NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Georgia: Authorities freeze bank accounts of organisations supporting activists to ‘kill peaceful protest’

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Reacting to the freezing of bank accounts belonging to five Georgian NGOs that provide financial and legal assistance to detained protesters, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, said: 

    “The Georgian authorities’ decision to freeze the accounts of civil society organisations who have been providing crucial financial support to arbitrarily detained protesters, helping them with payments of fines and legal representation, is yet another blatant attack by the Georgian authorities on human rights.  

    “This measure seeks to further undermine the rights to peaceful assembly and association and violates Georgia’s international human rights obligations. 

    “The Georgian authorities must immediately end their relentless crackdown against civil society and peaceful protest. The arbitrary asset freezes must be lifted without delay.” 

    A chilling effect 

    On 17 March, three Georgian NGOs – Nanuka’s Fund, managed by journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Prosperity Georgia, run by former prime minister and businessman Nika Gilauri, and the NGO Human Rights House Tbilisi – announced that they had been informed by their banks that the Tbilisi City Court had issued an urgent injunction to freeze their accounts. Two other NGOs, Fund for Each Other 24/7 and Shame Movement, have also had their assets frozen. 

    The frozen funds have been providing financial assistance to individuals fined for participating in the ongoing anti-government protests or dismissed from their jobs due to their civic activism. Local activists have warned that this latest assault could effectively “kill the entire protest movement.” 

    Nanuka Zhorzholiani of Nanuka’s Fund was the first to report the assets freeze, with the other four NGOs later confirming similar measures being taken against them. None were notified of any concerns of financial irregularities prior to the freezing. The Prosecutor’s Office later issued a statement saying the funds had been seized as part of an investigation into “sabotage’’. The prosecution statement claimed the funds bore responsibility for alleged violence and property damage linked to ongoing protests, though no official evidence or further details have been provided. 

    The Government of the ruling Georgian Dream party has recently intensified its crackdown on civil society and all dissent by weaponising the country’s criminal justice system and introducing a series of unduly restrictive legislative amendments targeting free expression and public assemblies. 

    Changes to the “Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations” have drastically increased fines, extended so-called administrative detention for violations of the law from 15 to 60 days, and banned actions like covering one’s face. 

    Additional legislative measures have targeted civil society organisations and independent media, including restrictions on foreign funding, expanded state control over grants, and introduced new offences such as insult of officials. 

    These amendments, coupled with the expansion of law enforcement agencies’ powers, have severely undermined the right to peaceful assembly, and placed a huge financial and legal burden on protesters. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Hungary: Pride ban is full-frontal attack on LGBTI people and must not be signed into law 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Reacting to the passing of a bill that will ban Pride marches in Hungary and allow authorities to impose fines on organizers and participants as well as use facial recognition software to identify attendees, Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary, said: 

    “This law is a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community and a blatant violation of Hungary’s obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.  

    “On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride in June, this harmful ban turns the clock back three decades, further undermining the hard-won rights of LGBTI people in Hungary. It is unfortunately just the latest in a line of discriminatory measures taken by the authorities that targets and stigmatizes LGBTI individuals and groups. 

    On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride, this harmful ban turns the clock back three decades

    “The spurious justification for the passing of this law – that events and assemblies would be ‘harmful to children’ – is based on harmful stereotypes and deeply entrenched discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. The Hungarian president must not sign this bill into law and authorities must instead ensure that LGBTI people are able to freely express their identities as well as organize and participate in public events.” 

    Background 

    The bill modifies the Act on the Right of Assembly making it a crime to hold and an offence to attend events that violate Hungary’s Propaganda Law legislation, which prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to under-18s. 

    A fine of up to 200,000 HUF (500 EUR) may be applied for people who attend the pride if banned. 

    The new law was submitted in the Hungarian Parliament on 17 March and rushed through in an expedited procedure today, without consultation. The law is due to enter into force on 15 April. 

    The right to freedom of peaceful assembly has increasingly come under attack across Europe, with state authorities stigmatizing, impeding, deterring, punishing and cracking down on people organizing and participating in peaceful protests. In a recent report, Amnesty International documented restrictions to the right to protest in 21 countries, including Hungary. Hungary is among the countries flouting its international and regional human rights obligations to respect, protect and facilitate peaceful assemblies, to remove obstacles and to avoid unwarranted interferences with the right to exercise the right of peaceful assembly. See https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur01/8199/2024/en/

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Georgia: Authorities freeze accounts of organizations supporting protesters, to “kill the peaceful protests”

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Reacting to the freezing of bank accounts belonging to five Georgian NGOs that provide financial and legal assistance to detained protesters, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director, said:

    “The Georgian authorities’ decision to freeze the accounts of civil society organizations who have been providing crucial financial support to arbitrarily detained protesters, helping them with payments of fines and legal representation, is yet another blatant attack by the Georgian authorities on human rights. This measure seeks to further undermine the rights to peaceful assembly and association and violates Georgia’s international human rights obligations.”

    “The Georgian authorities must immediately end their relentless crackdown against civil society and peaceful protest. The arbitrary asset freezes must be lifted without delay.”

    The Georgian authorities’ decision to freeze the accounts of civil society organizations who have been providing crucial financial support to arbitrarily detained protesters, helping them with payments of fines and legal representation, is yet another blatant attack by the Georgian authorities on human rights

    Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director

    Background

    On 17 March, three Georgian NGOs – Nanuka’s Fund, managed by journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Prosperity Georgia, run by former prime minister and businessman Nika Gilauri, and the NGO Human Rights House Tbilisi – announced that they had been informed by their banks that the Tbilisi City Court had issued an urgent injunction to freeze their accounts. Two other NGOs, Fund for Each Other 24/7 and Shame Movement, have also had their assets frozen.

    The frozen funds have been providing financial assistance to individuals fined for participating in the ongoing anti-government protests or dismissed from their jobs due to their civic activism. Local activists have warned that this latest assault could effectively “kill the entire protest movement.”

    Nanuka Zhorzholiani of Nanuka’s Fund was the first to report the assets freeze, with the other four NGOs later confirming similar measures being taken against them. None were notified of any concerns of financial irregularities prior to the freezing. The Prosecutor’s Office later issued a statement saying the funds had been seized as part of an investigation into “sabotage’’. The prosecution statement claimed the funds bore responsibility for alleged violence and property damage linked to ongoing protests, though no official evidence or further details have been provided.

    The government of the ruling Georgian Dream party has recently intensified its crackdown on civil society and all dissent by weaponizing the country’s criminal justice system and introducing a series of unduly restrictive legislative amendments targeting free expression and public assemblies.

    Changes to the “Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations” have drastically increased fines, extended so-called administrative detention for violations of the law from 15 to 60 days, and banned actions like covering one’s face.

    Additional legislative measures have targeted civil society organizations and independent media, including restrictions on foreign funding, expanded state control over grants, and introduced new offences such as insult of officials.

    These amendments, coupled with the expansion of law enforcement agencies’ powers, have severely undermined the right to peaceful assembly, and placed a huge financial and legal burden on protesters.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Outbound Investment Legislation to Counter China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, which would safeguard the United States’ national security against the growing threat posed by the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) by prohibiting and requiring notification of U.S. investment in certain technologies in China.
    “When it comes to cutting-edge technologies – such as AI and semiconductors – the United States must remain ahead of China,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues across the aisle to introduce this bill that is critical for our national security. We can and must make sure no American investments are giving the Chinese Communist Party a leg up in developing these vitally important technologies.”
    The Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act would permit the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit U.S. investments in certain technologies in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including certain Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, quantum computers, materials used in hypersonic systems, and other military technologies. It would also require U.S. entities to notify the U.S. Department of the Treasury of investments in certain AI models in the PRC. Lastly, the legislation would permit the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) against PRC entities that engage with the PRC military and intelligence sectors.
    Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to strengthen our national security and supply chains.Senators Cortez Masto and Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the PASS Act to ban individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses located near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites and the Strengthening Exports Against China Act,which would incentivize economic growth by eliminating barriers for American businesses competing directly with China in emerging industries like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Opens AUKUS Industry Roundtable, Highlights Granite State Defense Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) along with U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) delivered remarks to open a defense industry roundtable to increase opportunities for New Hampshire businesses as part of the Australia-U.K.-U.S. (AUKUS) submarine agreement. The delegation was joined by representatives from the Australian Embassy, including the Australian Consul-General and the Minister Counsellor of AUKUS. Photos from today’s event can be found here.
    “Today’s event is an important example of how the strength of our alliances can make a difference here in the Granite State and boost our local economies,” said Senator Shaheen. “The AUKUS agreement makes America and Australia stronger by allowing us to work hand-in-hand to build and maintain nuclear submarines for both of our countries—and the technology and know-how to do that starts right here in the Granite State.”
    “If America’s allies are looking for new ways to keep their submarine fleets on the cutting edge, there’s no better place to turn to than New Hampshire — it was Portsmouth that helped build and maintain some of the first ships of the United States Navy, and Portsmouth was indispensable in building the submarine fleet that helped win World War II,” said Senator Hassan. “In a dangerous and uncertain world where our new Administration seems at times to confuse America’s friends with America’s foes, I am grateful for this strong alliance between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom that has made our nations stronger, more secure, and more free.”
    “American naval superiority has long played an historic role in our nation’s strength and will play a decisive role to confront challenges alongside our allies and secure the future. New Hampshire, our manufacturers, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard all have a critical role to play in this mission,” said Congressman Pappas. “Through the AUKUS agreement with our allies, the United Kingdom and Australia, we will bolster our naval capabilities and submarine industrial bases and strengthen our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. New Hampshire manufacturers and workers can help lead the way, and I was glad to join this event focused on the increasing opportunities for them under the AUKUS agreement.”
    “I know first-hand from my time as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve that the alliance between the United States and Australia makes America stronger and safer,” said Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander. “The hardworking women and men of New Hampshire who work every day on behalf of our national defense are critical to the future of our alliance and the AUKUS agreement. I’m proud to represent our state’s critical role in our national security on the House Armed Services Committee.”
    Senator Shaheen has long advocated for New England’s shipbuilding industry and workforce, including through authorizing funding and workforce development for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Through the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipbuilding Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) projects at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which will expand the Shipyard’s capacity to maintain America’s fast-attack submarine fleet.
    Recently, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation held a press conference to discuss the impact the Trump Administration is having on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Shaheen and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have called on the U.S. Department of the Navy to exempt Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employees from the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) deferred resignation program for federal employees. The Department of Defense recently announced that the shipyard workforce is exempt from the civilian hiring freeze
    As a founding co-chair of the Public Shipyard Caucus, Congressman Pappas is a strong supporter of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the men and women who serve there, and its work to strengthen our national and global security. Last week Representatives Pappas and Pingree led a bipartisan group of their colleagues sounding the alarm over the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze and workforce cuts, which impact American shipyards like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 18.03.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    18 March 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 18.03.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 18 March 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 2,536,936 4.94
    CEUX 1,127,528 4.95
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX 169,978 4.95
    Total 3,834,442 4.94

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 18 March 2025 was EUR 18,943,677. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 179,424,434 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $2.8 million  
    Through risk assessment, Customs on March 11 inspected two air parcels, declared as bottle openers and arriving in Hong Kong from Italy. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected ketamine was concealed inside 24 packaging boxes of bottle openers.
     
    After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday in Kwai Chung and arrested a male consignee, aged 31, who was suspected to be connected with the case. Later, Customs further seized about 34g of suspected ketamine and about 8g of suspected methamphetamine from his vehicle and in his possession respectively. 
     
    The arrested person has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 19).
     
    Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
     
    Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
     
    Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught.
     
    Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:52

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Waldencast Reports Q4 2024 and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q4 Net Revenue of $72.1 million, 29.4% Comparable Net Revenue Growth and $11.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA, doubling from Q4 2023

    FY 2024 Net Revenue of $273.9 million, 27.5% Comparable Net Revenue Growth and $40.3 million of Adjusted EBITDA

    Obagi Medical is the fastest growing professional skincare brand1 in the US in 2024

    Milk Makeup expands its distribution to Ulta Beauty

    Waldencast secures a new $205 million credit facility, replacing the current one, enhancing flexibility and extending debt maturity

    LONDON, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) (“Waldencast” or the “Company”), a global multi-brand beauty and wellness platform, today reported operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 (“Q4 2024”) and the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Year Ended 2024”) on Form 6-K to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are also available on our investor relations site at http://ir.waldencast.com/.

    Michel Brousset, Waldencast Founder and CEO, said: “We closed a transformative year for the Group, achieving outstanding growth, expanding our brands’ communities, and making significant progress on our strategic priorities. Our business model is driven by a powerful flywheel effect of growth and profitability. This begins with the unique strength of our brands, which is amplified by our ability to enhance operational efficiency. As a result, we can effectively increase investments in sales and marketing to drive profitable growth. In 2024, we achieved a 27.5% increase in Comparable Net Revenue and a 65.1% rise in Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating our proven ability to expand gross margins and optimize our cost base as we grow.”

    “Our proven ability to innovate significantly contributed to our brands’ growth. This year, Milk Makeup introduced several exciting new products, including the viral and award-winning Cooling Water Jelly Tint Blush + Lip Stain. Obagi Medical also launched a range of successful innovations aimed at both consumers and the professional skincare medical community, most notably the ELASTIderm Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer and Elastiderm Advanced Filler Concentrate.”

    “Building on our momentum, we are excited to announce that Milk Makeup will launch in over 600 Ulta Beauty locations this spring, further highlighting the growing demand for our cult-favorite brand. Additionally, Obagi Medical expanded the Suzan Obagi MD® collection with groundbreaking new products, including the Super Antioxidant Serum and the Moisture Restore Hydration Replenishing Cream.”

    ____________________________________

    1 Among the top 10 brands. Kline & Company. (2024). 2024 Kline Professional Skincare: United States market analysis and opportunities.

    “Overall, we are excited about the year ahead and expect another year of significant milestones toward achieving our ambition to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness multi-brand platform by creating, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling the next generation of high-growth, purpose-driven brands,” concluded Mr. Brousset.

    Q4 2024 Results Overview

    Please refer to the definitions and reconciliations set out further in this release with respect to certain adjusted non-GAAP measures discussed below which are included to provide an easier understanding of the underlying performance of the business, but should not be seen as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP numbers presented in this release.

    For the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023:

    Net Revenue increased 30.8% to $72.1 million, a 29.4% increase in Comparable Net Revenue Growth that was attributable to Milk Makeup channel expansion, Obagi Medical accelerated growth in the Physician Dispense channel, and continued success in Obagi Medical e-commerce channels.

    Gross Profit was $49.4 million. Adjusted Gross Profit was $52.6 million, or 73.0% of net revenue, compared to $40.3 million in Q4 2023.

    Net Loss improved from $32.7 million in Q4 2023 to $22.6 million in Q4 2024, driven by operational growth and a reduction in non-recurring costs associated with the restatement and SEC investigation.

    Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $11.2 million (15.5% of net revenue), reflecting a 530 basis point expansion from Q4 2023. This growth was driven by strong top-line performance and operational leverage, as both Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup continued to scale and reinvest in business drivers while maintaining G&A discipline.

    Liquidity: The business maintained strong cash conversion in Q4 2024, driven by effective working capital management and minimal capital expenditure thanks to our asset-light business model. While the Company continues to incur significant non-recurring legal and advisory costs, the level of expenditures has been gradually reducing. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $14.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $154.2 million of Net Debt.

    New Credit Facility: Waldencast has entered into a new $205 million five-year credit facility, comprising a $175 million Term Loan and a $30 million RCF, that replaces its existing facility. This agreement supports the Company’s strategic priorities by enhancing financial flexibility and extending its debt maturity profile well ahead of the current facilities expiration in July 2026.

    Outstanding Shares: As of February 28, 2025, we had 122,720,911 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 112,054,383 Class A shares and 10,666,528 Class B shares. As of December 31, 2024, we had 122,692,968 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 112,026,440 Class A shares and 10,666,528 Class B shares.

    (In $ millions, except for percentages)   Q4 2024   % Sales   % Growth   % Comparable
    Net Revenue
    Growth    		     Q4 2023   % Sales
    Waldencast                          
    Net Revenue   72.1   100.0%   30.8%   29.4%     55.1   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   52.6   73.0%   30.7%         40.3   73.1%
    Adjusted EBITDA   11.2   15.5%   99.3%         5.6   10.2%
                               
    Obagi Medical                          
    Net Revenue   42.2   100.0%   30.0%   27.7%     32.5   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   33.2   78.7%   28.0%         26.0   80.0%
    Adjusted EBITDA   9.8   23.3%   23.7%         8.0   24.5%
                               
    Milk Makeup                          
    Net Revenue   29.9   100.0%   31.9%         22.6   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   19.4   64.9%   35.6%         14.3   63.1%
    Adjusted EBITDA   4.8   16.1%   248.0%         1.4   6.1%
     

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Brand Highlights:

    Obagi Medical:

    • Net Revenue reached $42.2 million, from $32.5 million in Q4 2023 with Comparable Net Revenue Growth of 27.7%.
    • Obagi Medical’s strong net revenue growth continued to be driven by increased brand awareness, stronger selling and marketing investments, and continued innovation. The brand continued expanding its international footprint and growing e-commerce sales through its direct website and the move to a first party model with its main e-commerce distributor, implemented in late 2023, with benefits tapering off by Q1 2025.
    • Notably, Obagi Medical was the fastest-growing professional skin care brand among the top 10 in the US in 20241. This historic achievement underscores the strength of our enhanced go-to-market strategy which successfully balances growth in the Physician Dispense channel, our historic stronghold, with the acceleration of our digital channels.
    • Adjusted Gross Margin of 78.7% contracted 130 basis points from Q4 2023 due to a higher weight of inventory liquidations.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $9.8 million, an increase of 23.7% from Q4 2023 with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.3%, a decline of 120 basis points from Q4 2023 reflecting the brands continued strategic investment in marketing to drive top-line growth and improved leverage of fixed costs.

    Milk Makeup:

    • Net Revenue reached $29.9 million, up 31.9% from $22.6 million in Q4 2023.
    • Milk Makeup’s Q4 2024 growth reflected the initial shipments to Ulta Beauty in support of the brand’s spring 2025 launch along with increased demand driven by our growing awareness, the continued delivery of sought-after innovation, and international expansion.
    • Adjusted Gross Margin increased by 180 basis points versus Q4 2023, primarily reflecting the positive impact of channel and product mix, as well as margin accretive innovation.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $4.8 million an increase of $3.4 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 million in Q4 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Margin improved 1,000 basis points to 16.1% versus 6.1% in Q4 2023 as robust sales growth and gross margin expansion drove significant operational leverage despite increased brand investment.

    Year Ended 2024 Results Overview

    For the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023:

    Net Revenue was $273.9 million, a 27.5% increase in Comparable Net Revenue Growth.

    Gross Profit was $191.7 million. Adjusted Gross Profit was $203.6 million, or 74.3% of net revenue, a margin improvement of 530 basis points versus 2023.

    Net Loss was $48.6 million, down from $106.0 million in the Year Ended 2023. The improvement was primarily driven by strong operational growth in the business, a fair value adjustment of the warrants, and reduced non-recurring costs.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $40.3 million, an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 14.7%, compared to 11.2% in the Year Ended 2023.

    Fiscal 2025 Outlook:

    We expect to deliver mid-teens Net Revenue growth and further expansion of Adjusted EBITDA Margin into the mid-to-high teens.

    Net revenue growth is expected to accelerate throughout the year, starting with relatively flat growth in Q1 due to the anniversary of the highly successful Milk Makeup “Jellies” launch from Q1 2024, as well as inventory adjustment in some of our retail partners.

    Growth is expected to accelerate progressively in the following quarters, driven by our innovation pipeline and the continued expansion of our distribution footprint in the U.S. and internationally, including the launch of Milk Makeup at Ulta Beauty in March 2025.

    Year Ended 2024 Highlights

    (In $ millions, except for percentages)   Year
    Ended
    2024    		   % Sales   % Growth   % Comparable
    Net Revenue
    Growth    		     Year
    Ended
    2023    		   % Sales
    Waldencast                          
    Net Revenue   273.9   100.0%   25.5%   27.5%     218.1   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   203.6   74.3%   35.3%         150.4   69.0%
    Adjusted EBITDA   40.3   14.7%   65.1%         24.4   11.2%
                               
    Obagi Medical                          
    Net Revenue   149.3   100.0%   26.9%   30.7%     117.7   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   118.6   79.4%   41.6%         83.7   71.2%
    Adjusted EBITDA   30.5   20.4%   46.4%         20.8   17.7%
                               
    Milk Makeup                          
    Net Revenue   124.6   100.0%   24.0%         100.5   100.0%
    Adjusted Gross Profit   85.0   68.2%   27.4%         66.7   66.4%
    Adjusted EBITDA   29.1   23.3%   58.0%         18.4   18.3%
     

    Conference Call and Webcast Information

    Waldencast will host a conference call to discuss its year-end and fourth quarter results on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 8:30 AM EDT for the period ended December 31, 2024. Those interested in participating in the conference call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453. International callers may dial (201) 389-0920. A live webcast of the conference call will include a slide presentation and will be available online at https://ir.waldencast.com/. A replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until our next conference call. The information accessible on, or through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this release.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to the financial measures presented in this release in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Waldencast separately reports financial results on the basis of the measures set out and defined below which are non-GAAP financial measures. Waldencast believes the non-GAAP measures used in this release provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. Waldencast believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends. These non-GAAP measures also provide perspective on how Waldencast’s management evaluates and monitors the performance of the business.

    There are limitations to non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude charges and credits that are required to be included in GAAP financial presentation. The items excluded from GAAP financial measures such as net income/loss to arrive at non-GAAP financial measures are significant components for understanding and assessing our financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered together with, and not alternatives to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Please refer to definitions set out in the release and the tables included in this release for a reconciliation of these metrics to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Comparable Net Revenue is defined as Net Revenue excluding sales related to the former Obagi Medical China business (the “Obagi Medical China Business”), which was not acquired by Waldencast at the time of the business combination with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup (the “Business Combination”) as was presented in previous earnings releases. The sales to the Obagi Medical China Business have a below market sales price for a defined period of time after the acquisition of Obagi Medical pursuant to the Business Combination. As a result of the Business Combination, a below market contract liability was recognized and is amortized based on sales. This adjustment is shown in the Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit reconciliations. Management of the Company believes that this non-GAAP measure provides perspective on how Waldencast’s management evaluates and monitors the performance of the business. See reconciliation to U.S. GAAP Net Revenue in the Appendix.

    Comparable Net Revenue Growth is defined as the growth in Comparable Net Revenue period over period expressed as a percentage.

    Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as GAAP gross profit excluding the impact of inventory fair value adjustments, amortization of the supply agreement and formulation intangible assets, discontinued product write-off, and the amortization of the fair value of the related party liability from the Obagi Medical China Business. The Adjusted Gross Profit reconciliation by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

    Adjusted Gross Margin is defined as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by GAAP Net Revenue.

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as GAAP net income (loss) before interest income or expense, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for the items as described in the reconciliation below. We believe this information will be useful for investors to facilitate comparisons of our operating performance and better identify trends in our business. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required to be presented in accordance with GAAP because management believes they are non-core to our regular business. These include non-cash expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, inventory fair value adjustments, the amortization and release of fair value of the related party liability to the Obagi Medical China Business, change in fair value of financial instruments, loss on impairment of goodwill and leases, and foreign currency translation loss (gain). In addition, adjustments include expenses that are not related to our underlying business performance including (1) legal, advisory and consultant fees related to the financial restatement of previously issued financial statements and associated regulatory investigation, and the Business Combination; (2) costs to recover and the value of the inventory recovered from the acquisition of the SA distributor, and the associated discontinued products; and (3) other non-recurring costs, primarily legal settlement costs and restructuring costs. The Adjusted EBITDA by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. The Adjusted EBITDA Margin reconciliation by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three
    Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    Months
    Ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Loss   $ (22,597 )   $ (32,731 )   $ (48,648 )   $ (105,968 )
    Adjusted For:                
    Depreciation and amortization     15,013       14,863       60,015       60,498  
    Interest expense, net     4,088       4,276       17,155       18,888  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     4,113       (976 )     110       (6,975 )
    Stock-based compensation expense     2,993       1,677       9,392       9,235  
    Legal and advisory non-recurring costs(1)     3,029       12,949       21,493       32,783  
    Change in fair value of warrants and interest rate collar     443       2,473       (23,679 )     10,443  
    Amortization and release of related party liability(2)     (4,169 )     —       (5,678 )     (4,058 )
    Loss on impairment of goodwill     5,031       —       5,031       —  
    Other costs(3)     3,241       3,083       5,093       9,549  
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 11,185     $ 5,613     $ 40,284     $ 24,395  
    Net Revenue   $ 72,083     $ 55,117     $ 273,868     $ 218,138  
    Net Loss % of Net Revenue     (31.3 )%     (59.4 )%     (17.8 )%     (48.6 )%
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin     15.5 %     10.2 %     14.7 %     11.2 %
     
    (1) Includes mainly legal, advisory and consultant fees related to the financial restatement 2020-2022 periods and associated regulatory investigation, and the Business Combination.
    (2) Relates to the fair value of the related party liability for the unfavorable discount to the Obagi Medical China Business as part of the Business Combination.
    (3) Other costs include legal settlements, foreign currency translation losses, product discontinuation costs related to advanced purchases for the SA Distributor, the write-down and subsequent recovery of inventory from the SA Distributor, restructuring costs, amortization of the fair value step-up as a result of the business combination, lease impairments, restructuring and contract termination fees.
       

    Net Debt Position is defined as the principal outstanding for the 2022 Term Loan and 2022 Revolving Credit Facility minus the cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024.

    (In thousands)   Reconciliation of
    Net Carrying
    Amount of debt to
    Net Debt
    Current portion of long-term debt   $ 29,479  
    Long-term debt     137,137  
    Net carrying amount of debt     166,616  
    Adjustments:    
    Add: Unamortized debt issuance costs     2,339  
    Less: Cash & cash equivalents     (14,802 )
    Net Debt   $ 154,153  
             

    About Waldencast plc

    Founded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast’s ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast’s vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand’s distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the Business Combination. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: https://ir.waldencast.com.

    Obagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skin care line rooted in research and skin biology, refined with a legacy of over 35 years’ experience. First known as leaders in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to address the appearance of premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. More information about Obagi Medical is available on the brand’s website at www.obagi.com.

    Founded in 2016, Milk Makeup quickly became a cult-favorite among the beauty community for its values of self-expression and inclusion, captured by its signature “Live Your Look”, its innovative formulas, and clean ingredients. The brand creates vegan, cruelty-free, clean formulas and has its Milk Makeup HQ in Downtown NYC. Currently, Milk Makeup offers over 250 products through its U.S. website www.MilkMakeup.com, and retail partners including Sephora globally, Ulta Beauty in the U.S., Lyko in Scandinavia, Space NK and Boots in the United Kingdom and many more.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements in this release that are not historical, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about: Waldencast’s outlook and guidance for 2025; our ability to deliver financial results in line with expectations; expectations regarding sales, earnings or other future financial performance and liquidity or other performance measures; our long-term strategy and future operations or operating results; expectations with respect to our industry and the markets in which it operates; future product introductions; developments relating to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” and “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

    These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: (i) the impact of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including associated investigations, our efforts to remediate such material weakness and the timing of remediation and resolution of associated investigations; (ii) our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits from any acquired business, including the Business Combination; (iii) our ability to successfully implement our management’s plans and strategies; (iv) the overall economic and market conditions, sales forecasts and other information about our possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance; (v) the general impact of geopolitical events, including the impact of current wars, conflicts or other hostilities; (vi) the potential for delisting, legal proceedings or existing or new government investigation or enforcement actions, including those relating to the restatement or the subject of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors’ review further described in our annual report filed on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, (vii) our ability to manage expenses, our liquidity and our investments in working capital; (viii) any failure to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals related to our business and products; (ix) the impact of any international trade or foreign exchange restrictions, increased tariffs, foreign currency exchange fluctuations; (x) our ability to raise additional capital or complete desired acquisitions; (xi) our ability to comply with financial covenants imposed by the new 2025 credit agreement we entered into referenced in the section entitled “New Credit Facility” above and the impact of debt service obligations and restricted debt covenants; (xii) volatility of Waldencast’s securities due to a variety of factors, including Waldencast’s inability to implement its business plans or meet or exceed its financial projections and changes; (xiii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (xiv) the ability of Waldencast to implement its strategic initiatives and continue to innovate Obagi Medical’s and Milk Makeup’s existing products and anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences, (xv) any shifts in the preferences of consumers as to where and how they shop; (xvi) the impact of any unfavorable publicity on our business or products; (xvii) changes in future exchange or interest rates or credit ratings; (xviii) changes in, and uncertainty with respect to, laws, regulations, and policies, including as a result of the change in the U.S. administration; and (xix) social, political and economic conditions. These and other risks, assumptions and uncertainties are more fully described in the Risk Factors section of our 2023 20-F (File No. 01-40207), filed with the SEC on April 30, 2024, and in our other documents that we file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Waldencast expressly disclaims any current intention, and assumes no duty, to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the distribution of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

    Contacts:

    Investors
    ICR
    Allison Malkin
    waldencastir@icrinc.com

    Media
    ICR
    Brittney Fraser/Alecia Pulman
    waldencast@icrinc.com

    Appendix

    Comparable Net Revenue Growth

        Group   Obagi Medical
    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Revenue   $ 72,083     $ 55,117   $ 273,868     $ 218,138   $ 42,211     $ 32,470   $ 149,266     $ 117,651
    Obagi Medical China Business     735       —     2,804       5,619     735       —     2,804       5,619
    Comparable Net Revenue   $ 71,348     $ 55,117   $ 271,064     $ 212,519   $ 41,476     $ 32,470   $ 146,462     $ 112,032
    Comparable Growth     29.4 %         27.5 %         27.7 %         30.7 %    
                                                     

    Adjusted Gross Profit

        Group
    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Revenue   $ 72,083     $ 55,117     $ 273,868     $ 218,138  
    Gross Profit     49,450       37,476       191,744       141,577  
    Gross Profit Margin     68.6 %     68.0 %     70.0 %     64.9 %
    Gross Margin Adjustments:                
    Amortization of the fair value of the related party liability(1)     (750 )     —       (2,260 )     (4,058 )
    Amortization of the inventory fair value adjustment(2)     —       —       —       1,691  
    Discontinued product write-off(3)     1,139       —       2,864       —  
    Amortization impact of intangible assets(4)     2,801       2,801       11,205       11,205  
    Adjusted Gross Profit   $ 52,639     $ 40,277     $ 203,553     $ 150,415  
    Adjusted Gross Margin %     73.0 %     73.1 %     74.3 %     69.0 %
                                     

     

    (1) Relates to the fair value of the related party liability for the unfavorable discount to the Obagi Medical China Business as part of the Business Combination.
    (2) Relates to the amortization of the inventory fair value step-up as a result of the Business Combination.
    (3) Relates to the advance purchase of specific products for the market in Vietnam sold through the SA Distributor that became obsolete when the distribution contract was terminated.
    (4) The Supply Agreement and Formulations intangible assets are amortized to cost of goods sold.
       
        Obagi Medical   Milk Makeup
    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Revenue   $ 42,211     $ 32,470     $ 149,266     $ 117,651     $ 29,872     $ 22,647     $ 124,602     $ 100,487  
    Gross Profit     30,050       23,175       106,760       76,582       19,395       14,301       84,984       64,995  
    Gross Profit Margin     71.2 %     71.4 %     71.5 %     65.1 %     64.9 %     63.1 %     68.2 %     64.7 %
    Gross Margin Adjustments:                                
    Amortization of the fair value of the related party liability     (750 )     —       (2,260 )     (4,058 )     —       —       —       —  
    Amortization of the inventory fair value adjustment     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       1,691  
    Discontinued product write-off     1,139       —       2,864       —       —       —       —       —  
    Amortization impact of intangible assets     2,801       2,801       11,205       11,205       —       —       —       —  
    Adjusted Gross Profit   $ 33,239     $ 25,976     $ 118,569     $ 83,729     $ 19,395     $ 14,301     $ 84,984     $ 66,686  
    Adjusted Gross Margin %     78.7 %     80.0 %     79.4 %     71.2 %     64.9 %     63.1 %     68.2 %     66.4 %
                                                                     

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Segment

        Obagi Medical   Milk Makeup
    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three
    months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Loss   $ (12,114 )   $ (8,305 )   $ (31,524 )   $ (32,214 )   $ 230     $ (3,959 )   $ 8,803     $ (5,655 )
    Adjusted For:                                
    Depreciation and amortization     10,397       10,425       41,591       41,984       4,616       4,457       18,424       18,514  
    Interest expense, net     3,068       3,341       12,391       12,644       (3 )     4       (1 )     590  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     3,933       (990 )     (141 )     (6,997 )     25       9       32       10  
    Stock-based compensation expense     465       (317 )     (328 )     726       (338 )     444       1,167       2,352  
    Legal and advisory non-recurring costs     1,061       1,119       5,054       1,702       —       —       —       27  
    Amortization and release of related party liability     (4,169 )     —       (5,678 )     (4,058 )     —       —       —       —  
    Loss on impairment of goodwill     5,031       —       5,031       —       —       —       —       —  
    Other costs     2,166       2,682       4,120       7,027       285       428       639       2,566  
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 9,838     $ 7,956     $ 30,516     $ 20,814     $ 4,814     $ 1,383     $ 29,064     $ 18,404  
    Net Revenue   $ 42,211     $ 32,470     $ 149,266     $ 117,651     $ 29,872     $ 22,647     $ 124,602     $ 100,487  
    Net Loss % of Net Revenue     (28.7 )%     (25.6 )%     (21.1 )%     (27.4 )%     0.8 %     (17.5 )%     7.1 %     (5.6 )%
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin     23.3 %     24.5 %     20.4 %     17.7 %     16.1 %     6.1 %     23.3 %     18.3 %
                                                                     
        Central costs
    (In thousands, except for percentages)   Three months
    ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Three months
    ended
    December 31,
    2023    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2024    		   Year ended
    December 31,
    2023
    Net Loss   $ (10,714 )   $ (20,467 )   $ (25,927 )   $ (68,099 )
    Adjusted For:                
    Depreciation and amortization     —       (20 )     —       —  
    Interest expense, net     1,024       931       4,765       5,654  
    Income tax expense     155       4       219       12  
    Stock-based compensation expense     2,866       1,549       8,553       6,157  
    Legal and advisory non-recurring costs     1,968       11,830       16,439       31,054  
    Change in fair value of warrants and interest rate collar     443       2,473       (23,679 )     10,443  
    Other costs     789       (26 )     334       (44 )
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ (3,468 )   $ (3,727 )   $ (19,296 )   $ (14,823 )
    Net Revenue   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  
    Net Loss % of Net Revenue     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey Joins Padilla, Durbin in Push to Save Task Force Combating Threats to Election Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Senators to Attorney General: “In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on [DOJ] to uphold the law”
    Washington (March 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) yesterday joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with 28 Democratic Senators in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the essential work of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force, which directs the Department’s efforts to protect election officials from rising threats and acts of violence.
    The Senators’ letter comes as the Trump administration has significantly rolled back the federal government’s capacity to fight against foreign and domestic election security threats. On Attorney General Bondi’s first day in office, she disbanded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Foreign Influence Task Force, hindering efforts to address secret influence campaigns waged by China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. Additionally, the administration has fired or put on leave dozens of officials responsible for combating foreign election interference at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and has reportedly frozen all of CISA’s ongoing election security work. The Administration has also defunded CISA’s nationwide program to train local officials and monitor threats through the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
    “Given the recent disturbing personnel and policy decisions at the Department and the lack of transparency about the future of the Task Force, we request an immediate update on the status and activities of the Task Force, as well as what resources will be provided to ensure its important work continues so that election officials of both parties can safely administer our elections,” wrote the Senators.
    “Recent surveys have found that one in three election officials reported facing threats, harassment, and abuse. Similarly, 48 percent of local election officials know of someone who has left their job because of fear for their safety—a troubling loss of institutional knowledge needed for the smooth running of elections. Election workers continue to fear for their safety, so it is critical that the work of the Task Force continues to deter and counter these threats. In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on the Department to uphold the law,” continued the Senators.
    The letter was also signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Full text of the letter is available HERE:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – Secretary-General
    – Gaza
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory- Humanitarian
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon
    – Syria
    – Somalia
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – D.R. Congo/Peacekeeping
    – South Sudan
    – South Sudan/Humanitarian
    – Tropical Storm Jude
    – Haiti
    – Financial Contributions

    SECRETARY-GENERAL
    In Geneva today, the Secretary-General concluded the informal meeting on Cyprus that he convened with the two Cypriot leaders and the Guarantor Powers of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.  
    Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, the Secretary-General said the
    discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with both sides showing clear commitment to making progress and continuing dialogue.
    The Secretary-General added that the leaders have agreed to a group of initiatives to build trust: opening four crossing points; demining; the creation of a technical committee on youth; initiatives on the environment and climate change, including the impacts on mining areas; solar energy in the buffer zone; and the restoration of cemeteries. 
    Mr. Guterres said that the leaders also agreed to hold another meeting in the same format at the end of July, as well as to the appointment of a Personal Envoy to prepare the next steps.
    As we mentioned earlier, the meeting was held in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices efforts on the Cyprus issue and as agreed with the two leaders on 15 October 2024.   
    The Secretary-General will be leaving for Brussels shortly, where he will meet with European Union leaders – and you will recall that this is something he has been doing in the month of March for the past few years.  
    Tomorrow, he is scheduled to meet Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, as well as Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament.  And we will keep you updated on his activities in Brussels.

    GAZA
    The Secretary-General expressed his shock earlier today at the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, and he strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished, and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally. Speaking to the press in Geneva, he said the situation in Gaza was intolerable, with hundreds of people having been reportedly killed.
    Muhannad Hadi, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said that the killings were unconscionable, adding that a ceasefire must be reinstated immediately.
    People in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering, he said, and an end to hostilities, sustained humanitarian assistance, release of the hostages and the restoration of basic services and people’s livelihoods, are the only way forward.
    Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, added that the last 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there is no military path out of this crisis. The only way forward is a political settlement, in line with international law. Israel’s resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions, he said.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY- HUMANITARIAN
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the Israeli military has ordered people to evacuate areas in Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis. This marks the first evacuation order issued in more than two months – since 15 January. Many people have already been displaced, seeking safety elsewhere.
    OCHA notes that the area covered by the evacuation order totals about 23 square kilometres – more than 6 per cent of the Gaza Strip – and includes more than a dozen sites sheltering displaced people. The area is also home to three clinics and one field hospital, with additional medical facilities located nearby. OCHA warns that no guarantees have been provided for the safety, protection and wellbeing of those ordered to leave, let alone for those staying behind.
    The World Health Organization says medical evacuations planned for today have been denied and is calling for the resumption of such evacuations.
    And the UN and our partners working in education report that activities have stopped in more than 300 facilities across the Strip, depriving thousands of children from their right to education. 

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=18+March+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0PvWRHXKM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Problems caused by AdBlue in cold conditions – E-002846/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware of the problem of using reagents in extremely cold temperatures. The Commission has been informed about the results of a survey conducted by the Finnish Transport and Logistics Association SKAL on this topic.

    The Commission sees various possible solutions to alleviate these difficulties, such as the industry-led development of a new standard for increased frost resistance to improve the performance of reagents in extremely cold conditions or the use of reagents with a lower freezing point.

    The specific requirements for reagents, especially the physical properties, are not regulated by EU law, which would allow the use of alternative reagents with a lower freezing point in colder weather conditions, provided that manufacturers would admit such a reagent for the use.

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Respect for and protection of Serbian Orthodox religious sites and the Serbian minority in Kosovo in connection with the provision of EU funding – E-002519/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission addresses fundamental and minority rights through the regular policy dialogue with Kosovo[1] and its annual enlargement reports. In its 2024 report[2], the Commission calls on Kosovo to safeguard existing mechanisms protecting the rights of non-majority communities and to improve their implementation.

    The EU in Kosovo is in regular contact with the Serbian Orthodox Church a nd co-chairs the Implementation and Monitoring Council, which serves as a platform to solve disputes between the government of Kosovo and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

    With the 2023 Agreement on the path to normalisation[3], Kosovo and Serbia agreed to formalise the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and afford a strong level of protection to the Serbian religious and cultural heritage sites. The EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue continues to work with both Kosovo and Serbia on the implementation of their respective obligations stemming from the Agreement.

    Since 2014, the Instruments for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II[4] and IPA III[5]) provided EUR 125.5 million for supporting the rule of law and fundamental rights, including over EUR 7.5 million for various projects benefitting Christian organisations and the Orthodox community in Kosovo. This includes EU assistance of EUR 5.6 million under Inter-community Dialogue through inclusive Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative[6] aiming to reconstruct cultural heritage sites.

    EU assistance in Kosovo is implemented based on the formal procedures and the strict rules applicable to EU funding.

    • [1] * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the International Court of Justice Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
    • [2] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/c790738e-4cf6-4a43-a8a9-43c1b6f01e10_en?filename=Kosovo%20Report%202024.pdf
    • [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/belgrade-pristina-dialogue-agreement-path-normalisation-between-kosovo-and-serbia_en
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32014R0231
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R1529
    • [6] This programme funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme covers three contracts: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/ks/CulturalHeritage_booklet_ENG_web.pdf, https://www.undp.org/kosovo/projects/inter-community-dialogue-through-inclusive-cultural-heritage-preservation and https://www.undp.org/kosovo/projects/cultural-heritage-driver-intercommunity-dialogue-and-social-cohesion
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Tobacco track and trace systems – E-000122/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU tobacco traceability system established by Directive (EU) 2014/40/EU[1] and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/574[2] allows for the monitoring of the movements of all tobacco products through their entire supply chain within the EU.

    Thanks to the information stored in the system, Member States are able to determine at which point a product is no longer reported in the supply chain and take appropriate measures as necessary.

    The EU tobacco traceability system fully complies with the requirements of Article 8 of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products[3] to the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control[4]. The Protocol is a legally binding international treaty addressing the issue of illicit trade in tobacco products.

    The Commission is currently carrying out a comprehensive evaluation of the EU legislative framework on tobacco. Following regulatory steps will depend on the findings of that evaluation.

    • [1]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/40/oj
    • [2]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/574
    • [3]  https://fctc.who.int/protocol#:~:text=The%20Protocol%20to%20Eliminate%20Illicit%20Trade%20in%20Tobacco,it%20is%20a%20global%20solution%20to%20a%20global
    • [4]  https://fctc.who.int/resources/publications/i/item/9241591013
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Follow-up to the Parliament resolution concerning targeted measures against the Russian shadow fleet – P-000201/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Under Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP[1] and Regulation (EU) 833/2014[2], the EU may designate specific vessels for their contribution to Russia’s warfare against Ukraine, including vessels that are part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which seeks to circumvent the EU and Price Cap Coalition’s caps while engaging in deceptive and high-risk shipping practices contrary to international standards. Such vessels are subject to a port access ban and a ban on provision of services.

    To date, the EU has designated a total of 153 vessels as part of the 14th, 15th and 16th sanctions packages[3],[4],[5] adopted in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    The Commission is continuously monitoring the developments relating to vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet as part of its efforts to combat the circumvention of the EU’s Russia sanctions. It has also reached out to third countries providing flagging services to these vessels raising concerns of environmental protection and maritime safety.

    All decisions on EU sanctions are taken unanimously by Member States in the Council, including decisions on the sanctioning of vessels.

    • [1] OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 13-17, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/512/oj/eng
    • [2] OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1-11, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/833/oj/eng
    • [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/24/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-comprehensive-eu-s-14th-package-of-sanctions-cracks-down-on-circumvention-and-adopts-energy-measures/
    • [4] https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-adopts-15th-sanctions-package-against-russia-its-continued-illegal-war-against-ukraine-2024-12-16_en
    • [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_585
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting the EU budget from inflationary pressures – E-002961/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 are expressed in 2018 prices and the adjustment to current prices is done based on a fixed annual deflator of 2% (Article 4(2) of the MFF Regulation[1]).

    This long-standing adjustment mechanism, in use since 2007, has the advantage of providing predictability for the EU programme resources over the duration of the MFF.

    The Commission has assessed the impact of the high inflation on the real value of MFF expenditure in the context of the Mid-term revision of the MFF proposed in June 2023[2] based on the forecast at that time, as discussed in the Staff Working Document accompanying the MFF revision (SWD(2023) 336 final[3]).

    The impact of inflation is being assessed together with all the other features of the MFF.

    The current MFF has instruments over and above the MFF expenditure ceilings that provide flexibility to address unexpected needs, including inflationary pressures.

    These instruments were reinforced in the MFF revision, with an increase in the flexibility instrument and the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve and the introduction of the EU recovery instrument. The design of any future flexibility tool remains to be decided in the context of the next MFF.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R2093
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-06/COM_2023_336_1_EN_ACT_part1_v4.pdf
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2021-2027/documents_en
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Abortion rights in the EU – E-003006/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is strongly committed to upholding and promoting the fundamental rights of women throughout the EU. The Commission is also fully committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality in all policy areas, including health policies and it recognises that sexual and reproductive health and rights ( SRHR) are an essential part of achieving gender equality.

    This is evident in the Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025[1], which stresses that the EU supports women’s human rights, its defenders, SRHR, and efforts to curb sexual and gender-based violence throughout the world.

    However, it is important to note, that regulatory powers regarding health policies and therefore SRHR and sexual education, lie within the competences of the Member States. The EU competence is limited to encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, to lend support to their action.

    The Commission organises exchanges of best practices on gender equality, in the context of its Mutual Learning Programme[2], including on women’s health and SRHR.

    The directive on combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence[3], adopted in May 2024, obliges Member States to ensure that victims of sexual violence have access to healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services, in accordance with national law.

    The Commission will continue promoting women’s rights throughout the EU and across policy areas, including SRHR. The Commission presented a Roadmap for Women’s Rights in connection with the International Women’s Day in March 2025 and the principles identified in the roadmap will guide the development of the next Gender Equality Strategy post-2025.

    • [1]  Gender equality strategy — European Commission https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-equality-strategy_en
    • [2]  Mutual learning programme https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/mutual-learning-programme.html#:~:text=The%20mutual%20learning%20programme%20%28MLP%29%20encourages%20EU%20countries,EU%20countries%20at%20national%2C%20regional%20and%20local%20level
    • [3]  Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Educational activities to promote awareness of the rule of law among EU citizens – E-002811/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Promoting a culture of the rule of law is a priority for the Commission. The best guarantee for the respect of EU common values is a robust political and legal culture supporting the rule of law in every Member State.

    While respecting the competence of Member States to organise their education systems, the Commission supports the implementation of the 2018 Council Recommendation on promoting common values[1].

    This collaboration involves policymakers, civil society and social partners in the working group on Equality and Values in Education and Training[2].

    Building on the 2023 Council conclusions on citizenship education[3], the Commission is exploring guidelines for democratic citizenship education and a competence framework tailored for the EU context.

    The Erasmus+ programme[4] promotes common values through initiatives like the Jean Monnet actions, Erasmus+ Teacher Academies and the European School Education Platform.

    The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme[5] supports civil society organisations at all levels in the EU empowering them to enhance democratic processes and protect and promote fundamental values, such as the rule of law.

    In September 2024, the Commission launched a communication campaign for the general public explaining in accessible terms why the rule of law matters in everyday life[6].

    The campaign will also be hosted on the EU Learning Corner[7], which offers a range of educational materials related to fundamental values.

    The Commission will explore how to further develop such activities. The annual Rule of Law Report also refers to good practices for promoting a rule of law culture at national and EU level such as the discussion on promoting a rule of law culture through education held in the Education Council in May 2024[8].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2018_195_R_0001
    • [2] https://education.ec.europa.eu/about-eea/working-groups
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C_202301339
    • [4] https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/
    • [5] https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/citizens-equality-rights-and-values-programme/citizens-equality-rights-and-values-programme-overview_en
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/what-rule-law_en
    • [7] https://learning-corner.learning.europa.eu/index_en
    • [8] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/27db4143-58b4-4b61-a021-a215940e19d0_en?filename=1_1_58120_communication_rol_en.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Training European AI in the health field – E-002742/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In its decision referred to by the Honourable Member, the Conseil d’État acknowledges that the health data concerned will be hosted in data centres located in the EU and that no transfers of health data to a third country are foreseen.

    The necessity and proportionality safeguards, put in place by Executive Order 14086[1] in the context of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF), apply to surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)[2].

    Those safeguards and the reauthorisation of FISA Section 702 have recently been assessed in the first DPF review report and are continuously monitored by the Commission[3].

    Transfers of personal data to third countries outside the European Economic Area may only be carried out in compliance with the rules laid down in the General Data Protection Regulation[4].

    In upcoming initiatives on data use and storage, such as the Data Union Strategy and the Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Act, the Commission will aim at strengthening the position of Europe’s cloud industry and preventing any misuse of our most sensitive data[5].

    The Commission is supporting the development of infrastructure to foster innovation and the deployment of digital technologies in health and care allowing for the development and testing of AI-based technologies for diagnosis and treatment.

    The Commission has also put forward the European Health Data Space[6], to support the development of AI by ensuring that electronic health data can be made available for purposes of ‘scientific research related to health or care sectors […] including in […] AI systems’[7] under relevant safeguards[8].

    • [1] Executive Order on ‘Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities’ — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-10-14/pdf/2022-22531.pdf
    • [2] See recitals 124 and 125 of Commission Implementing Decision EU 2023/1795 of 10 July 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate level of protection of personal data under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework; 50 US Code §1881a.
    • [3] Commission r eport of 9 October 2024 to the European Parliament and the Council on the first periodic review of the functioning of the adequacy decision on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, COM(2024) 451 final. It is further recalled that under the GDPR, all adequacy decisions are subject to continuous monitoring and all the necessary tools are in place to react to any possible developments. In particular, the Commission has the power to suspend, amend or repeal the adequacy decision if it concludes that the required level of protection is no longer ensured (see Article 3(5) of Commission Implementing Decision EU 2023/1795 and Article 45(5) GDPR.
    • [4] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation); OJ L 119, 04/05/2016, p. 1-88.
    • [5] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — A Competitiveness Compass For The EU, 29 January 2025, COM(2025) 30 final — https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/10017eb1-4722-4333-add2-e0ed18105a34_en
    • [6] https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2022/0140(COD) On 21 January 2025 the Act was adopted by Council after Parliament’s 1st reading. On 11 February 2025 the final Act was signed.
    • [7] Article 53(1), point (e)  European Health Data Space (EHDS).
    • [8] It is worth further noting that s everal actions are funded and will continue to be funded under Horizon Europe, Digital Europe and EU4Health, to enable AI-driven breakthroughs in biomedical research and clinical care. This includes disease prevention, which is one of the priorities of this Commission.
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Ban on animal testing and revision of the REACH Regulation – E-002727/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Placing on the market of cosmetic products or products with ingredients tested on animals for the purpose of meeting the safety requirements of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (CPR)[1] is prohibited. The ban under the CPR has been fully implemented since 2013.

    Cosmetics ingredients are also subjected to the regulation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)[2], which may require animal testing, only as a last resort, to address risks to the environment or to workers ensuing from manufacturing the substances.

    Such risks are not covered by the CPR. Judgments[3] on legal challenges of the decisions of the Board of Appeal confirmed that the request of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to test the two mentioned substances does not violate the animal testing ban under the CPR.

    The understanding of ECHA and the Commission on the relationship between the two regulations is also made public in a communication[4] and an ECHA factsheet[5].

    Phasing out animal testing is a priority of the Commission, as highlighted in the response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics — Commit to a Europe without animal testing’[6].

    The roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments, which the Commission is preparing, will lay out actions aiming to reach this goal.

    The Commission also remains strongly involved in the European partnership for alternative approaches to animal testing[7]. It will continue to stimulate investments in alternative methods. M ore than EUR 1 billion in research funding was provided in the EU in the last 20 years for this purpose.

    The Commission is also exploring opportunities to further reduce animal testing in the context of the forthcoming REACH revision.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L 342, 22.12.2009, p. 59-209.
    • [2] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), OJ L 396.
    • [3] Judgments of 22.11.2023 in cases T-655/20 (https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?num=T-655/20&language=en) and T-656/20 (https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=en&num=T-656/20).
    • [4]  COM(2013) 135: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52013DC0135
    • [5] ECHA-14-FS-04-EN: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13628/reach_cosmetics_factsheet_en.pdf/2fbcf6bf-cc78-4a2c-83fa-43ca87cfb314
    • [6] Communication C(2023)5041 — https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-07/C_2023_5041_1_EN_ACT_part1_v6.pdf
    • [7] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/chemicals/european-partnership-alternative-approaches-animal-testing_en
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Hungarian national card – E-002275/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. With the exception of the determination of the volume of admission of third-country nationals, which remains the exclusive competence of the Member States, the common immigration policy is a shared competence between the EU and the Member States. As regards the admission of non-EU workers, Member States retain the right to apply national rules if those have not been harmonised at EU level. These national rules cannot, however, jeopardise the security and the well-functioning of an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, as holders of residence permits (like holders of the Hungarian ‘National Cards’) can move in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

    2. The Commission continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression of Ukraine by Russia. In this context, all actions taken at EU and Member States’ levels need to consider the security of the Schengen area as a whole. The Commission adopted specific guidance[1] in 2022 to ensure additional scrutiny as this is a matter of European internal security. Against this background, the Commission maintains its deep concern regarding national schemes covering Russian and Belarusian nationals.

    3. The fact that Hungary has put in place a facilitated scheme to admit Russian and Belarusian nationals for the purpose of work, without considering the security concerns of the other Schengen States raises concerns. This increases the common risks and undermines mutual trust.

    • [1] C (2022) 7111 final.
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Credit card fees – E-000413/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is not aware of a substantial increase in the issuing and use of commercial cards in the EEA (the 2020 Commission Report[1] on the impact of Regulation 2015/751 has notably shown there was no evidence of an increase in the market shares of commercial cards) but is available to further discuss with stakeholders evidence that they may have.

    Commercial cards fall under the scope of Regulation (EU) 2015/751 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions; however the caps on interchange fees are limited to consumer cards, the most widely used cards, and do not apply to transactions with commercial cards.

    However, a ccording to Article 2§6 of this regulation, commercial cards are only those cards that are issued to undertakings, public sector entities or self-employed natural persons, that can only be used for business expenses, and that are charged directly to the account of the undertaking, public sector entity or self-employed natural person.

    As set out under Article 10§1, merchants accepting consumer cards of a given brand are free to decide not to accept commercial cards of this brand .

    In addition, under Article 11, they are allowed to steer cardholders to use another payment instrument through rebates, surcharges when allowed at national level, and conditional acceptance above a given amount.

    Under Article 10§5, issuers must ensure that commercial cards are electronically and visibly identifiable, enabling payees and payers to unequivocally identify a commercial card.

    The National Competent Authorities are in charge of addressing possible implementation issues with this regulation.

    • [1] Report on the application of Regulation (EU) 2015/751 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions, Commission Staff Working Document of 29.6.2020 SWD(2020) 118. d8055968-b4c2-424b-b281-c4c6959df19b_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – The LUX Audience Award: Bringing the European Parliament closer to people – 18-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The LUX Audience Award is the largest audience film award in the European Union, presented by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in collaboration with Creative Europe MEDIA and Europa Cinemas. Each year, five films are nominated for the award, all tackling important social and political issues within the EU, while showcasing some of Europe’s most exciting filmmakers. Beyond being a film prize, the award strengthens European film distribution, promotes gender equality, and fosters critical discussion at the heart of European democracy.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Prison capacity shortage – E-001008/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001008/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Sander Smit (PPE)

    There is a serious prison capacity shortage in the Netherlands; and neither detention centres nor police stations have sufficient space to accommodate newly arrested or detained individuals. In December 2024 the Netherlands Government decided – by way of a temporary measure – that inmates would be released three days earlier than they should be. The capacity shortage is not improving; accordingly, the Government is working on a proposal to extend that period to two weeks. The Netherlands needs measures to be taken that help bring about a structural increase in prison capacity plus faster and more severe sentencing. Until a long-term structural solution is found, interim responses are still needed.

    • 1.Can the Commission say in what way it is prepared to coordinate arrangements between Member States in which prison capacity is insufficient and Member States with surplus capacity in order to help mitigate capacity shortages in the Netherlands, among other countries?
    • 2.What assistance did the Commission offer the Netherlands last year in this connection?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU measures against counterfeit honey imports – E-000998/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000998/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    In the light of recent investigations pointing to a significant increase in imports of counterfeit honey into the European Union, including from Turkey, according to an article published by DW[1], how does the Commission intend to protect consumers from these fraudulent products, and European beekeepers from this unfair competition?

    Counterfeit honey, which is often mixed with sugar syrups and other non-compliant substances, affects not only consumers’ health but also the internal market, putting pressure on beekeepers in the Member States, who meet strict production standards.

    When Directive 2001/110 in relation to honey was recently revised, Parliament and the Council called for a Union reference laboratory for honey to be set up to improve checks and detect honey counterfeiting by harmonised methods, and to test honey systematically and prove its authenticity.

    • 1.What progress has been made in setting up this reference laboratory?
    • 2.What additional checks and regulations are being considered to prevent the importation and marketing of counterfeit honey within the Community area?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.dw.com/en/turkish-fake-honey-on-the-rise/a-71626685
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Delegation of competences in the area of immigration and border control to Catalonia – E-001003/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001003/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dolors Montserrat (PPE), Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (PPE)

    The agreement between the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the Junts per Catalunya party on the delegation of competences in the area of immigration to Catalonia provides that the community is to play a role in monitoring the security of ports, airports and ‘critical areas’, as well as in the management of residence permits for migrants and the issuing of documents for foreigners.

    Immigration policy is a shared competence between the European Union and the Member States, governed by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Schengen Acquis, with binding rules such as the Visa Code, the Dublin Regulation and the Return Directive.

    • 1.How will the Commission ensure that the transfer of competences to Catalonia is carried out in accordance with the EU’s legal framework and the correct application of EU law?
    • 2.Does the Commission consider that administrative fragmentation in border control, the granting of visas or the management of residence permits could jeopardise security and migration control within the Schengen area?
    • 3.How would the European Union collaborate with the regional government in the context of the police coordination efforts carried out in Europol or Frontex?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Member States’ potential vineyard output – E-001015/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001015/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Esther Herranz García (PPE)

    Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 17 December 2013, implemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2018/273 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/274 of the Commission, both of 11 December 2017 authorise each Member State to increase the potential output of its vineyards by granting, each year, new permits for an area representing no more than 1% of its potential output on 31 July of the previous year.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider it lawful for the relevant authority of a Member State to decide, in a given year, to increase this potential output by granting new administrative permits – either at national-government or regional level – on the basis of objective information on developments in the wine market, if such a decision runs counter to recommendations made by, where appropriate, the regional authorities or the bodies responsible for governing geographical indications and even inter-professional organisations in the sector itself?

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Breach of the contract terms of the bi-communal waste water treatment plant project in occupied Mia Milia in Nicosia – E-001004/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001004/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Costas Mavrides (S&D)

    The Nicosia Waste Water Treatment Unit began operations in 2013, using advanced membrane technology to produce safe, recycled water for irrigation purposes. It treats waste water from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. The project, which has a total cost of around EUR 29 million, is being co-financed by the Nicosia Sewerage Council (70 %) and the European Commission (30 %) and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

    Since the start of the project, the two communities have worked together so that this water can be reused for agricultural irrigation. However, for some time now, a large part of the recycled water produced has ended up coursing down the Pedieos river into the sea close to the occupied area of Famagusta. This is because the occupying authorities have prevented repayment of the debt to the managing company. The value of the lost water for the 2020-2024 period alone is estimated to be EUR 28 million.

    In view of this, can the Commission say:

    • 1.Is it aware of the stance taken by the occupying regime and, if so, what steps has it taken to put an end to this unfortunate development?
    • 2.Has the European Court of Auditors been informed of the breach of the project contract terms, given that the project is being co-financed by European funds?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Polish law to temporarily suspend the right to asylum – E-001017/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001017/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE)

    On 21 February 2025, the Polish Sejm adopted legislation[1] that enables the Ministry of the Interior to temporarily suspend the right to asylum at (parts of) its external borders for up to 60 days, since it identifies migrants arriving at its borders to be part of ‘instrumentalisation’ by non-EU country actors. Moreover, the new law enables periods of suspension beyond 60 days subject to parliamentary approval.

    • 1.The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has analysed[2] the law and found inconsistencies with Poland’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Has the Commission reviewed the legislation and is it prepared to share the results with Parliament?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s appreciation of the Polish legislation and its compliance with international and EU legal obligations for Member States to uphold the right to asylum, the principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsion, as enshrined in Articles 18 and 19 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU asylum and Schengen acquis?
    • 3.What action will the Commission take, as guardian of the Treaties, to enforce Poland’s compliance with EU law?

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    • [1] https://orka.sejm.gov.pl/Druki10ka.nsf/0/BD1D81C1741E246AC1258C03004A7F5C/%24File/924.pdf.
    • [2] UNHCR Comments and Observations on the draft law amending the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland, 12 December 2024.
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – European Sport Model – Exchange of view – Committee on Culture and Education

    Source: European Parliament

    Sport © Adobe Stock

    On March 19th, the Committee on Culture and Education will hold an exchange of views on the role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model.

    Mr. Bogdan Zdrojewski, rapporteur for the own-initiative report on this topics will be joined by representatives of the Polish Presidency of the Council and the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission. The focus will be on discussing the key features of the European Sport Model and what can be done at European level to strengthen it.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Green harvesting – E-001016/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001016/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Esther Herranz García (PPE)

    Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013, as implemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1149 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1150 of 15 April 2016, provides for the implementation of the green harvesting measure within the framework of the instrument in the interest of sustainability in wine production.

    In the Commission’s view, can the competent authority of a Member State calculate the amount of the loss of income compensation under the measure, corresponding to 50% of the value of the destroyed grapes, on the basis of historical market values for grapes, while excluding those values affected by market crisis periods?

    Submitted: 10.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –