NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Russia: Anti-war activist Maria Ponomarenko’s prison sentence extended in escalating repression

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Reacting to the Shipunovsky District Court ruling to extend the six-year sentence of Maria Ponomarenko, Russian journalist and anti-war activist, for speaking out against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director, said:

    “The Russian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Maria Ponomarenko. Sentencing her to six years imprisonment for merely speaking out against the war, condemning the Russian bombing of the drama theatre in Mariupol, and mourning the loss of innocent lives was already unconscionable. Extending that sentence under spurious charges of attacking two guards – clearly a smokescreen to punish her for not changing her views and for standing up for justice – represents a new low in the authorities’ treatment of Maria.”

    Extending that sentence under spurious charges of attacking two guards – clearly a smokescreen to punish her for not changing her views and for standing up for justice – represents a new low in the authorities’ treatment of Maria

    Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director

    “Since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian authorities have routinely and brazenly used tactics to silence dissent, using spurious charges to imprison critics on politically motivated grounds. The Russian authorities must stop the war against Ukraine, stop the repression of their own people, repeal the ‘war censorship’ legislation and release all those imprisoned under it.”

    Background

    On 27 March, the Shipunovsky District Court granted an additional one year and 10 months to Maria Ponomarenko and ordered her to undergo outpatient psychiatric treatment upon her release. Taking into account the partial concurrence of sentences, the 22-month sentence will not be automatically added to Maria Ponomarenko’s previous term of imprisonment, meaning her combined prison term is less than seven years and 10 months.

    Maria Ponomarenko is a journalist with the online RusNews media and an activist from Barnaul, Altai Krai. On 15 February 2023, she was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code (“disseminating knowingly false information about the Russian Armed Forces”). The charges stemmed from her social media post about the bombing of the drama theatre in Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians were reportedly sheltering.

    She is serving her term in penal colony IK-6, in Shipunovo, a village 175 km from Barnaul. Throughout her imprisonment, she has faced ill-treatment, including solitary confinement in a punishment cell (SHIZO) – a harsh, cramped and isolating detention unit used to break prisoners’ spirits through severe restrictions and deprivation – where she had been placed multiple times on spurious grounds, and denied adequate health care, including for her deteriorating mental health.

    In November 2023, just months after Maria Ponomarenko’s transfer to IK-6, the authorities initiated another criminal case against her. This time it was under Article 321(2) of the Russian Criminal Code, for allegedly attacking two male penal colony officers, charges she firmly denies. Her additional criminal prosecution continues the trend whereby the Russian authorities impose additional penitentiary sanctions on those who are imprisoned on politically motivated charges, as the case of Aleksei Gorinov, another powerful anti-war voice, demonstrates.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Serbia: BIRN journalists targeted with Pegasus spyware 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Two journalists from Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), an award-winning Serbian network of investigative journalists, were targeted with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware last month, a new Amnesty International investigation reveals.   

    Journalists Bogdana (not her real name) and Jelena Veljkovic received suspicious messages on the Viber messaging app from an unknown Serbian number linked to Telekom Srbija, the state-telecommunications operator. 

    Suspecting that their smartphones were being targeted by a spyware attack, they approached Amnesty International’s Security Lab, whose forensic analysis confirmed their suspicions.  

    “We discovered that the text messages contained hyperlinks to a Serbian language domain name which we have determined with high confidence to be associated with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware,   

    Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, the Head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab.

    This is the third time in two years that Amnesty International’s Security Lab has found NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware being used against civil society in Serbia. In November 2023, Amnesty International, Access Now, SHARE Foundation and Citizen Lab documented how two Serbian civil society members where targeted by a zero-click spyware attack, which Amnesty International later attributed as Pegasus attack attempts.   

    On 14 February 2025, Bogdana received a message on Viber with a link to a news article and a message asking: “Do you have info that he is next? I heard something completely different.” 

    At the time she was working on an article about foreign investments and state-linked corruption cases. The previous day she had met sources for her story including individuals close to the government. 

    Bogdana did not click the Pegasus infection link, and a forensic analysis of her device did not indicate that Pegasus spyware had been installed on her phone. Amnesty International’s Security Lab later found that, if clicked, the infection link redirected to a decoy page on a Serbian media website, a technique previously seen in a Pegasus attempt targeting a Serbian protest leader in July 2023. 

    NSO Group stated in a letter to Amnesty International that “all sales of our systems are to vetted government end-users”. Amnesty International believes that the continued use of Serbian language Pegasus infection domain names, and the targeting of Serbian civil society with a consistent methodology are indicative of these attacks being carried out by a Serbian state entity.  

    Bogdana said: “When I found out that the link on my phone was Pegasus, I was absolutely furious. This was the phone registered to my name, and I felt as if I had an intruder in my own home. This is an unnerving feeling…. I was extremely concerned about my sources who could be at risk because they communicated with me.” 

    Jelena Veljkovic received a similar Viber message to the one sent to Bogdana from the same Serbian phone number on 14 February and deleted it without clicking it. Amnesty International concluded that, based on the nature of the attempt, this was also a Pegasus 1-click infection attempt. 1-click attacks require action from the target to enable the infection of their device, typically the opening of a malicious link. 

    “When I found out that I was a target of a Pegasus attack, I was not particularly scared but found it quite unsettling. This was my private telephone, which I also use for work, and a virus like Pegasus, which is not selective at all and can access everything on one’s phone, can have repercussions on my family too. 

    “This was a targeted attack on investigative journalists – a form of pressure and a warning. Whether it was an attack on me personally or on BIRN, as a media outlet, I am not sure,  

    Jelena. 

    BIRN and its staff face frequent threats, harassment and Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs), including by senior government officials, for their investigative journalism. Currently it is fighting four SLAPP suits, mostly filed by public officials, including the current mayor of Belgrade, or others with known links to the authorities. 

    Amnesty International shared its findings with NSO Group who responded saying: “We cannot comment on specific existing or past customers. Additionally, as a matter of policy, we are unable to disclose any information regarding our technical specifications, functionality or operational features of our products.” 

    Repeated attempts to engage the Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA, Bezbednosno-informativna Agencija) were unanswered. 

    These findings provide further evidence that Serbian authorities are abusing highly invasive spyware products and other digital surveillance technologies to target journalists, activists, and other members of civil society amid widespread student protests that have gripped the country since November 2024.  

    Serbian authorities must stop using highly invasive spyware and provide effective remedy to victims of unlawful targeted surveillance and hold those responsible for the violations to account. NSO Group must stop selling Pegasus and the use of its products in Serbia. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Russia: Anti-war activist Maria Ponomarenko’s prison sentence extended ‘under spurious charges’

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In 2023, Maria was sentenced to six years in prison for speaking out against the war in Ukraine

    An additional one year and 10 months has been added to Maria’s prison sentence

    Maria has faced ill-treatment including solitary confinement

    Extending the sentence is ‘clearly a smokescreen to punish her for not changing her views and for standing up for justice’ – Natalia Zviagina

    Reacting to the Shipunovsky District Court ruling to extend Russian journalist and anti-war activist Maria Ponomarenko’s six-year sentence, for speaking out against Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director, said:

    “The Russian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Maria Ponomarenko.

    “Sentencing Maria to six years imprisonment for merely speaking out against the war, condemning the Russian bombing of the theatre in Mariupol and mourning the loss of innocent lives was already unconscionable. Extending that sentence under spurious charges of attacking two guards – clearly a smokescreen to punish her for not changing her views and for standing up for justice – represents a new low in the authorities’ treatment of Maria.

    “Since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian authorities have routinely and brazenly used tactics to silence dissent, using false charges to imprison critics on politically motivated grounds. The Russian authorities must stop the war against Ukraine, stop the repression of their own people, repeal the ‘war censorship’ legislation and release all those imprisoned under it.”

    Jailed for highlighting Mariupol killings

    On 27 March, the Shipunovsky District Court added a further one year and 10 months to Maria Ponomarenko’s sentence bringing up to nearly eight years and ordered her to undergo outpatient psychiatric treatment upon her release.

    Maria Ponomarenko is a journalist with the online RusNews media and an activist from Barnaul, Altai Krai. On 15 February 2023, she was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code (“disseminating knowingly false information about the Russian Armed Forces”). The charges stemmed from her social media post about the bombing of the theatre in Mariupol, where hundreds of civilians were reportedly sheltering.

    She is serving her term in penal colony IK-6, in Shipunovo, a village 175 km from Barnaul. Throughout her imprisonment, she has faced ill-treatment, including solitary confinement in a punishment cell, a harsh, cramped and isolating detention unit used to break prisoners’ spirits through severe restrictions and deprivation – where she had been sent multiple times on false grounds, and denied adequate health care, including for her deteriorating mental health.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: It is planned to allocate about 5 billion rubles to the creation of domestic veterinary drugs by 2030

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke at a meeting of the final board of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The event summed up the work for the past year and outlined future plans.

    “Over 20 years of operation, the federal service has managed to create an effective system for protecting Russia from biological threats. At the same time, the President set a goal for the agro-industrial complex to increase production volumes by a quarter and increase exports by one and a half times by 2030. We must also ensure agricultural sovereignty. The entire industry is focused on fulfilling these guidelines – in particular, the Government has approved a new national project “Technological Support for Food Security”. It is important that the growth of production volumes is inextricably linked with control over the production process and quality,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that, despite the tense situation related to animal diseases around the world, the epizootic situation in Russia is stable. Rosselkhoznadzor specialists are conducting preventive measures at production facilities, examining livestock for diseases, marking, recording and vaccinating animals.

    Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that the Russian Government supports the creation of domestic drugs for veterinary use. It is planned to allocate about 5 billion rubles to the corresponding federal project of the new national project “Technological Support for Food Security” until 2030.

    “Rosselkhoznadzor has a strong scientific base. For example, the Federal Center for Animal Welfare has been developing vaccines for several years. In 2024 alone, 14 new drugs for the prevention of diseases in cattle, poultry and pets appeared on its platform,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    In 2025, a new function for prescription dispensing of veterinary drugs was introduced into the veterinary information system, which will improve the traceability of antibiotic use and strengthen control over the prescription of appropriate treatment to animals.

    In terms of supervision over the proper use of agricultural land, Dmitry Patrushev reported that in 2024 alone, due to the implementation of relevant measures, more than 330 thousand hectares were additionally returned to circulation. And in five years – already almost 1.5 million hectares of land. In the area of supervision over the proper use of pesticides and agrochemicals, according to the results of monitoring in 2024, the federal service identified about 300 violations of the rules for handling pesticides.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Russia has established one of the world’s best practices of control and supervision activities in the agricultural industry. Modern technologies provide great assistance to Rosselkhoznadzor. The introduction of information systems, among other things, helps reduce the volume of counterfeit goods on the market.

    Dmitry Patrushev noted that in 2024 Russia retained its status as a net food exporter.

    “Last year, the volume of crop products sent for export exceeded 87 million tons, which is 2.6 million tons more than the year before. I would like to separately note the growth in Russian grain supplies to the markets of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Shipments of processed grain products have also increased. In 2024, exports in this segment increased by almost 20% and exceeded 3 million tons. External supplies in the livestock sector also increased. Exports of meat products increased by almost a third, and dairy products by 18%. This was also facilitated by the work to open new markets. Thus, last year, permission was received to enter 16 countries for 58 types of livestock products,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    Dmitry Patrushev called on the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and Rosselkhoznadzor to continue dialogue with foreign partners to expand the opportunities of domestic exporters.

    In conclusion of his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of developing the analytical component of information systems used in the industry and integrating them with the platforms of the relevant ministry, as well as building more complex mechanisms for detecting violations by Rosselkhoznadzor. Such consolidated work of the agencies will allow our country to continue to develop and achieve high results.

    During the meeting, Dmitry Patrushev also presented state awards to employees of Rosselkhoznadzor for their services in the field of agriculture and many years of conscientious work.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov presented the Government prizes in the field of quality

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov presented the Government awards in the field of quality.

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov awarded the winners of the 2024 government quality award. The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov, head of Roskachestvo Maxim Protasov, head of Rosstandart Anton Shalaev, as well as leading experts of the award and representatives of Roskachestvo.

    “We need to expand the perimeter of companies that are ready to set ambitious goals for themselves. This is the approach that is needed for the successful implementation of national projects, for strengthening our resource, scientific, technological and production potential, as well as for solving the problems of developing human capital,” Denis Manturov noted.

    The winners of the 2024 Government Quality Award were 12 organizations from the following constituent entities of the Russian Federation:

    · Republic of Bashkortostan, Ufa;

    · Sverdlovsk region, Yekaterinburg;

    · Chelyabinsk region, Trekhgorny city;

    · Novosibirsk region, Novosibirsk city;

    · Nizhny Novgorod region, Nizhny Novgorod city;

    · Kemerovo region – Kuzbass, Kemerovo city;

    · Chelyabinsk region, Miass;

    · Leningrad region, Kingisepp district, industrial zone “Phosphorit”;

    · Tula region, Tula urban district, Inshinsky settlement;

    · Moscow;

    · Saint Petersburg.

    Applications for the 2024 competition were submitted by enterprises from 70 regions. The most active participating regions include Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tula and Sverdlovsk regions. The winners represent the following industries:

    · healthcare;

    · medical industry;

    · education;

    · automotive industry;

    · oil refining industry;

    · mining and coal industry;

    · chemical industry;

    · metallurgy.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 03/27/2025, 14-46 (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range of market risk assessment for the security RU000A0JVWB3 (RSHB BO9) were changed.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    03/27/2025

    14:46

    In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of Moscow Exchange PJSC by NCO NCC (JSC) on March 27, 2025, 14:46 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 107.66) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1170.34 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 12.5%) of the security RU000A0JVWB3 (RSHB BO9) were changed.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: State funding distributed to leading engineering schools of the second wave

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Universities participating in the second wave of the Advanced Engineering Schools project reported on the work done over the year. All 20 schools created at the end of 2023 remained in the project. Based on the results of their defenses, they will receive funding from the federal budget in the amount of more than 4 billion rubles.

    “Advanced engineering schools, in close cooperation with partner companies, make an important contribution to the training of highly qualified engineering personnel and the creation of developments to achieve technological leadership – the national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. In our country, the development of advanced engineering schools is carried out within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”. In total, there are currently 50 advanced engineering schools in 23 regions. By 2030, on the instructions of the head of state, their number should be increased to 100. Based on the results of the defenses, 20 Russian universities, on the basis of which advanced engineering schools were opened, will receive more than 4 billion rubles in 2025,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The head of the Ministry of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, noted that the project “Advanced Engineering Schools” found a great response from representatives of the real sector of the economy.

    “If at the start of the implementation of our flagship project, the schools had about 80 industrial partners, now their number has increased by 3.5 times – now there are more than 280. Among the partners of advanced schools in different regions of the country are such large companies as, for example, Rosatom, Roscosmos, Rostec, Sibur Holding, Gazprom Neft. It is important that business does not just finance the development programs of advanced engineering schools, it participates in the development of educational programs, organizes internships for students, sends specialists as mentors to universities and facilitates the employment of students,” the minister emphasized.

    In 2024, leading engineering schools managed to attract 1.2 rubles from extra-budgetary sources for every budget ruble. This year, schools plan to raise the bar.

    The reports on the implementation of the development programs of the PIS are assessed by the Council for the Review of Issues and Coordination of Activities of Advanced Engineering Schools according to a number of criteria, including the ambitiousness of the goals and the results of their implementation (including compliance with the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of Russia), work with high-tech companies and the amount of funds that enterprises have invested in the school.

    Participants of the Advanced Engineering Schools project of the second selection wave are divided into three groups. Thus, schools from the first group have been allocated 311.8 million rubles for 2025. Participants of the second group – 210.1 million rubles. The third group – 88.1 million rubles.

    The first group consists of:

    — National Research University “Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology”,

    — Almetyevsk State Technological University “Higher School of Oil”,

    — Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev – KAI,

    — MIREA – Russian Technological University,

    — Rybinsk State Aviation Technical University named after P.A.Soloviev.

    Composition of the second group:

    — South Ural State University (National Research University),

    — Togliatti State University,

    — Saint Petersburg State University,

    — Grozny State Oil Technical University named after Academician M.D. Millionshchikov,

    — Tula State University,

    — Russian University of Transport,

    — Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin),

    — Ulyanovsk State University,

    — Moscow State University named after. M.V. Lomonosov,

    — Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State University of Railway Engineering.

    Composition of the third group:

    — Cherepovets State University,

    — Sakhalin State University,

    — Voronezh State University,

    — Omsk State Technical University,

    — Moscow State Technological University “Stankin”.

    The first wave (30 PISs created in 2022) will report on their activities in April and continue to operate using funds from industrial partners.

    The Advanced Engineering Schools project was developed by the Ministry of Education and Science as one of 42 strategic initiatives approved by the Government and was part of the state program “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”. As part of the implementation of the Decree of the President of Russia dated May 7, 2024 No. 309 “On the national development goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 and for the future up to 2036”, since 2025 the continuity of the activities of the PISH project was ensured by including them in the federal project “Universities for the Generation of Leaders” of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    The goal of the project is to train highly qualified engineering personnel capable of ensuring the country’s achievement of technological sovereignty.

    In 2024, 6,000 people studied in 50 advanced engineering schools, more than 1,500 students completed practical training and internships, more than 13,500 engineers and more than 14,000 teachers improved their qualifications. More than 1,200 new educational programs for advanced training of engineering personnel were developed, more than 400 special educational spaces equipped with modern equipment were created. 81 thousand schoolchildren took part in the activities of the PISH.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why Muslims often don’t celebrate Eid on the same day – even within one country

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zuleyha Keskin, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Charles Sturt University

    Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    Eid is a special time for Muslims. There are two major Eid celebrations each year: Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and Eid al-Adha is connected to the dates of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

    Eid, which means “festival” or “feast” in Arabic, is a celebratory occasion for more than one billion Muslims worldwide. However, in some countries, especially multicultural ones like Australia, Muslims don’t always celebrate Eid on the same day. Here’s why.

    Worshippers pray outside the Taj Mahal on Eid al-Fitr. Muslim emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum in 1631 to hold his wife’s tomb.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    Eid comes 10-12 days earlier each year

    Beyond different groups celebrating on different days, the timing of Eid celebrations also shift as a whole each year. That’s because Islam follows the lunar calendar, based on the moon’s cycles – unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the sun.

    As such, dates on the Islamic calendar come 10–12 days earlier each year. This means the dates of both Eids also move about 11 days forward each year.

    In terms of the Islamic calendar:

    • Eid al-Fitr happens on the 1st of the month of Shawwal (the 10th month), which comes right after the month of Ramadan.
    • Eid al-Adha happens on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (the 12th month), during Hajj.

    What about local discrepancies?

    Since Islam follows the lunar calendar, determining the start of each Islamic month, and the dates of both Eids, requires sighting the new crescent moon, which comes directly after the new moon (the phase in which the moon is invisible).

    But there are different methods for doing this, and different scholarly interpretations regarding what method is best. These variations are the reason one group in a community might celebrate on a Sunday, while others may celebrate on a Monday.

    The Islamic month of Ramadan lasts 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Moon sighting approaches can vary between countries, communities and even households.
    Shutterstock

    Some Muslims believe each country should rely on its own local moon sighting.

    This means if the new crescent moon is visible in neighbouring countries, but not in Australia (such as if it’s hidden behind clouds), then Australia should celebrate a day after its neighbours. The organisation Moonsighting Australia follows this method, only declaring Eid when the moon is seen locally.

    However, others argue if the moon has been sighted anywhere in the world, it should be accepted by all Muslims as the start of the new Islamic month. Some Muslims in Australia opt for this “global moon sighting” approach, following Saudi Arabia’s Eid announcement even when the moon is not sighted locally.

    As far back as the early centuries AD, people in the Arab world used astrolabes to survey the skies. This instrument belonged to Yemeni sultan, mathematician and astronomer Al-Ashraf Umar II (circa 1242-1296).
    Metropolitan Museum of Art

    Apart from the question of where the crescent moon is sighted, there are also different views over how it should be sighted. Many scholars believe in physically sighting it with the eyes, as was practised during the time of Prophet Muhammad.

    But some Muslim countries, such as in Turkey and parts of Europe, use astronomical calculations to predict the new moon’s birth. This allows them to pre-set the date of Eid months, or even years, in advance.

    Australia versus majority-Muslim countries

    In Muslim-majority countries, deciding the day of Eid happens at a government level.

    For example, in Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court officially declares the date based on moon sighting reports. This decision sets the timing for Eid prayers and public holidays for the entire nation, allowing for unified celebrations across the country.

    But Muslims in Australia come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and hold varying views regarding how the moon should be sighted. Some may follow the Eid announcement from their country of origin. Others may rely on local announcements, or on dates set by peak bodies such as the Australian National Imams Council.

    One 2023 report published by the ISRA Academy surveyed more than 5,500 Muslims in Australia to understand how they determined the date of Eid.

    The findings reveal notable differences across communities. Respondents from the Arab community were almost evenly split between following their local mosque (28.5%) and the Australian National Imams Council (28.0%), with a slightly lower percentage (23.9%) following Moonsighting Australia. Only 0.6% followed their country of origin.

    Among the Turkish community, 16.1% followed their country of origin, while the largest proportion (28.5%) relied on a local mosque or Islamic organisation. But given Turkish mosques tend to follow Turkey’s state religious institution, Diyanet, most Australian Turks (44.6%) ultimately align with Turkey’s decision on Eid.

    Of the others, 18.8% followed Moonsighting Australia and 14.6% following the national imams’ council.

    In the African Muslim community, 48.4% followed Moonsighting Australia, while 32.8% relied on a local mosque, and 11.7% on the imams’ council.

    Eid celebrations will keep evolving

    While celebrating Eid on different days may seem divisive and fragmenting, there are positive aspects to this.

    For one thing, it means Australian Muslims actively seek out information from various religious authorities. This reflects a high level of public engagement in religious decisions – rather than following blindly.

    The strong influence of organisations such as the Australian National Imams Council and Moonsighting Australia also suggests local religious institutions are a trusted source for guidance.

    Moreover, the high percentage of Muslims now following Moonsighting Australia indicates a trend towards a localised determination of Eid. And this trend will likely become stronger with the emergence of third- and fourth- generation Australian Muslims who are less connected with their ancestral homelands.

    Only time will tell whether most Australian Muslims will eventually celebrate Eid on the same day. In the meantime, families and communities continue to navigate these differences with understanding and respect.

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

    – ref. Why Muslims often don’t celebrate Eid on the same day – even within one country – https://theconversation.com/why-muslims-often-dont-celebrate-eid-on-the-same-day-even-within-one-country-248227

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 200,000 Truckloads of Debris Removed from a County in Georgia Recovering from Helene

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    With more than 1.1 million cubic yards of debris left in Bacon County, Georgia, after Hurricane Helene, the community is recognizing an important milestone in recovery as debris removal operations near the finish line. FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funds and coordinates alongside our state and county partners to remove widespread debris after disasters.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1abqD2KNcmU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on Trump Administration Gutting HHS by Cutting Nearly Quarter of Workforce, Abruptly Canceling Funding for New Mexico State Health Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Trump Administration Guts HHS by Eliminating Nearly 25% of Workforce, Cuts Over $12 Billion in Federal Grants to Fund Infectious Disease Management and Other Critical Health Services Nationwide Amid Measles Outbreak

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the Trump administration that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is illegally gutting the agency including cutting nearly a quarter of its workforce and eliminating critical subagencies. This is in addition to yesterday’s announcement that more than $12 billion in federal grants to states to support tracking infectious diseases, mental health services, addiction treatment, and other critical health issues have been abruptly canceled.

    “Amid a nationwide measles outbreak, with bird flu spreading worldwide, and as a significant number of Americans face a substance use or mental health conditions, now is not the time to fire our nation’s health workers, ravage our nation’s top health agency, and cut critical resources that support state health services.

    “The Trump administration is blindly taking an axe to the agency responsible for our nation’s public health. When our nation should be working to boost public health, the Trump administration is firing thousands of dedicated health workers who respond to disease outbreaks, oversee scientific research, and strengthen public health. Eliminating nearly a quarter of HHS will not make Americans healthier.

    “Not only is the Trump administration dismantling HHS, but they are also abruptly canceling more than $12 billion in approved federal grants for state health services nationwide, which is a direct attack on our nation’s public health. As the New Mexico Department of Health combats a measles outbreak and fights the opioid crisis, these federal funds – which Congress approved – are meant to help them track infectious diseases, get New Mexicans the substance use support services they need, and boost our state’s public health.”

    These mass firings and abrupt cuts come as a total of 378 confirmed measles cases have been reported by 18 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. In New Mexico, a total of 43 cases have been reported in Lea and Eddy Counties, and one unvaccinated individual has died.

    Senator Luján has repeatedly demanded action from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to contain the measles outbreak. Secretary Kennedy has failed to respond.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call goes out for new Highland Youth Convener 2025-2026

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Young people of the Highlands are being invited to put themselves forward as the recruitment search begins for the unique, representative role of Highlands’ next Youth Convener.

    Created in 2007 by The Highland Council, the 12-month full-time position of Highland Youth Convener continues to be instrumental in championing the causes of young people across the Highlands.

    The Youth Convener will attend The Highland Council’s Education Committee, they will also work with The Highland Council’s Youth Service team in shaping the work of the Highland Youth Parliament as well as contributing to other initiatives that increase youth involvement, and influence decisions which may impact young people.

    Current Youth Convener, Lauren McKittrick explains: “The Highland Youth Convener role is as important as it is unique. It creates a vital and direct relationship between young people in the Highlands and those who have the ability to make change. To engage with the Highlands’ young people and represent their interests to senior officials and community planning partners offers a great deal of satisfaction, and I would encourage any enthusiastic young person who seeks to champion the voice of young people to take up this opportunity.”

    Assistant Chief Executive – People, Kate Lackie said: “The role provides an outstanding opportunity for someone to be a full-time face, voice and influencer. The Youth Convenor creates links between young people services and service-providers; and plays a pivotal role in connecting those very important local youth voices on the issues that matter in young people’s lives with decision makers at regional level.”

    Principal Adult and Youth Services Manager, Mark Richardson said: “Young people’s rights must be upheld and championed by us all. This work includes ensuring that their voices are listened to, have influence, and contribute to positive change on the issues that matter to them.

    “The Youth Convener role represents a platform for the voices of young people to be heard within our democratic structures, including at the Highland Council’s Education Committee and in the development of services in our communities.”

    Any young person who has good communication skills, a strong awareness of issues affecting young people, an ability to represent those views and who can work with a wide range of people and organisations is being invited to apply for the position.

    For applications visit:  https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/highland-council/jobs/highland-youth-convener-highland-wide-fixed-term-12-months-418185

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – Protective measures for EU citizens regarding the risks of dental tourism in countries outside the EU – O-000011/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for oral answer  O-000011/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 142
    Michele Picaro
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    The phenomenon of dental tourism has seen an increasing number of EU citizens travel to non-EU countries to receive dental treatment, attracted mainly by lower costs and reduced waiting times. However, despite the economic benefits, significant health risks emerge due to varying quality and safety standards, language barriers, difficulties in managing post-treatment complications and complex legal issues in cases of poor practice. In this context, it is imperative to ask the Commission what actions it is taking to ensure that EU citizens are adequately protected and informed when they choose to use dental services outside the EU.

    We therefore ask:

    • 1.What action does the Commission plan to take to ensure that EU citizens are adequately informed about the health risks associated with dental tourism in non-EU countries?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to work with non-EU countries to ensure that the dental treatments offered meet the safety and quality standards necessary to protect the health of EU citizens?

    Submitted: 25.3.2025

    Lapses: 26.6.2025

    Last updated: 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Croatia’s climate action strategy – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Croatia does not set its own national climate targets, but has emissions reduction obligations under EU law, and contributes to the EU-wide target of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1). Croatia accounts for 0.62 % of the EU’s net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and has reduced its net emissions by 19.5 % from 2005 to 2023, compared with an average EU reduction of 30.5 % over the same period. The country’s land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector is a significant but declining carbon sink. Emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) were reduced by 51.6 %. For the effort-sharing sectors, Croatia remained within emissions allocations from 2013 to 2020. Although slightly exceeding allocations in 2022, and at the limit in 2023, the country projects that it will achieve its 2030 obligation. In August 2023, Croatia proposed to add a REPowerEU chapter to its recovery and resilience plan, comprising significant climate spending. Croatia submitted a draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) on 4 July 2023. The European Commission assessed it and made recommendations for Croatia’s final updated NECP, overdue since June 2024. In a 2023 survey, 42 % of Croatians, compared with an EU average of 46 %, identified climate change to be one of the four most serious problems facing the world. Most expect the EU (53 %) and national government (50 %) to tackle climate change, while 26 % find it to be a personal responsibility. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Luxembourg’s climate action strategy – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Luxembourg is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1) and deliver a 55 % greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in the effort-sharing sectors by 2030 compared with 2005. Luxembourg accounts for 0.3 % of the EU’s net GHG emissions, and achieved a net emissions reduction of 35.7 % from 2005 to 2023, greater than the 30.5 % EU average reduction over the same period. Emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) dropped by more than two thirds (-69.5 %). The land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector remains a carbon sink, albeit with fluctuations. For the effort-sharing sectors, Luxembourg managed to stay within its 2013 2020 allocations, and would overachieve its 2030 target based on the European Commission’s assessment of its draft national energy and climate plan (NECP). Luxembourg submitted its final updated NECP on 24 July 2024. In May 2024, Luxembourg added a REPowerEU chapter to its recovery and resilience plan, increasing its climate spending. In a 2023 survey, 57 % of Luxembourgers, compared with an EU average of 46 %, identified climate change to be one of the four most serious problems facing the world. Most expect the EU (76 %), business and industry (66 %) or national government (63 %) to tackle climate change, while 62 % find it to be a personal responsibility. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Budgetary assessment on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) – 31.03.2025 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    The rapporteur for the budgetary assessment of the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and its framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products, Jean-Marc Germain, will present his draft budgetary assessment on 31 March.

    The assessment evaluates the budgetary implications of the European Commission’s legislative proposal, which establishes a budget and outlines measures aimed at enhancing the defence industry readiness of the Union and its Member States. The proposal aims at strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) and promoting cooperation with Ukraine’s defence industry.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Slovenia’s climate action strategy – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Slovenia is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory on Figure 1) and reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 % by 2033 compared with 2005. Slovenia accounts for 0.5 % of the EU’s net GHG emissions, and increased its net emissions by 8.0 % from 2005 to 2023, compared with an EU average reduction of 30.5 % over the same period. This was due to a sharp increase in emissions from the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector – traditionally a carbon sink – in the 2014-2019 period. Nonetheless, Slovenia’s total emissions reduction of 28.9 % over the 2005 2023 period only falls slightly short of the -30.2 % EU average. Emissions covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) over the same period fell by 48.4 %. For the effort-sharing sectors, Slovenia overachieved its 2020 target but must enhance efforts to meet its 2030 obligations. In July 2023, Slovenia sent its draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) to the European Commission, which assessed it, before submitting the final updated NECP in December 2024. In a 2023 survey, 41 % of Slovenians, compared with an EU average of 46 %, identified climate change as one of the four most serious problems facing the world. Most expect business and industry (58 %) and/or the EU (43 %) to tackle climate change, while 22 % find it to be a personal responsibility. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Portugal’s climate action strategy – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Portugal aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 (see trajectory in Figure 1). In 2023, Portugal accounted for 1.7 % of the EU’s net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and achieved net emissions reductions of 43.9 % from 2005 to 2023, above the EU average reduction of 30.5 % over the same period. During that period, the country achieved a reduction of 66.2 % in emissions covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS). Portugal’s land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector has mostly performed as a carbon sink, except in 2017 on account of extensive forest fires. In May 2023, Portugal updated its national recovery and resilience plan and included a REPowerEU chapter. The plan dedicates 41.2 % of total funding to the climate transition. Portugal submitted a draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) in July 2023. The European Commission assessed it and made recommendations for the final updated NECP, which was submitted on 10 December 2024. The results from a 2023 Eurobarometer survey showed that 43 % of Portuguese, against an EU average of 46 %, find climate change to be one of the four most serious problems facing the world. Most expect the EU (52 %), national governments (47 %) and business and industry (41 %) to tackle climate change. Only 28 % find it to be a personal responsibility.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    69 Macro-financial assistance to Egypt
    Céline Imart (A10-0037/2025)      – Amendments; rejection Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 70 Customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the USA
    Bernd Lange (A10-0034/2025)      – Amendments; rejection Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 40 Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2024
    David McAllister (A10-0010/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 39 Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024
    Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 38 Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024
    Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 47 Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security     – Motion for a resolution Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Wednesday, 2 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    24 Energy-intensive industries     – Motions for resolutions Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to the motion for a resolution Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 22 Guidelines for the 2026 budget – Section III
    Andrzej Halicki (A10-0042/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 28 Protocol on the Implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2024-2029) (Resolution)
    Eric Sargiacomo (A10-0040/2025)      – Amendments Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 18 Strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement
    Malik Azmani (A10-0041/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 40 Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2024
    David McAllister (A10-0010/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 39 Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024
    Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 38 Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024
    Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 49 Prosecution of journalists in Cameroon, notably the cases of Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior, Tsi Conrad     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 50 Execution spree in Iran and the confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 51 Immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus – threats from the Investigative Committee     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    49 Prosecution of journalists in Cameroon, notably the cases of Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior, Tsi Conrad     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 50 Execution spree in Iran and the confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 51 Immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus – threats from the Investigative Committee     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 20 Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 – Section I – European Parliament
    Matjaž Nemec     – Amendments Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00 47 Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security     – Motion for a resolution Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on energy-intensive industries – B10-0209/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Giorgio Gori, Wouter Beke, Brigitte van den Berg, Benedetta Scuderi
    on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

    B10‑0209/2025

    European Parliament resolution on energy-intensive industries

    (2025/2536(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the report of September 2024 by Mario Draghi entitled ‘On the future of European competitiveness’,

    – having regard to the report of April 2024 by Enrico Letta entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy’ (COM(2025)0079),

    – having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy,

    A. whereas energy-intensive industries (EIIs) account for a significant share of the EU’s economy and play a key role in job creation, especially in areas and regions where they are concentrated; whereas EIIs are crucial for the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness, as well as for decarbonisation, taking into account their energy footprint;

    B. whereas the transition to a decarbonised economy and a clean energy system must lead to reducing energy prices and must take into account all available technologies that contribute to reaching the EU’s net zero goal for 2050 in the most cost-efficient way, avoiding lock-in effects and taking into account the different energy mix across Member States, including with regard to renewables and nuclear;

    C. whereas electrification is at the centre of the decarbonisation of EIIs; whereas EIIs include sectors that use fossil resources to meet temperature, pressure or reaction requirements, such as chemicals, steel, paper, plastics, mining, refineries, cement, lime, non-ferrous metals, glass, ceramics and fertilisers, for which greenhouse gas emissions are hard to reduce because they are intrinsic to the process or because of high capital or operating expenditure costs or low technological maturity;

    D. whereas the energy price gap between the EU and the US and China undermines the competitiveness of the EU’s industries; whereas elevated and volatile fossil fuel prices heavily affect electricity prices and the affordable cost of renewable energy sources is not transferred to energy bills;

    E. whereas an insufficiently integrated energy union poses further challenges to EIIs, in particular in relation to the lack of cross-border interconnections and the limited availability of clean energy, owing to lengthy permitting procedures or high capital or operating expenditures, as well as grid congestion;

    F. whereas the emissions trading system (ETS) provided long-term investment signals and helped bring down the emissions of ETS sectors by 47 %; whereas the energy market has profoundly changed since the introduction of the ETS, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the shift from pipeline gas to liquid natural gas (LNG); whereas a lack of carbon market transparency risks hampering EIIs’ competitiveness; whereas ETS revenues are used unevenly across Member States, failing to adequately support EIIs’ decarbonisation;

    G. whereas unnecessary regulatory burdens and lengthy permitting procedures undermine the business case for investing in decarbonisation in Europe; whereas the concept of overriding public interest is provided for in EU legislation; whereas complex and fragmented EU funding impedes timely investment in net-zero technologies and digitalisation, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);

    H. whereas the lack of necessary private investment risks hindering EIIs’ decarbonisation; whereas relying excessively on State aid can have the unwanted consequences of exacerbating disparities and distorting competition across the EU;

    I. whereas the EU’s dependencies and limited access, both in quantity and quality, to primary and secondary raw materials pose significant challenges to EIIs; whereas circularity and efficiency can help reduce the annual investment needs in industry and in energy supply; whereas currently, ferrous metals exported to non-EU countries account for more than half of all EU waste exports, raising concerns about their sound treatment;

    J. whereas unfair competition from non-EU countries, including subsidised overcapacity, poses a great challenge to EU companies; whereas many regions around the world do not currently have ambitious decarbonisation targets, thus increasing the risk of carbon leakage;

    K. whereas a profound transformation of EIIs cannot succeed without the involvement of local and regional communities, workers and social partners, which are heavily affected by the transition;

    1. Reiterates its commitment to the EU’s decarbonisation objectives and to stable and predictable climate and industrial policies;

    2. Calls on the Member States to accelerate permitting and licensing processes for clean energy projects, ensuring administrative capacity, and to facilitate grid connections to enable clean, on-site energy generation, especially in remote areas; stresses that the growth of renewables and electrification will require massive investment in grids and in flexibility, storage and distribution networks; calls on the Commission to develop, beyond the concept of overriding public interest, solutions for speeding up decarbonisation projects;

    3. Believes that further action is needed to implement the electricity market design (EMD) rules, especially to promote power purchase agreements (PPAs) and two-way contracts for difference (CfDs) to reduce volatility and energy costs for EIIs; calls on the Commission to propose urgent measures to address current barriers to the signing of long-term agreements, especially for SMEs, using risk reduction instruments and guarantees, including public guarantee such as by the European Investment Bank (EIB); suggests that additional ways to decouple fossil fuel prices from electricity prices be explored, in the framework of the EMD, including with the aim of boosting long-term contracts in line with the affordable energy action plan, and by advancing the analysis of short-term markets to 2025;

    4. Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of scaling up best practice for EIIs from Member States, such as Italy’s energy release; calls on the Commission to develop recommendations for reducing the exposure of consumers, and especially EIIs, to rising energy costs, such as by reducing taxes and levies and harmonising network charges, while ensuring public investment in grids;

    5. Calls for the enhancement of energy system integration, in particular in relation to cross-border interconnections, to ensure clean and resilient energy supply; asks for increased investment in flexibility, such as storage, including pumped storage hydropower and heat and waste heat storage, and demand response, to optimise grid stability; recalls the importance of energy efficiency in bringing costs down;

    6. Underlines the need to phase out natural gas as soon as possible; stresses that some sectors cannot rely substantially on electrification in the short to medium term; calls on the Member States – over the same time span and for these limited sectors – to develop measures to address gas price spikes in duly justified cases; calls on the Commission to develop tools to ensure gas supply at a mitigated cost, by enabling demand aggregation, building on AggregateEU, and joint gas purchasing, while keeping decarbonisation objectives; highlights the importance of encouraging stable contracts with gas suppliers, diversifying supply routes and improving market transparency and stability, in line with current legislation; calls for an impact assessment in the upcoming ETS review to analyse the relationship between the gas market and CO2 prices and the role of the market stability reserve and its parameters;

    7. Calls on the Commission to support EIIs in adopting clean and net-zero technologies, including hydrogen, and energy-efficient production methods by strengthening funding mechanisms and ensuring that ETS revenue is used effectively by Member States; calls for EU-level support to be complemented by State aid that allows for targeted support to EIIs, while preserving a level playing field within the single market;

    8. Calls for InvestEU to be topped up before the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and for leftover Resilience and Recovery Facility loans to support investment in EII decarbonisation; notes that the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform already allows for flexibility within current programmes but that this is insufficient; insists that the upcoming MFF increase funding to support EIIs, building on the Innovation Fund and the Connecting Europe Facility – Energy or through the competitiveness fund; stresses that the European Hydrogen Bank and the carbon contracts for difference programme need to be scaled up; calls on the Commission to build on the Net-Zero Industry Act[1] in the upcoming decarbonisation accelerator act, to streamline the processes for granting permits and strategic project status;

    9. Stresses the need to simplify bureaucratic procedures to enhance the attractiveness of private investment and support EIIs’ transition; believes that both InvestEU and the EIB are pivotal in catalysing private financing, especially through de-risking measures;

    10. Emphasises the need to secure access to critical raw materials; stresses that the upcoming circular economy act should improve resource efficiency, including through better waste management of products containing critical raw materials, as well as fostering the demand and availability of secondary raw materials; stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation[2];

    11. Calls on the Commission to make full and efficient use of trade defence instruments; calls on the Commission to find a permanent solution to address unfair competition and structural overcapacity, before the expiry of current steel safeguard measures in 2026; calls on the Commission to engage with the US in relation to the announced tariffs on EU imports and avoid any harmful escalation;

    12. Stresses that an effective implementation of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is essential to ensure a level playing field for EU industries and prevent carbon leakage, taking into account the impact of the parallel phasing out of the ETS free allowances and the risk of increased production costs; calls on the Commission to address the risks of resource shuffling and circumvention of the CBAM; asks, furthermore, for the implementation of an effective solution for EU exporters and an analysis of the possible extension to further sectors and downstream products, preceded by an impact assessment;

    13. Calls for the creation of lead markets for clean and circular European products, via non-price criteria in EU public procurement, such as sustainability and resilience and a European preference for strategic sectors, as well as by creating voluntary labelling schemes and minimum EU content requirements in a cost-effective way;

    14. Highlights the importance of a just transition to assist areas heavily reliant on EIIs, by keeping and creating quality jobs through upskilling and reskilling programmes for workers and through the effective use of regional support mechanisms, such as the Just Transition Fund and the Cohesion Fund; stresses that public support will be pivotal for the transition of EIIs and that this support should be tied to their commitment to safeguarding employment and working conditions and preventing off-shoring; welcomes the Union of Skills initiative to ensure a good match between skills and labour market demands;

    15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Monday, 31 March 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    22 Guidelines for the 2026 budget – Section III
    Andrzej Halicki (A10-0042/2025) 
        – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – EMPL ICM on “Affordable Housing for All” – Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 14:30-17:30 – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) will host an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) titled “Affordable Housing for All – Policy Approaches and Best Practice Cases in the Member States.” The event will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels (Antall 6Q2) on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, from 14:30 to 17:30.

    Organised in cooperation with the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS), the meeting will address the escalating housing crisis across Europe and explore policy solutions at both the EU and Member State levels. Discussions will focus on the social and economic impacts of rising housing costs, mass tourism, and short-term rentals, which have limited access to affordable housing and affected employment and social welfare. The event will bring together representatives from the European Parliament, national parliaments, EU institutions, and key NGOs to assess these challenges and align efforts with the European Affordable Housing Plan. Participants will also exchange successful strategies and best practices to identify effective, adaptable housing policies across the EU.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Intergenerational fairness from a climate policy perspective: Current trends and priorities for the EU – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Political decision-making frequently focuses on short-term impacts to satisfy current demands and ensure the electability of political representatives in office. Advocates of intergenerational fairness argue for a more balanced consideration of policy consequences, emphasising that long-term thinking is crucial to ensure that political choices made today do not negatively affect generations to come. There is a broad range of mechanisms that represent unborn future generations within contemporary spheres of influence such as courts, parliaments and citizen assemblies. Intergenerational fairness has recently secured itself a spot on the European Union’s (EU) executive agenda with the inauguration of the post of Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, assigned to Glenn Micallef as part of the von der Leyen II College. His tasks for the present legislative term include developing a strategy for intergenerational fairness, to be published at the start of 2026, and institutionalising youth dialogues. The Commission’s Joint Research Centre is presently organising stakeholder consultations on intergenerational fairness. Intergenerational fairness has risen to prominence in political discussions not only within the EU but also on an international scale. At the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024, delegates adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Future Generations. The phase-out of fossil fuels featured on the summit agenda, raising questions at the nexus of intergenerational fairness and climate change. Judicial institutions have addressed similar topics, with calls for intergenerational fairness being increasingly prominent in climate litigation. In light of these developments, this briefing will focus on mechanisms for implementing intergenerational fairness within the EU’s institutional framework in the context of climate change.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Defence of Russian spy by the Commission, credibility of reports on the rule of law and procedural violations – E-003062/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission replied to Written Question E-001534/2024 on 6 January 2025 reiterating its position of strong condemnation of Russia’s espionage, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns.

    As also stated in that reply, the country chapter for Poland of the 2023 Rule of Law Report[1], factually reported on the arrest by the Polish Security Services and the charge of illegal espionage on behalf of Russia of Pablo González.

    It did so on the basis of information brought at the time to the attention of the Commission by different organisations as well as an alert published on the Council of Europe’s platform.

    The Commission did not make an assessment about this case and usually refers to such alerts in its Rule of Law Report in relation to all Member States .

    The Commission has always been clear in its statements that it does not comment on national criminal investigations and the administration of justice in Member States and pays careful attention to any references to individual cases in the Rule of Law Reports .

    The Commission remains committed to strengthening the Rule of Law Report, as expressed in the Political Guidelines[2].

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/b576c76e-0755-4690-9266-7895c4294433_en?filename=48_1_52627_coun_chap_poland_en.pdf
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
    Last updated: 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Croatia to get EIB guidance on promoting capital markets and business innovation

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB to support Croatia in deepening its capital market in alignment with the EU’s Capital Markets Union (CMU)
    • New advisory accord with Finance Ministry aims for “Fintech Hub”  
    • Separate deal with Croatian investment-promotion agency to aid business financing

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) will offer policy guidance to Croatia on becoming a regional hub for financial technologies and capital markets. Under a new advisory agreement with Croatia’s Ministry of Finance, the EIB will support plans to turn the country into a fintech leader. In a parallel move, the EIB plans to advise Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments HAMAG-BICRO on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as startups enhance their investment readiness and gain access to early-stage finance. The advisory support is funded by the InvestEU Advisory Hub programme.

    “With the rapid evolution of technology and the growing importance of deep capital markets, Croatia has a unique opportunity to position itself as a regional leader in the innovation ecosystem,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska. “Through these two partnerships, we are committed to supporting the country’s economic growth and competitiveness.”

    The goal of the EIB accord with the Finance Ministry is to help establish a “Fintech Hub” to act as a catalyst for innovation in this field. It will serve startups as well as established businesses and ensure alignment with evolving European Union regulations and global market trends.

    As part of the pact, the EIB will map the current fintech system in Croatia, benchmark leading hubs in Europe and provide recommendations on legal and operational issues. This will help drive the adoption of advanced financial technologies in Croatia and strengthen its role on the European fintech stage.

    The EIB will also carry out a study on ways to deepen capital markets in Croatia, identifying opportunities to bolster the investment environment. The study, meant to support the country’s new “Strategy on Capital Market Development 2025-2030”, will benchmark Croatia against innovative small and established large capital markets in an effort to position Croatia as a regional hub for initial public offerings in central and eastern Europe, leading the way towards the CMU.

    “Through collaboration with the European Investment Bank, we will continue investing efforts in order to accelerate the development of the fintech industry and capital market. This will ultimately improve access to capital for fintech entrepreneurs, startups, and the wider business community,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Marko Primorac. “Today’s partnership marks a significant step forward in positioning Croatia as a regional hub for fintech and further strengthening our capital market. By fostering fintech development and expanding capital market opportunities, we enhance Croatia’s standing both domestically and internationally. I extend my gratitude to the European Investment Bank for their cooperation and am confident that this initiative will contribute to Croatia’s long-term economic growth,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.

    In its partnership with HAMAG-BICRO, the EIB will enhance the country’s innovation ecosystem through training programmes for SMEs and startups covering issues such as business strategy, financial planning and investor engagement. The goals include helping Croatian businesses tap EU funding, including the European Innovation Council Accelerator. Envisaged cross-border mentorship and corporate partnership programmes will facilitate knowledge-sharing to support start-ups in scaling their technologies and accessing broader markets.

    Vjeran Vrbanec, HAMAG-BICRO Management Board President said: ‘’The increasingly complex conditions of a demanding market require a very high level of readiness from our entrepreneurs – both in terms of project preparation and investment – which can be achieved much faster with quality support from those who understand economic and technological trends. At our agency, our priority is to continuously provide services that make the portfolios of our companies more innovative, competitive and sustainable. In this regard, this partnership with the EIB, in the form of an investment hub for entrepreneurs, will contribute significantly to improving the quality of their knowledge structure, which can then be used in the process of applying for European Union funding.’’

    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.

    InvestEU: The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps to crowd in private investment for the European Union’s strategic priorities such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings all EU financial instruments previously available for supporting investments within the European Union together under one roof, 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 deployed through implementing partners that will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    Croatia to get EIB guidance on promoting capital markets and business innovation
    Croatia to get EIB guidance on promoting capital markets and business innovation
    ©EIB
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Defence financing and spending under the Economic Governance framework – 27-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This paper covers possible defence financing and spending options under the European economic governance framework by reviewing the proposal for a ReArm Europe plan floated by the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The paper also analyses flexibilities under the EU budget, EIB and ESM financing while also assessing potential market challenges and public procurement. This paper has been updated with information from the European Commission’s White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 and related documents published on 19 March 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Waste crisis in Ploiești and possible violation of EU environmental law – E-001125/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001125/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nicolae Ştefănuță (Verts/ALE)

    Ploiești City Council in Romania is facing a waste crisis caused by administrative bottlenecks and delays in awarding a new sanitation contract. Household waste has not been collected for a significant period of time, thereby creating serious risks to public health and environmental pollution. The Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) requires Member States to ensure an efficient waste management system. Moreover, Romania is already facing issues over its non-compliance with Directive 2008/50/EC on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.

    • 1.Does the Commission not consider this situation to constitute a violation of Romania’s obligations in the field of waste management and environmental protection, and of the Air Quality Directive?
    • 2.Does the Commission not consider the Romanian authorities’ failure take action in this situation to breach the obligations laid down in EU legislation?

    Submitted: 17.3.2025

    Last updated: 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission’s awareness of intelligence on the origin of COVID-19 – E-001116/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001116/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN)

    • 1.Has the Commission been informed by German or other European authorities about intelligence from the German Federal Intelligence Service or other European intelligence services indicating that COVID-19 originated in a laboratory? If so, when was the Commission informed and how much information was it given?
    • 2.What does the Commission make of the possible implications of such findings for the EU’s pandemic policy to date – particularly lockdowns, business closures, vaccine procurement and liability issues?
    • 3.In view of those findings, will the Commission consider reassessing its pandemic strategy and, if necessary, launch measures to review the policy decisions made in recent years?

    Submitted: 17.3.2025

    Last updated: 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Amendment to Regulation 2019/631 on CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles – P-001219/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001219/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Filip Turek (PfE), Vilis Krištopans (PfE), Kateřina Konečná (NI), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Klara Dostalova (PfE), Milan Mazurek (ESN), Jana Nagyová (PfE), Ondřej Kovařík (PfE), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR), Milan Uhrík (ESN), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Viktória Ferenc (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Tomasz Froelich (ESN)

    Regulation 2019/631 sets new, stricter EU fleet-wide CO2 emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as of January 2025.

    Article 8 of the Regulation imposes substantial fines on manufacturers that exceed the new targets, which can only be achieved through significant production of electric vehicles.

    However, EU-wide sales of electric cars lagged far behind expectations in 2024, meaning that manufacturers may fail to reach the 2025 emission targets and potentially face multi-billion euro fines.

    The Commission announced that this month, it will present ‘a targeted amendment of the CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans’, which ‘if adopted, would allow car manufacturers to compensate an exceedance of the target in one or two years by overachievements in the other year(s)’. The Commission also announced that it will ‘accelerate work on the preparation of the foreseen review of the Regulation’.

    Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions:

    • 1.Will the Commission’s proposed amendment to Article 8 of Regulation 2019/631 assess manufacturers’ compliance with the targets based on an average of at least three years, and possibly up to five years?
    • 2.Will the Commission present its envisaged review of the EU fleet-wide emission targets before the end of 2025?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 21.3.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR), Dominik Tarczyński (ECR), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová (PfE), Tamás Deutsch (PfE), Erik Kaliňák (NI), Ondřej Knotek (PfE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –