our closing procedures for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The table below are certain estimated preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

      3 Months ended March 31, 20251   3 Months ended March 31, 2024
    Unaudited ($m) Estimated Low Estimated High   Actuals
    Revenue 449.3 464.3   365.8
    Reported Profit Before Tax 94.4 102.1   58.9
    Tax 24.5 26.5   15.3
    Reported Profit After Tax 69.9 75.6   43.6
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax2 92.3 97.3   67.7
             
    Profit After Tax Margin 16% 16%   12%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin2 21% 21%   19%
             
    Basic Earnings per Share ($)3 0.94 1.02   0.60
    Diluted Earnings per Share ($)3 0.88 0.96   0.56
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share ($)2,3 0.94 0.99   0.74
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)2,3 0.88 0.93   0.69
    1. Figures reflect certain estimated preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Estimates represent results that are preliminary and subject to change. Actual results will not be finalized until after we complete our normal quarter-end accounting procedures, including the execution of our internal control over financial reporting. These estimates reflect our management’s best estimate of the impact of events during this quarter.
    2. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such IFRS measure to its most directly comparable non-IFRS measure.
    3. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split (refer to Appendix 1 for further detail).

    Investor Day

    Marex is hosting an Investor Day today, April 2, 2025 starting at 9:30am E.T. The event will feature presentations from Marex’s business heads, to provide a greater understanding of Marex’s operations and growth strategy, as well as a question and answer session with senior leadership including Ian Lowitt, CEO, Rob Irvin, CFO and Paolo Tonucci, Chief Strategist and CEO Capital Markets.

    An audio livestream of the event will be available under the ‘events and presentations’ section on ir.marex.com. The webcast will also be available for replay, after the completion of the event.

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/qbimzrae/

    About Marex Group:

    Marex Group plc (NASDAQ: MRX) is a diversified global financial services platform providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients across energy, commodities and financial markets. The Group provides comprehensive breadth and depth of coverage across four core services: Clearing, Agency and Execution, Market Making and Hedging and Investment Solutions. It has a leading franchise in many major metals, energy and agricultural products, with access to 60 exchanges. The Group provides access to the world’s major commodity markets, covering a broad range of clients that include some of the largest commodity producers, consumers and traders, banks, hedge funds and asset managers. Headquartered in London with more than 40 offices worldwide, the Group has over 2,300 employees across Europe, Asia and the Americas. For more information visit www.marex.com.

    Enquiries please contact:

    Marex

    Investors – Robert Coates
    +44 7880 486 329 / rcoates@marex.com

    Media – Nicola Ratchford, Marex / FTI Consulting US / UK
    + 44 7786 548 889 / nratchford@marex.com / +1 919 609 9423 / +44 7776 111 222 | marex@fticonsulting.com

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including expected outlook regarding Q1 2025 financial results. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation: subdued commodity market activity or pricing levels; the effects of geopolitical events, terrorism and wars, such as the effect of Russia’s military action in Ukraine or the on-going conflicts in the Middle East, on market volatility, global macroeconomic conditions and commodity prices; changes in interest rate levels; the risk of our clients and their related financial institutions defaulting on their obligations to us; regulatory, reputational and financial risks as a result of our international operations; software or systems failure, loss or disruption of data or data security failures; an inability to adequately hedge our positions and limitations on our ability to modify contracts and the contractual protections that may be available to us in OTC derivatives transactions; market volatility, reputational risk and regulatory uncertainty related to commodity markets, equities, fixed income, foreign exchange; the impact of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon economy on supply chains and the size of the market for certain of our energy products; the impact of changes in judgments, estimates and assumptions made by management in the application of our accounting policies on our reported financial condition and results of operations; lack of sufficient financial liquidity; if we fail to comply with applicable law and regulation, we may be subject to enforcement or other action, forced to cease providing certain services or obliged to change the scope or nature of our operations; significant costs, including adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and expenses associated with compliance with relevant regulations; and if we fail to remediate the material weaknesses we identified in our internal control over financial reporting or prevent material weaknesses in the future, the accuracy and timing of our financial statements may be impacted, which could result in material misstatements in our financial statements or failure to meet our reporting obligations and subject us to potential delisting, regulatory investments or civil or criminal sanctions, and other risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and our other reports filed with the SEC.

    The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

    Appendix 1

    Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

    In addition to our results determined in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS), we believe the following non-IFRS measures provide useful information both to management and investors in measuring our financial performance for the reasons outlined below. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and they should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. The Group changed the labelling of its non-IFRS measures during 2024 to simplify the naming to better align to the equivalent IFRS reported metric for better understanding and communication and enhance transparency and comparability.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit)

    We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax as profit after tax adjusted for (i) taxation charge (ii) acquisition costs, (iii) bargain purchase gains, (iv) owner fees, (v) amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists, (vi) activities in relation to shareholders, and (vii) IPO preparation costs. Items (i) to (vii) are referred to as “Adjusting Items.” Adjusted Profit Before Tax is an important measure used by our management to evaluate and understand our underlying operations and business trends, forecast future results and determine future capital investment allocations. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is the measure used by our executive board to assess the financial performance of our business in relation to our trading performance and hence it is our segments performance measure presented under IFRS Accounting Standards. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is also presented on a consolidated basis because our management believes it is important to consider our profitability on a basis consistent with that of our operating segments. When presented on a consolidated basis, Adjusted Profit Before Tax is a non-IFRS measure.  The most directly comparable IFRS measure is profit after tax.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit Margin)

    We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin as Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) divided by revenue. We believe that Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business in relation to revenue. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure is profit margin, which is profit after tax divided by revenue.

    Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity)

    We define Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity as profit after tax adjusted for the items outlined in the Adjusted Profit Before Tax paragraph above. Additionally, Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity is also adjusted for (i) tax and the tax effect of the Adjusting Items to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax and (ii) profit attributable to AT1 note holders, which is the coupons on the AT1 issuance and accounted for as dividends adjusted for the tax benefit of the coupons. Common equity is a non-IFRS measure and we define Common Equity as being the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital.

    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share

    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period divided by weighted average number of ordinary shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share. The most directly comparable IFRS metric is basic earnings per share. This metric has been designed to highlight the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity over the available share capital of the Group. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period divided by the diluted weighted average shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share on a diluted basis. Dilution is calculated in the same way as it has been for diluted earnings per share. The most directly comparable IFRS metric is diluted earnings per share.

    Reconciliation

    The following table reconciles: (1) Adjusted Profit Before Tax and Adjusted Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity from the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure, which is profit after tax, (2) Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin from the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure, which is profit margin (which is profit after tax divided by revenue), (3) Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share from the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is basic earnings per share, and (4) Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share from the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is diluted earnings per share, in each case, for the periods presented below.

    Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators:

      3 months ended March 31, 2025   3 months ended March 31, 2025   3 months ended March 31, 2024
      Estimated Low   Estimated High   Actuals
      $m   $m   $m
    Profit After Tax 69.9   75.6   43.6
    Taxation charge 24.5   26.5   15.3
    Profit Before Tax 94.4   102.1   58.9
    Bargain purchase gains1 (3.4)   (6.1)  
    Acquisition costs2     0.2
    Amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists3 1.3   1.3   0.8
    Activities relating to shareholders4     2.4
    Owner fees5     1.7
    IPO preparation costs6     3.7
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax 92.3   97.3   67.7
    Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items7 (22.8)   (24.1)   (15.5)
    Profit attributable to AT1 note holders8 (3.3)   (3.3)   (3.3)
    Adjusted Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity 66.2   69.9   48.9
               
    Profit After Tax Margin 16%   16%   12%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin9 21%   21%   19%
               
    Basic Earnings per Share ($)10 0.94   1.02   0.60
    Diluted Earnings per Share ($)11 0.88   0.96   0.56
               
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share($)10 0.94   0.99   0.74
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)11 0.88   0.93   0.69
               
    1. A bargain purchase gain is expected to be recognised as a result of the Group’s acquisition of Darton Group Limited.
    2. Acquisition costs are costs, such as legal fees incurred in relation to the business acquisitions.
    3. This represents the amortisation charge for the period of acquired brands and customers lists.
    4. Activities in relation to shareholders primarily consist of dividend-like contributions made to participants within certain of our share-based payments schemes.
    5. Owner fees relate to management services fees paid to parties associated with the ultimate controlling party based on a percentage of our EBITDA in each year, presented in the income statement within other expenses.
    6. IPO preparation costs related to consulting, legal and audit fees, presented in the income statement within other expenses.
    7. Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items represents the tax for the period and the tax effect of the other Adjusting Items removed from Profit After Tax to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax. The tax effect of the other Adjusting Items was calculated at the Group’s effective tax rate for the respective period.
    8. Profit attributable to AT1 note holders are the coupons on the AT1 issuance, which are accounted for as dividends.
    9. Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) divided by revenue for the period.
    10. The weighted average numbers of shares used in the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 range estimates and three months ended March 31, 2024 actuals were 70,541,771 and  65,683,374 respectively.  Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split.
    11. The weighted average numbers of diluted shares used in the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 range estimates and three months ended March 31, 2024 actuals were 74,942,291 and  70,383,309 respectively.  Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance Launches $GLDY, Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs is proud to announce the launch of GLDY, the Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF. GLDY offers investors a new opportunity to seek current income while gaining indirect exposure to the price movements of physical gold bullion.

    “We’re excited to introduce GLDY,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “With GLDY, investors can access enhanced income potential tied to the price of gold—a historically resilient asset in times of economic uncertainty. As central banks continue to manage inflation and global instability persists, gold may remain a sought-after safe haven.”

    GLDY is an actively managed ETF designed to provide income while maintaining indirect exposure to the share price performance of GLD, which seeks to track the price of physical gold bullion.

    The Fund’s strategy focuses on having the ability to make monthly distributions through generating income throughout each week by regularly selling put options. Simultaneously, it aims to provide an “enhanced” yield compared to traditional option-based strategies by frequently selling short-term options, typically with a duration of less than a week.

    An Investment in the Fund is not an investment in GLD, nor in gold bullion.The Fund’s strategy will cap its potential options income gains if GLD shares increase in value.The Fund’s strategy is subject to all potential losses if GLD shares decline, which may not be offset by income received by the Fund. ● The Fund does not invest directly in GLD shares. ● The Fund does not invest directly in gold bullion. ● Fund shareholders are not entitled to any dividends paid by GLD.

    There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment.

    About Defiance ETFs
    Founded in 2018, Defiance is at the forefront of ETF innovation. Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs.

    Important Disclosures

    GLDY Disclosure: Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

    Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.

    The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectuses can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    GLD is an exchange-traded product (“ETP”) that generally seeks to replicate the performance of the price of gold bullion. GLD is not subject to the protections of the1940 Act; however, the Fund and its shareholders are subject to the protections of the 1940 Act.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs and ETPs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. If the Fund cannot find a clearing member to transact with on the Fund’s behalf, the Fund may be unable to effectively implement its investment strategy.

    GLD Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of GLD. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of GLD, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in options contracts that are based on the value of GLD, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
    GLD Trading Risk. An investment in GLD is subject to substantial risks, in particular risks associated with investing in the gold market. GLD is subject to market fluctuations influenced by large-scale gold sales, especially during economic crises, which can adversely impact gold prices and, in turn, the investment value of the Shares.
    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of in-the-money put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the Underlying ETP over the Call Period (typically, one week, but may range from one day to a month). This means that if the Underlying ETP experiences an increase in value above the strike price of the sold put options during a Call Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and may significantly underperform the Underlying ETP over the Call Period.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

    None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the Index. THE FUND, TRUST, ADVISER, AND SUB-ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH, NOR ENDORSED BY, THE INDEX.

    New Fund Risk: The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    No 1940 Act Protections: The Underlying ETP is not an investment company subject to the 1940 Act. Accordingly, investors in the Underlying ETP do not have the protections expressly provided by that statute.

    An Investment in the Fund is not an investment in GLD, nor in gold bullion.

    Diversification does not ensure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.

    Commissions may be charged on trades.

    Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    David Hanono
    info@defianceetfs.com
    833.333.9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc837cb4-3fe0-4e7a-9928-d88f19d2e1a6

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Wins Nine Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews Awards, Hitting a Record High

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Wins Nine Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews Awards, Hitting a Record High

    [Shenzhen, China, April 2, 2025] On April 1, Lightwave, a world-renowned telecom media, presented its Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews winners. Huawei won nine awards with its OptiXtrans DC908 Pro, C+L Dual-band WSS module, OptiXtrans DX808, OptiXtrans E9600/6600 series, OptiX OSN 9800 K36, 50G PON solution, Premium Broadband solution, FTTR-B solution, and FTTO solution. This was Huawei’s highest number of Lightwave Reviews honors and also the most of any vendor this year, demonstrating the company’s technical leadership in the optical network field.
    Huawei Wins Nine Lightwave Innovation Reviews Awards

    Lightwave has been organizing and presenting the annual Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews awards in optical communications for many years. The panel of judges consists of carriers, analysts, communications vendors, media, engineers, and researchers from universities. It is one of the most influential technical awards for the optical networks sector. Huawei’s nine honor-winning products and their categories are as follows:
    Huawei OptiXtrans DC908 Pro Won the DCI Platforms award
    DC908 Pro implements ultra-broadband, simplified, and intelligent all-optical interconnection between distributed data centers. The single-wavelength rate reaches up to 2 Tbps, and the single-fiber capacity reaches 96 Tbps. The innovative Storage + Optical Connection Coordination (SOCC) optimizes the protection performance from the aspects of storage I/O links and optical links, thereby greatly slashing the exception duration of financial transactions.
    Huawei C+L Dual-band WSS Module Won the Optical Components award
    The C+L-band integrated wavelength selective switch (WSS) can groom 240 wavelengths in C band and L band in any direction within one single module, doubling the module integration and grooming capability. OXC using C+L WSS can provide an optical-layer grooming capability greater than 3 Pbps.
    Huawei OptiXtrans DX808 Won the Optical Subsystems award
    OptiXtrans DX808 is an industry-leading all-optical switch used in data centers. It introduces the all-optical cross-connect (OXC) technology to data center networks (DCNs) and supports 256 x 256 non-blocking all-optical switching. The power consumption of the entire system is lower than 300 W. It also supports inter-generational reuse of DCNs at intelligent computing centers, increasing the network scale and efficiency of intelligent computing clusters.
    Huawei OptiXtrans E9600/E6600 Series Won the Optical Transport Systems award
    OptiXtrans E9600/6600 series is the industry’s first product that supports fgOTN. Designed for private production networks in industries such as electric power and transportation, it supports one network to carry different services, 10M to 100G+ elastic bandwidth, and 99.9999% ultra-high reliability, meeting deterministic computing requirements in the AI era.
    Huawei OptiX OSN 9800 K36 Won the Optical Transport Systems award
    OSN 9800 K36 is the industry’s first OTN platform for the AI era, with a single-subrack capacity of 100T, ultra-high energy efficiency, and super intelligent enabling network reliability of 99.9999%. At the recently held MWC25, the latest K12 platform with a smaller size was released, and the new hitless switching technology is introduced to improve the intelligent computing collaboration efficiency.
    Huawei 50G PON Solution Won the FTTH/Optical Access Platforms award
    Based on the MA5800T series products, the industry’s first commercial 50G PON solution supports high-density deployment of 8-port/16-port symmetric/asymmetric triple-mode 50G PON. It also supports smooth upgrade without changing existing ODNs.
    Huawei Premium Broadband Solution Won the Monitoring & Analysis award
    Premium Broadband Solution provides visible and manageable home broadband experience, and introduces AI technologies to build “HBB(Home Broadband) Agent”. It proactively identifies experience issues and performs intelligent optimization to reduce the user churn rate. For user complaints, the solution supports remote fault locating and fast handling, cutting OPEX.
    Huawei FTTR-B Solution Won the Wi-Fi Solutions award
    FTTR-B Solution supports all-optical 2000 Mbps Wi-Fi networking, ensuring committed experience for users. It supports ultra-large concurrency, guaranteeing 300 users to work at the same time. In addition, its dynamic antenna provides 100% coverage without blind spots, while its simplified O&M achieves self-service for users.
    Huawei FTTO Solution Won the Wi-Fi Solutions award
    FTTO solution has been put into commercial use in over 10,000 campuses in education, healthcare, and hotel scenarios, efficiently supporting local AI deployment in campuses. Computing is boosted with optical technologies, achieving 50G to rooms and 10G to APs, and providing higher bandwidth, more connections, and AI-based dynamic energy saving. In addition, direct fiber connection to APs supports Seamless Roaming Coordinated Network, making the solution the new normal for campuses in the AI era.
    Lightwave+BTR Editor-In-Chief Sean Buckley expressed congratulations, stating: “On behalf of the Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews, I would like to congratulate Huawei on achieving 9 well-deserved level honoree status. Lightwave+BTR showcases and applauds the most innovative products, projects, technologies, and programs that significantly impact the industry through this program, and it’s well-deserved that Huawei won these nine honoree reviews.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster Council invests £1.3m to improving Pimlico | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council has approved more than £1.3 million for a new programme which will deliver improvements across Pimlico.

    The new funding will be used to support and strengthen our local communities, as well as allowing us to develop long-term improvement plans for the area.

    Headline announcements for the Pimlico Programme include:

    • £1million to extend our High Streets Programme for Pimlico – this aims to create safe, sustainable, welcoming places, a vibrant local economy and connected communities. This funding will be used to develop a long-term improvement plan for Lupus street and areas around the station. We will speak to residents, visitors and local businesses to develop the plan.
    • £200,000 for the Community Priorities Programme – this provides grant funding for community-led work to support the health and wellbeing of residents, such as counselling for carers, housing advice workshops, and stay and play activities for parents and children. 
    • £50,000 for Digital Dash – provides training opportunities for local talent, bridging the gap between education and work, helping young residents access opportunities with global tech leading businesses.
    • £35,000 for Helping Hands – the Young Westminster Foundation programme providing funding and support to those members of the community who are affected by youth violence.   
    • £24,000 for Green After School Clubs at Churchill Gardens – gives residents the chance to grow food and to learn about air quality and climate change. 
    • Pimlico businesses will also benefit from new support programmes, following the approval of additional funding for high streets across Westminster.

    Westminster City Council Cabinet Member Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Geoff Barraclough, said:

    “We’re investing in high streets and local areas to become more sustainable, resilient and enrich the local community, which is part of our Fairer Westminster commitments.

    “I’m really pleased the funding will be used to make Pimlico even more welcoming to residents, visitors and businesses and help community groups to continue to deliver their excellent and important services.”               

    Westminster City Council’s Pimlico Programme Lead Member, Cllr Jason Williams, said:

    “We’ve worked with local people and community groups in Pimlico to find out about any issues they have and how we can tackle them through our improvement plan. 

    “We want to see Pimlico progress and improve outcomes and opportunities for local people by developing welcoming spaces, enhancing the appearance of Lupus Street the high street and supporting local organisations.”

    Maggie Harper, Coordinator from Pimlico Toy Library, said:

    “I am thrilled to see the approval of this local government fund, a testament to the open and proactive partnership between our Community and Westminster City Council. Through transparent communication and a shared vision, we’ve worked together to develop a program that will make a meaningful impact in Pimlico.

    “I am excited to see the positive changes it will bring and look forward to continuing this strong collaboration.”

    The Council carried out engagement with residents by hosting the Pimlico Community Conversations, which asked the local community how the Council can support improving and rejuvenating their local area.

    From these conversations, the community’s highest priorities were:  

    1. Community Activities, Events and Spaces 
    1. Crime and Safety 
    1. Housing 
    1. Children and Young People 
    1. Green and Resilient 

    Suggestions were also raised about a number of locations that could be improved – especially Lupus Street and the areas around Pimlico Station. The community asked for improvement to also include support for local businesses.

    The £1.3 million fund is in addition to other ongoing investment across Pimlico which includes plans for a new Community Hub on Rampayne Street, the Warwick Way Highways Scheme, improvements to Pimlico Gardens and increased CCTV for the area.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Getting the basics right for transport and environment in the Capital

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson.

    Writing in today’s Evening News, Transport and Environment Convener Stephen Jenkinson looks ahead to another busy Transport and Environment Committee meeting tomorrow.

    In my time as an elected member the concern which comes up time and again in my conversations with residents is our roads. We’ve been told in no uncertain terms that the people of Edinburgh want continued work and investment in our network and that’s what I’m committed to delivering. Road safety also goes hand in hand with road condition and investment, better maintained roads equal safer roads.

    We have two important reports to consider at Committee which address these key issues. Our Road Safety Delivery Plan combined with our Roads and Infrastructure Investment -Capital Delivery Priorities will see over £30m invested across our city in the next financial year. These works cover everything from major projects like the Dalmahoy Junction, through to carriageway resurfacing and maintaining our pavements, speed reduction measures, accident and investigation prevention, safer travel around our schools and much more.

    For roads, pavement and paths improvements, this is an area we’ve committed extra funding to in successive budgets, with £11m in 2023/24, £12.5m in 2024/25 and £12.5m this year. As a result, last year, we saw a record 460,000m² of carriageways receiving treatment and I’m hopeful we’ll see similar results this year. We’ll also be looking to build on our promising Road Condition Indicator (RCI) score, which saw a record positive shift last year.

    This is far from the only area we are making significant investments. In February I was lucky enough to visit Bankhead Depot to meet colleagues and see our new fleet of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) with enhanced safety features. We’ve invested over £25m in these HGVs along with our welfare buses for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and I’m confident that we now have the most advanced local authority fleet in Scotland when it comes to safety features. Our residents can take comfort in the fact that safety is at the heart of delivering our core services.     

    Another important project which we’ll hear about at Committee is the King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvements which intersects with the Meadows to Union Canal active travel project. Working collaboratively with the King’s Theatre refurbishment team, our aim is to incorporate a new walking, wheeling and cycling route that aligns with existing plans that were in development to avoid the need for future works to be carried out. From enhancing accessibility through step free access, increasing pavement areas for those walking and wheeling, and introducing contraflow cycling arrangements, there are a host of positive proposals which have now been shared with Tollcross Community Council, ward councillors and other project stakeholders. This is an excellent example of working together with a large-scale development to create the best outcome for the people of our city.

    Finally, there was some welcome news last week which saw the roads on North Bridge reopening slightly ahead of schedule, with footways to fully reopen later in the year. This temporary closure to northbound traffic was due to essential resurfacing works which began in February. We’re now getting towards the final phase of the project which is hugely promising for the city.

    I’m aware there is much still to be done, however I’m confident that we’re on the right track for delivering the changes which our city deserves.  

    Published: April 2nd 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool and Dublin reignite twin city agreement

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool and Dublin have begun the process of reinvigorating their twinning agreement.

    A sister city arrangement was signed back in 1997 as a mark of the long and shared history between the two.

    Now, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, has visited Liverpool to meet with her counterpart Cllr Richard Kemp, Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, and Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram.

    They have discussed mutually beneficial ways in which the two cities can work together in areas such as culture, tourism and the wider economy.

    Councillor Robinson said: “Here in Liverpool, 75% of us have some form of Irish heritage, so it was brilliant to welcome the Lord Mayor of Dublin, so we could talk about how we reinvigorate our partnership.

    “We have a great opportunity to work together post-Brexit, and focus on some of the economic links that we share as two cities and how we can strengthen that over the years ahead.”

    Lord Mayor Blain said: “It is my immense pride and pleasure to visit the city of Liverpool to reactivate the twinning agreement between Dublin and Liverpool.

    “Our two cities have long shared a much cherished connection and I hope that this visit will help strengthen those bonds.

    “Dublin and Liverpool have strong historic cultural, social and economic connections which extend across all aspects of Liverpool’s renowned reputation for music and arts, commerce and industry, sport and education.

    “I am looking forward to visiting the University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory and Institute of Irish Studies as part of my visit, and wish to thank them for hosting us.

    “Like many Dubliners, I have a family connection to the City of Liverpool, it is a place I have visited many times and am always struck by the warmth and welcoming of the people. I hope that my visit will be seen as a reciprocation of this warmth and welcoming from the people of Dublin.

    “My sincere thanks to The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp CBE, and to the Leader of Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson, for their gracious invitation and their eagerness to develop this connection even further.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom