NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal to identify three men in connection with fatal stabbing in Hackney

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the murder of 20-year-old Jason Romeo in Hackney have named and released images of three men they urgently need to speak to.

    Jason was stabbed to death outside an address in Bodney Street, E5 on Tuesday, 18 February at 17:59hrs.

    Following extensive enquiries, officers have named three men they need to trace in connection with his murder.

    They are Raynolph Asante, aged 22, Rhamyah Bailey-Edwards, 21, and Travis Mitchell, also 21. They are known to frequent the areas of Hackney, Walthamstow and Deptford.

    Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, leading the investigation, said:

    “Our team is working tirelessly to identity those responsible for Jason’s murder. We now need the public’s help to trace Asante, Bailey-Edwards and Mitchell. I would urge anybody with information about their whereabouts to contact us immediately by calling 999.

    “Once again I would like to thank the local community in Hackney for their support. Officers have conducted increased weapons searches, reassurance patrols and will carry out house-to-house enquires this weekend. This can be intrusive and disruptive, however it’s essential, and your patience is appreciated.”

    If anyone sees Asante, Bailey-Edwards or Mitchell please do not approach them. Instead, contact the police on 999 as soon as possible, quoting 5635/18Feb.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Solar power set to boost energy levels at city’s leisure centre

    Source: City of Norwich

    Work to install more than 600 solar panels over the car park and on the roof of Riverside Leisure Centre will begin on Monday 24 February, thanks to a project backed by Sport England.

    The initiative, which received planning permission last year, will enhance the centre’s long-term sustainability while minimising its environmental impact.

    By producing renewable energy on-site, the project is set to reduce the electricity bills of the building by 33 percent and cut 75 tonnes of carbon emissions a year. These financial and carbon savings will help secure the future of this venue, as well as supporting Norwich City Council’s efforts to reach net zero. New trees will also be planted in the carpark area to further boost these eco credentials.

    The venue, which has been run by Places Leisure on behalf of the city council since 2013, received 350,000 visits last year.

    As part of the project, the centre’s car park will be closed for six weeks to facilitate essential construction. While there will be some short-term disruption, these efforts are aimed at future-proofing the centre and significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Blue-badge spaces will be made available from Tuesday 25 February, so only unavailable for one day. Places Leisure have contacted members and customers directly.

    The new energy system is expected to start producing power from April, with full project completion anticipated by this summer. From April onwards, disruption should be minimal, ensuring that visitors and members can continue enjoying the facilities with ease.

    Funding of £520,000 has been secured from the government and Sport England’s £60m Swimming Pool Support Fund, while the remaining £375,000 is being paid for by the city council.

    At the time funding was awarded, Councillor Emma Hampton, cabinet member for climate change, said:

    “I’m delighted that we have been able to secure funding to install such a large solar array at Riverside Leisure Centre, future proofing the venue by reducing emissions and ensuring that we can continue to provide these much-loved community facilities for years to come.

    “By placing solar panels on the roof and in the car park, we’re putting that empty space to good use – something we should aim to do more and more across the city as we work towards a net zero Norwich by 2045.”

    This project underscores the city council’s dedication to sustainability, ensuring a more energy-efficient future. We appreciate the patience and support of both users of the centre and residents living nearby during this time.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Executive Body Meeting of the South and West Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (SWARBICA) held at India International Centre

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 5:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The two-day Executive Body Meeting of the Heads of Archives of the South and West Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (SWARBICA) was inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, on 20thFebruary 2025, at the India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. The event was hosted by the National Archives of India.

    Representatives from the National Archives of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka attended both the inaugural and business sessions. The National Archives of Pakistan participated online, while the National Archives of Iran could not attend due to visa issues.

    The Chief Guest emphasized the shared cultural and religious heritage of SWARBICA member countries and underscored the importance of exchange programs, training in digital preservation, and archival conservation to strengthen collaboration. Shri Arun Singhal, Director General, National Archives of India, and Treasurer of SWARBICA, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the digitization of archival records undertaken by the National Archives of India. This SWARBICA meeting was convened after a gap of eight years, following the last meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2017.

    In addition to the Executive Body Meeting, the National Archives of India will host a seminar titled “Using AI for Digital Preservation in Archives” on 21st February 2025. The seminar will explore the role of AI in digital preservation, highlighting its significance and applications. Experts from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and SAMHiTA (International Research Division, India International Centre, New Delhi) will participate as resource persons.

    The South and West Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (SWARBICA) is an international umbrella organization for archival institutions. It provides a platform for archivists across the region to collaborate, strengthen professional relations, and enhance archival preservation. The idea to establish SWARBICA was conceived in 1973 at an Executive Committee Meeting of the International Council on Archives in Brussels, Belgium. It was officially formed on 11th December 1976 in a ceremonial event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

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    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2105300) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s intervention in Employment Working Group (EWG) in First G20 Employment Working Group Meeting under South African Presidency

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India’s intervention in Employment Working Group (EWG) in First G20 Employment Working Group Meeting under South African Presidency
    Secretary (L&E) outlines India’s achievement in leveraging technology and presented case studies on NCS and e-Shram portal as global best practices

    Bilateral held with ILO & OECD to expedite the feasibility study on International reference Classification of Occupations and Skills

    Bilateral held with Germany on collaboration in the field of AI and its impact on Jobs, OSH related knowledge exchange and strengthening labour administration under Joint Declaration of Intent

    Bilateral held with Netherlands on living wages and its alignment with India’s Multidimensional Poverty index

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 4:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The first G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) Meeting under South African Presidency concluded today on 21st Feb, 2025 at Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The EWG priorities (i) Inclusive Growth & Youth Empowerment and (ii) Social Security & Digitalisation for an Inclusive Future of Work, as was discussed in the working sessions of EWG meeting.

    During the four-days, delegates of G20 Members and invited states made interventions and presentations on key focus areas of the G20 Labour & Employment track.  Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary (Labour & Employment) led the Indian delegation and made interventions from Indian side on both the priorities. Secretary took an evidence-based approach on increased social security coverage in India, rising workforce in employment, as well as presented case studies on NCS and eShram to emphasize harnessing of technology by India for labour welfare.

    Secretary Labour highlighted India’s transformative use of technology to (i) onboard workers in unorganised sector and build a national database on EShram, and further utilise the portal for building access of workers to various social security schemes; (ii) Use of National Career Service (NCS) Portal to bridge the supply-demand in labour market through convergence of various stakeholders- employers, job-seekers, counselling and skilling services, etc. Case studies were presented on both EShram and NCS, both of which drew much interest of delegates of G20 member states on India’s strides in harnessing technology for the labour market.

    Case Study 1: eShram Portal

    India presented the eShram Portal as a case study, showcasing its role as a comprehensive national database for unorganized and platform workers, for ensuring seamless access to social security benefits as a ‘one-stop-solution.’ Available in 22 languages and powered by Bhashini, the portal assigns a Universal Account Number (UAN) to each worker, enhancing transparency and accountability. Further, the platform workers’ module, launched on December 12, 2024, enables aggregators to onboard workers and share engagement details, facilitating intelligent mapping to their employers. This initiative strengthens last-mile delivery of social security benefits, empowering millions in the informal sector and exemplifying India’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive welfare.

    Case Study 2: National Career Service (NCS) Portal

    India’s effort on leveraging technology to bridge the Jobs-Skills gap was presented through case study on NCS Portal. The Portal had mobilized over 440 million vacancies and registered 4 million employers, bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. NCS is also integrated with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Upskilling initiatives in green jobs, AI, and the platform economy were prioritized to meet future workforce demands. The QS World Future Skills Index 2025 recognized India’s strength in ‘ready-to-recruit’ markets for digital, AI and green jobs.

    Bilateral with ILO, OECD

    Follow-up on India’s G20 2023 Presidency with respect to developing an international framework for mutual recognition of skills and qualifications has been prioritised by the delegation. Accordingly, on the side-lines of 1st G20 EWG meeting, India held bilateral discussions with ILO, OECD and Germany regarding skill gap mapping feasibility study, its work plan and time-lines.

    Secretary briefed on the latest updates regarding funding, status of agreement with ILO to complete the study, and collaboration with concerned stakeholders. It was agreed that feasibility study will focus on three key sectors: IT, Green Jobs, and Care-related roles.

    Given India’s demographic dividend, and the projection of India to increasingly meet incremental global workforce requirements over the next decade, this study assumes great significance for facilitation of international mobility of qualified Indians.

    Bilateral with Netherlands

    A bilateral discussion was held with the Netherlands, focusing on India’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and its alignment with global efforts to address poverty through the concept of ‘Living Wages,’ thus improving living standards. Collaboration with the Netherlands and the ILO was highlighted as critical to advancing living wages, with proposals for exchange of best practices and technical discussion on estimation of living wages. India reiterated its dedication to collaborating with international partners to advance decent work, sustainable wage systems, and enhanced livelihoods for workers.

    Bilateral with Germany

    During bilateral discussion with Germany, the importance of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) entered by India with Germany in the month of October 2024 was highlighted. The JDoI is important for enhancing cooperation in work in global supply chains, human-centric AI and its impact on Jobs, developing Gig economy, a global skills referencing framework, etc. India reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with Germany, fostering innovative projects and a shared vision for an inclusive and equitable future of work.

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    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2105272) Visitor Counter : 148

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Gender participation in governance is fundamental to bring about equality and to cut into inequities: Vice President of India, Dr Jagdeep Dhankhar

    Source: Government of India

    Gender participation in governance is fundamental to bring about equality and to cut into inequities: Vice President of India, Dr Jagdeep Dhankhar

    India is trying to leverage its technology for empowering people, to mitigate the suffering and to cut corruption and to generate transparency and accountability: Vice President

    Vice President of India, Dr Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the conference of African-Asian Rural Development Organization

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 4:47PM by PIB Delhi

    Addressing the delegates at the conference of African-Asian Rural Development Organization in New Delhi today the Vice President of India, Dr Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the gender participation in governance is fundamental to bring about equality and to cut into inequities. India perhaps the only country in the world that has constitutionally structured participation of women in governance. He said that in village and municipal one third seats has been reserved for women. Pertaining to women empowerment he said that his government has taken initiatives that women at all level right from the Panchayat to be empowered. He informed that lakhs of women are frequently being elected through the election process in Panchayat, Cooperative etc. level. They are heading challenges of governance at village Panchayat and district level. He said that elections have been fortified in the constitution it’s a legal framework of functioning of various democratic institution, where the participation of women has been given priority.

    Dr Jagdeep Dhankhar informed that in a country of 1.5 billion people, drastic change is seen in every field in last one decade, education, economy and other basic immunity providing sectors like internet, electricity, cocking gas, toilet etc. He said that massive transformative steps have been taken through two aspects by the government that has helped the country with enormously benefited people. Of them one is education and the second is empowering of the people, when it comes to internet uses per capita India is more than USA & China.

    He said that when it comes to formalization of economy or digital transfer, we account more than 50 percent of the global communities. In decade ago, our economy had only double digit in global bench mark and now we are fifth position in the world and on the way to becoming third economic power of the world in next two years. He said that our nation is set for target that India would be a developed nation by 2047; there was a time our nation has to deposit its gold with Banks in Switzerland to sustain our fiscal credibility by then the foreign exchange reserve was only 11 billion US dollar, if it can be compared to the present situation the volume has gone to 7 hundred billion US dollar. Dr Dhankhar said that India is an example for the rest of the world that what could be impacts of the good initiatives in the field of rural development; empowerment of people etc. This convergence is a significant mile stone that would take the nation to a new height. Vice President said that this conference of African-Asian Rural Development Organization would go a long way in defining the stability of the world, he said that if World’s stability is to be defined then growth of rural sector, agriculture and corporative sector etc.  are top most important. 

    He said that the world is facing challenges for its safe existence. Indicating climate change the Vice President Shri Dhankhar said that it’s a menace created only by us by reckless exploitation of natural resources of which we are not the owner.  He said that we thought that this planet is meant for only human being not for others but there are also other challenges that include hunger, poverty. In one hand we have exploited technology to its maximum extent and on the other hand we have problem like hunger & poverty. In such a situation India is trying to leverage its technology for empowering people, to mitigate the suffering and to cut the corruption and to generate transparency and accountability.

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    MG/NR

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Expands Collaboration with UK in Key Areas of Telecom, AI, and Emerging Technologies

    C-DOT and SONIC Labs Join Hands to Drive Open RAN Innovation

    Roundtable on Telecoms & AI: Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary T highlights India’s leadership in the telecommunications sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 1:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The Secretary (Telecom) of India visited the United Kingdom to engage with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UK and explore opportunities for collaboration in next-generation telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space technology, further strengthening Indo-UK ties in these critical areas.

    The Secretary (Telecom) met with Mr. Chris Johnson, National Scientific Adviser, and Mr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser of DSIT. The discussions centred on emerging technologies and their applications in 5G, 6G, digital infrastructure security.

    The Secretary also met with Mr. Geoff Huggins, Director, Digital Directorate, Govt of Scotland, to discuss collaborative efforts in digital transformation through telecom, telecom security, and emerging telecom technologies.

    Secretary (Telecom) held a field visit at one of the six Federated Telecom Hubs (FTH) in the UK, specializing in Cloud and Distributed Computing (CHEDDAR). This hub leads cutting-edge research in 6G distributed cloud, AI for 6G, green 6G, and advanced sensing technologies.
    Furthermore, the Secretary met with Ms. Jean Innes, CEO of the Alan Turing Institute, for discussions on potential collaboration in digital twins, AI for telecom security, ethical AI, and fostering an AI innovation and startup ecosystem.

    Additionally, the Secretary visited Scotland’s 5G Centre at the University of Strathclyde and the 6G Research Centre at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering. These visits facilitated discussions on collaboration in 6G innovation, future sensing technologies, the exchange of technology such as the 5G stack, and student exchange programs to foster academic and industrial partnerships.

    Scotland  5G Center                                                                    Demonstration of remote dental surgery at 6G research Center

    UK-India Telecom Roundtable & MoU Signing

    Building on the strong foundation of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI), where telecom remains a key priority, a roundtable discussion was convened with key UK stakeholders from DSIT, leading business entities such as BT and Ericsson, and innovation hubs and centres, including SONIC Labs, UK Telecom Labs, TITAN, JOINER. Representatives from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Innovate UK, and the UK Technology Innovation Network (UKTIN) also participated, exploring avenues for mutual cooperation. The roundtable was organized by the High Commission of India (HCI) in partnership with UKTIN. Dr. Neeraj Mittal highlighted India’s leadership in the telecom sector and its rapid advancements in next-generation network technologies.

    Following the roundtable, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SONIC Labs and the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT). The agreement focuses on Open RAN-related policy and technical matters, including 5G Open RAN and Artificial Intelligence in 4G/5G

    Other key areas of collaboration which have been identified during the deliberations with various stakeholders on the telecom ecosystem of UK :

    • Establishment of a Joint Centres of Excellence focusing on telecom cybersecurity, AI in telecom, and digital twins.
    • Collaborative initiatives with British telcos to leverage mobile phone data for infrastructure planning, building upon India’s success in using such data for metro route planning.
    • Joint contributions to ITU for the development of 6G standards (IMT 2030).
    • Mutual recognition of testing labs and the establishment of new testing facilities.
    • Collaboration on Digital Twins, including standardization frameworks, privacy-enhancing technologies, and cross-sectoral data applications.
    • Advancing quantum communication solutions and submarine sea cable security.
    • Promoting the Indigenous 4G/5G telecom stack developed by CDOT.
    • Collaboration on space technology communication (TN-NTN) between the UK and India’s Bharat 6G Alliance.

    This visit underscored the shared commitment of India and the UK to drive innovation in telecom and digital infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in next-generation connectivity solutions. It also reflects India’s proactive approach to shaping global telecom policies, fostering AI-driven innovations, and strengthening international partnerships for a digitally inclusive future.

    About C-DOT

    C-DOT is the premier research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. It is dedicated to developing indigenous telecom technologies, including 4G/5G solutions, AI-driven network management, and cybersecurity frameworks, to enhance India’s telecom ecosystem and contribute to global standardization efforts.

    About SONIC Labs

    SONIC Labs (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) is a world-leading innovation programme and R&D facility based in London, funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Co-delivered by Digital Catapult and Ofcom, SONIC Labs drives global technology development in Open RAN, aiming to create a diverse and competitive telecom supply chain.

    About The Alan Turing Institute, UK

    The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI, drives world-class research, fosters AI innovation, and collaborates with academia, industry, and policymakers to address global challenges. With a network of 13 partner universities and an open collaboration model, it plays a pivotal role in advancing AI-driven solutions, shaping public policy, and developing future skills. The Institute supports global AI initiatives, where AI is a key driver of economic growth and societal transformation.

    About CHEDDAR

    The Communications Hub for Empowering Distributed Cloud Computing Applications and Research (CHEDDAR) is a pioneering research hub advancing next-generation computing, Edge Computing, and AI-driven systems. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) via the Technology Missions Fund (TMF), CHEDDAR serves as a critical platform for collaboration across academia, industry, and the global community. Led by Imperial College London, with core partners including Cranfield, Durham, Glasgow, Leeds, and York universities, CHEDDAR focuses on integrating future communication systems with cloud and AI technologies. With 6G standards on the horizon, CHEDDAR aims to drive research in secure, sustainable, and intelligent communication infrastructures, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

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    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2105225) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Day 2 #CTDDR2025: The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Source: Government of India

    Day 2 #CTDDR2025: The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Drug Resistance, Car T Cell Therapy, Parasitic, Viral disease and Natural Product Chemistry was the main theme of the Day

    Experts from different area shared their recent findings with the participants

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 11:35AM by PIB Delhi

    Today, on the second day of the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, observed important scientific deliberations by eminent scientists. Researchers and scholars presented their work through visually compelling posters, fostering discussions and knowledge exchange

    Pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative isolates are major risk for life,

    novel beta-lactam enhancerwould be helpful to manage the Pan-drug resistant: Sachin S. Bhagwat

    In scientific session II on “Concept to point of care: Drugs pending submission/approval or recently approved,” Dr. Sachin S. Bhagwat from the Wockhardt Research Center, Aurangabad, India, delivered his talk on the discovery of a novel mechanism of action-based β-lactam + β-lactam enhancer combination, WCK 5222, with comprehensive coverage of pan-drug resistant Gram negatives. He highlighted AMR has rendered many existing antibiotics ineffective, posing a major global health crisis.The widespread prevalence of MDR, XDR, and PDR Gram-negative pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant strains, has rendered many last-line antibiotics ineffective. The ICMR data shows concerning carbapenem resistance rates: over 90% in Acinetobacter, 45% in P. aeruginosa, and 69% in Klebsiella. As a result, clinicians frequently use medications with diminished safety or unproven combinations. These infections are responsible for up to 8.85 lakh deaths annually, with an additional 9.6 lakh linked to sepsis. Further, he shared his research on the development of a novel β-lactam enhancer, Zidebactam, which, in combination with cefepime (WCK 5222), demonstrated potent activity against 35,000 global pan-drug-resistant Gram-negative isolates. He mentioned that WCK 5222 has saved over 45 lives under compassionate use and completed successful trials in severe documented meropenem-resistant infections and is expected to change the treatment paradigm for life-threatening Gram-negative infections.

    Dr. Sachin S. Bhagwat speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    CAR-T cell therapy is an emerging approach for cancer care: Prof. Rahul Purwar

    Prof. Rahul Purwar from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, shared the journey on First “Make in India” CAR-T cell therapy: from R&D to clinic to market. Cancer is a worldwide issue and India has the second-highest cancer mortality rate. The CAR-T cell therapy is an emerging approach for cancer care. However, this technology is extremely expensive (500,000 USD/patient) and not available in India. To ensure its accessibility to all, they developed a robust, safe and affordable technology platform and validated through Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. He further noted that, CD19 CAR-T is approved by CDSCO for commercial use in October 2023, and now over 300 patients are treated across the country.

    Prof. Rahul Purwar from IIT, Bombay speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    Mitochondrial translation can be targeted for new possibilities of new therapeutic development for Apicomplexan parasites borne diseases: Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre

    In her Plenary Lecture on Toxoplasma gondii Mitoribosome from highly fragmented rRNAs to a functional Machine, Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, shared her research on Toxoplasma gondii Mitoribosome. Apicomplexan parasites are responsible for severe human diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, and babesiosis. She said, these parasites, in addition to small mitochondrial genome, contain fragmented mitoribosomal rRNAs, which complicates our understanding of mitoribosome assembly. Using apicoplast-less T. gondii parasites, they have identified drugs that specifically target mitochondrial translation. This approach offers exciting new possibilities for therapeutic development.

    Prof. Dominique Soldati-Favre speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    HACK-indices provides a rational basis for selecting next-generation probiotics and live biotherapeutic products: Dr. Tarini Shankar Ghosh

    Dr. Tarini Shankar Ghosh from The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, presented the efforts to identify the Health-Associated Core-Keystones (HACK) across population groups. The availability of HACK-indices provides a rational basis for selecting next-generation probiotics and live biotherapeutic products to promote general health. Through global meta-analysis of gut microbiomes from 127 studies, his group investigated 196 taxa for their association with three hallmark properties, i.e., prevalence/community-influence in non-diseased subjects, longitudinal stability and host health and integrated them into a single measure, the HACK-index. Using this HACK-index, they presented a ranking order of microbiome taxa based on their estimated contribution to both microbiome stability and host-health.

    Host-directed therapy for infectious diseases may be new hope for targeting antimicrobials: Prof. Christian Doerig

    Prof. Christian Doerig from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Australia, explained about the host-directed therapy that offers untapped targets limiting cross-resistance to existing antimicrobials and reduced susceptibility to de novo resistance. Using an antibody microarray directed against human signalling proteins, they identified potential antiviral targets as well as lead compounds. He further reported the identification of some erythrocytic kinases that are activated by infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Inhibitors targeting these kinases display high potency against parasite proliferation.

    Prof. Christian Doerig speaking at the 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” #CTDDR2025 at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow.

    Single-dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) as a game changer in the management of visceral leishmaniasis: Prof. Shyam Sundar

    Prof. Shyam Sundar from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, shared the journey of the epidemic of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), starting from its origin to elimination, in India. He emphasized single-dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) as a game changer in the management of VL in India. He noted that the elimination target for VL needs to hold in 2025 to obtain the WHO certification.

    The open science discovery of DNDi-6510 led to an orally bioavailable SARS-CoV2 antiviral: Dr. Peter Sjö

     

    In Session IV today, Dr. Peter Sjö from the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Switzerland, shared about the need for broad-spectrum oral antivirals. He reported the results of the COVID Moonshot, a fully open-science, crowd sourced, structure-enabled drug discovery campaign targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. He further discussed the lead series discovery and approaches to overcome ADMET issues which lead to the front runner preclinical candidate DNDI-6510 against SARS-CoV2.

    Novel antivirals to provide immediate therapeutic options against serious viral infections is need of the day: Prof. Sudhanshu Vrati

    Prof. Sudhanshu Vrati from the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, also mentioned the need for the novel antivirals to provide immediate therapeutic options against serious viral infections. As the new viral pathogens are constantly emerging and posing a serious threat of imminent epidemics. He presented the background to the science of antiviral development with an example of a novel antiviral against Chikungunya virus, developed in his lab.

    New rapid antigen tests are being developed for dengue, zika and chikungunya: Prof. Gaurav Batra

    Prof. Gaurav Batra fromthe Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad delivered their novel findings on the diagnostics of Arboviral infections, which include, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. He presented the data on the development of ELISA and rapid NS1 tests with high sensitivity, serotype-independent performance, and significantly improved detection of secondary infections of dengue virus. They are also developing rapid antigen tests for Zika and chikungunya, with the goal of integrating them into a multiplex diagnostic platform. These advanced diagnostics could enhance clinical trial design, patient selection, and treatment evaluation, ultimately contributing to more effective therapeutic strategies and public health responses.

    The V Parallel Session of #CTDDR2025 was dedicated on Natural product chemistry for novel drugs.

    Prof. Inder Pal Singh from NIPER, SAS Nagar, shared his research on development of wound healing and anti-inflammatory formulations from Seabuckthorn plant Hippophae rhamnoides L. They developed a cost effective method for plant extraction leading to isolation of Seabuckthorn fruit oil (IPHRFH) which showed good wound healing activity and was developed into Cream and Gel formulation.

    Dr. Chandra Kant Katiyar from Emami Ltd, Gurgaon, shared his thoughts on new drug discovery from medicinal plants: Issues, challenges and way forward. His talk shared insights into the multifaceted approaches to developing plant-based drugs, covering forward pharmacology, where compounds are screened for biological activity, and reverse pharmacology, which builds on traditional knowledge to validate therapeutic claims. He emphasized that, by integrating traditional knowledge with technology guided by regulations, medicinal plants can continue to be a cornerstone in addressing unmet medical needs globally.

    Dr. Ashutosh Pandey from the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, delivered a talk on “Engineering crops for value addition of health-beneficial natural products: From fundamentals to applications”. He presented insights into how plant metabolites regulate, interact with cellular signalling pathways, and modulate gene expression. Additionally, he discussed the regulatory roles of transcriptional factors and their interplay in fine-tuning flavonoid biosynthesis in agriculturally important crops like chickpea and banana. This knowledge can be leveraged for genetic manipulation to enhance the nutritional value of crops.

    In the Flash Talks & Poster Session Young Investigators presented their novel findings

    In the flash talk session, selected students and young faculty from different scientific fields, related to drug development, delivered their novel findings. In the Poster session today more than 180 posters were presented by the young investigators.

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    NKR/PSM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New York ETO celebrates Year of Snake with Georgia (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    New York ETO celebrates Year of Snake with Georgia (with photos)
    New York ETO celebrates Year of Snake with Georgia (with photos)
    ****************************************************************

         ​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) celebrated the Year of the Snake with Atlanta, Georgia, at the Hong Kong Spring Reception on February 19 (Atlanta time).           In her welcome remarks, the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, emphasised the strong ties between Hong Kong and Atlanta and the state of Georgia.           “Last year, total exports from Georgia to Hong Kong reached US$980 million, a 14.5 per cent year-on-year increase. This makes Georgia the fifth largest exporter to Hong Kong among all 50 US states in 2024,” she said.           Ms Ho also highlighted Hong Kong’s resilience in navigating global uncertainties, noting that the city’s GDP growth of 2.5 per cent last year is a testament to its ability to maintain stability and leverage its strategic position as a gateway between East and West.           “Looking ahead, we remain committed to enhancing our existing strengths, including our competitiveness as an international financial centre,” she added. “We are also exploring and investing in emerging sectors, such as fintech, biotech, and green energy. These sectors are not only reshaping our economic landscape but also paving the way for sustainable growth and innovation.”           Some 200 guests from Atlanta’s academic, business, diplomatic, finance, and political sectors, as well as students from Hong Kong, attended the annual event cohosted by New York ETO and the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta. Ms Ho encouraged them to visit Hong Kong and experience first-hand the city’s vibrant offerings – from delectable culinary delights and iconic skyline to its breathtaking natural scenery and the dynamic arts and cultural scene, which seamlessly blend East and West.           To further showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and culinary flair, the event featured two inflatable installations designed by popular Hong Kong creative brand Chocolate Rain, as well as two Hong Kong-themed cocktails.

     
    Ends/Friday, February 21, 2025Issued at HKT 11:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.20.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Feb 20, 2025

    Sacramento, California –Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Mayumi Kimura, of Temecula, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Woman Veterans at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Kimura has been the Founder and Director of Warriors Insight Therapy since 2022. She was a Readjustment Counselor at Lowell Vet Center from 2019 to 2022. Kimura was a Program Director at Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Housing Unit for Military Veterans from 2018 to 2019.  She was an Emergency Services Clinician at Riverside Community Care from 2017 to 2018. Kimura was a Social Services Clinician at Butler Psychiatric Hospital from 2016 to 2017. She was a Psychosocial Manager/Hospice Social Worker at Bayada Hospice from 2013 to 2017. Kimura served in multiple roles for the United States Navy from 2001 to 2010, including Active-Duty Operations Specialist, Petty Officer First Class, and Active Reserves. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $154,860. Kimura is a Democrat.

    Justin Turner, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California Department of Conservation. He has been Assistant Chief Counsel at the Department of Conservation since 2015 and Attorney III from 2008 to 2015. Turner was a Contract Attorney at the California Department of Public Health from 2005 to 2008. He was a Contract Attorney at Update Legal in 2004. Turner earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Oregon. This position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $208,440. Turner is a Democrat.

    Anthony “Tony” Marino, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Energy at the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. Marino has been the Deputy Director of the Underground Infrastructure Directorate at the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety since 2022. Marino was the Executive Officer of the Underground Safety Board at the Department of Foresty and Fire Protection from 2017 to 2021. He served as Consultant on the Subcommittee on Gas, Electric, and Transportation Safety in the Office of Senator Jerry Hill from 2012 to 2017. Marino held multiple positions in the Office of Assemblymember Jerry Hill from 2010 to 2012, including Legislative Aide and Science Fellow. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemistry from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in English and Chemistry from Davidson College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $175,512. Marino is registered without party preference.  

    Travis Nichols, of Sacramento, has been appointed Cyber Incident Response Manager at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Nichols has been an Operations Officer/Defensive Cyberspace Weapons Officer with the United States Marine Corps Reserve since 2010. He was a Consultant at Level9 Group in 2023. Nichols was a Cyber Security Operations Architect at Smith & Nephew from 2022 to 2023. He was an Information System Security Officer/Engineer at Defense Microelectronics Activity from 2021 to 2022. Nichols was a Systems Administrator – Server/Network Team Lead at Blackwatch International from 2019 to 2021. He was a Systems Administrator – Tier III – Team Lead at Cincinnati Bell Technical Solutions from 2018 to 2019. Nichols was a Service Support Engineer at Pathforward IT from 2016 to 2018. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $137,616. Nichols is a Democrat.

    Lynda Hopkins, of Sebastopol, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Hopkins has been the Fifth District Supervisor on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors since 2016. She was a Co-Owner at Foggy River Farm from 2008 to 2020. Hopkins was a Reporter at the Sonoma West Times & News from 2009 to 2013. She was the Executive Director at Sonoma County Farm Trails from 2008 to 2010. Hopkins was a Head Teaching Assistant at the Stanford University Earth Systems Program from 2005 to 2007. She is a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Hopkins earned a Master of Science degree in Earth Systems, a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Systems, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Creative Writing and Poetry from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hopkins is a Democrat.

    Dawn Ortiz-Legg, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Ortiz-Legg has been the Third District Supervisor on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors since 2020. She was a Right of Way Agent at Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 2018 to 2020. Ortiz-Legg was a Project Manager & Public Affairs Liaison at First Solar from 2010 to 2018. She was North American Sales and Marketing Manager at PTEC Corporation from 1999 to 2010. Ortiz-Legg is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District. She earned her Master of Public Policy degree in Climate Change and Technology Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Pepperdine University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ortiz-Legg is a Democrat.

    Tina Thomas, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board. Thomas has been Of Counsel at Downey Brand LLP since 2023. She was Founding Partner at Thomas Law Group Sacramento from 2012 to 2023. Thomas has held multiple positions at Remy, Thomas, Moose, and Manley, LLP from 1982 to 2011, including Counsel and Managing Partner. She was an Associate Attorney at Remy and Associates from 1979 to 1982. Thomas is a Board Member at the Steinberg Institute, Sacramento Federal Judiciary Library, and Meristem, and Member Emeritus at the Sacramento Food Bank. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from Stephens College. This position does not require Senate Confirmation, and there is no compensation. Thomas is a Democrat.

    Frances “Fran” Pavley, of Agoura Hills, has been reappointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board, where she has served since 2018. Pavley has been the Environmental Policy Director at the University of Southern California Schwarzenegger Institute since 2018. She served as a Senator in the California State Senate from 2008 to 2016. Pavley served as an Assemblymember in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006. She served as Mayor/City Councilmember for the City of Agoura Hills from 1982 to 1998. Pavley earned her Master of the Arts degree in Environmental Planning from California State University, Northridge, and her Bachelor of the Arts degree in Social Science from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate Confirmation, and there is no compensation.  Pavley is a Democrat.

    Travis Clausen, of Garden Grove, has been appointed to the Underground Safe Excavation Board. Clausen has been Regional Construction Manager – Aviation and Defense at Sully-Miller Contracting Company since 2025, where he was Senior Operations Manager from 2015 to 2025. Clausen was a Project Manager at OHL USA from 2014 to 2015 and at Sully Miller Contracting Company from 2006 to 2014. Clausen served in the United States Army from 1995 to 1998. He earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Business Administration – Finance from California State University, Fullerton. This position does not require Senate Confirmation and there is no compensation. Clausen is a Republican.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Feb 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Andrew “Andy” Nakahata, of San Francisco, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank….

    Feb 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: A court has denied the city of Norwalk’s request to dismiss the state’s lawsuit against the city for its unlawful ban on homeless shelters.  NORWALK — Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement in response to a court decision…

    Feb 19, 2025

    News What you need to know: Steve Jobs, a visionary of global scale, has been nominated to represent California on the American Innovation Coin. The coin, which will be minted by the U.S. Mint, highlights U.S. innovations and innovators, including California’s legacy…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Foreign Direct Investment in 2023: Key Highlights

    Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

    Inward direct investment grew by $1.75 trillion, rising 4.4% to reach a record $41 trillion by year-end!

    Largest Gains:
    Singapore: +$307 billion (+15%)
    United States: +$227 billion (+4.4%)

    Largest Declines:
    The Netherlands: -$282 billion (-9%)
    Germany: -$141 billion (-3.7%)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHyR9MY4Q3Q

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – What if orbital debris destroyed satellites? – 21-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Space technologies are playing an increasingly critical role in communications, defence and research. As more satellites are launched, there is a growing risk of collision, and of satellites becoming military targets. Satellite-debris collisions have the potential to destroy not just one or two but many satellites, preventing the use of those orbits for years. Although de-orbiting satellites at a faster pace may be a solution, orbital debris falling back to Earth can cause environmental harm. Europe needs to better understand the risks and take regulatory and diplomatic steps to ensure continued access to space while protecting domestic and global interests.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU-Israel Association Agreement – P-000496/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000496/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Hilde Vautmans (Renew)

    Whereas the EU and Israel will be discussing their relations in late February;

    whereas Article 2 of the Association Agreement stipulates that ‘Relations between the Parties […] shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which […] constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.’;

    whereas, under Article 79, either party may take ‘appropriate measures” if it considers that the other party is failing to fulfil an obligation under the Agreement;

    having regard to the unacceptable number of civilian deaths, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel’s withdrawal from the agreement with UNRWA;

    having regard to the escalation in the West Bank, violence by settlers, the expansion of illegal settlements, damage to EU-funded buildings, and Israeli military operations in the West Bank:

    How will damage to EU-funded buildings be recompensed?

    Submitted: 4.2.2025

    Last updated: 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – State aid assessment: Final judgment on Apple – 21-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    In September 2024, a Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment, rendered in appeal, concluded a 10-year State aid procedure on Ireland’s past tax rulings relating to Apple. The ECJ judgment did not go as anticipated. In addition, the over €13 billion in aid to be recovered from Apple eclipsed the grounds for the decision, which derive from the specific historical structure of the business and national provisions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Other events – Exchange of Wiews on Repeated Delays in the Entry/Exit System Implementation – 18-02-2025 – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    On 18 February, LIBE held a debate aimed to address the ongoing delays in the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES), a critical element of the EU’s border strategy and interoperability framework.

    LIBE Members exchanged with Dariusz Nowak-Nova, Polish Presidency of the EU Council, Olivier Onidi, European Commission, and Marili Männik, EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.

    Stakeholders discussed the reasons behind the repeated delays and the steps being taken by the Council, the Commission, and eu-LISA to prevent further setbacks. The Commission also outlined its recent legislative proposal for a phased roll-out of the system, as the original plan for a full deployment across all Member States is no longer feasible.

    Members expressed concerns that these delays reflect a weakness in Schengen, highlighting the impact on other key systems such as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). There were also concerns about the potential influence of Russian interference in the development of EES.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Negative impact of social media on vulnerable groups – E-000564/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000564/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Liesbet Sommen (PPE)

    There has already been extensive research into the negative impact of social media platforms on the mental health of vulnerable groups, such as young girls and people from the LGBTQ community. Ninety-six percent of young people in the EU use the internet daily; for the population as a whole, the figure is 90%. In addition to addictive algorithms and negative effects on self-image and self-esteem, these platforms also run potentially life-threatening algorithms. Last November, two young girls committed suicide after being exposed to content about suicide and self-harm. Platforms such as TikTok contain a myriad of videos that promote eating disorders and suicide. A year and a half ago, Amnesty International published reports highlighting the negative effects on young TikTok users. The research shows how manipulative and addictive TikTok is and how its algorithm recommends life-threatening content, such as romanticising suicide, to children and young people with mental problems.

    Will the Digital Fairness Act also focus on vulnerable groups, and when can the Commission’s proposal be expected?

    Submitted: 7.2.2025

    Last updated: 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Number of counterfeit euro banknotes continues to be low in 2024

    Source: European Central Bank

    21 February 2025

    • 554,000 counterfeit euro banknotes withdrawn in 2024 representing, by historical standards, small proportion of total banknotes in circulation
    • €20 and €50 most counterfeited denominations, accounting for over 75% of all counterfeit notes withdrawn
    • Euro banknotes remain safe and trusted means of payment
    • Authenticity of euro banknotes can be verified using “feel, look and tilt” method

    Some 554,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2024. The likelihood of receiving a counterfeit is low, as the number of counterfeits is very small in proportion to genuine euro banknotes in circulation. In 2024, 18 counterfeits were detected per million genuine banknotes in circulation, which is very low compared with the levels observed following the launch of the euro (see chart).

    Chart

    Number of counterfeit euro banknotes detected annually per million genuine notes in circulation

    Although the proportion is very small, the actual number of counterfeits has increased compared with the past few years, when the number of counterfeits was exceptionally low following the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the number of counterfeits remains lower than in the years leading up to the pandemic.

    €20 and €50 denominations continued to be the most commonly counterfeited, together accounting for more than 75% of the total (see table). 97.8% of the counterfeits were found in euro area countries, while 1.3% were found in non-euro area EU Member States and 0.9% in other parts of the world.

    Table

    Breakdown of counterfeits by denomination in 2024

    Denomination

    €5

    €10

    €20

    €50

    €100

    €200

    €500

    Percentage of total

    1.3

    6.8

    36.0

    43.6

    7.9

    3.8

    0.6

    The public does not need to be concerned about counterfeiting but should remain vigilant. Most counterfeits are easy to detect, as they have either no security features or only very poor imitations of the existing features. Notes can be checked using the simple “feel, look and tilt” method described on our dedicated security features web page or on the websites of the euro area national central banks. The Eurosystem also helps professional cash handlers by ensuring that successfully tested machines for handling and processing banknotes can reliably identify counterfeits and withdraw them from circulation.

    If you receive a suspicious banknote, compare it side by side with one you know to be genuine. If your suspicions are confirmed, please contact the police or – depending on national practice – your national central bank or your own retail or commercial bank. The Eurosystem actively supports law enforcement agencies in the fight against currency counterfeiting.

    For media queries, please contact Nicos Keranis, tel.: +49 172 758 7237.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Policy hub on Better law-making – 21-02-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    These proceedings cover the Policy Hub on Better Law-Making in the European Union held on December 4, 2024. During the hub European academics indicated that European legislation is no longer fit for purpose and urgently needs modernisation. The experts recommended simplification of the structure and the drafting style of European legislation, citizen-centred approach to EU legislation, along with improving evidence base and digitisation. These proceedings are prepared by Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs for the JURI Committee.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Adoption of the ReFuelEU Aviation Act and the economic impact of mandatory minimum sustainable aviation fuel quotas in the air transport sector – E-000653/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000653/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), Kosma Złotowski (ECR), Roman Haider (PfE), Katarína Roth Neveďalová (NI), Dominik Tarczyński (ECR), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Aldo Patriciello (PfE), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE), Paolo Borchia (PfE), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Piotr Müller (ECR), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Petr Bystron (ESN), Filip Turek (PfE), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE), Jorge Martín Frías (PfE), Vilis Krištopans (PfE), Anders Vistisen (PfE), Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Pál Szekeres (PfE), Annamária Vicsek (PfE), Enikő Győri (PfE), Klara Dostalova (PfE), Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Michał Dworczyk (ECR), Ondřej Krutílek (ECR), Diego Solier (ECR)

    The introduction of the obligation to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a rate of 2 %, as mandated by the ReFuelEU Aviation Act[1], risks having severe consequences for the air transport sector and European citizens. According to authoritative sources[2], this regulation will inevitably increase airline costs, resulting in higher ticket prices and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable population groups and regional economies.

    Once again, the Commission appears to be disregarding the social and economic impact of its decisions, imposing measures that burden citizens and businesses without clear evidence of the promised environmental benefits. At a time marked by inflation, rising living costs and an energy crisis, it seems irresponsible to introduce new obligations without conducting adequate impact assessments and implementing concrete measures to prevent negative consequences.

    In light of these concerns, can the Commission respond to the following questions:

    • 1.On what basis did it impose the 2 % SAF requirement without first ensuring that the resulting cost increase would not be entirely passed on to citizens and businesses?
    • 2.What concrete measures does it intend to adopt to prevent this decision from leading to a further rise in airfares, penalising millions of European citizens, particularly those in remote and island regions, who are already disadvantaged in terms of connectivity?

    Supporter[3]

    Submitted: 12.2.2025

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport (ReFuelEU Aviation) (OJ L, 2023/2405, 31.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2405/oj).
    • [2] https://www.quotidiano.ilsole24ore.com/art.php?t=S24&e=SOLE&i=20250124&artid=1996955.
    • [3] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Julien Leonardelli (PfE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The death of three minors at the Bulgarian border – E-000665/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000665/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Estrella Galán (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE), Catarina Martins (The Left), Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left), Irene Montero (The Left), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Markéta Gregorová (Verts/ALE), Damien Carême (The Left), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE), Brando Benifei (S&D), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Francisco Assis (S&D), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Thijs Reuten (S&D), Leire Pajín (S&D), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D)

    According to a recent report[1], Bulgarian border police failed to assist three unaccompanied Egyptian minors in distress, despite repeated alerts from human rights defenders. Attempts to rescue them were blocked by the Bulgarian authorities, resulting in the minors’ deaths.

    For years, human rights monitors, journalists and Frontex officers have documented systematic violations by the Bulgarian border authorities. Attacks on defenders of migrants’ rights have escalated, with Bulgarian authorities shifting responsibility for these deaths onto them. These abuses coincide with Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen area and significant EU funding for migration management.

    This raises serious concerns under Article 2 (right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

    • 1.What steps will the Commission take to investigate Bulgaria’s responsibility for these deaths, ensure accountability (under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union), and prevent further abuses in the context of its Schengen accession?
    • 2.How will the Commission ensure that EU funds for Bulgarian border management are not used to support pushbacks, obstruct humanitarian aid or contribute to human rights violations?
    • 3.What measures will the Commission implement to protect human rights defenders from criminalisation under the EU Facilitation Directive and ensure they can operate without interference?

    Submitted: 12.2.2025

    • [1] https://bloodyborders.org/reports/frozen-lives-an-investigation-into-how-bulgarian-authorities-put-the-lives-of-people-on-the-move-at-risk-of-death/.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Next meeting – Committee on Regional Development

    Source: European Parliament

    The Committee on Regional Development will hold its next meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, 19 March from 09:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:30

    Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Next meeting of the FEMM Committee: 3 March and IWD event on 6 March – Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

    Source: European Parliament

    The next meeting of the Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights will take place on:

    • 3 March 2025, from 16.30 – 17.30 in room ANTALL 6Q2, FEMM committee meeting
    • 6 March 2025, from 9.00 – 12.30 in room ANTALL 6Q2, International Women’s Day 2025 event

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: FOREX.com to Exhibit at Invest Cuffs Conference in Krakow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KRAKOW, Poland, Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FOREX.com, a subsidiary of StoneX Group Inc. (“StoneX”; NASDAQ: SNEX), is proud to announce its participation in the upcoming Invest Cuffs conference as the official Chillout Zone Partner. The event will take place in Krakow on March 28-29, marking FOREX.com’s inaugural presence at one of Poland’s most prominent investment gatherings.

    Invest Cuffs has been a cornerstone of financial education and investment discourse in Poland for over a decade, drawing thousands of attendees to explore a wide range of investment opportunities, from real estate to cryptocurrencies. The event serves as a platform for financial professionals, investors, and industry leaders to share insights, strategies, and market perspectives.

    With over 120 exhibitors participating, FOREX.com’s presence at Invest Cuffs will provide a unique opportunity to engage with both local and international financial experts. As a leading trading services provider, FOREX.com is committed to fostering investment awareness in the region.

    Representing FOREX.com at the event will be Marcin Tuszkiewicz, CEO of Squaber.com and an experienced FOREX.com trader with over 15 years of market expertise. Tuszkiewicz will be one of the featured speakers, delivering a session on price action analysis and investment psychology on Saturday, March 29.

    Invest Cuffs promises to be an engaging event, offering valuable networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions on the future of investing. FOREX.com welcomes all attendees to visit its booth in the Chillout Zone to learn more about its trading solutions.

    About StoneX Group Inc.

    StoneX Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high touch service and deep expertise. The Company strives to be the one trusted partner to its clients, providing its network, product and services to allow them to pursue trading opportunities, manage their market risks, make investments and improve their business performance. A Fortune 100 company headquartered in New York City and listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ:SNEX), StoneX Group Inc. and its more than 4,500 employees serve more than 54,000 commercial, institutional, and payments clients, and more than 400,000 retail accounts, from more than 80 offices spread across six continents. Further information on the Company is available at www.stonex.com.

    About FOREX.com

    FOREX.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of StoneX Group Inc, is a leading online trading provider offering access to a wide range of markets. With award-winning platforms, competitive pricing, and a commitment to transparent execution, FOREX.com supports +1m traders worldwide in achieving their financial goals.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Prosafe SE: Operational update – January 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    21 February – Fleet utilisation for January 2025 was 57 per cent.  

    Safe Notos and Safe Concordia operated at full capacity during this period, achieving 100% utilisation. Safe Eurus and Safe Zephyrus achieved a utilisation rate of 99% each.

    Safe Caledonia has commenced reactivation activities in Scapa Flow, UK, and will mobilise to the Captain Field, UK, within June 2025.

    Safe Boreas is in Norway preparing for relocation in Q2 2025 for a contract in Australia commencing between mid November 2025 and mid February 2026.

    Prosafe has entered into an agreement to sell Safe Concordia to an undisclosed party. The vessel is expected to be delivered to its new owner upon completion of her current charter obligations, within a window of March through June 2025. The sale of the vessel is subject to customary closing conditions and requirements.

    Safe Scandinavia remains laid up in Norway.

    Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to https://www.prosafe.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Terje Askvig, CEO
    Phone: +47 952 03 886

    Reese McNeel, CFO
    Phone: +47 415 08 186

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Climate change could make more turtles female – but some are starting to adapt

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mollie Rickwood, PhD Researcher, Marine Conservation, University of Exeter

    A loggerhead turtle nesting. Mollie Rickwood, CC BY-NC-ND

    Rising global temperatures are a particularly acute threat for the world’s sea turtles. That’s because the temperature of a turtle’s nest controls the sex of their offspring.

    Coming ashore onto a beach (often the beach from where they hatched), sea turtles use their flippers to carefully scoop out the sand and create flask-shaped nests in the sand in which they lay their eggs. There is no maternal care for these nests – their success depends solely on the environment. Hotter nests will produce more female hatchlings, but fewer babies will survive into adulthood once temperatures rise above a critical threshold.

    Unless sea turtles find a way to counteract rising nest temperatures, climate change could produce an increasing number of females and fewer offspring – a frightening scenario for sea turtle biologists like us.

    Fortunately, we were pleased to discover that green and loggerhead turtles that breed in North Cyprus are arriving earlier in the year to offset some of the impacts of rising incubation temperatures.

    Since the early 1990s, the Society for the Protection of Turtles and our team at the University of Exeter have been working together to monitor and protect the green and loggerhead turtles that nest on the beaches of North Cyprus.

    Every summer, a team of dedicated volunteers patrols nesting beaches to record every nest that has been laid. They place temperature data-loggers into these nests and tag every female they encounter. The result is a unique database of over 1,300 individual female turtles for whom the date, location and hatching success of her nests is known.

    Using this database, we were able to show that, since 1992, green and loggerhead turtles in North Cyprus are nesting more than half a day earlier each year (greens 0.61 days, loggerheads 0.78 days). Before the mid 2000s, no turtles had been recorded nesting before June, but now we expect to see quite a few nests from the start of May.

    Do the seasons feel increasingly weird to you? You’re not alone. Climate change is distorting nature’s calendar, causing plants to flower early and animals to emerge at the wrong time.

    This article is part of a series, Wild Seasons, on how the seasons are changing – and what they may eventually look like.

    If temperatures keep rising at current rates, we estimated that to maintain current sex ratios, the loggerhead turtles would need to keep nesting half a day earlier each year. To prevent a decrease in hatching rates, they’ll need to nest 0.7 days earlier each year.

    This means that, for the time being, our loggerheads are shifting their nesting dates early enough to maintain current incubation temperatures and, therefore, sex ratios and hatching success. Good news.

    Though our study in loggerheads offers cause for optimism, there is no guarantee that the females will continue to nest earlier and earlier each year. To try to understand if this might be the case, we wanted to understand whether temperature was the main factor driving this earlier nesting.

    Temperature isn’t everything

    For individual green turtles, we confirmed that the temperature is an important factor in causing them to nest earlier. In fact, we found that individual females will nest 6.47 days earlier for every degree celsius increase in sea temperature.

    However, we also showed that how many times a female has bred before and the number of times she lays eggs in a breeding season explain an equal amount of the variation in her lay dates. These observations have important effects when we think about what is happening to the green turtle population as a whole.

    As a result of conservation measures such as protecting the nests from predation and relocating nests laid too close to the high water line we have seen a big population increase in the green turtles at our study site in North Cyprus. Since 1992, numbers have grown from 55 nests per year to over 400.

    Understanding the current trend of earlier nesting is complicated. But, for now, we can be assured that sea turtles are doing just enough to counteract the negative effects of climate change – which is fantastic news.

    The turtles are doing their bit. Now, it is up to us to ensure the continued conservation and long-term monitoring of this charismatic ocean ambassador to give them the best chance of survival in our changing world.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Annette Broderick receives funding from the Darwin Initiative, MAVA Foundation, Natural Environment Research Council and the Royal Society

    Robin Snape is affiliated with The Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT).

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

    – ref. Climate change could make more turtles female – but some are starting to adapt – https://theconversation.com/climate-change-could-make-more-turtles-female-but-some-are-starting-to-adapt-249619

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Woman attempts to import £13,000 of cocaine21 February 2025 A 39-year-old woman has been sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for attempting to import cocaine into the Island, with a street value of £13,000. ​Emma Louise LLEWELLYN (born 20/11/1985),… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    21 February 2025

    A 39-year-old woman has been sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for attempting to import cocaine into the Island, with a street value of £13,000.

    ​Emma Louise LLEWELLYN (born 20/11/1985), from Stoke-on-Trent, appeared before Jersey’s Royal Court yesterday afternoon (Thursday 20 February 2025). LLEWELLYN arrived in the Island on a flight ​from Liverpool on Friday 8 November 2024 and when questioned by Jersey Customs and Immigration Officers stated that she was visiting the Island for the weekend, to see a friend.

    A search of her baggage was conducted during which several swabs were taken, which proved positive for cocaine.​

    LLEWELLYN initially denied drug use but later admitted to using cocaine the previous week.

    Following a search of LLEWELLYN’s person she was found to have concealed a wrapped package containing 52 grams of cocaine.

    When interviewed she admitted attempting to import the drugs for which she would have received £1,000 in payment. She also stated that she owed £350 to the individual who had given her the drugs to import.

    ​Paul Le Monnier, Senior Manager at Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, said: “Individuals will be offered payment or the ability to clear debts by attempting to import drugs, on behalf of others, but the huge risks involved, and the sentencing handed out by the Courts should be a clear deterrent”.

    Anyone with information on drug smuggling can report it anonymously via 0800 735 5555. 

    ​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft held a patriotic event “Connection of Generations” in Orenburg

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Employees of the Orenburgneft company (Rosneft’s key production asset in the Volga region) held a patriotic event, “Connection of Generations,” in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. More than 50 schoolchildren from the “Movement of the First,” teachers, veteran oil workers, and representatives of public organizations took part in the event.

    During the event, industry veterans with the status of “children of war” shared their wartime memories with primary school students. The children heard first-hand stories about the events that their peers had to endure during the Great Patriotic War. The schoolchildren were able to ask questions and learn many historical facts about the contribution of Orenburg oil producers to the Victory. In total, about 1 million tons of oil were extracted from the region’s depths in 1941-1945 for the needs of the front. This was done mainly by women and teenagers who worked day and night to provide fuel to the Soviet Army.

    The veterans told the young listeners how they rejoiced at the announcement of the long-awaited Victory, how they worked in the oil industry after the war and participated in the restoration of cities and districts of the Orenburg region.

    The event became a real lesson in courage and patriotism; children had a unique opportunity to communicate with witnesses of heroic events, feel the connection between generations and understand the price at which their great-grandfathers won the Victory.

    The winners of the corporate festival “Energy of Talents” performed musical compositions from the war years for the guests of the meeting. Schoolchildren recited poems dedicated to the heroism of our people and love for the Motherland. In conclusion, the children’s choir performed the military-patriotic anthem, and the company’s volunteers presented the veterans with memorable gifts.

    The company is developing a volunteer program called “Good Deeds Platform”, within the framework of which employees, among other things, take an active part in historical, cultural and social-humanitarian initiatives. Volunteers conduct educational events and lessons aimed at preserving historical memory, forming spiritual and patriotic values in the younger generation.

    Reference:

    Orenburgneft is the largest oil producing enterprise in the Orenburg region, has been operating for over 60 years. The company is a multiple winner of the competition “Leader of the Economy of the Orenburg Region”, including in such nominations as “Organization of High Social Efficiency”.

    Today, Orenburgneft supports 2 veterans who participated in the Great Patriotic War, 41 home front workers, and 2 veterans who have been awarded the “Resident of Blockaded Leningrad” badge.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 20, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft commissions major energy facility at Samotlor field

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Samotlorneftegaz, one of Rosneft’s key production assets, has launched a new electrical substation to ensure a more reliable supply of electricity to the mechanized well stock and oil preparation and pumping facilities. The economic effect of the new facility will be about 425 million rubles per year.

    The 110/35/6 kV substation with a capacity of 2×40 MVA is equipped with modern power and switching equipment of Russian manufacture, which is adapted for uninterrupted operation in the climatic conditions of Western Siberia. Automatic control and relay protection device provide remote monitoring of equipment in real time. Electronics also allow online diagnostics of the operating parameters of power transformers, in particular, chemical analysis of the condition of transformer oil. Maintenance can be carried out “on condition”, which allows extending the service life of the equipment.

    A 16 km long double-circuit high-voltage power line was built to supply the substation. The support foundations have ice protection, which increases the reliability of the overhead line structures, which pass mainly through marshy terrain. Remotely controlled switches will reduce the time of operational switching and improve the quality of energy mode control.

    Environmental protection measures have been carried out on the line – special devices prevent birds from landing on the wires, which allows for the complete protection of the bird population.

    Reference:

    JSC Samotlorneftegaz, one of the key production enterprises of NK Rosneft, carries out production activities in the Nizhnevartovsk region of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra. It develops the largest Samotlor field in Russia, the industrial exploitation of which began in 1969. The total area of the enterprise’s licensed areas is more than 2.9 thousand square kilometers.

    The company manages a developed electric grid infrastructure. Samotlorneftegaz operates a total of more than 230 substations of various voltage classes, over 70 distribution devices, and power transmission lines with a length of more than 4 thousand km.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 20, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft volunteers held a lesson in courage in a Saratov school

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, employees of the Saratov Oil Refinery (part of Rosneft) held a lesson in courage for students of the Cossack classes of Secondary School No. 43 in Saratov in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    During the event, the children visited the plant’s museum, where they got acquainted with the exhibition display of the enterprise’s labor and military glory. The volunteers, in turn, told about the heroic work of the team during the Great Patriotic War. In 1941-1945, the plant produced a quarter of all fuel for the needs of the front, and, despite fierce bombing by enemy aircraft, made a significant contribution to the Victory.

    For its labor feat, the Saratov Oil Refinery was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. The enterprise was also given the Banner of the State Defense Committee for eternal safekeeping.

    At the end of the excursion, the schoolchildren watched the documentary film “War of Motors”, created with the support of Rosneft. The newsreel tells about the role of fuel in the Great Patriotic War, as well as about the heroic work of oil workers in the rear, thanks to which the Red Army was continuously supplied with fuel.

    The Saratov Oil Refinery is actively developing the volunteer program “Good Deeds Platform”, within the framework of which employees, among other things, take an active part in historical, cultural and social-humanitarian initiatives. Volunteers conduct educational events and lessons that are aimed at preserving historical memory, forming spiritual and patriotic values in the younger generation.

    Reference:

    Secondary school No. 43 in Saratov is named after Hero of the Soviet Union, Army General Vasily Filippovich Margelov, a talented military leader during the Great Patriotic War. The first Cossack class was opened at the school in 2004, and today their number has increased to 18.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 21, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE workshop enhances protection of soft targets, public events, in Kyrgyzstan

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE workshop enhances protection of soft targets, public events, in Kyrgyzstan

    Participants in a workshop on protecting soft targets, such as public events, from terrorist attacks in Bishkek, 18 February 2024. (OSCE) Photo details

    Protecting soft targets, such as public events, from terrorist attacks was the focus of an OSCE workshop held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 18 to 20 February. The event, bringing together 30 government officials, was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. 
    “Project PROTECT offers us a unique opportunity to engage in tabletop exercises and share international perspectives on vulnerable targets protection. By learning together, we create a powerful synergy—gaining new skills, exchanging lessons, and strengthening our global approach,” highlighted Adylbek Kadyraliev, Deputy Director of the Anti-Terrorism Center of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic.
    Participants discussed pre-event security planning tasks notably the delineation of roles and responsibilities between private and public stakeholders, assessing risk, managing traffic and ensuring human rights and privacy considerations. This theoretical knowledge was then tested in a full-day scenario-based exercise which encouraged rapid, practical and co-ordinated decision-making by participants.
    “The protection of soft targets is a cornerstone of comprehensive security strategies. By addressing vulnerabilities in these high-risk areas, authorities not only reduce the likelihood of destructive attacks, but also contribute to building public trust and maintaining social and economic stability,”  said Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in his opening remarks.
    Participants included experts and practitioners from the State Committee for National Security, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Osh City Hall, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s office, Ministry of Culture, Bishkek City Hall and Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.
    This workshop is part of Project PROTECT, which enhances national approaches to protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards in a manner that integrates compliance with human rights. The event was organized with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and funded partly by Germany.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE Mission to BiH Conducts First Anti-Trafficking Simulation-Based Training in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE Mission to BiH Conducts First Anti-Trafficking Simulation-Based Training in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Tokom obuke za aktere uključene u borbu protiv trgovine ljudima, učesnici su imali priliku da rade na identifikaciji i istrazi predmeta trgovine ljudima. (OSCE) Photo details

    Sarajevo, 21 February 2025 – From 17 to 21 February 2025, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) organized an advanced training for anti-trafficking practitioners, engaging them in real-time simulated scenarios to identify and investigate human trafficking cases and assist trafficked persons using a victim-centered and human rights-based approach.
    Participants from law enforcement, the judiciary, labor inspection, social services, and non-governmental organizations collaborated in multidisciplinary teams to investigate simulated cases of labor and sexual exploitation, as well as forced criminality. The exercises were designed using expert-developed scenarios that reflect national human trafficking and migration trends in BiH, building on previous OSCE simulation-based training models.
    “The OSCE Mission to BiH is committed to strengthening the country’s institutional response to human trafficking by fostering cooperation among key stakeholders. This hands-on training has equipped professionals with practical tools to combat this crime more effectively,” said Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “By emphasizing a victim-centered and human rights-based approach, we are not only enhancing investigative techniques but also ensuring that survivors receive the protection and support they deserve.”
    Ahmed Mešić, Prosecutor at the BiH Prosecutor’s Office said: “Through a realistic scenario and a multidisciplinary approach, participants had the opportunity to enhance their skills and exchange experiences, directly contributing to a more effective fight against this serious crime. The lessons learned and the collaborative work on collecting and securing evidence—primarily with a focus on human trafficking victims—will be crucial in the future work of professionals handling such cases. I would therefore like to thank the OSCE Mission to BiH for successfully organizing this important training and congratulate them on a job well done.”
    Senior Assistant at the Faculty of Law Banja Luka Olivera Ševo Grebenar emphasized the value of practical learning and said: “This simulation exercise demonstrated that a hands-on learning model yields the most concrete results. From the preparation phase to implementation, the exercise fostered discussion and the search for optimal solutions in combating and preventing human trafficking crimes. Additionally, by emphasizing victim-centered approaches and inter-institutional co-operation, participants developed a heightened sensitivity to these issues and increased their awareness of how to apply these principles in their daily work on human trafficking cases.”
    This training is part of the OSCE Mission’s broader efforts to support BiH authorities in combating human trafficking and providing adequate assistance to victims. It was implemented under the project “Simulation-Based Training Exercise for Local Anti-Trafficking Structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” funded by the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE. This initiative marks the first anti-trafficking simulation-based training exercise in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reinforcing the Mission’s commitment to strengthening national anti-trafficking mechanisms and multi-agency co-operation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –