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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – The adventure “accompanied by small prayers” of Junho Cho, “digital missionary”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    [embedded content]
    by Pascale RizkSeoul (Agenzia Fides) – “Now I know. After all, even the Fathers of the Church, Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas, repeated this simple phrase: to be happy, I need God, and if God is present, I am happy when I am close to him, and I am not happy when I am far away.” Thus, Korean singer and “Catholic influencer” Junho Chu describes the beating heart that now animates his life. And he reveals what every authentic Christian witness suggests: the source of salvation brought by Christ is mysterious, but accessing it is simple and within everyone’s reach.Junho shared his story and experience with the Jubilee of Catholic digital missionaries and influencers celebrated in Rome these past few days.The Happy Face of GodGrowing up until the age of 22 with no particular interest in religious doctrines and practices, he says that as a teenager he longed for happiness that could last “more than three days or two weeks.” Something that isn’t found in training courses or school curricula, in a competitive society where one’s worth and “is worth” only what one accomplishes. He believed he could achieve that happiness through success at work. But that wasn’t the case.At that time, two years before beginning his military service, Junho heard Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan speak on television, an imposing figure in Korea also for his passion for social justice (see Fides, 11/4/2025). “I was struck by his humility and the witness of the people who mourned his death in 2009.” Without believing in God, Junho saw God’s happy face reflected in those people. They had no personal successes to show off. They were grateful for the free love they had received. “So I started going to church and asked to be baptized. To be close to God, to go to Mass, to take Communion, and to pray. Junho says that a priest once told him: “Do you want something special? Then you must be sincere. If you live with perseverance and sincerity, every day of your life can be special.”Thanking the Lord (also) for TteokbokkiKorean society is based on respect for others, following a social stratification that dates back to the Cheoson Dynasty. Hierarchical respect is an integral part of everyday language and behavior. So when Junho saw a high-ranking Catholic soldier come to church and eat with the others, he was impressed by his humility. “He came to wash dishes with me in the kitchen. It seemed inconceivable to me that someone like him would do that. One day, I was eating tteokbokki (Korean rice dumplings) and I invited him. He sat with me and, clasping his hands, began to pray. I was deeply moved by this gesture. I had no idea that Catholics would stop to thank God for something as small as tteokbokki. I think my life, accompanied by small prayers, began there,” he says.”Sometimes they asked me to sing, I did it a few times, and a bishop told me I should keep singing, and this was like a blessing for the rest of my life,” adds Chu, who, along with other singers, enlivened the Digital Missionaries Jubilee Festival in Piazza Risorgimento on the evening of Tuesday, July 29, singing in his native language.Talent is from God and for GodDuring his military service, Chu embarked on a path that would lead him to his baptism in 2011. He also began participating in parish life, catechism, and choir. It was thanks to a contest on CPBC (Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation) that he was able to begin composing music and songs, and singing in Catholic churches. It had been his passion since childhood. The stories of missionaries such as Father Giovanni Lee Tae-seok, a Salesian missionary in South Sudan, and Bishop René Dupont, a MEP missionary who arrived in Korea in 1954 (see Fides, 11/4/2025) led him to imitate them, he shared with others the love of God he had received as a gift, even through his own talents. “That’s why I’m always happy to live as a Catholic on Instagram and YouTube.” His Christian journey, intertwined with music and singing, led Junho to accompany priests and nuns on missions in Cambodia, Zambia, and Mongolia. “The love you receive is incredibly greater than the love you give. It’s an absolute miracle and cannot be understood through the eyes of the world,” says Chu, who today continues his mission singing in Brazil.“The digital mission should not be about self-exaltation. The encounter with Jesus remains the starting point, but also the point of arrival. Our faith can also find comfort in the use of digital media, but it does not depend on them. The Mystery of Jesus’s predilection, savored in the everyday life, is far greater than the captivating power of a voice behind the screen or special effects. And it promises enjoyment and happiness incomparable to the excitement of having 100 followers or 500,000,” he concludes. (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Indian bishops appeal to government over attacks on nuns and promised “rewards” for those who attack priests

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 30 July 2025

    CBCI

    New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – The nation’s constitutional rights must be protected and guaranteed. This is what the Indian bishops are asking for in an appeal to the government in the face of “the growing climate of hostility and violence against minorities throughout the country.”The intervention of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) comes a few days after the arrest of two nuns at the Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh. Government railway police detained Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis of the Green Garden Sisters.The nuns were accompanying three young women and an adult man belonging to a tribal group who were reportedly traveling from Narayanpur, in the diocese of Jagdalpur, to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where they had been offered jobs in a Catholic-run hospital. “Although the young women were over 18 and had given their parents’ written consent, according to the bishops, the nuns were arrested after pressure from community members. They were allegedly subjected to physical assault. When the young women’s parents arrived at the police station, officers allegedly prevented them from seeing their daughters.“Christian sisters are increasingly targeted by social agitators who surround them at train stations, incite crowds, and use abusive language. These actions,” the CBCI stated, “pose a grave threat not only to the dignity and modesty of these women, but also to their lives.” Calling these repeated incidents a “grave violation of the Constitution,” the Indian bishops urged state governments to “ensure the safety of all women and take immediate steps to prevent such incidents,” while requesting urgent intervention from the central government in Delhi.The CBCI’s concern arose after a series of incidents that, according to the bishops, “reflect the deterioration of institutional impartiality. One such incident occurred on June 17, 2025, when BJP MP Shri Gopichand Padalkar allegedly incited public opinion against Christians by announcing monetary rewards for attacks on Christian priests.” The Indian Catholic bishops, in their statement, cited the MP’s alleged remarks: “Whoever hits the first priest will receive a reward of five lakh rupees, whoever hits the second will receive four lakhs, and the third will receive three lakhs.”This incitement, the Indian bishops explained, “justifies immediate legal action. The speech, widely disseminated through videos and media, was explicit, direct, and poses a real threat to public order. Such acts constitute a serious offense under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code, which came into force in 2024), which criminalizes promoting enmity between different groups and threatens national unity. Despite the gravity of the statement and the peaceful protests by concerned citizens, the relevant authorities have remained indifferent.”According to the CBCI, “recent events indicate the deconstruction of the rule of law, leading to anarchy, something no nation can afford.” Given the gravity of the situation, “the Indian bishops urged the government and all political parties to overcome any partisanship and adopt appropriate constitutional measures to protect the country and all its citizens. We must act immediately to protect the principles enshrined in the Constitution and defend the dignity and rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 30/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel – 2025 half-year results press release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Results for the period ended June 30, 20251 Press release
      Strasbourg, July 30, 2025

    First half of 2025:
    very strong business activity and solid results,
    penalized by the non-recurring income tax surcharge

    Results for the period ended June 30, 2025 06/30/2025 06/30/2024 Change
    Record net revenue €6.549bn €6.178bn         +6.0%        
    of which retail banking €4.427bn €4.159bn         +6.4%        
    of which insurance €822m €711m         +15.7%        
    of which specialized business lines 2 €1.532bn €1.491bn         +2.8%        
    General operating expenses reflecting investments -€3.405bn -€3.208bn         +6.1%        
    Stabilized cost of risk -€782m -€799m         -2.1%        
    Record income before tax €2.402bn €2.210bn         +8.7%        
    Net income down due to the corporate tax surcharge effect €1.638bn €1.714bn         -4.4%        
    of which income tax surcharge €192m N/A N/A
    RENEWED GROWTH IN FINANCING3: +1,8%
    Home loans Equipment loans Consumer credit
    €119.8bn €119.4bn €49.1bn
    A SOLID FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
    CET1 ratio4 Shareholders’ equity
    19.5% €46.7bn

    Press contacts:

    Aziz Ridouan – +33 (0)6 01 10 31 69 – aziz.ridouan@creditmutuel.fr

    Press relations – +33 (0)3 88 14 84 00 – com-alliancefederale@creditmutuel.fr

    Investor contact:

    Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel – bfcm-web@creditmutuel.fr

    1.1. Financial results

    (in € millions) 06/30/2025 06/30/2024 Change
    Net revenue 6,549 6,178 +6.0 %
    General operating expenses -3,405 -3,208 +6.1 %
    Gross operating income/(loss) 3,144 2,970 +5.9 %
    Cost of risk -782 -799 -2.1 %
    cost of proven risk -733 -782 -6.3 %
    cost of non-proven risk -49 -17 n.s
    Operating income 2,363 2,171 +8.8 %
    Net gains and losses on other assets and ECC (1) 39 39 +0.8 %
    Income before tax 2,402 2,210 +8.7 %
    Income tax -764 -496 +54.0 %
    Net income 1,638 1,714 -4.4 %
    Non-controlling interests 191 189 +1.0 %
    GROUP NET INCOME 1,447 1,524 -5.1 %

    (1)ECC = equity consolidated companies = share of net profit/(loss) of equity consolidated companies.

    Net revenue

    At June 30, 2025, the net revenue of Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel amounted to €6.5 billion, up +6.0% compared with the first half of 2024, driven by strong momentum in the banking and insurance networks.

    Revenues from retail banking were up by +6.4%, driven by the good performance of the banking networks (+6.7%) and consumer finance (including Cofidis Group +12.4%).

    The contribution of the insurance business to net revenue, at €822 million, was up +15.7%, with growth driven by all business lines (property & casualty insurance, life insurance).

    Asset management and private banking posted an overall increase in net revenue of +5.1%, with both activities making a positive contribution: asset management, +6.5% thanks to positive inflows and private banking, +3.9% thanks to good growth in commissions.

    Corporate banking posted a decline in net revenue of -3.7% compared with the first half of 2024, which was particularly favorable in terms of net interest margin.

    Net revenue from capital markets posted good growth of +11.0%, due in particular to the sharp increase in revenues from the commercial business line.

    Total income generated by the private equity business remained high at €211 million, albeit down slightly on the first half of 2024.

    General operating expenses and gross operating income

    General operating expenses increased by +6.1% to -€3,405 million in the first half of 2025.

    To keep pace with growth, employee benefits expenses (54% of general operating expenses) increased by +7.5%, while other operating expenses were kept under control at +4.6%.

    The scissors effect was slightly negative at 0.1 percentage point and the cost/income ratio remained low at 52.0%.

    Gross operating income rose by +5.9% to €3,144 million.

    Cost of risk and operating income

    In the first half of 2025, the cost of risk was -€782 million compared with -€799 million, a slight decrease of -2.1%.

    It breaks down into a -€733 million provision for the cost of proven risk (stage 3) and a -€49 million provision for the cost of non-proven risk (prudential provisioning) on performing loans (stages 1 and 2).

    The cost of proven risk was down by -6.3% at June 30, 2025. It was down in the banking networks, which represent 24% of the cost of proven risk (vs. 35% in June 2024). Consumer finance still accounts for a significant proportion of the cost of proven risk (71%). The specialized business lines (2% of the cost of proven risk) had a low level of cost of proven risk at -€17 million.

    In line with fiscal year 2024, the provisioning for future risks is recorded as a net expense in a context of uncertainty (particularly economic and related to international trade) in the short and medium term.

    Given the sustained level of business and operational efficiency, operating income rose by 8.8% year-on-year to €2,363 million.

    Other

    Net gains/(losses) on other assets and ECC amounted to €39 million.

    Income before tax

    Thanks to higher revenues and controlled risks, income before tax was up +8.7% year-on-year to €2,402 million.

    Net income

    Income tax (-€764 million in the first half of 2025 compared with -€496 million in the first half of 2024) is impacted by the exceptional contribution introduced by the French 2025 Finance Act on the profits of large companies generating profits in excess of €1 billion in France. Banque Fédérative, a subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, remains a bank and an employer with strong roots in France. The group is therefore liable for €192 million in surcharge at June 30, 2025.

    Net income fell by -4.4% to €1,638 billion. Excluding the surcharge, it would be up by +6.8%.

    1.2. Financial structure

    Banque Fédérative de Crédit Mutuel’s shareholders’ equity totaled €46.7 billion at the end of June 2025 compared with €45.2 billion at the end of 2024.

    BFCM is a subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale. At end-June 2025, the latter’s estimated Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 19.5%2.

    The three rating agencies that issue ratings for Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale and the Crédit Mutuel group all recognize their financial stability and the validity of the business model:

      LT/ST Counterparty** Issuer/LT preferred senior debt Outlook ST preferred senior debt Stand-alone rating*** Date of last publication
    Standard & Poor’s (1) AA-/A-1+ A+ Stable A-1 a 11/07/2024
    Moody’s (2) Aa3/P-1 A1 Stable P-1 a3 12/19/2024
    Fitch Ratings * (3) AA- AA- Stable F1+ a+ 06/17/2025

    * The Issuer Default Rating is stable at A+.
    ** The counterparty ratings correspond to the following agency ratings: Resolution Counterparty Rating for Standard & Poor’s, Counterparty Risk Rating for Moody’s and Derivative Counterparty Rating for Fitch Ratings.
    *** The stand-alone rating is the Stand Alone Credit Profile (SACP) for Standard & Poor’s, the Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment (Adj. BCA) for Moody’s and the Viability Rating for Fitch Ratings.
    (1) Standard & Poor’s: Crédit Mutuel group rating.
    (2) Moody’s: Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale/BFCM and CIC ratings.
    In terms of Moody’s ratings, certain group instruments were downgraded on December 17, 2024, namely: Counterparty Risk Rating (to Aa3), Counterparty Risk Assessment (to Aa3(cr)), junior deposits (to A1) and preferred senior debt (to A1).
    (3) Fitch Ratings: Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale rating (as the dominant entity of the Crédit Mutuel Group).

    Despite a start to 2025 still marked by action on France’s sovereign rating (outlook downgraded to “negative” on February 28, 2025 for S&P), these agencies confirmed, in 2024 (on November 7, 2024 for S&P and December 19, 2024 for Moody’s), in 2025 (on June 17, 2025 for Fitch Ratings) the external ratings and stable outlooks assigned to Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale and the Crédit Mutuel group. This reflects operating efficiency, recurring earnings based on a diversified business model and strong financial fundamentals.

    As a reminder, Moody’s downgraded France’s sovereign rating on December 14, 2024, with mechanical consequences for the highest-rated French banks (loss of support from the country rating that they had benefited from according to the agency’s methodology).

    The announcement of the acquisition of OLB (Oldenburgische Landesbank AG) on March 20, 2025, was welcomed by the three rating agencies. The completion of this acquisition is subject to approval by regulatory authorities, in particular the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission. This transaction would further strengthen Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale’s diversification, with an impact on CET1 that would not alter the agencies’ assessment of the capital scores of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale or the Crédit Mutuel group.

    1.3. Results by business line

    Retail banking

    Net revenue from retail banking increased by €6.4% to €4.4 billion. General operating expenses, at -€2.6 billion, grew at a slower pace than net revenue, i.e. 4.9%. The cost of risk rose to -€801 million, of which -€716 million for proven risk (decrease of -1.8%) and -€85 million for non-proven risk. Retail banking posted a slight increase in net income to €643 million.

    Insurance

    Net insurance income increased by +15.7%, driven by the increase in income from health, protection & creditor insurance and life insurance as well as by the increase in financial income (increase in dividends received from Desjardins Group, Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale’s long-standing partner in Canada).
    General operating expenses totaled -€92 million, corresponding solely to expenses not attributable to contracts.
    Net income was €495 million, up +0.5% compared with end-June 2024.

    Asset management and private banking

    Overall net revenue for both activities increased by +5.1% to €667 million. Private banking net revenue was up by 3.9% to €365 million; asset management net revenue increased by +6.5% (to €302 million) due to gains on commissions. General operating expenses rose by +9.0% to -€498 million, of which +8.2% for private banking and +9.9% for asset management.
    Net income was €129 million, up by 14.3% compared with the first half of 2024.

    Corporate banking

    Net revenue was down by -3.7% to €323 million at the end of June 2025, in a context of falling interest rates, despite higher commissions (+9.8%). The cost of risk (+€15 million compared with -€40 million at June 2024) was up, with a significant reversal effect on non-proven OEL provisions. Net income was stable at €158 million in the first half of 2025, versus €156 million in the first half of 2024.

    Capital markets

    The investment and commercial business lines continued to grow, with total net revenue up +11.0% to €331 million. General operating expenses increased by +5.5% to -€150 million. Net income increased by 3.1% to €124 million.

    Private equity

    In financial terms, €174 million was invested in the first half of 2025 in around 20 deals in France and abroad. The pace of disposals slowed compared with the exceptionally high level in 2024. Total income remained solid at €211 million in the first half of 2025, two-thirds of which was made up of capital gains generated by the portfolio, supplemented by recurring income.

    In the first half of 2025, the contribution to net income was €169 million, close to that of the first half of 2024

    1.4. Key figures

    Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel3

    (in € millions) 06/30/2025 12/31/2024
    Financial structure and business activity    
    Balance sheet total 732,747 734,840
    Shareholders’ equity (including net income for the period before dividend pay-outs) 46,698 45,203
    Customer loans 343,888 342,285
    Total savings 670,633 665,478
    – of which customer deposits 287,627 295,099
    – of which insurance savings 55,168 53,650
    – of which financial savings (under management and in custody) 327,838 316,730
         
      06/30/2025 12/31/2024
    Key figures    
    Number of branches 2 2
    Number of customers (in millions) 22.4 22.2
         
    Key ratios    
    Cost/income ratio (at 06/30/2025 vs 06/30/2024)         52.0%                 51.9%        
    Loan-to-deposit ratio         119.6%                 116.0%        
    Overall solvency ratio2 (estimated for 06/2025)         21.8%                 21.0%        
    CET1 ratio2 (estimated for 06/2025)         19.5%                 18.8%        
         

    1.5 Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel  financial statements

    Balance sheet (assets)

    (in € millions) 06/30/2025 12/31/2024
    Cash and central banks 75,012 86,190
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 41,077 39,653
    Hedging derivatives 1,588 1,701
    Financial assets at fair value through equity 46,814 44,421
    Securities at amortized cost 5,952 5,680
    Loans and receivables due from credit institutions and similar at amortized cost 61,836 61,897
    Loans and receivables due from customers at amortized cost 343,888 342,285
    Revaluation adjustment on rate-hedged books 284 209
    Financial investments of insurance activities 140,977 135,472
    Insurance contracts issued – Assets 8 10
    Reinsurance contracts held – Assets 247 284
    Current tax assets 780 1,002
    Deferred tax assets 858 1,005
    Accruals and miscellaneous assets 7,077 8,682
    Non-current assets held for sale 0 0
    Investments in equity consolidated companies 929 911
    Investment property 56 36
    Property, plant and equipment 2,556 2,606
    Intangible assets 494 483
    Goodwill 2,315 2,315
    TOTAL ASSETS 732,747 734,840

    Balance Sheet – Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    (in € millions) 06/30/2025 12/31/2024
    Central banks 15 18
    Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 26,847 26,643
    Hedging derivatives 2,660 3,261
    Debt securities at amortized cost 158,853 163,710
    Due to credit and similar institutions at amortized cost 50,404 46,031
    Due to customers at amortized cost 287,627 295,099
    Revaluation adjustment on rate-hedged books -16 -15
    Current tax liabilities 425 450
    Deferred tax liabilities 478 481
    Accruals and miscellaneous liabilities 12,010 12,671
    Debt related to non-current assets held for sale 0 0
    Insurance contracts issued – liabilities 129,868 125,195
    Provisions 3,285 2,913
    Subordinated debt at amortized cost 13,593 13,180
    Total shareholders’ equity 46,698 45,203
    Shareholders’ equity – Attributable to the group 41,997 40,737
    Capital and related reserves 6,568 6,568
    Consolidated reserves 33,822 30,959
    Gains and losses recognized directly in equity 161 195
    Profit (loss) for the period 1,447 3,015
    Shareholders’ equity – Non-controlling interests 4,701 4,466
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 732,747 734,840

    At December 31, 2024, CIC London reclassified £2,030 million (€2,448 million) from “Debt securities at amortized cost” to “Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss”.

    Income statement

    (in € millions) 06/30/2025 06/30/2024
    Interest and similar income 14,617 17,055
    Interest and similar expenses -11,235 -13,787
    Commissions (income) 2,389 2,332
    Commissions (expenses) -743 -698
    Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss 839 497
    Net gains or losses on financial assets at fair value through shareholders’ equity 16 -13
    Net gains or losses resulting from derecognition of financial assets at amortized cost 2 0
    Income from insurance contracts issued 3,901 3,712
    Expenses related to insurance contracts issued -3,170 -3,085
    Income and expenses related to reinsurance contracts held -67 -51
    Financial income or financial expenses from insurance contracts issued -2,992 -3,073
    Financial income or expenses related to reinsurance contracts held 3 4
    Net income from financial investments related to insurance activities 3,115 3,189
    Income from other activities 659 371
    Expenses on other activities -784 -275
    Net revenue 6,549 6,178
    of which Net income from insurance activities 789 695
    General operating expenses -3,231 -3,041
    Movements in depreciation, amortization and provisions for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets -174 -166
    Gross operating income 3,144 2,970
    Cost of counterparty risk -782 -799
    Operating income 2,363 2,171
    Share of net income of equity consolidated companies 37 40
    Net gains and losses on other assets 0 -2
    Changes in the value of goodwill 1 0
    Income before tax 2,402 2,210
    Income taxes -764 -496
    Net income 1,638 1,714
    Net income – Non-controlling interests 191 189
    NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROUP 1,447 1,524

    At June 30, 2024, an expense of €244 million was reclassified from “Net gains on financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss” to “Interest and similar expenses”.

    1Unaudited financial statements – limited review currently being conducted by the statutory auditors. The Board of Directors met on July 30, 2025 to approve the financial statements. All financial communications are available at www.bfcm.creditmutuel.fr and are published by Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 451-1-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Articles 222-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF).
    2 Specialized business lines include corporate banking, capital markets, private equity, asset management and private banking.
    3 Change in outstandings calculated over twelve months.
    4 Ratio estimated at June 30, 2025 for Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, which includes BFCM in its scope of consolidation.

    2Ratio estimated at June 30, 2025 for Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale which includes BFCM in its scope of consolidation.

    3Consolidated results of Banque Fédérative du Crédit Mutuel and its main subsidiaries: CIC, ACM, BECM, TARGOBANK, Cofidis Group, IT, etc.

    2 Estimate as of June 30, 2025 for Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, the integration of earnings into shareholders’ equity is subject to approval by the ECB.

    Attachment

    • BFCM – 2025 half-year results press release

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Colleagues Host Members of British Parliament in Senate to Sharpen Collaboration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    BAPG Chairman Boozman and Vice Chair Whitehouse lead discussions with visiting U.K. BAPG members.

    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Chair of the Senate Delegation to the British-American Parliamentary Group (BAPG), welcomed lawmakers from the United Kingdom to Capitol Hill for working sessions and events designed to offer a deeper understanding of the American political system at the federal level.

    During their visit, BAPG members consisting of senators and Members of Britain’s Parliament fostered dialogue on key policy priorities, such as security and defense across Europe and Asia, strengthening U.S. and U.K. relations, and topics including artificial intelligence, technology and international trade.

    “It is an honor and a privilege to continue the tradition of convening the British-American Parliamentary Group, especially back in the U.S. once again,” said Boozman. “I thoroughly enjoy our discussions and the opportunity to strengthen the special relationship and friendships our nations sustain to promote understanding, partnership, prosperity and diplomacy for generations to come.”

    Chairman Boozman and Vice Chair Whitehouse pose with visiting members of the British-American Parliamentary Group.

    Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) serves as Vice Chair of the Senate BAPG Delegation and joined Boozman in hosting the British lawmakers. Throughout the remainder of the conference, BAPG members met with several of Boozman’s Senate colleagues, executive branch leaders, businesses and think tanks.

    The BAPG Conference meeting location traditionally alternates between the U.S. and U.K. every two years. 

    For more photos from the conference, please click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Hailing Progress to Transform Food Systems, Deputy Secretary-General Urges Stronger Collaboration to End Global Hunger, at UN Summit+4 Stocktake’s Closing Plenary

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the closing plenary of the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), in Addis Ababa today:

    Let me begin by extending my appreciation to the Government of Ethiopia for its warm hospitality, and to the Italian Government as well, for their support as Co-Hosts of this Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake.

    Over the last three days, we have engaged and heard from over 3,000 of you — leaders from Ethiopia and Italy, Kenya, Somalia, Comoros, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Cuba; the ministers from a wide range of sectors; National Convenors and other government representatives; youth, Indigenous Peoples, food producers, business, civil society, development partners; our Rome-based agencies; and the UN system.  I am particularly grateful to the resident coordinators that joined us here in Addis and will now go back to work with renewed impetus to make food systems transformation a reality.

    The energy and vitality of this movement continues to inspire.  This gathering has reminded us of the value of coming together as a global community to benefit from the perspectives and experiences of others and to shape new, bold action for the future.

    At the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, we embarked on a journey to grow and catalyse energy behind an emerging movement for the transformation of our food systems to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Too often food systems are seen as part of our challenges, when they can be one of the greatest solutions to deliver for people, planet, peace and prosperity.

    Two years ago, still grappling with the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic, facing planetary crises and the effects of new conflicts, the Call to Action from the First Stocktake of the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+2) in Rome appealed for inclusivity to strengthen our efforts to drive more targeted investment and mutual accountability.

    Since then, Governments have continued to shift how they govern and shape policy for food systems.  A total of 130 countries have articulated integrated, multisectoral National Pathways for Food Systems Transformation and here again; I want to acknowledge the incredible contribution of Sir David Nabarro.

    In 168 countries, nationally determined contributions are now reflecting the critical role of food and agriculture in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as we seek to adapt and transform.

    More than 170 countries are implementing school meal programmes that support child nutrition, often connecting with local producers and contributing to regenerative production practices.  At the subnational level, many cities are leading the way in reducing food waste and strengthening local supply chains.

    I am proud of what we have achieved.  We have heard powerful stories of progress and rising ambition since 2021 from a diverse ecosystem of partners, who are reforming policies, championing local innovation and digitalization, mobilizing investments and partnerships and empowering women and youth.

    And when it comes to our young people, there is increased understanding that ensuring youth-inclusive and youth-led food systems transformation is important both for enhancing youth welfare and building sustainable and resilient food systems.

    The food systems movement has taken root in global and regional agreements — from the Twenty-Eighth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) Declaration to initiatives emerging from the Group of Seven (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) to regional agreements, such as the Kampala Declaration earlier this year.

    These are powerful commitments to transform food systems for people and the planet that you have helped inspire.  Thanks to your collective work and efforts we are better equipped to meet our ambition.

    You are strengthening coalitions and launching new initiatives to help drive our work, including:

    • The Food Systems Accelerator, launched by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), GAIN and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, will support countries to turn strategies into financed, scalable change.
    • Through greater uptake of the Financial Flows to Food Systems framework, co-developed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank, we can help Governments design more effective, tailored financing strategies.
    • Business engagement — co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development — broke new ground.  These efforts culminated in a Business Compendium of 15 investment-ready models, showing how business is shifting from commitment to implementation.
    • As a result of the investment pitch for Cameroon, the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security has announced their intent to partner with the Joint SDG Fund to significantly scale up existing programmes.  The launch for this large-scale commitment will take place in New York this September 2025.
    • The Convergence Initiative helps drive integration of food systems transformation and climate action for accelerated sustainable development and represents a useful resource for countries to navigate competing policy choices with partners.
    • Investments in critical sectors, including those under the Mattei Plan for Africa, are mobilizing public-private partnerships and catalysing private sector investment.
    • The UNFSS+4 Youth Declaration, crafted by more than 3,000 youth from all over the world, called for inclusive, participatory decision-making in food systems, climate justice and intergenerational collaboration.
    • The UNFSS Coalitions of Action demonstrated that they are dynamic vehicles for food systems transformation, mobilizing diverse stakeholders across sectors and scales to deliver impact aligned with national priorities.

    With just five years until 2030, it is encouraging to see that the world remains committed to the realization of the 2030 Agenda.

    As we conclude this Stocktake, we must acknowledge that we met in the face of challenges that test our moral values and threaten the future sustainability of our planet, underscoring the urgency of our work together.

    The release of the 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report last night confirmed:  hunger and malnutrition persist.  Climate shocks, conflict, debt and inequality are widening the cracks in our systems.

    It is estimated that between 638 and 720 million people — a bit less than 1 in 10 people in the world — faced hunger in 2024. 2.6 billion people are still unable to afford a healthy diet.  Only about one third of children aged 6 to 23 months and two thirds of women aged 15 to 49 years achieved minimum dietary diversity globally.

    People’s access to food in conflict zones is highly constrained and — in some instances — attempts to access humanitarian relief has led to injury and death.  Whole communities experience man-made food insecurity and malnutrition, with extreme long-term consequences for their children.

    Farmers everywhere are facing unprecedented adverse climate impacts, threatening livelihoods and food security.  Developing economies are still coping with impacts of inflation, severe fiscal constraints, debt challenges and the high cost of capital.  Looking ahead, 512 million people are still projected to be facing hunger in 2030, of whom nearly 60 per cent will be in Africa.

    As we consider the pathway to 2030, peace and respect for human rights must anchor our ambition.  Every person in our world — rich or poor, young or old — has the right to food that is accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious. Present and future generations are depending on our choices.  Only through inclusive dialogue and genuine partnerships can countries and communities ensure faster and more effective progress.

    As we leave this Stocktake and take what we achieved here in Addis back home and to other milestones, clear points of emphasis have been identified:

    First, we must act urgently to summon the funding, innovations and global solidarity to build the food-secure and climate-resilient future that every person, everywhere, needs and deserves.  The dramatic reduction in life-saving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs must be immediately reversed and safe access to life-saving humanitarian support granted.

    Second, is to deepen the implementation of National Pathways for Food Systems Transformation.  The effective and meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders is a priority, with particular attention to involving family farmers, front-line food workers, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

    Third, we must unlock finance and investment.  That means mobilizing domestic resources and investments at scale for all dimensions of food systems transformation.  It also means scaling up finance and investment by multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, and public development banks behind country priorities.

    And we have work to do to scale up private sector investment in agriculture and food systems.  This should include the small and medium-sized enterprises that serve as a backbone of our food systems interfacing with millions of food producers and consumers.

    Fourth, we must continue the drive for an integrated approach.  We need to simultaneously pursue policy measures that focus on equity and resilience through linking environmental, economic and social dimensions of food systems.  Policies should be rooted in local culture, communities and traditional knowledge to help guide approaches that can accelerate transformation and enhance self-reliance.

    Fifth, we must continue to leverage science, technology and knowledge.  Science and innovation are prerequisites for food systems transformation and can support alignment of health, agriculture, climate, biodiversity and economic objectives and policies.  Strong science-policy-society interfaces are essential and must appreciate traditional knowledge.

    New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are changing our economies and our societies.  The road ahead demands we leverage the appropriate and responsible use of technology to ensure prosperity for all in a healthy and liveable planet.  The digital public infrastructure needs more investment to ensure the connectivity of our rural communities.

    And, finally, we must connect with our future.  I agree with our young people — they are not merely future beneficiaries of food systems change, they are active co-leaders in transformation.  Policies should enhance opportunities for young people to create, innovate and thrive.

    On the road to 2030, there will be important milestones that the outcomes of UNFSS+4 will inform and in which this movement will engage.  These include the World Social Summit, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30, UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 and the 2027 SDG Summit.

    UNFSS+4 has reinforced the value of a dedicated space to foster collaboration, deepen systems approaches and encourage the emergence of food systems whose purposes are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda.

    The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub will continue to advance progress at country level, through our resident coordinators and country teams, accompanying National Convenors and collaborating with other partners.  Our movement has shown what is possible when we work together in deliberate ways across sectors, stakeholders and countries with a shared purpose.

    I call on Governments and people everywhere to build on what has been accomplished and continue to work together for peace and to realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda.  Let’s continue to lead the way — together.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 31, 2025

  • EU climate goals at risk as ailing forests absorb less CO2, scientists say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Damage to European forests from increased logging, wildfires, drought and pests is reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, putting European Union emissions targets at risk, scientists warned on Wednesday.

    The European Union has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The target includes the expectation that forests will suck up hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and store it in trees and soil, to compensate for pollution from industry.

    But that assumption is now in doubt. The average annual amount of CO2 Europe’s forests removed from the atmosphere in 2020-2022 was nearly a third lower than in the 2010-2014 period, according to a paper led by scientists from the EU’s Joint Research Centre – its independent science research service.

    In the later period, forests absorbed around 332 million net tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, said the paper, published in the journal Nature. Recent data from EU countries suggest an even steeper decline.

    “This trend, combined with the declining climate resilience of European forests, indicates that the EU’s climate targets, which rely on an increasing carbon sink, might be at risk,” the paper said.

    Today, Europe’s land and forestry sector offsets around 6% of the EU’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. That’s 2% short of the amount the EU calculates is needed to meet climate goals – with the gap expected to widen by 2030.

    Agustín Rubio Sánchez, professor of ecology and soil science at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, said it was “wishful thinking” to rely on forests to meet climate targets.

    “Forests can help, but they shouldn’t be assigned quantities to balance carbon budgets,” he told Reuters.

    The findings are a political headache for EU governments, who are negotiating a new, legally-binding 2040 climate target – which is designed to use forests to offset pollution that industries cannot eliminate.

    Already, some are warning this won’t be possible.

    “What should we do when there are factors that we, as countries, as governments, have not much ability to control – like forest fires or drought,” Sweden’s environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari said in a news conference last week.

    Over-harvesting, climate change-fuelled wildfires and droughts, and pest outbreaks are all depleting forests’ carbon storage.

    However, some of these risks can be managed – for example, by reducing intense logging, or planting more diverse tree species, which may enhance CO2 storage and help forests withstand climate extremes and pests, the paper said.

    (Reuters)

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Aftermath of Tsunami Alert, Cantwell Thanks First Responders & NOAA: “Those Warnings Were Made Possible Because Of The Incredible Work of NOAA Employees”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    07.30.25

    In Aftermath of Tsunami Alert, Cantwell Thanks First Responders & NOAA: “Those Warnings Were Made Possible Because Of The Incredible Work of NOAA Employees”

    Tsunami warning comes on the heels of Cantwell’s letter to Trump calling for more NOAA investments in ocean data collection, emergency alert systems

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell thanked first responders and employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for tracking the risk of a tsunami following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia and immediately mobilizing alert systems to ensure people on the West Coast, in Hawaii, and in Alaska had the up-to-date information needed to stay safe.

    “Those warnings were made possible because of the incredible work of NOAA employees [and] emergency responders. And to make sure that our coastal communities like the State of Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Oregon, and other impacted areas, were given warning safely in advance,” Sen. Cantwell said during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, on which she serves as ranking member.

    “We have this capability because of investments we’ve made in infrastructure. This includes the DART program — the NOAA buoys positioned in the ocean to monitor for tsunamis in real time — and the work of NOAA’s Center for Tsunami Research in Seattle working to improve the models to provide faster, more accurate weather warnings and information.”

    Video of her remarks in the committee meeting is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

    Last night’s tsunami warning came on the heels of a letter Sen. Cantwell sent to President Donald Trump last week outlining her five-point plan to bolster the United States’ weather readiness.

    READ MORE:

    The Seattle Times: EDITORIAL — Cantwell’s bipartisan weather plan shows the leadership America needs

    CNN: Key senator makes bipartisan plea to Trump to invest in weather and early warning networks

    CBS: Sen. Maria Cantwell urges Trump to invest in modernized weather forecast system: “The money will save you money”

    Sen. Cantwell’s five recommendations for President Trump are:

    1. Modernize Weather Data Collection: The United States needs to collect and compile more data by land, air, space, and sea by modernizing our weather data infrastructure and other tools, including better radars, hurricane hunters, weather satellites, and ocean buoys.
    2. World Leading Analytics: We need to catch up with and surpass European weather forecasting capabilities, which will require more supercomputing and improvements in data analytics including assimilation.
    3. Cutting Edge Research: As our communities experience more frequent and extreme weather, now is the time to invest in additional cutting-edge basic and applied research.
    4. Modernizing Alert Systems: We must strengthen and expand weather emergency communication channels to keep the public informed and help first responders prepare and react to natural disasters.
    5. Advance Bipartisan Legislation: The bipartisan Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 would strengthen weather research and forecasting and expand commercial data partnerships.

    More details about each of Sen. Cantwell’s recommendations can be found HERE.

    NOAA provides critical services to the nation including weather forecasts, extreme storm tracking and monitoring, tools to enable communities to adapt to sea level rise and climate change, supporting fisheries management, and conserving marine mammals and other protected species.

    Last month, Sen. Cantwell joined renowned meteorologists from across the country for a virtual presser to sound the alarm on cuts at NOAA’s National Weather Service, and called on the Trump Administration to restore the agency to full capacity. In February, Sen. Cantwell voted against confirming Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, citing – among other issues – his “tepid support” for NOAA. She then sent a letter to Lutnick directly following his confirmation calling on him to exempt the NWS from the federal hiring freeze, and protect all NOAA workers from firings “that would jeopardize the safety of the American public.”

    Sen. Cantwell is a champion of NOAA and helped secure $3.3 billion in NOAA investments in the Inflation Reduction Act to help communities prepare for and adapt to climate change, boost science needed to understand changing weather and climate patterns, and invest in advanced computer technologies that are critical for extreme weather prediction and emergency response. Her Fire Ready Nation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen NOAA’s ability to help forecast, prevent, and fight wildfires, passed the Commerce committee unanimously earlier this year and now heads to the full Senate for consideration. In 2011, she secured Washington state’s first coastal Doppler radar in Grays Harbor County, enabling forecasters to better determine wind speed and rainfall of incoming storms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Societe Generale: shares & voting rights as of 28 July 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NUMBER OF SHARES COMPOSING CURRENT SHARE CAPITAL AND TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTING RIGHTS AS OF 28 JULY 2025

    Regulated Information

    Paris, 30 July 2025

    Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations.

    Date Number of shares composing current share capital Total number of
    voting rights
    28 July 2025 785,180,327

    Gross: 874,777,040

    Press contacts:

    Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com
    Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com

    Societe Generale

    Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with around 119,000 employees serving more than 26 million clients in 62 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective – to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

    The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

    • French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.
    • Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
    • Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

    Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

    For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.

    Attachment

    • Societe-Generale-shares-voting-rights-as-of-28-07-2025

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Pacific General Leads Investment in NAYA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pacific General, a New York based investment firm specializing in consumer and industrials private equity investments, announced today that it has invested in Naya Group LLC (“NAYA” or the “Company”), a rapidly growing Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant brand with 35 units across six states.

    The investment is part of a single-asset continuation vehicle transaction of TriSpan (USA), LLC (“TriSpan”), a transatlantic private equity firm with offices in New York and London. The transaction was led by Pacific General, with Kline Hill Partners LP (“Kline Hill”) serving as co-lead. Pacific General’s investment offered liquidity to TriSpan’s investors while also providing growth equity capital to support NAYA’s expansion into a national brand.

    Hady Kfoury, founder and CEO of NAYA, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Pacific General as our investor alongside our longstanding partner TriSpan. We look forward to leveraging Pacific General’s strategic support and industry insights to help accelerate our growth.”

    “We are excited about our partnership with NAYA and TriSpan and also teaming up with Kline Hill to contribute to laying the cornerstone for the Company’s next phase of growth,” said Matthew Yoon, Managing Partner of Pacific General. “TriSpan and the management of NAYA have built the Company as a standout brand in the Mediterranean / Middle Eastern fast casual dining space, and we are thrilled to be joining the journey.”

    “NAYA aligns with our investment strategy of supporting highly scalable, authentic restaurant brands with strong unit economics and significant whitespace for growth. The investment underscores our team’s ability to identify, source, and execute high-quality investment opportunities in the restaurant space,” said Dajeong Lee, Partner of Pacific General.

    Proskauer Rose LLP acted as legal counsel to Pacific General. Goodwin Procter LLP and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as legal counsel and financial advisor, respectively, to TriSpan. Golenbock LLP acted as legal counsel to NAYA.

    About NAYA

    NAYA is a high-growth, fast-casual restaurant brand reimagining Middle Eastern / Mediterranean cuisine for the modern consumer. Blending bold flavors with fresh, high-quality ingredients, NAYA offers a customizable menu of craveable, wholesome dishes served in a sleek, contemporary setting. With generous portions, an efficient counter-service model, and broad demographic appeal, NAYA’s value proposition has resonated strongly with U.S. consumers, making it a go-to destination for flavorful, satisfying meals at an accessible price point. For more on NAYA, visit www.eatnaya.com.

    About Pacific General

    Pacific General is an investment firm focusing on private equity and alternative investments. The firm specializes in originating, structuring, and investing in businesses with growth potential in the consumer, industrials and business services sectors, and leverages its cross-border expertise and global network to create value. The firm operates through offices in New York and Seoul, South Korea and with a presence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For more information, please visit www.pacificgeneral.com.

    About TriSpan

    Founded in 2015, TriSpan, LLP is a private equity firm with offices in New York and London that invests in lower middle market companies in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. TriSpan, LLP is committed to creating value by leveraging a combination of deep operational and financial resources to accelerate growth and drive improved performance. Since inception, the firm has completed 24 platform investments, alongside nearly 100 bolt-on acquisitions across its portfolio. TriSpan’s Rising Stars strategy focuses on control-oriented growth investments in differentiated, high-growth restaurant concepts. For more information, please visit www.trispanllp.com.

    About Kline Hill Partners

    Founded in 2015, Kline Hill Partners is an investment firm focused on the private equity secondary market, with industry-leading capabilities in the small-deal space. With over $5.4 billion in assets under management, Kline Hill’s funds are backed by a blue-chip investor base that includes endowments, foundations, family offices, and other institutional investors. Together, Kline Hill’s secondary strategies make up a platform designed to serve the entirety of the small-deal secondary market, with capabilities spanning LP fund transfers, GP-led transactions, and secondary direct transactions. For more information, please visit www.klinehill.com.

    The MIL Network –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Israel’s attack on Syria: Protecting the Druze minority or a regional power play?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Spyros A. Sofos, Assistant Professor in Global Humanities, Simon Fraser University

    A new round of violence recently erupted in southern Syria, where clashes between local Druze militias and Sunni fighters have left hundreds dead.

    In response, Israel launched airstrikes in and around the province of Sweida on July 15, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority and to deter attacks by Syrian government forces.

    The strikes mark Israel’s most serious escalation in Syria since December 2024, and they underline a growing trend in its foreign policy: the use of minority protection as a tool of regional influence and power projection.

    The Druze minority

    The Druze, a small but strategically significant ethno-religious group, have historically occupied a precarious position in the politics of Syria, Israel and Lebanon.

    With an estimated million members across the Levant — a sub-region of west Asia that forms the core of the Middle East — the Druze have often tried to preserve their autonomy amid broader sectarian and political upheavals. In Syria, they make up about three per cent of the population, concentrated largely in the southern province of Sweida.

    Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria in late 2024 and the rise of a new Islamist-led government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Druze in southern Syria have resisted central authority.

    Though not united in their stance, many Druze militias have rejected integration into the new Syrian army, preferring to rely on local defence networks. The latest wave of violence, sparked by the abduction of a Druze merchant, has been met with both brutality from pro-government forces and military retaliation by Israel.

    Truly protecting Syrian minorities?

    Israeli officials says they intervened to protect the Druze, which is not unprecedented. Over the past year, Israel has increasingly portrayed itself as a defender of threatened minorities in Syria — rhetoric that echoes past efforts to align with non-Arab or marginalized groups, such as the Kurds and certain Christian communities.

    This strategy may be less about humanitarian goals and, in fact, much more deeply political.

    By positioning itself as a regional protector of minorities, Israel could be seeking to craft a narrative of moral authority, particularly as it faces growing international outrage over its policies in the West Bank and Gaza. This is an example of what scholars refer to as strategic or nation branding by states to cultivate legitimacy and influence through selective interventions and symbolic gestures.

    But Israel’s actions may not just concern image. They could also be part of a broader geopolitical strategy of containment and fragmentation.

    The new authorities in Syria are seen as a significant threat, particularly because of the presence of Islamist factions operating near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. By creating what is in effect a buffer zone in southern Syria, Israel’s goal may be to prevent the entrenchment of hostile entities along its northern border while also capitalizing on Syria’s internal fragilities.

    Strategic risks

    With sectarian tensions resurfacing in Syria, the Israeli government probably sees an opportunity to build informal alliances with disaffected groups like the Druze, who may be skeptical of the new Syrian government. This reflects a shift in Israel’s foreign policy from reactive deterrence to proactive strategic disruption.

    This approach is not without risks. While some Druze leaders have welcomed Israeli support, others — particularly in Syria and Lebanon — have accused Israel of stoking sectarian tensions to justify military intervention and advance territorial or security aims.

    Such accusations echo longstanding criticisms that Israel’s involvement in regional conflicts is often guided less by humanitarian concern and more by cold strategic calculation.

    This new phase in Israeli foreign policy also fits into a broader pattern I’ve previously written about — the increasing revisionism of Israel’s regional strategy under Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. That strategy seemingly seeks to upend multilateral norms, bypass traditional diplomacy and pursue influence through direct engagement — often militarized — with non-state entities and marginalized communities.



    Read more:
    How Israel’s domestic crises and Netanyahu’s aim to project power are reshaping the Middle East

    Israel’s July 15 strikes, and an attack on Syria’s Ministry of Defence in Damascus the following day, have drawn strong condemnation from Arab states, Turkey and the United Nations.

    While Israeli officials have justified the attacks as defensive and humanitarian, the intensity and symbolic targets suggest a deeper intention: to demonstrate operational reach, and, more importantly, actively engage in a redesign of the region with fragmentation and state weakness as the main objective.

    Fragmentation of the Middle East

    The United States, while expressing concern over the violence, has largely remained silent on Israel’s expanding role in Syria. This could further embolden Israeli actions in a region where international norms are being increasingly upended and traditional great power engagement is waning.

    Sectarian clashes are likely to continue in Sweida and beyond as Syria’s central government struggles to reassert control. That means that for Israel, the opportunity to deepen its footprint in southern Syria under the guise of minority protection remains.

    But despite its effort to present itself as a stable, moral presence in an otherwise chaotic neighbourhood, Israel could be undermining the very stability it says it wants to protect as it militarizes humanitarianism.

    The world is not not just witnessing a series of airstrikes or another episode of sectarian violence in the Middle East. It’s watching a profound transformation in the regional order — one in which traditional borders, alliances and identities are being reshaped.

    Amid this environment, Israel’s role could evolve not just as a military power, but as a revisionist nation navigating, and helping to bring about, the fragmentation of the Middle East.

    Spyros A. Sofos 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. Israel’s attack on Syria: Protecting the Druze minority or a regional power play? – https://theconversation.com/israels-attack-on-syria-protecting-the-druze-minority-or-a-regional-power-play-261648

    MIL OSI –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tsunami alert highlights worth of global early warning system

    Source: United Nations 2

    While the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported 
    that there had been no damage to Japan’s nuclear facilities after an 8.8 magnitude quake was recorded off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, coastal communities have been taking no chances and evacuating to higher ground or moving further inland.

    Alerts were sent out within a few minutes of the Russia quake, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) confirmed. Although the authorities have now downgraded the threat across Japan as waves of 1.3 metres (4ft 2in) have been recorded, the advice is for people to stay in shelters until the danger diminishes from continuing sea surges.

    “It is very complex; we are observing the tsunami data in real time, so we need people to stay at the shelter until the tsunami is completed,” said tsunami engineer Professor Fumihiko Imamura from Tohoku University.

    Deadly legacy

    In the Asian island nation, memories are still raw from the 11 March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami which killed more than 18,000 people.

    Just last year, the 7.6 magnitude Noto quake left approximately 500 dead and damaged 150,000 homes.

    The disaster also caused a major accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. 

    Today’s developments come amid reports that the latest earthquake was among the 10 most powerful ever recorded, hence why the authorities are monitoring its impact so closely.

    So far, alerts have been triggered off the west coast of the United States, in South America from Chile to Mexico and from Papua New Guinea to Vanuatu in the Pacific. 

    “A 8.8 magnitude earthquake is a very large earthquake,” explained Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

    “As you go from magnitude eight to nine, or seven to eight, at every step the strength of the earthquake increases exponentially. So, an earthquake which is magnitude eight as opposed to seven would be 30 times bigger.” 

    Faster than a jet liner

    Speaking to UN News, Mr. Kishore highlighted the huge distances tsunamis can cover, picking up enormous energy they then dump on coastal communities. 

    Their progress can be as fast as a passenger jet and can be tracked by deep sea pressure change sensors, or tsunameters, that are connected to surface buoys which relay information in real time to satellites. This data is then modelled by national weather centres, influencing whether alerts are issued.

    “It’s a real threat because the tsunamis travel really fast from one coast to the other,” continued Mr. Kishore. “The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 was one of the most devastating in our memory, which travelled from all the way from the coast of Indonesia to the Sri Lankan shores within a little over an hour.”

    Lessons learned

    In addition to the coordination role of UNDRR in the global early warning system, other UN entities also closely involved include the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UN agency for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO-IOC).  

    The IOC’s role is critical in making sure that countries that use tsunami-tracking instrumentation follow the same standard. 

    These efforts are in line with the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water or climate events through lifesaving early warning systems.

    Today, one in three people – and mainly in least developed countries and Small Island Developing States – lacks access to adequate multi-hazard early warning systems.

    “Tsunami prevention really highlights how important it is to have multilateral action” such as sharing data to run the algorithms behind wave modelling systems, insisted the UN’s Mr. Kishore. 

    “There are countries which are separated by thousands of kilometres of ocean, but they are affected by the same hazard,” he continued. 

    “If you do not share information on observing these hazards, not just in the location where they have occurred, but on what is happening in the intermediate locations in the ocean…we will not be able to warn our citizens.”  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study estimating the number of lung microplastics people inhale daily in homes and cars

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    July 30, 2025

    A study published in PLOS One estimates human exposure to microplastics in homes and cars. 

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “The only thing this paper measured was the concentrations of microplastics in a limited set of environments. The authors tested the air in three apartments and two cars via a total of 12 samples (plus four blanks). This is simply not enough data to make generalisations about the cities in France where the work took place, let alone the rest of the world. The authors did not conduct any testing to determine whether the microplastics they found were associated with or caused any health effects. The results should thus be treated as preliminary at best.

    “But what if there were more samples? What would the results mean?

    “When we talk about air pollution, you often hear the terms PM10 and PM2.5. The PM stands for particulate matter, and the numbers stand for the diameter of the particle in micrometres (microns). PM10 means particulate matter 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) in diameter or smaller, while PM2.5 means particles of matter 2.5 micrometres (0.0025 mm) in diameter or smaller. They usually come from dust and smoke, and we know that very fine particulate matter, no matter the source, can be a health risk; that’s why air quality is regularly tested, and there are guidelines in place for total PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the air in many countries [1].

    “Particles at the top end of the PM10 range generally do not travel further into the lungs than the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). Plastic particles in the PM2.5 range (or smaller) might travel further, but the keyword here is ‘might’; this is a relatively new area of research.

    “However, even if we assume plastic PM2.5 were an issue, their effects are already considered as part of the general impact of PM2.5 pollution, and any effect from plastics would likely be dwarfed by the contribution of PM2.5 particles from burning petrol oil and other fossil fuels, which are present in much greater abundance (while a figure like 2238 particles per cubic meter sounds like a large number, the particles themselves are very small, so the total physical amount of particles is also very small).

    “In short, while particulate pollution is an issue we should pay attention to, you don’t have to worry about breathing plastic air just yet.

    [1] Accredited official statistics, particulate matter (PM10/PM2.5), https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics/concentrations-of-particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25 accessed 30/06/25″

    ‘Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air’ by Nadiia Yakovenko et al. will be published in PLOS One at 19:00 UK time Wednesday 30 July 2025, which is when the embargo will lift.

    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328011

    Declared interests

    Prof Oliver Jones: I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne. I have previously published research on microplastics in the environment. I have no conflicts of interest to declare but I have received funding from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and various Australian Water utilities for research into environmental pollution.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with the Sultan of Oman: 30 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting with the Sultan of Oman: 30 July 2025

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street today.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, to Downing Street today.

    The leaders began by discussing the horrific scenes of hunger and devastation in Gaza and agreed this cannot continue. They reiterated the call for significant volumes of aid to urgently reach the people in Gaza and the Prime Minister confirmed UK support for Jordanian air drops to deliver aid swiftly to Gaza’s most vulnerable.

    The Prime Minister updated His Majesty on his conversations with other leaders in recent days, and both agreed on the need for a longer-term peace plan, which includes a pathway to recognition. They both reiterated the need for Hamas to release all hostages, disarm and sign up to a ceasefire, and accept that they will play no role in the future of Gaza.

    On Iran, the Prime Minister thanked His Majesty for Oman’s continued efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to avoid a return to conflict and ensure peace and security in the region.

    The leaders also discussed the ongoing UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade talks, and the Prime Minister outlined the huge potential for the UK economy and British businesses through this trade deal. They agreed to further collaboration between the UK on Oman in areas such as energy, technology, defence and security.

    They agreed to keep in touch.

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    Published 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    Vai al Contenuto Raggiungi il piè di pagina

    30 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation this evening with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

    President Meloni insisted on the need to immediately cease hostilities given the situation in Gaza which, she underlined, is unsustainable and unjustifiable.

    The conversation also provided an opportunity to reiterate the urgent need to guarantee full and unhindered humanitarian access to the civilian population, reaffirming Italy’s efforts in this regard through the Food for Gaza initiative. Thanks to Italy’s commitment, another 50 Palestinian civilians will be welcomed, and aid drops will be organised for the population in Gaza.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks at press conference on “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Acting Government Economist, Dr Cecilia Lam, held a press conference on the “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” this afternoon (July 30). Following are their remarks:

    Reporter: I have some questions. First of all, this report seems that it is a wrapping up of all the measures over the past few years. So, what is the significance of this report to Hong Kong’s future development? Also, amid the rising challenges such as the tariff increases, how are you going to convince foreign chambers or investors to invest in Hong Kong? The last question is about the reports of the developer of 11 Skies of the Airport City project, with some reports saying that the developer has intended to sell this mega project, because of lack of tenants and also lacklustre prospects. So what is your take on the proposal of selling 11 Skies to other parties? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. First, the significance of this report. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas visitors didn’t have the opportunity to visit Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, there has been some misperception about the situation of Hong Kong in the western world. . We are trying very hard to reach out to the international community, to explain to them what is really happening here in Hong Kong by sharing facts and data. The purpose of this report is to recap our developments in a concise report for distribution to them, and this report will be made available online, accessible to anyone who is interested.
     
         On the question of tariffs, on the question of the China-US geopolitical tension, of course, there are challenges, for example, in terms of exports, but there are also opportunities in respect of the international financial centre status of Hong Kong. For challenges on export, the direct impact is minimal because Hong Kong is basically a service economy; we don’t have much manufacturing. On the other hand, the indirect impact could be significant, because we re-export for the Mainland. But over the years, we have seen a number of trends. One of them is Mainland companies realigning their industry bases and supply chains across Southeast Asia. For exports to certain markets, such as the US, a lot of the exports come from those regions. When you look at the figures – the export figures from the Mainland to the US, or from the Mainland via Hong Kong to the US – the share of US in Mainland’s total export has been declining.
     
         From our standpoint, we are adjusting our position. In addition to doing re-export, we have shifted to provide high-value supply chain management and the related trade finance and professional services. That is our response. For opportunities, I think we should not underestimate them. Given the geopolitical landscape, it is increasingly difficult for Mainland companies to go to the US for listing. These companies, would naturally want to come to Hong Kong for listing, because by coming to Hong Kong, they can access both international and Mainland capital. This is a very interesting value proposition to them, and has been demonstrated by the figures so far this year. In fact, we have over 200 companies in the pipeline waiting for listing. But the opportunities are more than the IPO market. Say in asset and wealth management, residents in the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) are interested in having certain assets allocated offshore. Naturally, Hong Kong is the destination. The recent improvement in February last year to the GBA Wealth Management Connect – with the implementation of those measures, we have seen significant inflow of capital from the GBA into Hong Kong. In addition, we also have observed capital flow from the Middle East and ASEAN in the asset and wealth management sector. We are quite confident that, by the year 2027 and 2028 the latest – we will overtake Switzerland in cross-border wealth management.

         Another dimension is Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under the current geopolitical situation. We have observed Mainland companies’ keen interest to go global. First, this is national policy, i.e. high-level two-way opening up. Second, there is also a need, because these companies want to utilise the production capacity they have and do more exports. What we have been pitching to them is that the best way to do it is to come to Hong Kong, set up a company, use Hong Kong as a platform  as well as a brand to go overseas. In our experience in engaging the Middle East and ASEAN, the value of the “Hong Kong brand” is very much respected. This is one way in which we can help them. In the process, Our professional services and other service providers will benefit.
     
         Finally, on 11 Skies, I won’t comment on individual projects. But overall, the attitude of the Government is that, given the economic transition, and given the challenges currently in the non-domestic property market, banks should be supportive to their clients and help them ride through challenges. In the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, HKMA, a working group has been set up between the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the HKMA. This working group deals with individual cases with a view to helping the communication between the banks and borrowers, so that the lenders can extend a more accommodative and facilitative approach to help borrowers who have a viable business model and have a genuine interest in carrying on their business, but are just facing a liquidity crunch. That is the overall attitude of the Government. Thank you.
     
    Reporter: Hi Mr Chan. So, I just want to follow up on the previous question first. So what’s the significance of issuing the report now, like after the previous issuance of four years ago? Like, why does the Government choose to issue the new report at present? And also, you mentioned a lot of positive signs in the markets, like the stock markets booming, and Hong Kong also saw a record capital inflows in the first half of the year. So why does the Government still remain quite conservative over an uptick of the annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth target for the whole year? And also, how do you see the sustainability of such momentum moving forward? And second question I also want to ask about four sectors that are facing structural changes, like you mentioned, to the retail and catering. Do you see the need to further enhance the support measures besides helping them achieve digital transformation? And finally, about the tariff truce, so the Chinese and US (United States) officials just reached agreements to extend their tariff suspension. So how do you assess the impacts on local business, and would the Government take any steps to help, perhaps exports or local businesses to take this opportunity? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. Well, the last report was published in 2021. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas travellers hadn’t come to Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, the perception about Hong Kong in the Western world is not entirely factual and correct. There are some misconceptions. So the purpose of this report is to show to them the current situation in Hong Kong, so that they will be able to better understand what is happening in this city. If they are interested, they are welcome to visit us to see for themselves what it is really like here and the tremendous opportunities available.
     
         As regards the question about the GDP estimate for the whole year, the GDP growth for the first half of this year has been positive. For the first quarter, the growth was 3.1 per cent; for the second quarter, we have maintained the momentum. But given the geopolitical landscape, there are enormous uncertainty and volatility. At this stage, we think it would be prudent to keep the current GDP estimate. There is in fact a mechanism, a defined timetable for reviewing the GDP estimate regularly. On a published timeline, the Government Economist will share with the community the economic situation, and determine at that time whether to make any revision. It’s better to follow that established practice as it provides certainty to the market.
     
         As to supporting the retail and catering sector, we will keep an open mind. I have elaborated on the situation and how we have been trying to help, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation and if necessary, roll out measures. At this stage, we think the current support measures should stay. Let us observe for a longer time. We have been providing various support measures such as the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) for marketing development and e-commerce.  Algernon would share more about that.
     
    Before passing to Algernon, I would say the recent discussions leading to the temporary suspension of tariff rise is, of course, a positive sign. But on the other hand, we are conscious of the fact that things can change overnight. There is still tremendous uncertainty, and consequently, volatility. So for our work, first, we need to ensure financial stability and financial security. On the other hand, stay on course, focus on what we have set out to do, and be persistent with our efforts. That includes reinforcing our relationship with traditional markets like Europe and the US, and at the same time, opening up new markets and new capital sources from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Thank you, Algernon please.
     
    Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Regarding the challenges facing the retail and food and beverage sectors, we have different measures and funding helping the retail sector, such as the BUD Fund. We are also encouraging the sectors to look for changes and transformation, and e-commerce is one of the measures that we promote. Just today, we are going to launch the Hong Kong Shopping Festival for cross-border e-commerce to allow the retail sector to do more e-commerce business. For the maximum cumulative funding of $7 million per enterprise under the BUD Fund, they can apply for $1 million for e-commerce business to arrange for promotion and advertising for e-commerce business across the border.
     
    There are also measures to encourage tourists to come to Hong Kong. Actually, the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong is increasing. It is a positive sign that would help the retail sector. But most importantly, as mentioned by the Financial Secretary, it is time for transformation. We have to look at customer behaviour and their needs, and how we can satisfy customer demand. It is one of the major issues that we have to jointly resolve with enterprises. I have met with different chambers and associations of the retail sector. We had very good discussions on helping them to tackle the challenging situation. As mentioned by the Financial Secretary, we will keep an open mind to look at the situation and to see whether there is a need to introduce further measures to help the retail and food and beverage sectors. Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: We should be very confident in Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a hub for foreign businesses and talent. Over the past few years, I’ve been travelling a lot and also heavily engaged with the foreign business community in Hong Kong. I can summarise three key reasons why people should choose Hong Kong. First is, of course, for business reasons. Hong Kong has the proximity and sometimes priority access to the Mainland market. Depending on which sector you are in – if you are in the tech sector, say in the biotech sector, Hong Kong has an additional advantage because of our proximity to Shenzhen, and we are part of the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) which is a technology hub. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster is very competitive in innovation.
     
        Apart from that, it is the capital market and the full range of funding options available here. For companies at different development stages, whether they are start-ups or others, we welcome them. In Hong Kong, we have around 4,700 start-ups, and the number represents a significant increase compared to that a few years ago. About 20 per cent of their founders come from overseas, and they come here for funding, professional advice, mentoring, and opportunities. In my discussions with the start-ups in Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, they value these as well as the innovation ecosystem very much. For start-ups, what they need are application scenarios, professional advice and funding support, and they are all available here. In Hong Kong, we have set up the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, which provides patient capital. This means that if enterprises are engaged in cutting-edge technologies, we are willing to support them from small, and help them grow and connect them with fund managers to raise funds.
     
    The second reason is for their families and children. It is well recognised Hong Kong’s law and order is excellent. We are a very safe city. Education here is also outstanding. Moreover, this is an open and multicultural society, and it is very free. We have gathered a lot of overseas professionals and foreign businessmen here.
     
    Finally, it is about our lifestyle. Whether it is city life, F&B (food and beverage) or our countryside. So with all these, I think if we play our cards right, Hong Kong’s opportunities in the future are tremendous. Thank you for attending this conference. I appreciate your time. Thank you.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The lack of reciprocal standards in agricultural trade with Ukraine – E-002990/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002990/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

    A recent report resulting from a dialogue involving experts, qualified representatives of agricultural sectors and NGOs[1] has once again warned about the consequences, for our livestock and arable farmers, of the and imbalances in our trading relations with other agricultural powers. The authors highlighted the instruments included in the European ‘toolbox’ of reciprocity measures.

    • 1.The Commission is still encouraging massive imports of Ukrainian agricultural products (poultry, cereals, eggs, etc.), which fail to comply with any EU production standards in the areas of the environment, animal health or the use of pesticides and antibiotics. Can the Commission explain why this is the case, given that it is at odds with various EU regulations and directives and with the guidance reaffirmed in the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy, with which our farmers are required to comply?
    • 2.Given that the failure to comply with EU standards is a major source of unfair competition and is contributing to the economic decline of our industries, what commitments and measures does the Commission intend to undertake to require, without delay, strict equivalence of standards for any product imported into the European Union?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] Reciprocity of agricultural production standards in international trade, Report on the dialogue between agricultural sectors, NGOs and experts, July 2025.
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Respect for animal welfare in Ukrainian poultry imports – E-002989/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002989/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

    The issue of animal welfare on our farms has become a major source of concern for many consumers. The Commission itself, which takes note of the ethical demands voiced in this regard, was at the origin of Directives 2007/43/EC and 98/58/EC, which are applicable to European farmers. European farmers are, of course, required to comply with these directives, and must shoulder the economic consequences arising from this compliance.

    At EU level, the maximum quota for poultry exports from Ukraine to the EU for 2024 was set at 132 000 tonnes. However, according to a statement from the Ukrainian Government based on customs data[1], actual poultry exports from Ukraine to the EU amounted to 373 800 tonnes (poultry and poultry products) from January to October 2024 alone.

    • 1.Does the Commission dispute the cited figures?
    • 2.Is the Commission able to certify – and if so, on what basis – that Ukrainian poultry imported into the EU market was reared under conditions compatible with animal welfare standards (density > 50 kg/m² and unregulated transport), as laid down in the above-mentioned directives?
    • 3.If the Commission is unable to do so, how does it justify the entry of products resulting from practices that are banned in the European Union, which would be tantamount to dumping, both ethically and economically?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] ‘Ukraine halves the EU poultry export quota’, 14 January 2025, https://www.poultryworld.net/the-industrymarkets/market-trends-analysis-the-industrymarkets-2/ukraine-halves-the-eu-poultry-export-quota/
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Access to the technologies and intellectual property rights of third-country participants in projects funded by the European Defence Fund – E-003012/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-003012/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marc Botenga (The Left)

    Investigate Europe and Reporters United have revealed that the European Defence Fund is subsidising Intracom Defense, a Greek company. However, according to Intracom’s financial reports, since 2023 it has actually been controlled by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), an Israeli state-owned company, which holds 94.5 % of its shares and 100 % of its voting rights[1].

    The technologies and results of EU projects could thus end up in the hands of a government-owned company of a third country. The Commission’s response was that the projects could not be controlled by, or transferred to, a third-country government, neither while they were in progress nor after they had ended[2].

    • 1.Does this ban apply to non-EU public companies, such as IAI, which are owned or controlled by the government of a third country?
    • 2.Intracom is currently developing technologies as part of the ACTUS project. Given that Intracom is controlled by IAI, a non-EU state-owned company, can the Commission guarantee that the latter has absolutely no access to the technologies developed, and if so, how is it able to give that guarantee?
    • 3.Who will own the intellectual property rights for the results of the ACTUS project?

    Submitted: 18.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/european-defence-fund-millions-benefiting-israeli-state-owned-drone-manufacturer
    • [2] https://agenceurope.eu/fr/bulletin/article/13657/18
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU-US trade deal explained – energy aspects

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Questions and answers Brussels, 30 Jul 2025 EU energy imports from the US
    The US already is one of the EU’s top energy partners and, by far, the EU’s first supplier of LNG, with 55% of our LNG supply comi…

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission action to immediately compensate livestock farmers and address the economic impact of sheep pox – P-003129/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-003129/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    Outbreaks of sheep pox are increasing significantly, affecting livestock farmers in many regional units of Greece, such as Aetolia-Acarnania, Larissa, Rhodope, Magnesia, Florina, Phocis and Xanthi.

    By way of illustration, 25 out of the 42 new outbreaks were recorded in the two prefectures of Thessaly (representing 60 % of all cases), while it is estimated that 35 000 sheep have been killed in the municipality of Kileler alone.

    It should be noted that since the first cases appeared, 638 outbreaks have been reported and 148 285 sheep and goats have been killed.

    This irreparably affects the income of livestock farmers and producers and the economic viability of entire regions.

    In light of the above, can the Commission say:

    • 1.What action will it take and what mechanisms will it activate to provide urgent financial support to the affected livestock farmers in order to cover their lost income?
    • 2.Does it intend to provide compensation for the affected farmers for the dead animals in accordance with the provisions of the Common Agricultural Policy? If so, how much?
    • 3.Is it looking into the reactivation of measure 5.2 with a view to fully replacing animal stocks and strengthening the resilience of the sector?

    Submitted: 29.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Tax avoidance by digital multinationals and protecting European SMEs – E-002986/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002986/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giusi Princi (PPE), Letizia Moratti (PPE), Flavio Tosi (PPE), Fulvio Martusciello (PPE), Marco Falcone (PPE), Caterina Chinnici (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Salvatore De Meo (PPE)

    The complex corporate structures used by some digital multinationals, as highlighted in the Amazon case, allow them to minimise their tax burden in the EU by means of transfer pricing and spreading royalties intra-group, thus giving rise to an unlevel playing field for European SMEs that are subject to full taxation.

    The current European regulatory framework does not have sufficiently effective tools to tackle the complex tax optimisation structures used by multinationals, creating significant disparities in the internal market.

    This system causes particularly serious competitive distortions in the EU’s outermost and least developed such as Calabria, where the closure of small businesses deprives already fragile municipalities of essential tax revenues, accelerating depopulation and compromising local public services.

    Can the Commission therefore say:

    • 1.Whether it intends to put forward a revision of the principle of free competition and the state aid rules to more effectively combat tax avoidance by digital multinationals?
    • 2.What specific measures it intends to take to protect European SMEs from unfair competition from operators benefiting from tax advantages through complex avoidance schemes?
    • 3.How it intends to ensure that the tax revenue generated by digital business remains in the territories where the profits are made, thereby supporting local authorities and the development of areas on the edge of the EU?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – China’s unofficial police stations in the EU – E-002962/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002962/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    China is alleged to have established dozens of unofficial police stations throughout the EU.

    • 1.Does the Commission know how many such stations exist in the EU, and where they are?
    • 2.What action has the Commission taken against these stations to date?
    • 3.To its knowledge, do any other third countries have unofficial police stations in the EU?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Rule of law in Poland – E-002961/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002961/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    The Commission had frozen EU funds intended for Poland due to the country’s rule of law issues. However, following the election of Donald Tusk and his declared plan to address all rule of law deficiencies, the Commission unfroze these funds.

    In this context:

    • 1.Which rule of law deficiencies have been resolved to date?
    • 2.Which rule of law deficiencies have not been resolved to date?
    • 3.By what date must the unresolved deficiencies be resolved to prevent the funds from being frozen again?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Forced evictions of Roma and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights – E-002974/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002974/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Damien Carême (The Left), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Birgit Sippel (S&D), Catarina Martins (The Left), Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE)

    On 15 April 2025, over 200 Roma residents in Sofia’s Ilinden district were forcibly evicted, despite interim measures imposed by the European Court of Human Rights requiring adequate alternative accommodation. These actions reflect a wider pattern of forced evictions disproportionately affecting Roma communities, which raise serious concerns about structural antigypsyism in Europe.

    Under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Member States must uphold human dignity (Article 1), prohibit discrimination based on ethnic origin (Article 21), and ensure access to housing assistance (Article 34(3)) when implementing EU law or using EU funds.

    In the light of these obligations and the enabling condition requiring respect for the Charter in the use of EU funds:

    • 1.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that EU-funded programmes, particularly those related to housing, comply with the Charter and do not contribute to forced evictions or discrimination?
    • 2.How is the Commission monitoring Bulgaria’s compliance with the Charter and the EU Roma Strategic Framework in the light of the recent evictions?
    • 3.Will the Commission assess whether Bulgaria remains compliant with the enabling conditions for accessing cohesion funding, given concerns about fundamental rights violations against Roma?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: Regional Resilience Fund provides €230 million to finance agreement signed by EIB with A&G and Urbania Alpha to promote affordable housing, urban development and sustainable tourism

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The two financing agreements have been signed thanks to the backing of the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.
    • The EIB will allocate €130 million to A&G and €100 million to Urbania Alpha (which holds the AEXX Capital brand) for investments throughout Spain.
    • These agreements mark a further step forward in rolling out the Regional Resilience Fund – specifically the instrument designed to promote urban development and sustainable tourism – with €640 million already signed to support investments under this instrument.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with A&G and Urbania Alpha (which holds the AEXX Capital brand) to channel a total of €230 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.

    The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the new instrument launched by the EIB to channel financing via financial intermediaries. Thanks to this instrument, agreements totalling €640 million have already been signed to back investments in urban development and sustainable tourism.

    As with the first agreements signed by the EIB under this instrument, A&G Banco and Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote projects in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism.

    A&G has been allocated €130 million by the EIB, which it will channel through A&G Real Estate Sustainable Developments, SICC SA. Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital has been allocated €100 million to be channelled through AEXX Impact Investments I, SICC SA. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this purpose. A&G will invest in equity, while Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital will finance projects through equity and loans, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is €22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt. The investment period runs until December 2030.

    “With these two new financing agreements, the EIB continues to accelerate the deployment of the Regional Resilience Fund while boosting investment in urban development, affordable housing, and sustainable tourism in Spain. Public-private partnerships—such as those signed today with A&G and Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital—help unlock the capital needed to make housing more accessible, foster an environmentally responsible tourism model, and adapt our cities to the evolving needs of citizens.” said EIB Director General – Head of Lending and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux

    “The signing of these agreements consolidates the implementation of the Regional Resilience Fund’s intermediated instrument, extending its scope to new specialised financial intermediaries. This is an important step in continuing to channel European funding towards projects with a real impact in key areas such as affordable housing, urban regeneration and sustainable tourism,’ said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Financing at the Treasury, Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise

    Alejandro Nuñez, Managing Partner of Alternative Investments at A&G added, “We appreciate the trust placed in us by an investor of such exceptional prestige as the EIB to mobilize a significant portion of the Regional Resilience Fund. We believe that A&G is in a privileged position to manage public-private capital that effectively contributes to urban regeneration and sustainable tourism projects in Spain. Over the last few years, A&G has managed to create a highly regarded real estate investment platform in Spain. The mandate granted by the EIB gives us the opportunity to channel key resources into promoting affordable rental housing, while also supporting sustainable initiatives and local job creation.”

    Background information

    EIB

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

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

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

    In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the country’s green and digital transition, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.

    Regional Resilience Fund

    The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.

    The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.

    The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:

    • a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
    • an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
    • two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

    About A&G and A&G Global Investors

    A&G was founded in 1987 and is a leading independent financial services group with offices in Spain and Luxembourg. At the end of June 2025, the group’s total assets under management (AuMs) exceeded €15.5 billion. The group’s capabilities in alternative investments are focused on real estate, energy transition (with strategies dedicated to investing in infrastructure assets and growing technology companies) and private equity investments, grouped under the A&G Global Investors brand.

    www.aygglobalinvestors.com

    Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital

    Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital is a European alternative asset management platform. The firm provides debt, equity, and hybrid capital solutions to address a broad range of financing needs for real asset owners. To execute this strategy, AEXX has developed deep geographic and asset-class expertise across European markets through its offices in Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany, and Portugal.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Effectiveness of Polish border policy and information campaign in addressing irregular migration – E-002973/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002973/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Krzysztof Brejza (PPE)

    Since 2024, the Polish Government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk has reinforced its eastern borders and launched an information campaign abroad to address growing irregular migration pressures. While fully respecting the right to asylum, Poland’s actions have focused on deterring irregular economic migration, often facilitated by smuggling networks and driven by false promises.

    The government’s information campaign in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt and Kenya, clearly communicates that Poland is not a viable entry point for unauthorised migration. The campaign’s aim is to reduce human suffering, cut smugglers’ profits and avoid a system overload. At the same time, Poland has upgraded its border infrastructure and engaged diplomatically to manage the inflow of migrants responsibly.

    • 1.Does the Commission consider Poland’s approach, particularly the external information campaign, as a potentially effective model for other Member States?
    • 2.Are there plans to support similar EU-coordinated campaigns to address irregular economic migration at the source?
    • 3.Will such preventive strategies be integrated into the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Pandemic reaction time – E-002971/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002971/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union provided financial support to Member States facing exceptional circumstances beyond their control.

    The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. In response, the EU introduced two major instruments: the SURE instrument, to support Member States in protecting employment, and NextGenerationEU (NGEU), as a broader recovery instrument.

    The Commission proposed the SURE instrument on 2 April 2020, 23 days after the outbreak was declared a pandemic, and NGEU on 27 May 2020, 78 days after the pandemic declaration.

    In the Commission’s view, what is the maximum amount of time, in line with the Treaties, that may elapse between the outbreak of any exceptional crisis and the provision of financial support to respond to that crisis?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ReArm Europe – E-002970/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002970/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    In the ReArm Europe plan, the Commission proposes that Member States may deviate from their net expenditure path under the Stability and Growth Pact by up to 1.5 % of GDP, provided that this deviation is due to increased national defence spending and that the national escape clause is activated.

    • 1.Which specific reference year and baseline are being used to calculate the maximum allowed increase in defence spending of up to 1.5 % of GDP?
    • 2.In the case of the year 2025, what is the maximum amount by which each Member State can deviate from its net expenditure path, assuming the national escape clause is fully activated?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Follow-up question (Written Question E-000942/2025) – E-002978/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002978/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left), Kathleen Funchion (The Left), Miriam Lexmann (PPE), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Ciaran Mullooly (Renew), Romana Jerković (S&D), Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D)

    In reply to Written Question E-000942/2025[1] regarding a future EU Care Deal, the Commission states that, as part of the implementation of the EU care strategy, it will ‘include numerous reforms targeting informal carers and a toolkit for supporting informal carers’.

    Can the Commission indicate:

    • 1.what this toolkit is aimed to support, how this is being developed and whether the voice of carers has been sought in this process?
    • 2.what other concrete measures or policy initiatives the Commission envisages to ensure that informal carers receive adequate support, recognition and protection?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000942-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Investor communications – E-002969/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002969/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    In its official investor presentation entitled ‘EU Investor Presentation – Investing in EU-Bonds & EU-Bills’, published on 24 June 2025, the Commission presents the EU as a reliable and democratically legitimate issuer of common debt. In particular, it highlights the EU’s ‘institutional framework that includes the European Parliament – a directly elected EU body’ as a key pillar of this legitimacy and governance structure.

    At the same time, the Commission repeatedly sidelines Parliament when it comes to fundamental decisions on EU debt instruments, such as the instrument for temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) or the planned Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. Decisions on the scope, purpose and governance of these debt instruments are typically taken between the Commission and the Council, without meaningful parliamentary involvement.

    • 1.Why does the Commission not want to involve Parliament in the decision-making process on EU debt and give it a substantive role in decision-making on EU debt instruments?
    • 2.How does the Commission justify materially misleading its investors by misrepresenting Parliament’s role in its official investor communications?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 31, 2025
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