NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. and Uzbekistan Forge Strong Security Partnership with Historic Deportation Operation

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: U

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    and Uzbekistan Forge Strong Security Partnership with Historic Deportation Operation

    lass=”text-align-center”>U

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    and Uzbekistan Forge Strong Security Partnership with Historic Deportation Operation
    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Noem’s leadership, partnered with the Government of Uzbekistan to successfully deport over 100 illegal aliens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan

    This operation, in which Uzbekistan fully funded the deportation of their own nationals, underscores the deep security cooperation between our nations and sets a standard for U

    S

    alliances

    “We commend Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his leadership in sending a flight to return 131 illegal aliens back to their home country,” said Secretary Noem

    “We look forward to continuing to work together with Uzbekistan on efforts to enhance our mutual security and uphold the rule of law

    ”
    This landmark partnership is the latest in a long line of successful deals with foreign partners negotiated by President Trump and his administration

    He put the American people first and successfully convinced Colombia to begin accepting migrants removed from the United States, developed a strong working partnership with El Salvador to lock up criminal illegal aliens and gang members, and turned Mexico into a willing ally in the fight against drug cartels, leading to the arrest of over 6,000 drug traffickers – the highest number of arrests in Mexico’s history

    These are just some of the successful efforts that reflect President Trump’s vision for strong diplomatic cooperation and a restored immigration system, ensuring that illegal aliens are returned to their countries of origin

    We are just getting started

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Soars to New Heights in First 100 Days of Trump Administration

    Source: NASA

    Today is the 100th day of the Trump-Vance Administration after being inaugurated on Jan. 20. In his inaugural address, President Trump laid out a bold and ambitious vision for NASA’s future throughout his second term, saying, “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.” NASA has spent the first 100 days in relentless pursuit of this goal, continually exploring, innovating, and inspiring for the benefit of humanity.
    “In just 100 days, under the bold leadership of President Trump and acting Administrator Janet Petro, NASA has continued to further American innovation in space,” said Bethany Stevens, NASA press secretary. “From expediting the return of American astronauts home after an extended stay aboard the state-of-the-art International Space Station, to bringing two new nations on as signatories of the Artemis Accords, to the historic SPHEREx mission launch that takes us one step closer to mapping the secrets of the universe, NASA continues to lead on the world stage. Here at NASA, we’re putting the America First agenda into play amongst the stars, ensuring the United States wins the space race at this critical juncture in time.”
    A litany of victories in the first 100 days set the stage for groundbreaking success throughout the remainder of the term. Read more about NASA’s cutting-edge work in this short, yet dynamic, period of time below:
    Bringing Astronauts Home Safely, Space Station Milestones

    America brought Crew-9 safely home. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, and Nick Hague, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth after a successful mission aboard the International Space Station, splashing down in the Gulf of America. Their safe return reflects America’s unwavering commitment to the agency’s astronauts and mission success.
    A new, American-led mission launched to space. The agency’s Crew-10 mission is currently aboard the space station, with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, joined by international partners from Japan and Russia. NASA continues to demonstrate American leadership and the power of space diplomacy as we maintain a continuous human presence in orbit.
    The agency welcomed home NASA astronaut Don Pettit, concluding a seven-month science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. Pettit landed at 6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time, April 20 on his 70th birthday, making him NASA’s oldest active astronaut and the third oldest person to reach orbit.
    NASA astronaut Jonny Kim launched and arrived safely at the International Space Station, marking the start of his first space mission. Over eight months, he’ll lead groundbreaking research that advances science and improves life on Earth, proving once again that Americans are built to lead in space.
    The four members of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-11, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov were named by NASA. Launching no earlier than July 2025, this mission continues America’s leadership in long-duration human spaceflight while strengthening critical global partnerships.
    NASA announced Chris Williams will launch in November 2025 for his first spaceflight. His upcoming mission underscores the pipeline of American talent ready to explore space and expand our presence beyond Earth.
    NASA is inviting U.S. industry to propose two new private astronaut missions to the space station in 2026 and 2027 – building toward a future where American companies sustain a continuous human presence in space and advance our national space economy.
    NASA and SpaceX launched the 32nd Commercial Resupply Services mission, delivering 6,700 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station. These investments in science and technology continue to strengthen America’s leadership in low Earth orbit. The payload supports cutting-edge research, including:

    New maneuvers for free-flying robots

    An advanced air quality monitoring system

    Two atomic clocks to explore relativity and ultra-precise timekeeping

    Sending Humans to Moon, Mars

    Teams began hot fire testing the first of three 12-kW Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) thrusters. These high-efficiency thrusters are a cornerstone of next-generation spaceflight, as they offer greater fuel economy and mission flexibility than traditional chemical propulsion, making them an asset for long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. For Mars in particular, SEP enables three key elements required for success:

    Sustained cargo transport

    Orbital maneuvering

    Transit operations

    NASA completed the fourth Entry Descent and Landing technology test in three months, accelerating innovation to achieve precision landings on Mars’ thin atmosphere and rugged terrain.
    NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications experiment aboard Psyche broke new ground, enabling the high-bandwidth connections vital for communications with crewed missions to Mars.
    Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission One successfully delivered 10 NASA payloads to the Moon, advancing landing, autonomy, and data collection skills for Mars missions.
    Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission achieved the southernmost lunar landing, collecting critical data from challenging terrain to inform Mars exploration strategies.
    NASA cameras aboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander captured unprecedented footage of engine plume-surface interactions, offering vital data for designing safer landings on the Moon and Mars.
    The agency’s Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies (SCALPSS) 1.1 aboard Blue Ghost collected more than 9,000 images of lunar descent, providing insights on lander impacts and terrain interaction to guide future spacecraft design.
    New SCALPSS hardware delivered for Blue Origin’s Blue Mark 1 mission also is enhancing lunar landing models, helping build precision landing systems for the Moon and Mars. The LuGRE (Lunar Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver Experiment) on Blue Ghost acquired Earth navigation signals from the Moon, advancing autonomous positioning systems crucial for lunar and Mars operations.
    The Electrodynamic Dust Shield successfully cleared lunar dust, demonstrating a critical technology for protecting equipment on the Moon and Mars.
    Astronauts aboard the space station conducted studies to advance understanding of how to keep crews healthy on long-duration Mars missions.
    NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture Workshop gathered industry, academic, and international partners to refine exploration plans and identify collaboration opportunities.

    Artemis Milestones

    NASA completed stacking the twin solid rocket boosters for Artemis II, the mission that will send American astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. This is a powerful step toward returning our nation to deep space.
    At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, teams joined the core stage with the solid rocket boosters inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.
    Engineers lifted the launch vehicle stage adapter atop the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage, connecting key systems that will soon power NASA’s return to the Moon.
    Teams received the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and moved the SLS core stage into the transfer aisle, clearing another milestone as the agency prepares to fully integrate America’s most powerful rocket.
    NASA attached the solar array wings that will help power the Orion spacecraft on its journey around the Moon, laying the groundwork for humanity’s next giant leap.
    Technicians installed the protective fairings on Orion’s service module to shield the spacecraft during its intense launch and ascent phase, as NASA prepares to send astronauts farther than any have gone in more than half a century.
    The agency’s next-generation mobile launcher continues to take shape, with the sixth of 10 massive modules being installed. This structure will carry future Artemis rockets to the launch pad.
    NASA and the Department of Defense teamed up aboard the USS Somerset for Artemis II recovery training, ensuring the agency and its partners are ready to safely retrieve Artemis astronauts after their historic mission around the Moon.
    NASA unveiled the Artemis II mission patch. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all.

    America First in Space

    NASA announced the first major science results from asteroid Bennu, revealing ingredients essential for life, a discovery made possible by U.S. leadership in planetary science through the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) mission. The team found salty brines, 14 of the 20 amino acids used to make proteins, and all five DNA nucleobases, suggesting that the conditions and ingredients for life were widespread in our early solar system. And this is just the beginning – these results were from analysis of only 0.06% of the sample.
    NASA was named one of TIME’s Best Companies for Future Leaders, underscoring the agency’s role in cultivating the next generation of American innovators.
    NASA awarded contracts to U.S. industry supporting Earth science missions,  furthering our understanding of the planet while strengthening America’s industrial base.
    As part of the Air Traffic Management-Exploration project, NASA supported Boeing’s test of digital and autonomous taxiing with a Cessna Caravan at Moffett Federal Airfield. The test used real-time simulations from the agency’s Future Flight Central to gather data that will help Boeing refine its systems and safely integrate advanced technologies into national airspace, demonstrating American aviation leadership.
    NASA successfully completed its automated space traffic coordination objectives between the agency’s four Starling spacecraft and SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. Teams demonstrated four risk mitigation maneuvers, autonomously resolving close approaches between two spacecraft with different owner/operators.  
    In collaboration with the National Institute of Aeronautics, NASA selected eight finalists in a university competition aimed at designing innovative aviation solutions that can help the agriculture industry. NASA’s Gateways to Blue Skies seeks ways to apply American aircraft and aviation technology to enhance the productivity, efficiency, and resiliency of American farms. 
    In Houston, United Airlines pilots successfully conducted operational tests of NASA-developed technologies designed to reduce flight delays. Using technologies from the Air Traffic Management Exploration project, pilots flew efficient re-routes, avoiding airspace with bad weather upon departure. United plans to expand the use of these capabilities, another example of how NASA innovations benefit all humanity. 
    On March 11, NASA’s newest astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx, launched on its journey to answer fundamental questions about our universe, thanks to the dedication and expertise of the agency’s team. Riding aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, SPHEREx will scan the entire sky to study how galaxies formed, search for the building blocks of life, and look back to the universe’s earliest moments. After launch, SPHEREx turned on its detectors, and everything is performing as expected.

    Also onboard were four small satellites for NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, which will help scientists understand how the Sun’s outer atmosphere becomes solar wind. These missions reflect the best of the agency – pushing the boundaries of discovery and expanding our understanding of the cosmos.

    On March 14, NASA’s EZIE (Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer) mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This trio of small satellites will study auroral electrojets, or intense electric currents flowing high above Earth’s poles, helping the agency better understand space weather and its effects on our planet. The mission has taken its first measurements, demonstrating that the spacecraft and onboard instrument are working as expected.
    The X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft cleared another hurdle on its way to first flight. The team successfully completed an engine speed hold test, confirming the “cruise control” system functions as designed. 
    NASA researchers successfully tested a prototype that could help responders fight and monitor wildfires, even in low-visibility conditions. The Portable Airspace Management System, developed by NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations project, safely coordinated simulated operations involving drones and other aircraft, tackling a major challenge for those on the front lines. This is just one example of how NASA’s innovation is making a difference where it’s needed most. 
    NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completed its 23rd close approach to the Sun, coming within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface while traveling at 430,000 miles per hour – matching its own records for distance and speed. That same day, Parker Solar Probe was awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy, a well-earned recognition for its groundbreaking contributions to heliophysics. 
    In response to severe weather that impacted more than 10 states earlier this month, the NASA Disasters Response Coordination System activated to support national partners. NASA worked closely with the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency serving the central and southeastern U.S. to provide satellite data and expertise that help communities better prepare, respond, and recover. 
    As an example of how NASA’s research today is shaping the transportation of tomorrow, the agency’s aeronautics engineers began a flight test campaign focused on safely integrating air taxis into the national airspace. Using a Joby Aviation demonstrator aircraft, engineers are helping standardize flight test maneuvers, improving tools to assist with collision avoidance and landing operations, and ensuring safe and efficient air taxis operations in various weather conditions.
    NASA premiered “Planetary Defenders,” a new documentary that follows the dedicated team behind asteroid detection and planetary defense. The film debuted at an event at the agency’s headquarters with digital creators, interagency and international partners, and now is streaming on NASA+, YouTube, and X. In its first 24 hours, it saw 25,000 views on YouTube – 75% above average – and reached 4 million impressions on X. 
    Finland became the 53rd nation to sign the Artemis Accords, reaffirming its commitment to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space. This milestone underscores the growing global coalition led by the United States to establish a sustainable and cooperative presence beyond Earth.
    In Dhaka, Bangladesh, NASA welcomed a new signatory to the Artemis Accords. Bangladesh became the 54th nation to commit to the peaceful, safe, and responsible exploration of space. It’s a milestone that reflects our shared values and growing global momentum, reaffirming the United States’ leadership in building a global coalition for peaceful space exploration. 
    At NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, engineers conducted calibration flights for a new shock-sensing probe that will support future flight tests of the X-59 quiet supersonic demonstrator. Mounted on a research F-15D that will follow the X-59 closely in flight, the probe will gather data on the shock waves the X-59 generates, providing important data about its ability to fly faster than sound, but produce only a quiet thump.
    In its second asteroid encounter, Lucy flew by the asteroid Donaldjohanson and gave NASA a close look at a uniquely shaped fragment dating back 150 million years – an impressive performance ahead of its main mission target in 2027.
    A celebration of decades of discovery, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope celebrated its 35th anniversary with new observations ranging from nearby solar system objects to distant galaxies – proof that Hubble continues to inspire wonder and advance our understanding of the universe.
    The SPHEREx team rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, spotlighting NASA’s newest space telescope and its bold mission to explore the origins of the universe.
    NASA received six Webby Awards and six People’s Voice Awards across platforms – recognition of America’s excellence in digital engagement and public communication.
    The NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed and Advanced Air Transport Technology project concluded testing of a 2.5-megawatt Wright Electric motor designed to eventually serve large aircraft. The testing used the project’s capabilities to simulate altitude conditions of up to 40,000 feet while the electric motor, the most powerful tested so far at the facility, ran at both full voltage and partial power. NASA partnered with the Department of Energy on the tests.
    U.S. entities can now request the Glenn Icing Computational Environment (GlennICE) tool from the NASA Software Catalog and discover solutions to icing challenges for novel engine and aircraft designs. A 3D computational tool, GlennICE allows engineers to integrate icing-related considerations earlier in the aircraft design process and enable safer, more efficient designs while saving costs in the design process.

    For more about NASA’s mission, visit:

    Home Page

    -end-
    Bethany StevensHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600bethany.c.stevens@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Help Classify Galaxies Seen by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope!

    Source: NASA

    NASA needs your help identifying the shapes of thousands of galaxies in images taken by our James Webb Space Telescope with the Galaxy Zoo project. These classifications will help scientists answer questions about how the shapes of galaxies have changed over time, what caused these changes, and why. Thanks to the light collecting power of Webb, there are now over 500,000 images of galaxies on website of the Galaxy Zoo citizen science project—more images than scientists can classify by themselves. 
    “This is a great opportunity to see images from the newest space telescope,” said volunteer Christine Macmillan from Aberdeen, Scotland. “Galaxies at the edge of our universe are being seen for the first time, just as they are starting to form. Just sign up and answer simple questions about the shape of the galaxy that you are seeing. Anyone can do it, ages 10 and up!”  
    As we look at more distant objects in the universe, we see them as they were billions of years ago because light takes time to travel to us. With Webb, we can spot galaxies at greater distances than ever before. We’re seeing what some of the earliest galaxies ever detected look like, for the first time. The shapes of these galaxies tell us about how they were born, how and when they formed stars, and how they interacted with their neighbors. By looking at how more distant galaxies have different shapes than close galaxies, we can work out which processes were more common at different times in the universe’s history.   
    At Galaxy Zoo, you’ll first examine an image from the Webb telescope. Then you will be asked several questions, such as ‘Is the galaxy round?’, or ‘Are there signs of spiral arms?’. If you’re quick, you may even be the first person to see the galaxies you’re asked to classify.  
    “I’m amazed and honored to be one of the first people to actually see these images! What a privilege!” said volunteer Elisabeth Baeten from Leuven, Belgium.
    Galaxy Zoo is a citizen science project with a long history of scientific impact. Galaxy Zoo volunteers have been exploring deep space since July 2007, starting with a million galaxies from a telescope in New Mexico called the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and then, moving on to images from space telescopes like NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and ESA (European Space Agency)’s Euclid telescope. The project has revealed spectacular mergers, taught us about how the black holes at the center of galaxies affect their hosts, and provided insight into how features like spiral arms form and grow.  
    Now, in addition to adding new data from Webb, the science team has incorporated an AI algorithm called ZooBot, which will sift through the images first and label the ‘easier ones’ where there are many examples that already exist in previous images from the Hubble Space Telescope. When ZooBot is not confident on the classification of a galaxy, perhaps due to complex or faint structures, it will show it to users on Galaxy Zoo to get their human classifications, which will then help ZooBot learn more. Working together, humans and AI can accurately classify limitless numbers of galaxies. The Galaxy Zoo science team acknowledges support from the International Space Sciences Institute (ISSI), who provided funding for the team to get together and work on Galaxy Zoo. Join the project now.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Westhaven Announces Brokered Private Placement for Gross Proceeds of up to C$4.0 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) (“Westhaven” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. (the “Agent”) to act as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with a best efforts, private placement (the “Offering“) for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$4,000,000 from the sale of any combination of the following, provided that at least 50% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, which includes the potential gross proceeds of the Agent’s Option (as defined below), will be raised from the sale of Units (as defined herein):

    • units of the Company (each, a “Unit”) at a price of C$0.12 per Unit;
    • common shares of the Company that will qualify as “flow-through shares” within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a “FT Share”) at a price of C$0.135 per FT Share; and
    • flow-through units of the Company to be sold to charitable purchasers (each, a “Charity FT Unit”, and collectively with the Units and FT Shares, the “Offered Securities”) at a price of C$0.18 per Charity FT Unit.

    Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a “Unit Share”) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Charity FT Unit will consist of one FT Share and one half of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$0.18 at any time on or before that date which is 24 months after the closing date of the Offering.

    The Agent will have an option, exercisable in full or in part, up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to sell up to an additional C$600,000 in Offered Securities (the “Agent’s Option”).

    The Offered Securities will be offered by way of the “accredited investor” and “minimum amount investment” exemptions under NI 45-106 in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “U.S. Securities Act“), as amended. The Unit Shares, FT Shares and Warrant Shares issuable from the sale of Offered Securities will be subject to a hold period ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the closing date of the Offering under applicable Canadian securities laws.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Units for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used for Canadian exploration expenses on the Company’s projects in British Columbia and will qualify as “flow-through mining expenditures”, as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Qualifying Expenditures”), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2026 and renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025 in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares.

    The Offering is scheduled to close on or around May 15, 2025, or such other date as the Company and the Agent may agree, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

    The Company will pay to the Agent a cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offering, including any exercise of the Agent’s Option (the “Agent’s Commission”). In addition, the Company will issue to the Agent warrants of the Company (each warrant, a “Broker Warrant”), exercisable for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date, to acquire in aggregate that number of common shares of the Company which is equal to 6% of the number of Offered Securities sold under the Offering, including any exercise of the Agent’s Option, at an exercise price equal to C$0.12 per common share.

    To the extent that any directors and/or officers of the Company participate in the Offering, such participation will constitute a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). The Company expects any participation by directors and officers in the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the Units, FT Shares or Charity FT Units subscribed for by directors and officers, nor the consideration for such securities to be paid by them, will exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

    The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended, or any state securities law, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    On behalf of the Board of Directors

    WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP.

    “Gareth Thomas”

    Gareth Thomas, Director

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    About Westhaven Gold Corp.

    Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company targeting low sulphidation, high-grade, epithermal style gold mineralization within Canada’s newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls ~61,512 hectares (~615 square kilometres) within four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose Gold Project is the most advanced property, with an updated 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment that validates the Project’s potential as a robust, low cost and high margin 11-year underground gold mining opportunity with average annual life-of-mine gold production of 56,000 ounces and having a Cdn$454 million after-tax NPV6% and 43.2% IRR (base case parameters of US$2,400 per ounce gold, US$28 per ounce silver and CDN/US$ exchange rate of $0.72). Initial capital costs are projected to be Cdn$184 million with a payback period of 2.1 years. Please see Westhaven’s news release dated March 3rd, 2025 (Link: March 3, 2025 News Release) for details of the updated PEA. The technical report supporting this disclosure can be found under the Company’s profile on Sedar+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company’s website. The Shovelnose Gold Project is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, pipelines and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration and development. Qualified Person: The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Fischl, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person for the Company under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhaven’s website at www.westhavengold.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws, which is based upon the Company’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s expectations with respect to the Offering; the use of proceeds of the Offering; completion of the Offering and the date of such completion. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.

    Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, and without limitation: that the Offering may not close within the timeframe anticipated or at all or may not close on the terms and conditions currently anticipated by the Company for a number of reasons including, without limitation, as a result of the occurrence of a material adverse change, disaster, change of law or other failure to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Offering; the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete its planned exploration program; that the Company will not derive the expected benefits from its current program; the Company may not use the proceeds of the Offering as currently contemplated; the Company may fail to find a commercially viable deposit at any of its mineral properties; the Company’s plans may be adversely affected by the Company’s reliance on historical data compiled by previous parties involved with its mineral properties; mineral exploration and development are inherently risky industries; the mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive; additional financing may not be available to the Company when required or, if available, the terms of such financing may not be favourable to the Company; fluctuations in the demand for gold or gold prices generally; the Company may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business; the Company’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or not granted; the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; there is no guarantee that title to the properties in which the Company has a material interest will not be challenged or impugned; the Company faces various risks associated with mining exploration that are not insurable or may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company; the volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital more difficult; inflationary cost pressures may escalate the Company’s operating costs; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; social and environmental activism can negatively impact exploration, development and mining activities; the success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers; the Company’s operations may be adversely affected by First Nations land claims; the Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of legal proceedings, the results of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company may be adversely affected if potential conflicts of interests involving its directors and officers are not resolved in favour of the Company; the Company’s future profitability may depend upon the world market prices of gold; dilution from future equity financing could negatively impact holders of the Company’s securities; failure to adequately meet infrastructure requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company; the Company is subject to various risks associated with climate change, the Company is subject to general global risks arising from epidemic diseases, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising inflation, tariffs and interest rates and the impact they will have on the Company’s operations, supply chains, ability to access mining projects or procure equipment, supplies, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all is uncertain; as well as other risk factors in the Company’s other public filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Company’s expectations, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this offering document is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Key markers on the bumpy road to this election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    When we look back, we can see the road to election day has had a multitude of signposts, flashing red lights, twists, turns and potholes. Some came before the formal campaign; others in the final countdown days; some have been major, others symbolic.

    The importance of certain markers has been obvious in the moment; the significance of others became clear in retrospect. Here is a recap of a few of those that have shaped this campaign and its battle for votes.

    1. Anthony Albanese’s January 6 $7.2 billion announcement to upgrade the Bruce Highway

    Why start here? Because this was the prime minister jumping out of the blocks at the start of January, with multiple announcements over the summer. Albanese laid down policy groundwork in these weeks, giving voters time to absorb the initiatives.

    In contrast, Peter Dutton, although he had a “soft” launch on January 12, was running slowly, believing voters weren’t yet paying attention.

    2. Donald Trump’s inauguration

    January 21 unleashed a tsunami; its waves would wash over the coming months, and profoundly affect the election. At first, the Coalition thought – wrongly – that the election of Trump would favour it, but Labor became the beneficiary. Many Australians (including Dutton) were appalled at the way Trump and Vice President JD Vance treated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Later, Trump’s tariffs hit Australia (although not as hard as many countries).

    Dutton argued he’d be better able than Albanese to handle the capricious president, but it became a spurious debate. Labor painted Dutton as Trump-lite and some of his decisions played into its hands, notably appointing in late January Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a Musk-like role to pursue efficiencies in government. She later made the comparison even more obvious by saying the Coalition would “make Australia great again”.

    But the central factor was this: suddenly, the world had become more uncertain and many voters would think it wasn’t the time to change.

    3. The Reserve Bank’s cut in interest rates on February 18

    The amount was modest, 25 basis points, but the psychology was the thing. The cut reinforced Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ argument that the worst was over and the outlook was positive. In the campaign’s final week, just at the right time for the government, inflation figures pointed to another expected cut in May.

    4. Cyclone Alfred’s March 7 election delay

    Albanese appeared set to call an April 12 poll, when the approaching winds blew the plan off course. The prime minister was able to put himself at the middle of the response to the cyclone, projecting himself as a national leader as distinct from a partisan one; he appeared with Queensland LNP Premier David Crisafulli, and at the Canberra National Situation Room.

    The election delay meant Labor had to bring down the March 25 budget. Many in the government had wanted to avoid a budget, because of its deficits into the distance. But the budget became a useful frame for the start of the formal campaign, with Albanese going to Government House at the end of budget week.

    5. Dutton’s budget reply

    The opposition leader’s reply contained his proposal to cut petrol excise but did not include tax cuts. The opposition had already voted against the government’s budget tax cut package, and committed to repealing it.

    The excise move was popular – Dutton would visit countless service stations over coming weeks – but the government was able to say a Coalition government would raise taxes.

    At his campaign launch subsequently, Dutton promised a $1,200 tax offset, despite earlier flagging he would not be able to announce any income tax relief during the campaign. The tax offset was an attempt to rectify what had been the mistake of thinking that the Coalition – traditionally committed to lower taxes – could go to the election on the wrong side of the tax argument.

    6. Dutton’s April 7 backtrack on working from home

    The opposition policy to get public servants back into the office all week was a disaster-in-the-making from the start. Workers in the private sector would, rightly, see it as sending a signal to non-government employers.

    Women hated the policy, and it would further alienate the female vote. Dutton had to ditch the idea and apologise. Finance spokeswoman Jane Hume didn’t help the retreat by saying it was a good policy that hadn’t found its appropriate time.

    7. News on April 15 that the Russians wanted to base planes in Papua

    The story appeared on the respected military site Janes, and Dutton rushed to pick it up, but went off half-cocked, declaring wrongly that the Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto had announced the Russian request. It was symptomatic of Dutton being under-prepared. He had to make another apology.

    8. Neo-Nazis heckle during the Welcome to Country at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance Anzac Day Dawn Service

    This led to Dutton launching into “culture wars” in the final days of the campaign. In criticising the disruption, he at first said, “We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today”.

    Subsequently he said most veterans didn’t want the Welcome to Country as part of the Anzac Day ceremonies, although it was a matter for the organisers. In general, he believed Welcome to Country ceremonies were used too frequently.

    Dutton segued the controversy back to criticism of the Voice, and seized on confusing remarks by Foreign Minister Penny Wong to claim Labor was still committed to bringing in a Voice, something Albanese flatly denied.

    9. The price of eggs

    In the last of the four debates neither leader could specify the cost of a dozen eggs. Dutton was way out ($4.20); Albanese rather closer (“$7, if you can find them.”. It was a small moment but sent the message that even in a cost-of-living election, the leaders do live in bubbles.

    10. Dutton comments on Thursday

    Almost at the road’s end, the opposition leader appealed to voters to overlook a flawed campaign. “This election really is a referendum not about the election campaign but about the last three years.”

    Asked if there was anything he could have done differently, he said “we should have called out Labor’s lies earlier on”.

    It was as though he was speaking to a postmortem, while praying for a miracle.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Grattan on Friday: Key markers on the bumpy road to this election – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-key-markers-on-the-bumpy-road-to-this-election-255613

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two-minute national silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Two-minute national silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day

    UK Government buildings will observe a two-minute national silence at 12:00 on Thursday 8 May 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

    A two-minute national silence will be held on Thursday 8 May at 12 noon (UK time), to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom.

    The silence will be marked by all UK Government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast. Other organisations are invited to follow suit if they wish.

    Visit https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ to find out more about our plans to commemorate VE Day and how to get involved.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged over Mitcham stabbing

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been charged with murder over a fatal stabbing in Mitcham.

    Kemuel Gambicky-Forbes, 24 (02.04.01), of Deer Park Gardens, Mitcham, was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article on Wednesday, 30 April.

    He will appear in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 1 May.

    Gambicky-Forbes is charged with killing Leon Anderson, 39, at the victim’s home in Maple Close, Mitcham, on Monday, 28 April.

    At around 19:30hrs on Monday, 28 April, officers attended the address in Maple Close. Mr Anderson was treated for stab injuries and was taken to hospital, where he sadly died.

    His family are being supported by specialist officers.

    Gambicky-Forbes attended a south London police station on Tuesday, 29 April, where he was arrested.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares and Sui Join Forces to Expand Global Access to Sui Network

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 21Shares, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers, has entered a strategic partnership with Sui, the Layer-1 network, to expand global reach as interest in the ecosystem continues to grow.

    “Since our earliest research into Sui, we believed it could become one of the most exciting blockchains in the industry, and we’re seeing that thesis play out,” said Duncan Moir, President of 21Shares. “We operate based on conviction but also investor demand, and our planned roadmap with Sui is a reflection of both.”

    This partnership, which will produce product collaborations, research reports, and other initiatives, highlights the growth of institutional interest in the Sui ecosystem. With impressive speed, throughput, and scalability, Sui has become a destination for real-world asset tokenization, including stablecoins and DeFi.

    Global experience, U.S. expansion

    Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, 21Shares has spent years building out a robust suite of digital asset services in Europe and is now increasingly focused on the U.S. market.

    “Partnering with Sui speaks to where we see the future of blockchain infrastructure heading,” said Federico Brokate, Head of U.S. Business at 21Shares. “We believe Sui has the technical underpinnings, DeFi and developer ecosystems, and institutional alignment to play a central role in crypto for a long time.”

    Scalable blockchain infrastructure designed for consumers & institutions alike

    Sui is a high-performance, secure Layer-1 blockchain developed by former Meta engineers, designed for mass adoption through its object-centric architecture. Its ability to execute transactions in parallel with sub-second finality delivers unmatched speed and scalability, while maintaining a developer-friendly and intuitive user experience. Sui’s infrastructure powers consumer-facing products like the recently launched SuiPlay0X1 gaming console, and simplifies onboarding through features like zkLogin, which enable gasless transactions to entice mainstream users. Sui also supports institutional-grade applications, including Ondo’s tokenized treasuries and ATHEX’s on-chain fundraising platform for Greece’s stock exchange. By bridging Web2-like familiarity with Web3 functionality, Sui is built to serve both everyday users and enterprises alike.

    “Sui was designed to become the global coordination layer for digital assets,” said Kevin Boon, President at Mysten Labs, the original contributor to Sui. “21Shares sees value in that work and is committed to making the ecosystem more accessible throughout the world.”

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    Alethea Jadick
    ajadick@sloanepr.com

    About Sui

    Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed from the ground up to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible to everyone. Its object-centric model, based on the Move programming language, enables parallel execution, sub-second finality, and rich on-chain assets. With horizontally scalable processing and storage, Sui supports a wide range of applications with unrivaled speed at low cost. Sui is a step-function advancement in blockchain and a platform on which creators and developers can build amazing user-friendly experiences. For more information about Sui, please visit https://sui.io

    Contact: media@sui.io

    Important Information

    The information provided does not constitute a prospectus or other offering material and does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy securities or financial instruments in any jurisdiction, including the United States. Some of the information published herein may contain forward-looking statements and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ. Additionally, there is no guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or availability of the information provided and 21.co and its affiliated entities are not responsible for any errors or omissions. The information contained herein may not be considered as economic, legal, tax, or other advice and viewers are cautioned not to base investment or any other decisions on the content hereof.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: WTO accession: Supporting the economic reforms of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan

    Source: WTO

    Headline: WTO accession: Supporting the economic reforms of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan

    Excellencies,ladies, and gentlemen,
    I am delighted to participate in this meeting in support of the accessions of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan to the WTO. I am also very pleased to be joined by the Chief Negotiators and representatives of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan as well as our development partners. I would in particular like to thank the Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia, Ms Antonella Bassani and the Acting Vice-President for East Africa Mr Amit Dar from the World Bank and the Deputy Director, Strategy and Policy Review Mr Ken Kang, from the IMF for their presence today.
    Ethiopia and Uzbekistan have been negotiating their accessions for several years and have made good progress towards their goal to join the WTO by 2026. There are a number of similarities between the two economies. Both are the most populous nations in their respective regions, notably with a significant young population which will be entering the job market. Both have a legacy of strong State presence which they are gradually reducing through market-based economic and legislative reforms. They are also very ably led by excellent negotiating teams which have made it possible to move accession negotiations forward rapidly and I acknowledge with thanks the presence today of their Chief Negotiators.
    Completing the long and often complex road to WTO accession requires strong political will, a technically strong and coherent negotiating team led by a competent Chief Negotiator, and support from development partners, both bilateral and multilateral. In the case of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan, I believe we have all these ingredients.
    Strong political will is key to any reform process. Ethiopia’s economic reforms have been pursued since 2018 under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s leadership, through the “Home-Grown Economic Reform Programme” which aims at structural transformation and private sector led growth. The bold steps taken in recent years including foreign exchange reforms, liberalization of key services, and reduced restrictions on foreign direct investment, have served Ethiopia well, resulting in strong economic growth, averaging over 6% annually since 2022. The reforms have also created an enabling environment for Ethiopia to benefit from its membership of the AfCFTA (which it ratified in 2019) once it starts to trade under its provisions. WTO Membership will further lock in these reforms and moreover provide a support structure to sustain economic reforms and growth. Ethiopia’s Government has indicated its strong commitment to finalizing accession by the Ministerial Conference and I look forward to the completion of negotiations during the course of 2025.
    In Uzbekistan continued support by President Mirziyoyev has underpinned reform in recent years. This includes key Presidential Decrees in 2024 and 2025 addressing issues of concern to WTO Members on WTO consistency such as the reduction of State dominance in the economy through the removal of exclusive rights in several sectors, the import ban on ethyl alcohol and export subsidies. Most recently a Presidential Decree in March replaced export restrictions with export duties thereby making the export regime more predictable and transparent. Continuing legislative reform has aimed at bringing domestic legislation into line with the WTO Agreements. Uzbekistan is also well on the way to completing all its remaining ten bilateral market access negotiations in 2025.
    While reform is necessary and often difficult to ensure consistency with WTO rules, acceding governments also face daunting challenges in building institutional capacity and bringing their officials up to speed in areas such as trade remedies, technical regulations and SPS measures. I am grateful to our development partners, both Members and multilateral agencies for their consistent efforts to step up and provide their expertise when and where it is needed. Your assistance has been invaluable and will remain so to help both countries meet their accession and post-accession challenges.
    Excellencies, a few weeks ago the WTO celebrated its 30th anniversary with a gathering of eminent persons to reflect on our achievements and the way forward. The keynote speaker, the former Prime Minister of Portugal and EC President, José Manuel Barroso noted that although we are passing through a great deal of turbulence, the WTO is probably even more necessary today than it was when it was established in 1995. Indeed, the fact that large economies such as Ethiopia and Uzbekistan wish to join the WTO is a testament to the continued importance of the multilateral trading system and the stability and transparency it offers. Time is of the essence if we are to meet their accession goals. I very much hope that the efforts of Ethiopia and Uzbekistan to become Members becomes reality in the very near future.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales modernises the world-class TACTIS armoured vehicle training centre for the Royal Netherlands Army

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales modernises the world-class TACTIS armoured vehicle training centre for the Royal Netherlands Army

    • Thales has secured a major contract to modernise the TACTIS (Tactical Indoor Simulator) training centre for armoured vehicles used by the Royal Netherlands Army, one of the most advanced training centres in the world.
    • This strategic project equips the Dutch land forces with cutting-edge AI technologies based on advanced behavioural engines and terrain reasoning algorithms, as well as ultra-realistic training environments, enhancing their training for complex missions and improving their overall readiness.
    • The contract consolidates Thales’s role as the world leader in virtual simulation systems for armoured fighting vehicles.
    Copyright ©COMMIT / Royal Netherlands Army” id=”image-b7bc5371-c18a-4e5d-9116-443c12080bf7″ data-id=”b7bc5371-c18a-4e5d-9116-443c12080bf7″ data-original=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/b7bc5371-c18a-4e5d-9116-443c12080bf7/-/inline/no/A1.jpg” data-mfp-src=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/b7bc5371-c18a-4e5d-9116-443c12080bf7/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/” alt=”Copyright ©COMMIT / Royal Netherlands Army”/>
    Copyright ©COMMIT / Royal Netherlands Army

    With the return of symmetric and high-intensity combat on the battlefield, the importance of armoured vehicles is now more crucial than ever. Thales’s TACTIS solution effectively addresses the needs of armed forces, offering a comprehensive range of training capabilities, from individual technical skills to tactical proficiency at a company level. This includes a mobile component that enables the ​ ​ deployment of high-fidelity simulators in military barracks or any other location.

    The TACTIS centre is uniquely capable of interconnecting up to 76 simulators simultaneously, allowing for mission rehearsals with up to 200 crew members. This synergy is further enhanced by the integration of up to 2,500 virtual entities known as “Computer-Generated Forces”, enabling force members to conduct exercises in a combined arms environment.

    The contract will fully modernise the TACTIS centre for the Royal Netherlands Army. This modernisation will include the simulation of more than 20 new types of vehicles, including the new generation of combat vehicle, the CV90 MkIV. Thales will cooperate with BAE Hägglunds, the vehicle manufacturer, to deliver high-fidelity simulations. The modernized training centre will also offer the ability to integrate future weapon systems that will be deployed within the Royal Netherlands Army, such as the LEO2A8 main battle tank.

    The virtual environment will also reflect the new threats emerging on the battlefield including urban warfare. The level of immersion will be enhanced through the use of Unreal Engine 5, the world’s most open and advanced real-time 3D tool, allowing for the creation of ultra-realistic, high-quality training environments. This cutting-edge technology not only ensures effective learning but also simulates realistic combat conditions, enabling forces to prepare more effectively for contemporary challenges. Thanks to TACTIS, team training is optimised to effectively meet the demands of new operational theatres.

    “The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has always been a step ahead when it comes to training their forces using simulation. We are honoured that they have renewed their trust in Thales through the modernization of their armoured fighting vehicle training centre ‘TACTIS’. It remains a world-class reference recognised by NATO member countries in Europe. This mid-life upgrade will incorporate Thales’s latest generation of simulation capabilities, offering unmatched immersion and realism to ensure force readiness for increasingly complex missions. This new contract is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and Thales, reinforcing our continued commitment to safeguarding the security and sovereignty of European nations” said Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President, Avionics, Thales.

    Copyright ©Thales” id=”image-f3e805f8-874c-4935-9878-a893f6bfdb85″ data-id=”f3e805f8-874c-4935-9878-a893f6bfdb85″ data-original=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/f3e805f8-874c-4935-9878-a893f6bfdb85/-/inline/no/Baneer.jpg” data-mfp-src=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/f3e805f8-874c-4935-9878-a893f6bfdb85/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/” alt=”Copyright ©Thales”/>
    Copyright ©Thales

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

    Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    About Thales in the Netherlands

    With a presence in the Netherlands for over 100 years, Thales develops and delivers cutting-edge technologies for the global defence and security markets, including high-tech sensors, systems, command & control, communication systems, and cybersecurity solutions.

    With more than 3000 employees in seven locations, we work together with local universities, government, partners and our local eco-system to develop solutions resulting in more than 80% export. The State of the Netherlands holds 1% of Thales Nederland B.V. shares.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DDG Hill discusses WTO accessions at Horn of Africa Initiative ministerial meeting

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DDG Hill discusses WTO accessions at Horn of Africa Initiative ministerial meeting

    Four Horn of Africa countries – Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan – are currently negotiating their accession to the WTO. This is half of the total number of African countries seeking to join the WTO and some of the most active in the WTO accession process, DDG Hill noted. Recent progress was made in particular with the accession of Ethiopia, with the 5th Working Party meeting held in March, and the accession of Somalia, with the first Working Party meeting taking place in February.
    DDG Hill pointed to Ethiopia’s “Homegrown Economic Reform Programme” launched in 2019, which demonstrates its strong commitment to economic transformation and to building an open and rules-based economy. She said: “WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has stressed that Ethiopia’s accession is a strategic priority for the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in Cameroon in March 2026. As the largest economy currently outside the WTO and one of the few remaining least-developed countries in the accession pipeline, Ethiopia’s membership would meaningfully advance the WTO’s goal of universality.”
    “Somalia has demonstrated strong political commitment and dedicated technical expertise in the process,” she added, noting the complementarity between WTO accession efforts and the country’s ongoing work to integrate into the East African Community.
    The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss an action plan aimed at boosting trade across the Horn of Africa, building on prior commitments and technical consultations. DDG Hill noted that this year’s focus on regional trade and trade facilitation issues is very timely. “Strengthening trade links can be a key piece in fostering regional integration and connectivity in the Horn of Africa”, she said.
    The 24th Horn of Africa Initiative was co-chaired by Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and the World Bank’s Acting Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa Amit Dar. It brought together ministers of finance and high-level officials from the region. Ministers welcomed a new USD 10 billion contribution from development partners, including the African Development Bank, the European Union, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Kingdom and the World Bank.
    The meeting closed with Somalia’s Finance Minister, Bihi Iman Egeh, taking over as the new chair of the Initiative for the next two years.
    Horn of Africa Initiative
    Through the Horn of Africa Initiative, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan are committed to coordinating approaches to exploring regional synergies and addressing regional challenges. They also prioritize regional programmes in infrastructure connectivity, economic integration, resilience building and skills development.
    WTO accessions in the Horn of Africa
    More information on Ethiopia’s accession is available here.
    More information on Somalia’s accession is available here.
    Sudan held its 5th Working Party meeting on 26 July 2021. More information on Sudan’s accession is available here.
    South Sudan held its first Working Party meeting on 21 March 2019. More information on South Sudan’s accession is available here.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thirty years of WTO accessions

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Since its establishment on 1 January 1995 to oversee the multilateral trade agreements negotiated by its 128 original members, the WTO has seen an ongoing expansion of its membership and continued interest from many economies seeking to join the organization. As a result, the percentage of world trade accounted for by WTO members has risen from 87 per cent in 1995 to over 98 per cent today.

    Over the past 30 years, 60 countries and customs territories have applied for accession to the WTO. Of these, 38 have completed the process, bringing the WTO’s total membership to 166. Meanwhile, 22 economies are currently at various stages of negotiating their accession.

    Although those seeking to join the WTO have followed similar paths of economic reform, WTO accession processes have varied significantly. Some completed the process relatively quickly – for example, after just three to four years of negotiations, the Kyrgyz Republic and Oman joined the WTO, in 1998 and in 2000, respectively. Others, such as Kazakhstan and Seychelles, spent nearly two decades in accession talks before becoming members, both in 2015. These longer timelines reflect the evolving nature of the accession process.

    Unlike accessions in the era of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), WTO accessions require far-reaching structural reforms that go well beyond traditional trade-opening, often encompassing multiple sectors of the acceding economy. Moreover, the process demands a thorough understanding of the applicant’s economic systems, policy frameworks and reform priorities, which must be underpinned by broad-based domestic consensus.

    Why, then, do governments choose to undertake the rigorous demands of WTO accession? For many, the answer lies in a desire to modernize institutions and regulatory practices, enhance the business environment and attract foreign direct investment. These motivations often go hand-in-hand with broader national goals, including market-oriented reforms, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

    Market-opening and structural reforms, for instance, have been central to the evolution of many economies. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in 1991, international trade played a pivotal role in transforming the economies of the newly independent states and in strengthening their ties with the global economy. WTO membership served as a powerful vehicle for the modernization of these economies, as well as of other formerly centrally planned economies, such as China and Viet Nam.

    In addition, least-developed countries (LDCs), beginning with Cambodia and Nepal in 2004, and most recently Comoros and Timor-Leste in 2024 – making a total of 11 LDC accessions to date – have used the accession process to lay the foundations for poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.

    In the cases of Cabo Verde, Samoa and Vanuatu, WTO membership was soon followed by graduation from LDC status (in 2008, 2014 and 2020, respectively). For others, including the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal and Cambodia, graduation is expected before the end of this decade.

    As many LDCs began their accession processes while classified as “fragile and conflict-affected states”, WTO membership has also played an important role in reshaping perceptions of their economic and development potential.

    Recently, WTO economists quantified the economic impact of undertaking the robust commitments required for WTO accession. Their analysis found that economies implementing reforms and making deeper commitments during accession negotiations grew an average of 1.5 percentage points faster than they otherwise would have done. A review of both completed and ongoing accessions underscores that the WTO accession process serves as a catalyst for domestic reform, helping to create an enabling environment for economic resilience and sustainable growth.

    In the same way that WTO accessions have anchored domestic transformations, accessions have also benefitted the global trading system. Through accessions, the percentage of world trade accounted for by WTO members has risen from 87 per cent in 1995 to over 98 per cent today.

    Despite the proliferation of free trade agreements and the sharp rise in tariff barriers, the vast majority of this trade – still more than 70 per cent – continues to be conducted under the WTO’s most-favoured-nation (MFN) principles. This has promoted the integration of global supply chains and, in so doing, has lowered trading costs for all WTO members.

    The scope of the WTO can also be measured in terms of population. At the time when the WTO was established, the original members represented just 69 per cent of the world’s population. Today, thanks to the accession of new members, that share has risen to 94 per cent. In other words, over the past 30 years, the WTO has extended its reach to an additional 2 billion people – further strengthening the inclusiveness and global relevance of the multilateral trading system.

    Beyond their individual reforms, economies that have joined the WTO since 1995 have made substantial systemic contributions to the WTO. Each accession prompts existing members to reflect on how best to uphold and advance the WTO’s core values. As a result, accessions have repeatedly helped to deepen, clarify and modernize existing disciplines.

    Collectively, acceded members have added more than 1,500 legally binding commitments to the WTO rulebook. These commitments – coupled with guarantees for deeper access to their domestic markets for goods and services – have made the WTO stronger, more dynamic and more responsive to evolving global trade realities.

    In key areas, such as domestic support in agriculture and the regulation of state-owned enterprises, members who have joined over the past 30 years have often taken on more comprehensive and detailed commitments, reflecting an evolution of obligations in relation to existing WTO norms. In several areas – notably trade facilitation, tariff rate quotas and export subsidies – accession negotiations have also achieved concrete results years before the emergence of multilateral trade disciplines, demonstrating the forward-looking nature of the accession process.

    In the area of transparency alone, acceded members have adopted over 250 specific commitments. Some of these members could even be considered to be “transparency champions”, given that they have submitted extensive notifications to the WTO about their trade measures – including in areas where original members have been less forthcoming, or where multilateral disciplines do not yet exist, such as the notification of privatization programmes.

    Today, 30 years after the establishment of the WTO, acceded members account for more than one-fifth of its total membership. Accessions are a force for change – driving re-examinations of the WTO rulebook, steering the trading system away from complacency, and challenging original members to match the benchmarks set by the newer members. This has been especially relevant in recent years, as the multilateral trading system has been facing mounting pressure.
    Acceding members offer a source of hope for the future of the trading system. Even amid global uncertainty and growing challenges, many of them have remained actively engaged, recognizing that no economy’s prosperity is secure in isolation, however large or small that economy might be.

    The admission of new members has been a true success story, but work on WTO accessions is far from complete. Twenty-two governments – a diverse group, whose future membership will further enrich the WTO – remain in the process of accession.

    As an institution, the WTO will try to support these governments by providing targeted technical assistance and capacity-building. As always, a key area of focus will be the accession of the remaining LDCs, all of which are also classified as fragile and conflict-affected states. Supporting these countries in their WTO accession processes, through dedicated programmes and tailored approaches, can serve as a catalyst for economic reform, institution-building and integration into the global trading system. Over time, this can also help to foster lasting stability and peace and to establish a gradual pathway out of fragility and toward greater resilience.

    Over the years, it has become increasingly clear that integration into the multilateral trading system does not end on the date of an economy’s accession. Indeed, the immediate post-accession period presents a distinct set of challenges – particularly for governments with limited institutional and administrative capacity.

    While the WTO recognizes the need for sustained support during this critical phase – when newly acceded members are often required to implement further domestic reforms to fulfil their WTO commitments – it has yet to develop robust institutional mechanisms to provide targeted support during this period. There is scope for improvement in this area, and especially in supporting the effective integration of recently acceded LDCs.

    Thirty years since the establishment of the WTO, accessions continue to renew and enrich the organization. As new members continue to bring fresh perspectives and commitment to the multilateral trading system, WTO accessions will remain a powerful force for reform, international cooperation and global economic integration.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Lesotho

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Lesotho

    Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Lesotho’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

    We thank Lesotho for explaining their efforts to protect human rights.

    We particularly welcome the implementation of existing legislation to address gender-based violence. We urge the government to tackle structural drivers of gender-based violence and extend support services for survivors, particularly in rural areas. 

    We call on the government to protect the rights of those living and working in the vicinity of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Providing adequate compensation, employment benefits and educational opportunities, and safeguarding women from sexual exploitation are vital.

    Lastly, we encourage Lesotho to address inequities in early years education by supporting children from the ebaPhuti and Xhosa peoples to access educational resources in their indigenous languages.

    We recommend that Lesotho:

    1. Provides communities affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project with adequate compensation, and access to related electricity, employment and educational opportunities.

    2. Extends support services for women and girls in both rural and urban areas across Lesotho, including for survivors of sexual violence.

    3. Implements a strategy to support children from the ebaPhuti and Xhosa peoples to access educational resources in their indigenous languages.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to US-Ukraine Minerals Deal

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the US-Ukraine resources deal. 

    Dr Gavin Mudd, Director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre at the British Geological Survey, said:

    “Ukraine has important deposits of titanium, rare earths, lithium and graphite – and has also produced gallium and scandium in the recent past. Rare earths are particularly sought after for use in digital technologies, renewable energy, aerospace and the automotive sectors, but also have various applications in military technologies too – such as in laser guidance systems. Titanium metal is often used in aerospace given that it is stronger and lighter than steel.

    “If this agreement paves the way for new supplies of rare earths, that should have a notable impact on the diversification of global mining activities for rare earths – and reduce the dominance of China in the supply of these sought after materials. That would have a positive impact for all countries seeking rare earths, including the UK.

    “While the details of this agreement will still need to be considered closely, it is likely that some developments in terms of mineral production could be achieved quickly – assuming peace and security in the regions of focus. This could apply to titanium, lithium and graphite, while Ukraine may have an increased ability to rebuild some of their former capacity for scandium and gallium under the terms enshrined the deal.

    “However, in the case of rare earths, it will take years to ramp up capacity – studies will need to be completed to assess and determine how best to mine the deposits and process the ores and produce rich concentrate, and a new refinery will be needed to produce high purity metals and oxides for use in numerous technologies. All of this sits alongside the need to actually mine the minerals. We are looking at about a decade or longer for this to come online.

    “I see this deal as the continuation of a recent trend of critical minerals having a central impact on geopolitics and international affairs, and I expect this impact to continue to grow, given the fundamental importance of critical minerals to the energy transition and net zero, national security and the ongoing rise of digitalisation – including AI and the coming rise of quantum computing.

    “Although rare earths currently appear to take centre stage in such negotiations, there are many other critical minerals where China enjoys a dominant position in terms of supply – including gallium, germanium, tungsten. With recent export controls placed on them by China, it is a solid bet that geopolitical interest in securing a reliable supply of these materials will grow over the coming years.

     

     

    Declared interests

    No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deputy Mayor of London hears about impact of free school lunches in Westminster school | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    • Deputy London Mayor for Children and Families, Joanne McCartney visits St Joseph’s School in Maida Vale 

    • She hears from teachers, parents and students about positive impact of free school lunches  

    • Combined with the Mayor’s funding, Westminster funds free school lunches for all Westminster children aged 3-14  

    • The council also funds extra provision for children during the school holidays and school uniforms for families most in need 

    This week, parents, students and staff at St Joseph’s Primary School in Maida Vale discussed free school lunches with top London leader, Joanne McCartney. 

    The Deputy London Mayor for Children and Families heard from the school population about the positive impact of universal free school lunches on attendance, learning, wellbeing and equity.  

    In January 2023, Westminster City Council was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its free lunch offer in primary schools to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 

    Following this, the Mayor of London funded a free lunch offer for all primary aged students across London.  

    This allowed the council to extend its own funding to provide free school lunches to nursery aged children and Westminster secondary school children in years 7, 8 and 9 – which is still in place now.  

    Cllr Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection who joined the Deputy Mayor at St Joseph’s Primary School said: 

    Free school lunches have offered a lifeline to struggling families during a time of soaring food and energy prices. We want all children in Westminster to have the best start in life, and it was great to see the children at St. Joseph’s enjoying their time at school today. Over the past two years, by combining our funding with the Mayor of London’s, we’ve enabled every Westminster child aged between 3 and 14 to receive a free, nutritious lunch supporting families who need it, and meaning children can focus on their learning at school so they can thrive and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

    Despite the introduction of universal free school lunches during term time, it is still incredibly important for eligible families to sign up for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM) as this enables families to access further support during the school holidays. 

    The council provides supermarket vouchers for all FSM families during the holidays. 

     During the Summer, Winter and Easter holidays, FSM families can access free activities and a meal offer through the HAF (Holiday Activity and Food) programme funded by the Department of Education.

    The council then funds an equivalent of the HAF programme during all half term holidays to ensure families have continuous access to enriching activities and healthy meals. 

    For the last two years, the council also provides funding for school uniforms for FSM eligible families. A parent can get £150 towards the cost of a secondary school uniform for a child starting Year 7 and £31 for a child due to start in Reception from September. 

    Westminster parents can find more information on: 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council online Major Energy Related Planning map goes live

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council has today published its Renewable Energy Mapping Tool. 

    This tool will enable those with an interest in understanding the location and type of renewable energy projects within Highland to discover not only what already exists on the ground but also the stage that any projects may be at within the planning process. The tool provides key information for each development in a single click with an easy link into the planning case file where further detailed information is required.  The information can be easily filtered in many different ways to ease a particular search.

    Cllr Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said “This is an incredible piece of work that will assist our communities greatly with finding a significant amount of information related to energy related development within Highland in one map.”

    The mapping tool enables users to search for a variety of energy planning projects including: pump storage, wind, energy storage, transmission grid, transmission switching substations and convertor infrastructure, hydro and other relevant applications.

    Currently, 1,305 records of applications are included in the mapping database and detailed information about each can be viewed individually or collectively. The records include applications recorded in Highland Council’s development management system.

    The Council aims to provide an online training video on how to use this powerful mapping resource so that users can get the most out the information available to them.

    The map can be found at highland.gov.uk/energymap

    30 Apr 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Carrbridge Struan Court affordable housing ready for new social rent  

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council has built ten new affordable one and two bed flats for social rent on the site of the former Struan Hotel, Carrbridge which will bring much needed homes to an area with demand for this size of property.  

    The build awarded to Inverness based Compass Building and Construction Services has eight – one bed flats, and two- two bed flats built for rent and was supported by £1,467,884.53 from the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division. 

    Convener, of the Council Cllr Bill Lobban said: “Badenoch and Strathspey has been crying out for this type of one/two bed properties, and I would like to say how delighted I am that these new homes will soon be filled by new tenants. 

    “The Scottish Government’s More Homes Division funding has helped the Council to commit to the delivery of new affordable homes for rent or low-cost home ownership/mid-market rent.  Building new houses not only fills an important gap in the market but also boosts the construction industry and creates wider circular economic benefits over the longer term. 

    “Struan Court is an example of the importance of regenerating derelict areas and for many long years top of the Carrbridge wish list has been redevelopment of the derelict Struan Hotel whom the development is named after. Whilst this new development is a great example of cooperation between the Scottish Government and The Highland Council it would not have happened without the wholehearted support of the community and especially Carrbridge & Vicinity Community Council.” 

    Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “As part of the Highland Housing Challenge, The Highland Council is committed to improving the housing stock across the Highlands and this development not only provides much needed new homes, but it has also regenerated a derelict site.

    “The completion of Struan Court development marks the continued regeneration of the area and adds to the social housing stock at the nearby, Carr Road -Tulloch Homes Pinefield development.  I wish the new tenants every happiness in their new home and thank all involved in making this development come to fruition.” 

    The Highland’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which set out proposals for the affordable housing investment during 2023-2028, reaffirming the commitment to deliver an average of 500 new affordable homes per annum of which approximately 70% would be for affordable rent and 30% for intermediate affordable housing (e.g. low cost home ownership or midmarket rent), in line with the overall Scottish Government Targets.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Security Council Agenda for May – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by Evangelos C. Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN and President of the Security Council in May 2025 on the programme of work of the Council for the month of May.

    Thumbnail Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNG5W_4bwg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU’s defence and security: restriction on lead in ammunition under the REACH Regulation – P-000698/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Union’s security and defence capabilities are top priorities of this Commission. For this reason, military and security uses of lead ammunition are outside of the scope of this restriction dossier.

    In addition, the Commission has ensured that the proposed restriction will not affect (i) the ability of the European industry to produce ammunition at the required scale for military purposes, (ii) the economic viability of shooting ranges and (iii) military preparedness and national security training.

    This was done by proposing a permanent derogation that does not require the installation of additional risk management measures for the use of lead bullets in civilian shooting ranges.

    According to the European Chemicals Agency, the market for lead ammunition is mostly driven by bullets for sport shooting (42 000 tonnes of lead bullets are used annually for sports shooting, compared with only 134 tonnes for hunting).

    The proposed derogation for the use of lead bullets in sports shooting ranges will ensure that the demand, and therefore the production of lead bullets, will remain at pre-restriction levels.

    Consequently, civilian production lines for lead bullets are expected to remain economically viable and available should there be a need to scale up production for military uses.

    Since the derogation for the use of lead bullets in civilian shooting ranges does not require the installation of new risks management measures, the economic viability of those ranges and their continued availability for the voluntary military training of reservists is guaranteed.

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission’s response to the recent DANA in Spain – E-001087/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. In January 2025 , the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund[1]. The Commission’s assessment confirmed that the application is eligible and an advance of EUR 100 million to help kick-start recovery operations has been paid[2]. Next, it will determine the amount of the assistance, within the limits of the available financial resources, and submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for approval which takes at least 6 weeks.

    2. In December 2024, the Commission-proposed amendment to the European Regional Development Fund/Cohesion Fund Regulation and the European Social Fund+ Regulation (Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE))[3] was adopted, which allows national, regional and local authorities to quickly mobilise Cohesion Policy funds to respond to disasters. RESTORE funds disaster reconstruction, prevention and the mitigation of socioeconomic impacts[4]. The Commission is yet to receive a request from Spain to redirect funds.

    3. The European Climate Law[5] mandates Member States to ensure progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Member States are required to adopt and implement national adaptation strategies and plans and consider the particular vulnerability of relevant sectors.

    The Commission also announced[6] a European Climate Adaptation Plan to further support Member States in preparedness and resilience planning. The Commission will also ensure that all relevant EU programmes contribute to climate resilience[7]. For instance, Member States are encouraged to reprogram their Cohesion Policy programmes towards climate adaptation, particularly in high-risk regions.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).
    • [2] The EU Solidarity Fund may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403236
    • [4] Measures under the RESTORE priorities will benefit from an increased maximum co-financing rate of 95%, along with an additional pre-financing rate of 25%.
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (′European Climate Law′) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, pp. 1-17).
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
    • [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024DC0091
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Development of nuclear energy in the EU – E-000862/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The choice of the energy sources in the energy mix, and the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the Treaty on Functioning of the EU[1].

    In order to decarbonize its economy and to end energy dependencies on unreliable suppliers, the EU has been accelerating its energy transition plans.

    This transition must be technology neutral[2]. According to The Commission’s projections, all zero and low carbon energy solutions, including nuclear energy, are needed to meet the 2040 decarbonisation targets[3].

    The Commission is committed to respecting and applying the principle of technological neutrality , as reflected in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID)[4] and the Affordable Energy Action Plan (AEAP)[5].

    As announced in the AEAP, the Commission will assess investments needs in an updated Nuclear Illustrative Programme and the possibility of streamlining current permitting and licensing practices for the deployment of new nuclear technologies in the EU, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

    In addition, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs was launched to facilitate the deployment of first SMRs in the EU by early 2030s.

    The Commission will continue to support the work of the Alliance in line with the mission letter of the Commissioner for Energy and Housing.

    The Commission oversees the compatibility of state aid granted by Member States with the EU State aid rules. As announced in the CID, the Commission will assess the state aid for nuclear supply chains and technologies, including SMRs, in line with the Treaty and with respect to technological neutrality.

    • [1] Article194 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union.
    • [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-01/COM%202025%2030%20-%20A%20Competitiveness%20Compass%20for%20the%20EU%20_%2029-1-2025.pdf).
    • [3] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘Securing Europe’s 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050 building a sustainable, just and prosperous society’ (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A63%3AFIN).
    • [4] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/9db1c5c8-9e82-467b-ab6a-905feeb4b6b0_en
    • [5] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7e2e6198-b6b8-46fe-b263-984b437da3ab_en?filename=Communication%20-%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Affordable%20Energy.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need to update Europe’s policy on the Ukrainian conflict given recent diplomatic trends and the changing international landscape – E-000683/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The President of the Commission welcomed the proposal for a ceasefire which came out of the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah on 11 March 2025, as a positive development that can be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. She declared that the EU is ready to take its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations[1].

    Similarly, the High Representative/Vice-President, in the statement on behalf of the EU, welcomed the ceasefire proposal, as well as humanitarian efforts and the resumption of the United States’ intelligence sharing and security assistance.

    She reiterated that the EU’s objective is to support Ukraine to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the principles of the United Nations’ Charter and international law.

    She declared that the EU is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States, and other partners. She underlined that it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace[2].

    • [1] https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1899538326438261074
    • [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/ukraine-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-following-the-ukraine-us-meeting-in-saudi-arabia/
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Implementation of NextGenerationEU funds – E-000831/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    NextGenerationEU comprises the Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF) as well as other smaller instruments such as the Recovery assistance for cohesion and the territories of Europe (REACT-EU).

    The RRF is a performance-based instrument under which disbursements are made upon satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets.

    Should the Commission assess that milestones or targets of an instalment are not satisfactorily fulfilled, the payment is suspended in part or in full.

    If the Member State does not take necessary measures to fulfil the respective milestones or targets within six months from the suspension, the Commission reduces the amount of the financial contribution and, where applicable, of the loan.

    When the implementation of projects is no longer achievable, either partially or totally, by the Member State concerned because of objective circumstances, the Member State may make a reasoned request to the Commission to make a proposal to amend or replace the measures concerned in the Plan[1].

    The conditions under which an entity/beneficiary must repay the funds depend on the specific terms of the relevant measure, as set by the national authorities.

    Member States are the beneficiaries of the RRF, where disbursements are made upon fulfilment of the relevant milestones and targets. Final recipients, such as municipalities for instance, receive funding from RRF-supported measures upon fulfilment of the specific conditions of the concerned measures.

    For the purpose of audit and control, Member States should collect and ensure access to a list of any measures for the implementation of reforms and investment projects under the plan with the total amount of public funding of those measures and indicating the amount of funds paid under the Facility and under other EU funds.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0241 see Article 21.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – Corruption in Spain regarding the allocation of EU funds on the basis of a guarantee of stable employment – O-000013/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for oral answer  O-000013/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 142
    Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    On 23 December 2024, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers to modify the conditions for the second allocation of NextGenerationEU funds (Reform 6, component 23). The meeting approved the modification of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law on urgent measures for labour reform, the guarantee of stability in employment and the transformation of the labour market. The aforementioned allocation of funds had been conditional on companies being granted an exemption from paying social security contributions if they provided employees who had previously been affected by temporary collective dismissals with a minimum guarantee of six months’ employment. The new version of paragraph 10 eliminates this guarantee, which had been agreed upon with the Commission, and instead makes exemptions from social security contributions conditional upon companies’ compliance with a longer period, that is, a period of between six months and two years after a temporary collective dismissal.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm whether it was aware of the new version of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law?
    • 2.Can the Commission evaluate this modification in the light of the principle of legal security?
    • 3.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deviation of EU funds?
    • 4.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deterioration of Spanish companies, of the situation of Spanish workers and, ultimately, of Spain’s productive sectors?
    • 5.Finally, if the Commission is not in a position to answers questions two to four, what measures has it taken (if it answered ‘yes’ to question one) or does it intend to take (if it answered ‘no’ to question one) to investigate and address any possible irregularity, in order to ensure maximum transparency and soundness in the allocation of EU funds?

    Submitted: 28.4.2025

    Lapses: 29.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Status of permanent seasonal workers in Spain – E-001493/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001493/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fernando Navarrete Rojas (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE)

    • 1.The Spanish National Employment Service, which reports to the Ministry of Work and Social Economy, does not provide specific, separate figures for the total number of permanent seasonal workers (PSWs), while the status has been used considerably more since the labour reform. In light of that, does Eurostat believe it would be positive, for transparency purposes, to publish PSW figures?
    • 2.Given that Eurostat has already revised unemployment figures upwards to include permanent seasonal workers who are not working and are actively seeking work, and in view of the sharp upsurge in that type of contract, what control and monitoring mechanisms will Eurostat introduce to ensure those unemployed people are properly reflected in unemployment statistics, and in view of the revisions resulting from that type of contract, which is particularly common in Spain, does Eurostat not believe that enhanced, controlled monitoring of unemployment figures is needed?
    • 3.Considering the economic circumstances of out-of-work PSWs who are not actively seeking work and the extensive use thereof in a number of Member States, does Eurostat plan to revise its methodology to include them in unemployment figures in the future?

    Submitted: 10.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Austria suspending family reunification – E-001617/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001617/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE)

    Austria plans to introduce a blanket suspension on family reunification for third-country nationals, in violation of Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification. In a letter of 4 March 2025 to the Commission, the Austrian Minister of the Interior says that the reunification procedures jeopardise the functioning of the Austrian state’s institutions and its most important public services in particular. Austria thus plans to apply Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    • 1.Does the Commission consider the Austrian announcement to be in line with EU law and, if so, how?
    • 2.If the Austrian announcement is not in conformity with EU law, how not?
    • 3.How did the Commission respond to the letter from the Austrian Minister of the Interior and what steps will it take next?

    Submitted: 23.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Support for the Ionian Islands in relation to landslides – E-001597/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001597/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Georgios Aftias (PPE)

    Coastal areas in the European Union are in a vulnerable and dynamic situation due to human intervention and natural processes, which change their morphology, but also due to the advantages they bring at a social and economic level. They are greatly affected by coastal soil erosion, as well as by wave activity. The Ionian Islands contribute significantly to trade, transport and tourism, offering a huge range of economic development and professional activity to Greek society.

    According to a report by the Region of the Ionian Islands, signed by the Regional Governor, Mr. Ioannis Trepeklis, after long-term research and studies it has been established that the Ionian Islands region is particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion and the most prone to ongoing and strong seismic vibrations worldwide. The islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada are mentioned. The Ionian Islands Region is raising this issue with urgency, as solving the problem also requires immediate European intervention.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Will the Commission support the strengthening of the resilience of coastal areas with all financial means?
    • 2.Will the Commission finance national initiatives that contribute to the protection of the inhabitants of coastal areas from the effects caused by soil erosion?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Aviation safety and implementation of EU rules – E-001606/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001606/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)

    Critical issues for flight safety in Greece are being raised due to serious malfunctions in the ‘non-operational’ aircraft collision control and warning system, especially in the terminal area of​ Athens airport, which are being denounced by the Greek Association of Air Traffic Controllers (AATC).[1]

    The AATC is sounding the alarm due to outdated surveillance and communications equipment, inadequate staffing and other dangerous – mainly during periods of increased air traffic – operational and working conditions. The above conditions potentially jeopardise the country’s compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139,[2] Regulation (EU) 139/2014[3] and Regulation (EU) 965/2012,[4] which require high safety standards in civil aviation and the proper functioning of air traffic systems.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission assess the complaints regarding the operational status of the air collision avoidance system in Greece?
    • 2.Has it carried out (or does it intend to carry out), through the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other competent bodies, an updated review of the status of the National Air Traffic Systems in Member States with identified gaps, such as, for example, Greece?
    • 3.What measures does it intend to put in place to ensure Greece’s full compliance with the EU aviation safety framework and the modernisation/functionality of air traffic systems?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    • [1] https://www.flash.gr/epistoli-vomva-ton-elegkton-enaerias-kykloforias-tyflo-to-systima-proeidopoiisis-sygkroysis-982188?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32018R1139
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/139/oj/eng
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj/eng
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Closure of mines and lignite-fired power stations in Western Macedonia: a great cause of suffering for the people – E-001603/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001603/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    Heightened competition between the EU and Russia and competitive planning by the US are paving the way for further increases in the cost of energy and basic commodities. The implementation of the EU’s green strategy is also marked by the closure, by the Greek Government and Public Power Corporation, of the Meliti and Megalopoli coal-fired power stations and the planned closure of the one in Agios Dimitrios and of the mines that supply them. Power plants harnessing a local fuel, lignite, are being replaced by plants running on imported natural gas. This is depriving the people of access to cheap electricity, while fostering unemployment in Western Macedonia and jeopardising national energy security.

    The Commission’s action plan for ‘cheaper natural gas imports’ increases dependence on LNG from the US, which is more expensive, while guaranteeing lower relative energy prices for large industrial groups.

    Can the Commission say:

    • 1.How does it view the fact that the ‘green’ energy strategy pursued by the EU and national governments is determined by the requirements and interests of business groups?
    • 2.What view does it take of the fact that ending dependence on Russian gas, abandoning cheap domestic lignite and shifting towards more expensive LNG from the US and the measures to increase the share of renewable energy sources under the conditions of the ‘liberalised market’ only result in further increases in costs for ordinary households, exploitative labour conditions for workers in the sector and a blight on the people of Western Macedonia?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Israeli legislation on registration and visa issuance for international NGOs – E-001532/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001532/2025/rev.1
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Cecilia Strada (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Thijs Reuten (S&D), Nikos Pappas (The Left), Daniel Attard (S&D), Carola Rackete (The Left), Marc Botenga (The Left), Hanna Gedin (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Evin Incir (S&D), Sandra Gómez López (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Marta Temido (S&D), Damien Carême (The Left), Marit Maij (S&D), Rima Hassan (The Left), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Nordqvist (Verts/ALE), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), David Cormand (Verts/ALE), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Majdouline Sbai (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE)

    On 9 March 2025, new Israeli legislation on registration and visa issuance for international NGOs came into effect[1]. Both Israeli and international observers note that these provisions are aimed at denying access to international NGOs providing assistance to the Palestinian population[2]. Visa requirements are now purposely vague and thus highly discretionary, with the registration applications of international NGOs being evaluated solely by government officials. Consequently, this legislation risks becoming a tool for silencing government critics.

    The Knesset is also considering further financial and operational restrictions for internationally funded NGOs[3], including an 80 % tax on international donations and barring access to justice for NGOs relying on foreign funding.

    These repressive policies will likely obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and welfare services to Palestinians. While the EU allocates EUR 1.5 billion for Palestinian assistance, Israel’s policies threaten the operations of many EU-funded humanitarian actors[4].

    Taking into account Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement:

    • 1.Was the new Israeli legislation on international NGOs discussed at the latest EU-Israel Association Council meeting? If so, what was the outcome of the discussion?
    • 2.Will the Commission propose the suspension of the Association Agreement if international NGOs are forbidden access to the Occupied Palestinian Territories?

    Supporters[5]

    Submitted: 15.4.2025

    • [1] https://www.gov.il/he/pages/dec2542-2024
    • [2] Inter alia: https://gisha.org/en/ngos-in-israel-condemn-an-israeli-government-decision-designed-to-deny-registration-and-work-visas-to-international-humanitarian-organizations/; https://www.focsiv.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dossier-Informativo-questione-registrazione-in-Israele.pdf; https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/implementation-new-israeli-ngo-registration-and-visa-regulations
    • [3] S. Sokol, Ministers advance bill levying 80% tax on foreign state funding of Israeli NGOs, The times of Israel, 16 February 2025, https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministers-vote-to-back-bill-levying-80-tax-on-foreign-state-funding-of-israeli-ngos/
    • [4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-humanitarian-support-to-palestinians/
    • [5] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D)

    MIL OSI Europe News –