NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement from the Minister for Treasury and Resources on prioritising investment in the Island14 April 2025 ​​​Whilst recent days have seen significant economic volatility across the globe, Jersey is well placed to face these challenges. We have a successful economy and long-term reserves of a scale that… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    14 April 2025

    ​

    ​​Whilst recent days have seen significant economic volatility across the globe, Jersey is well placed to face these challenges. We have a successful economy and long-term reserves of a scale that very few jurisdictions can match. 

    ​​Underpinned by these reserves, the public finances have proved to be remarkably resilient in the face of the events of recent years. 

    ​​Faced with current global uncertainties, Jersey is best served by prioritising investment in infrastructure that benefits and stimulates the local economy, enhances the wellbeing of Islanders, and contributes to Jersey being a vibrant place to live and work. 

    ​​I can assure Islanders that Treasury remains committed to improving investment in the Island’s infrastructure and, in particular, to financing the New Hospital Facilities at Overdale and Fort Regent​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: DGL Investments No. 1 Inc. Announces Proposed Qualifying Transaction with Rep Group Limited and Perspectives Productions Limited

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DGL Investments No. 1 Inc. (“DGL” or the “Company”) (TSXV: DGL.P) is pleased to announce details concerning a proposed arms-length “Qualifying Transaction” involving a business combination with two complimentary businesses named Rep Group Limited (“REP”) and Perspectives Productions Limited (“Perspectives” and collectively with REP, the “Targets”).

    Overview of the Targets

    REP is a privately-held corporation that was formed in June 2020 under the laws of England and Wales. Perspectives is in the process of becoming a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of REP Group and was formed in February 2024 under the laws of England and Wales. Each of the Targets’ head office is in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.

    REP have developed a narrative therapy based self-care mental health and wellbeing app, that combined with their AI profiling system allows organisations to better engage with their workforce to develop and deliver tangible and measurable ‘social’ programmes that advance company culture and collective wellbeing.

    The REP corporate wellness app and service focuses on three key areas:

    –  Enabling individuals to feel empowered about managing their mental health and wellbeing.
    –  Equipping organisations with expert-led tools and data insights to lead a change in culture for sustainable positive wellbeing.
    –  Creating a workforce that is connected, performing, engaged and well.

    As an extension to REP’s offering, in June 2024 the company executed a collaboration with a National Health Service (‘NHS’) Trust in the United Kingdom, to assess and validate the system and services for healthcare sector deployment.

    Perspectives is a technology company that has developed an innovative production and OTT (‘Over-the-Top’) platform for the distribution of impactful stories related to mental health; transforming written stories captured by REP into bespoke and unique training and educational content to improve the understanding, knowledge and management of mental health in the workplace. The company has already developed the basic OTT platform and has applied for patent protection over its architecture.

    Summary of the proposed Transaction

    DGL has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent with each of the Targets dated April 10, 2025 (the “LOI”) pursuant to which DGL and the Targets intend to complete a business combination (the “Transaction”) to form a company (the “Resulting Issuer”) and pursuant to which the businesses of the Targets will become the business of the Resulting Issuer. The final structure of both the business combination and the capitalization of the Resulting Issuer is subject to receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice for both DGL and the Targets.

    Pursuant to the LOI it is currently anticipated:

    1. the shareholders of DGL on completion of the proposed Transaction will cumulatively hold approximately 2,273,141 common shares of the Resulting Issuer and DGL will conduct a consolidation of its common shares at the required ratio to achieve the same;
    2. the Resulting Issuer will issue approximately 13,638,844 common shares of the Resulting Issuer (the “Resulting Issuer Shares”), proportionally to the current holders of the Targets’ common shares (the “Target Shares”) to acquire such Target Shares and each of the Targets will conduct a share split such that the Resulting Issuer Shares will be issued on a 1:1 basis;
    3. either DGL, REP or Perspectives will conduct a financing (on a post share split or post consolidation basis as applicable) to close prior to or concurrent with the closing of the Transaction, for aggregate gross proceeds of not less than GBP£1,000,000 (approximately CAD$1,800,000) at a price commensurate with market conditions (the “Financing”).

    Further, pursuant to the LOI, it is a condition precedent for the parties to enter into a definitive agreement that commitments for the minimum amount of the Financing must be received prior to June 30, 2025.

    The Resulting Issuer Shares will be issued at a price per share equivalent to the closing price of the common shares of DGL on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) on April 11, 2025, adjusted to take account of any required consolidation of the common shares of DGL required to facilitate the proposed Transaction.

    It is intended that the proposed Transaction, when completed, will constitute DGL’s “Qualifying Transaction” (“QT”) in accordance with Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) Corporate Finance Policies. A comprehensive news release will be issued by DGL disclosing details of the proposed Transaction, including the proposed capital structure of the Resulting Issuer, financial information respecting the Targets, the names and backgrounds of all persons who will constitute insiders of the Resulting Issuer, and information respecting sponsorship, once a definitive agreement has been executed and certain conditions have been met, including satisfactory completion of due diligence.

    It is not expected that shareholder approval will be required with respect to the proposed Transaction under the rules of the Exchange applicable to capital pool companies, because the proposed Transaction does not constitute a “Non-Arm’s Length Qualifying Transaction” pursuant to the Policy 2.4 of the Exchange.

    In addition, the structure of the proposed Transaction is being finalized, and based on the final structure as reflected in the definitive agreement, shareholder approval of certain ancillary matters, including any consolidation or share split and any proposed change of name may be required.

    Trading in the common shares of DGL has been halted and is not expected to resume until the proposed Transaction is completed or until the Exchange receives the requisite documentation to resume trading.

    It is expected that upon completion of the proposed Transaction, the Resulting Issuer, will be renamed to a name mutually agreeable to DGL and the Targets and will be listed as a Tier 2 Technology Issuer on the Exchange.

    For further information, please contact:

    Gurpreet S. Sangha,
    President and CEO
    Telephone: 778-245-2282
    Email: gsangha2x4@hotmail.com

    Neither 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 news release.

    Forward Looking Information

    Statements in this press release regarding DGL’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, such as terms and completion of the proposed Transaction. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

    Completion of the proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to completion of the Financing, execution of a binding definitive agreement relating to the proposed Transaction, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange requirements or the requirements of applicable securities law, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

    Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

    The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

    The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Monrovia Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man was sentenced today to 360 months in federal prison for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting himself sexually abusing a toddler.

    David Lisandro Perez Figueroa, 23, of Monrovia, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered Perez Figueroa to pay $2,799 in restitution and placed him on lifetime supervised release.

    Perez Figueroa pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

    From an unknown date until December 2023, Perez Figueroa recorded his sexual abuse of a 2-year-old child for the purpose of making a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

    In July 2023, Perez Figueroa distributed the CSAM via the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in an account linked to Perez Figueroa.

    British law enforcement investigating a target in the United Kingdom discovered the X chat logs with CSAM and, soon after, notified federal law enforcement in the United States, according to court documents. Based on this information, federal agents executed a search warrant at Perez Figueroa’s residence on December 5, 2023 and arrested him.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Jenna W. Long of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, Mirelle N. Raza of the General Crimes Section, Amy E. Pomerantz of the Criminal Appeals Section, and Sarah E. Spielberger of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CONGO RD – In war-torn Kivu the Bishop of Butembo-Beni urges the faithful not to lose faith

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “We must never lose faith, whatever happens to us. Even when everything seems dark, God never abandons us,” urged Msgr. Melchisédech Sikuli Paluku, Bishop of Butembo-Beni, during Palm Sunday Mass.Msgr. Sikuli expressed his compassion for the often forgotten victims of the war in Kivu and called on Christians to become witnesses of hope, stating that “evil will not have the last word in history”.The area of Butembo and Beni in North Kivu (east of the Democratic Republic of Congo) is still in the hands of the Congolese government, after M23 rebels captured the provincial capital, Goma (see Fides, 27/1/2025).The war in North and South Kivu continues sowing death and destruction. At least 50 people died in Goma on the night of 11-12 April in a series of fighting that affected some neighbourhoods in the western part of the city.The M23 and the Congolese army (FARDC) accuse each other for the massacre of civilians. According to local sources, the fighting erupted when a group of Wazalendo (pro-government Congolese militiamen) attempted a raid to regain control of the city.The problem of the control of the Wazalendo militiamen is also felt in the neighbouring province of South Kivu, whose capital, Bukavu, was conquered by the M23 in mid-February (see Fides, 17/2/2025).According to a report sent to Fides by the local civil society association ACMEJ (Association against Evil and for the Management of Youth) in the areas of South Kivu not occupied by the M23, the inhabitants are worried by the indiscriminate shooting carried out by Wazalendo militiamen and government soldiers who have come to protect them from the rebels. The problem is especially felt in the Ruzizi and Uvira plains. “ACMEJ facilitators have contacted a number of sources in the Ruzizi and Uvira Plain: all of them say that firing by security forces or security officers must first be banned, while M23 and its allies and Rwandan soldiers have not yet arrived,” the report states. The shootings originate from disputes between the different forces that should be allies in fighting the M23. The ACMEJ makes two observations in this regard. The first is that there is a need to harmonize the different self-defence groups that have come to the area from other parts of the province. The second is that mutual mistrust between the defenders persists due to proven cases of defection especially among regular army soldiers in favour of the M23. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Palm Sunday and Holy Week among the rubble: “Christ is among the displaced”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – In Mandalay, Palm Sunday was celebrated among the rubble “as a sign of resilience and Christian joy in the midst of devastation and suffering,” says Fr. John Kyaw Thu Ya, parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, a historic church in the municipality of Yamethin, in the diocese of Mandalay, completely destroyed by the earthquake of 28 March. The parish priest wanted to gather the community and celebrate the Eucharist right in front of the rubble of the church, as a sign of faith and hope: “The church has been destroyed, but the faith of the baptised is firm, it is like the house founded on the rock”. It was a touching moment in the parishes wounded by the earthquake. Outside the churches, the priests of Mandalay tell Fides, the rites of Holy Week will be celebrated. The celebration of the Palms, full of ‘hosannas’, joy and acclamation to the ‘King of kings’ was a moment in which the faithful, all displaced, were able to find themselves, gather and renew their faith in Christ, both in the diocese of Mandalay and in the other affected areas.As Fides learns, in the diocese of Myitkyina, capital of the state of Kachin, Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam, celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of St Columbun, encouraging the faithful “not to despair, not to seek the praise of men, but the will of God”. “Remember that the difficulties and adversities of today,” he said, “are the cross we bear with the Lord Jesus, who is a blessing”. “If we commit ourselves to walking according to God’s will, we receive the grace of victory with the Lord Jesus at Easter. Not only will we receive a hundredfold blessings on earth, but we will also receive heavenly treasures.” “Whenever we see and carry the cross,” he continued, “let us remember that the Lord Jesus is on the cross and that in the midst of our suffering, the Lord Jesus is always with us. Christ is with us in the midst of our suffering in Mandalay, Sagaing and the pain of war. The Lord Jesus is with the internally displaced persons suffering today”.In Yangon, an area less affected by the earthquake, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, during the celebration of the Eucharist on Palm Sunday in the cathedral, recalled that this celebration “expresses peace, joy, humility and hope”, inviting the faithful to “rejoice for the gift received from the Lord, salvation”.The Cardinal dwelt on the figure of the lamb, “a humble creature, obedient to God’s will: the people of Myanmar are called to take an example from that lamb,” he said. “Today, in a context of ‘polycrisis’ afflicting our country, we cry out to God and ask: why this suffering? Lord why do you not answer us? We do not know God’s times, his mysterious plans. However, we know by faith that God’s answer for us is the resurrection. We cling to Him amidst difficulties and uncertainty. We pray for unity and a future full of light”.Melvin Aung, a Catholic youth from St Augustine’s Church in Yangon recounts: “I went to church and prayed to the Lord Jesus that, as we raised our palms in remembrance of his entry into Jerusalem, he might enter into our lives, our hearts and our hopes. A light rain and a cool breeze made the moment of the Palm procession even more meaningful, as if nature itself joined in the peace of this holy day. We remembered in prayer all the people of Myanmar, tormented by struggles and difficulties. We prayed for peace and for the healing of our nation”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2025)

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/LIBERIA – Medical support for people with disabilities or in situations of extreme poverty

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 14 April 2025

    SMA

    Foya (Agenzia Fides) – For some years now, the parish of St. John Vianney in Foya, a remote strip of land in Liberia, with the formation of a charitable group, has begun to support the medical expenses of those who are unable to do so, especially the disabled and people in extreme poverty. Fr. Lorenzo Snider, a priest of the Society of African Missions (SMA) has been taking care of the community for the past few years and has launched a project that provides, among other things, medical visits and basic medicines for people with physical disabilities or in extreme poverty; supplies of basic medicines for people with epileptic disorders and treatment for other mental illnesses; powdered milk and peanut paste for malnourished children; and support for emergency surgery.“From treatment for malaria, to infections, prenatal visits,” says the missionary, who is parish priest of St John Vianney. As we started to help, new scenarios opened up: people with epileptic seizures, unable to pay for their therapy of 20 cents a day, then malnourished children, due to the death of the mother because of post-natal problems or other situations. There are also those who present themselves to the parish with neglected sores due to poverty, which they have suffered perhaps for years or in some cases decades.”If all goes well, explains Fr. Snider, 500 people a year will benefit from this support at the Foya Health Centre, followed by the SMA fathers, (about 40 people a month), at the hospital in Borma or the one in Gueckedou (Guinea – the only centre with a good analysis laboratory); 20 people with epileptic disorders, 20 families with malnourished children. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOUTHAN – Assault on the Zamzam camp hosting more than 500,000 displaced people

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – “We have taken control of Zamzam to protect civilians and medical personnel and we are ready to receive convoys of humanitarian aid,” the militiamen of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said in a statement announcing that they had captured the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur (western Sudan) yesterday, 13 April.Zamzam, which according to the United Nations is home to more than 500,000 refugees, is one of three large camps for displaced persons on the outskirts of El-Facher, the region’s capital, which is under army control (Sudan Armed Forces) but has been surrounded by the RSF for two years.According to a spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), an armed group aligned with the SAF, led by Minni Arko Minawi, at least 450 people were killed in the assault on the camp, while other sources claim that at least 70,000 displaced people fled Zamzam.The International Relief Organization (IRO), which manages the Zamzam camp, said the RSF attacked the camp perimeter on the evening of 11 April after shelling it for hours. According to the IRO, the militiamen destroyed hundreds of houses and the main market before attacking the field hospital, killing nine staff members, including a doctor. The Sudanese Doctors Network confirmed the killing of 10 members of the medical staff in North Darfur in the past two days, six of whom were killed by RSF forces in Zamzam camp, in addition to the killing of the director of the hospital in Um Kedda, another town attacked by the militants. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/BRAZIL – Nazareno Lanciotti, missionary and martyr, will be proclaimed Blessed

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 14 April 2025

    Diocese de São Luiz de Cáceres

    São Paulo (Agenzia Fides) – “We have come to kill you because you bother us too much.” These were the last words Father Nazareno Lanciotti heard before he was shot dead in his rectory in Jauru, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, in February 2001. Twenty-four years later, Pope Francis, during an audience with the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, recognized his martyrdom.The missionary of Roman origin, who for thirty years dedicated himself to proclaiming the Gospel in the forests and poorest regions of Brazil, and especially to protecting young people from the forms of slavery inflicted on them by pimps and drug traffickers, will therefore be proclaimed blessed.Ordained a priest on June 29, 1966, at the age of 26, he held various pastoral roles in several parishes in Rome for five years. In 1972, after discovering Operation Mato Grosso, he chose, along with other young Italians, to dedicate himself to the mission. He left for South America and was entrusted with the care of the parish of Jauru, in the young diocese of Caceres, located in western Brazil, on the border with Bolivia.”A difficult reality,” as Father Enzo Gabrieli, postulator of the cause for canonization of Father Lanciotti, told Fides (see Fides, 22/3/2021), because it was “made up of many communities scattered in the forest.” He did not lose heart and on the back of a mule he reached what would become, thanks to his passion and faith, a garden city around the parish church of Our Lady of Pilar. His deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, the centrality of the Eucharist in his missionary work, and his devotion to the Pope were at the origin of his work in Jauru, which quickly became the center of diocesan activities.Among his first actions, Father Nazareno decided to build a sanatorium: Jauru was a very poor village, and the missionary noticed that many mothers died during childbirth and many children lost their lives due to common illnesses. The nearest hospital was 200 kilometers away, but over time, this sanatorium became a true Catholic hospital that today operates within the national network.To caring for the body, Father Nazareno added care for the spirit, beginning the construction of a parish center and several chapels in the forest (he built about 40 in total) to assist the many faithful scattered throughout the villages. Next to the parish church, several “peripheral cells” were created where prayers were held (and still are held today) every day, even in the missionary’s absence.In 1987, he joined the Marian Movement of Priests and was appointed its national Director for Brazil the following year. In this capacity, he made frequent trips throughout Brazil to organize prayer cenacles with the Priests and families of the Movement.In addition to building a home for the elderly, a school for younger people, and a minor Seminary (where the first ten local vocations were born), Lanciotti worked to curb the drug trade and prostitution. When the authorities decided to build a new dam to meet electricity needs, workers from all over Brazil and neighboring Bolivia flocked to the area. Drug and prostitution outlets proliferated. Every Saturday evening, he organized activities to entertain the young people and warn them of the dangers: “Eucharistic adoration, the rosary, and devotion to the Virgin will save you.” These were words he also addressed to the workers who traveled daily to the dam construction site, passing through areas where drug traffickers ruled.During those years, as the website of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints states, “strong tensions arose among members of a Masonic lodge, opposed to Father Nazareno’s actions.”He had also met with his young people on the afternoon of February 11, when he was killed in odium fidei. He was aware of the danger he was facing, and that evening, as it was raining, he said: “These are the tears of Heaven for me.” In one passage, with a veil of sadness, almost of premonition, he said to those who were with him: “When you look for me, you will always find me at the foot of the tabernacle.” And that is precisely where he was buried after his death.The martyrdom took place shortly after 9 p.m., when two men with covered faces burst into the rectory where the missionary was dining with his collaborators and some guests. Pointing a gun at those present, they demanded money and asked where the safe was. They threatened everyone to stage a robbery gone wrong. Father Nazareno reassured them; he had offered to help, and those present had laid everything they had on them on the table. But the killers had only one goal.They themselves revealed that they had been sent by certain local figures who were annoyed by the actions of the Church and the missionary. They staged a game of Russian roulette, but the bullet exploded against Father Nazareno by surprise.The two killers fled, leaving the money on the table. The local police, whose headquarters were a few hundred meters from the rectory, did not arrive on the scene until the next day. Father Lanciotti was first taken to the hospital in Cuiabá, then to the Syro-Lebanese Hospital in São Paulo, where he died on February 22, 2001, at the age of 61.His last words were to forgive his killers. It was around 6:00 a.m. on February 22, 2001, when Father Nazareno Lanciotti died after ten days of agony. His murder, far from being an unsuccessful robbery, “proves to have been premeditated. There was a perverse system in place prior to the murder, to which his pastoral work was hindering,” states the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, according to which “his murder immediately benefited from a solid and widespread reputation as a martyr, as well as a clear reputation for signs.” (FB) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Coverage for Astronaut Don Pettit, Crewmates Return

    Source: NASA

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, will depart the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft and return to Earth on Saturday, April 19.
    Pettit, Ovchinin, and Vagner will undock from the orbiting laboratory’s Rassvet module at 5:57 p.m. EDT, heading for a parachute-assisted landing at 9:20 p.m. (6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time, Sunday, April 20) on the steppe of Kazakhstan, southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan. Landing will occur on Pettit’s 70th birthday.
    NASA’s live coverage of return and related activities will stream on NASA+. Learn how to stream NASA content through a variety of platforms.
    A change of command ceremony also will stream on NASA platforms at 2:40 p.m. Friday, April 18. Ovchinin will handover station command to JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi for Expedition 73, which begins at the time of undocking.
    Spanning 220 days in space, Pettit and his crewmates will have orbited the Earth 3,520 times and completed a journey of 93.3 million miles over the course of their mission. The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft launched and docked to the station on Sept. 11, 2024.
    This was Pettit’s fourth spaceflight, where he served as flight engineer for Expedition 71 and 72. He has a career total of 590 days in orbit. Ovchinin completed his fourth flight in space, totaling 595 days, and Vagner has earned an overall total of 416 days in space during two trips to the orbiting laboratory.
    After returning to Earth, the three crew members will fly on a helicopter from the landing site to the recovery staging city of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Pettit will board a NASA plane and return to Houston, while Ovchinin and Vagner will depart for a training base in Star City, Russia.
    NASA’s coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to changed based on real-time operations):
    Friday, April 18:
    2:40 p.m. – Expedition 72/73 change of command ceremony begins on NASA+.
    Saturday, April 19:
    2 p.m. – Farewells and hatch closing coverage begins on NASA+.
    2:25 p.m. – Hatch closing
    5:30 p.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+.
    5:57 p.m. – Undocking
    8 p.m. – Coverage begins for deorbit burn, entry, and landing on NASA+. 
    8:26 p.m. – Deorbit burn
    9:20 p.m. – Landing
    For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge, and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA is focusing more resources on deep space missions to the Moon as part of Artemis in preparation for future human missions to Mars.
    Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/station
    -end-
    Claire O’Shea / Josh FinchHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Prison For Kidnapping Elderly Victim

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jordan Nathaniel Hedden, 32, was sentenced today to 121 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for the 2023 kidnapping of an elderly victim, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Hedden’s co-conspirator, Stephanie Miranda Neace, 32, of Blairsville, Georgia, is currently awaiting sentencing, after a federal jury last week convicted her of kidnapping.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

    According to filed documents, court proceedings, and trial evidence presented at Neace’s trial, on November 30, 2023, the victim, a 71-year-old female, was driving from Georgia to North Carolina, when she saw the defendants walking. The victim offered the defendants a ride because it was cold outside. The defendants accepted the ride, and soon after they entered North Carolina, Hedden instructed the victim to drive to his car. When they arrived at the location, a car was not there. Hedden then ordered the victim to stop the vehicle, and when the victim refused, Hedden forced the victim to stop the car and get in the back seat. Hedden then took over driving.

    According to court records, the victim began to cry and Hedden yelled at her and told her to shut up. Hedden appeared to be high and agitated and became paranoid that the victim had a tracking device. At one point, Hedden stopped the vehicle, and he and Neace searched the car and the victim herself for tracking devices. Then, they took the victim’s phone and disabled it. Hedden also demanded money from the victim, but the victim only had $2. Fearing for her safety, the victim told the defendants to take her to an ATM and the defendants agreed. During the drive into Tennessee, Hedden made the victim promise that she would not identify them to the police.

    During the drive to the ATM, the victim convinced Hedden to let her withdraw money from a gas station ATM instead of a bank. The victim also told Hedden that she would give the defendants the money if they let her stay behind safely at the gas station. When they arrived at the gas station, the victim took her purse and her car key fob. She told Hedden to turn off the car so the headlights could not be seen from the people inside the gas station, and Hedden complied. As the victim and Hedden were walking toward the gas station, the victim began to run to the door and scream for help. Hedden ran back to the car, attempted to use it to flee but was unable to start the car without the key fob. Hedden and Neace then fled on foot and escaped into the woods but were apprehended days later.

    On November 13, 2024, Hedden pleaded guilty to kidnapping and aiding and abetting. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Gast and Alexis Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville are in charge of the prosecution.

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at the effect of global warming on persistence and intensity of marine heatwaves

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in PNAS looks at global warming and the intensity of marine heatwaves. 

    Dr Caroline Rowland, Scientific Strategic Head for Ocean Cryosphere and Climate, Met Office, said:

    “We should all care about marine heatwaves because societies around the world depend on the ocean; changes to ocean temperatures can have wide-ranging impacts on ecosystems and fisheries. There is growing evidence that the intensity and frequency of marine heatwaves – driven by climate change – can contribute to impactful weather events both around the UK and globally with obvious impacts for human health.

    “The record-breaking UK land temperatures in June 2023 were amplified by an unprecedented marine heatwave in UK waters that occurred simultaneously with the land heatwave. The increasing intensity and frequency of marine heatwaves due to climate change can increase the severity of storms – including tropical cyclones – and heatwaves on land.

    What are the key points readers should take from the study?

    “Anthropogenic climate change is the major cause of observed increases in intensity, frequency and duration of marine heatwaves (MHW) both globally and regionally

    “Natural year-to-year climate variability does contribute to extreme Marine temperatures, however, MHW are longer and more intense due to the long-term warming of the seas due to anthropogenic climate change.

    “MHWs are shown to increase in length in the tropics and in intensity and length in the mid-latitudes. The North and Baltic Seas have seen a larger increase relative to other regions (likely because of their shallow nature and their lower salinity: their excess heat is less likely exported to the deeper ocean).

    “The results of this paper are largely consistent with the assessment of MHWs in IPCC AR6 WG1 Box 9.2.

    Why are marine heatwaves important for people – why should they care?

    “The public should care about Marine Heatwaves because humans depend on the ocean; changes to ocean temperatures can have wide ranging impacts including to ecosystems and fisheries. There is growing evidence that MHWs contribute to weather events both around the UK and globally which can have significant impacts to human and animal health. Record-breaking UK land temperatures in June 2023 were amplified by an unprecedented Marine Heatwave in UK waters that occurred simultaneously with the land heatwave [1]. The intensity of cyclones in tropical regions has also been shown to be magnified by MHW. The increasing intensity and frequency of MHW due to climate change has the potential to increase the severity of storms and heatwaves on land.

    Are there any important caveats that we should be aware of?

    “Although we know that there are wide ranging impacts to ecosystems and fisheries from global MHW, there are large gaps in our knowledge of MHW impacts to ecosystems in UK waters, particularly coastal regions.

     “This paper also further strengthens the need for evidence to quantify the role of anthropogenic climate change on the frequency and duration of MHWs.”

    1- https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01413-8

     

    Dr Jeffrey Kargel, Senior Scientists, Planetary Science Institute, said:

    “The work by Marta Marcos and colleagues is richly informative about global warming’s oceanic influences. The authors computed sea surface temperatures under the observed atmospheric conditions with global warming included, and then re-doing the sea surface computation by removing the long-term influence of the warming atmosphere and just leaving in the hot spells and cold spells.

    “Interestingly, the authors found that most–but not all–of the observed intensity of extreme hot ocean surface episodes, and about half of the number of days of extreme ocean warmth are explained directly by global warming. This relationship is readily understood. However, when I read this, I zeroed in on the fact that there have been more days and greater intensities of extreme ocean surface warmth than global warming alone accounts for. I suspect that the excess over predictions could be related to the controversial but much-reported slow-down of the jet streams and the frequent “stuck” jet streams. Instead of continuing on their usual eastward migration, jet streams and associated high- and low-pressure systems have frequently become “stuck” in place, leaving parts of the ocean surface (land surface as well) subjected to blistering hot conditions. This is a likely indirect influence of global warming. Global climate change is not only about warming, but about the disruption of all parts of the climate system, including jet streams. That influence, in turn, affects the sea surface temperature in extreme ways, which then affects hurricanes and weather systems that extend into continental interiors.   

    “The weakening and stagnating jet streams in relationship to global warming and melting sea ice was first discovered and explained by Jennifer Francis. If her model is correct, as seems increasingly likely as observations accrue, then combined with this new paper by Marcos and colleagues, it could suggest that the stuck jet streams may impose a multiplier effect on global warming’s influence on sea surface temperatures and extreme weather on land, too.”

    Dr Zoe Jacobs, Ocean and Climate Modeler, UK National Oceanography Centre, said:

    What are the key points readers should take from the study?

    “Human-induced global warming is responsible for nearly half of global marine heatwave (MHW) events since 1940.

    “Human-induced global warming has caused a 3-fold increase in the number of days per year experiencing MHW conditions. Globally, this means that, on average, we are experiencing 34 extra MHW days per year in recent years compared with the early period. This reaches 80 additional MHW days per year in some regions, including the equatorial Western Pacific and Atlantic, and parts of the tropical Indian Ocean.

    “It has also led to a global mean increase in MHW maximum intensity of 1oC, with the greatest increases observed outside the tropics.

    “Overall, their work reveals the dominant contribution of anthropogenic forcing to MHW increases, especially since the year 2000.

    “It is important to note that there will be high variability between individual events. For example, the MHW in the Tasman Sea in 2015-16 is found to almost entirely be due to global warming, whereas the Pacific Blob (2014-15) is found to be due to a mixture of global warming and natural climate variability.

    Why are marine heatwaves important for people – frankly, why should they care?

    “Wide ranging impacts have been documented for marine heatwave events worldwide. They have decimated coral reefs, seagrass meadows and kelp forests as well as fisheries and seabird colonies and even impacted larger species like seals and whales.

    “Because of this they pose significant risks to society, with some individual events causing millions of dollars of losses due to impacts on the fishing, aquaculture, and tourism industries. They have also been found to exacerbate heatwaves on land and have amplified extreme weather like hurricanes and storms.”

    Are there any important caveats that we should be aware of?

    “Using sea surface temperature (SST) data before the satellite record (pre-1980s) will have considerable uncertainties. Using a. 0.25o grid will have led to a lot of interpolation between actual observations due to incomplete spatial coverage.

    “The study focuses on summer MHW events only but MHWs can occur year-round, with seasonal differences in persistence and intensity likely.”

    ‘Global warming drives a threefold increase in persistence and 1 ◦C rise in intensity of marine heatwaves’ by Marcos et al. was published in PNAS at 20:00 UK time on Monday 14th April 2025. 

    DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2413505122

    Declared interests

    Dr Jeffrey Kargel “I have no conflicts of interest related to this article or my commentary.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: South-South and Triangular Cooperation Furthers Efforts to Promote Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Health Resilience

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) concluded the fifth online certificate training programme titled “Leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Inclusive and Technological Innovations for Urban Health and Disaster Risk Reduction” on 12, 19, and 26 March 2025.

    Building on a successful partnership since 2020, this fifth training programme emphasized the importance of a whole-of-society approach, particularly in addressing the needs of the most at-risk groups—such as women, older persons, and persons with disabilities—in disaster risk reduction, health emergencies, and disaster risk management. Through expert-led discussions and practical case studies, participants gained valuable insights into advancing inclusive, resilient, and healthy cities through technological innovations and South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

    “This training programme embodies the principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which explicitly calls for an inclusive approach that considers the needs of all populations and groups. Through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, we can share valuable lessons and innovative approaches that ensure no one is left behind when disaster strikes.”

    – Piedad Huerta Arneros, Chief of Office of Country and Subregional Coordination in PAHO/WHO, in her Opening Remarks

    The first training session, led by UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) on 12 March, emphasized disability-inclusive urban resilience in practice. The session introduced participants to the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities – Annex for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, a practical tool that supports local governments in ensuring meaningful participation and accessibility for persons with disabilities in disaster risk planning and implementation.

    “Persons with disabilities must be decision-makers in resilience strategies that affect their lives. Inclusion is not only a right—it improves the quality and relevance of our actions,” 

    – Carlos Kaiser, Executive Director of ONG Inclusiva

    Practical case studies from Quezon City in the Philippines, and Pudahuel Municipality in Chile—both of which have applied the Disability Inclusion Scorecard provided real-world application insights for participants. “Since the implementation of the Disability Inclusion Scorecard, we have been able to strengthen our approach and adopt the necessary adjustments to close the gaps,” said Maria Elena Opazo, Director of Disaster Risk Management Department of Pudahuel Municipality.

    Ma. Bianca D. Perez, Head of the Disaster Risk and Management Office of Quezon City, also emphasized how they were empowered to cater to the different needs of people with disabilities, “Profile of those capacitated [was collected] to ensure that the interventions were equitable, not just a one-size-fits-all solution, but cater to the different types of disabilities identified.”

    According to UNDRR’s 2023 Global Survey on Disability and Disasters: 84% of persons with disabilities reported being unprepared for disasters and 56% reported lacking access to disaster risk information. These figures highlight the urgency to ensure the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction planning.

    Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, has offered three recommendations for action to all participants: 

    “First, we must continue building the awareness and capacity of institutions and staff to address this problem. For our part, UNDRR remains committed to supporting capacity development and to fostering all-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to disaster risk reduction. 

    Second, we must ensure that there are mechanisms to engage with at-risk groups and to capture their needs in planning processes. This is why UNDRR developed and piloted the Annex for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, as part of our Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities. We invite all local governments to utilize this tested tool. 

    And third, we need to promote international cooperation and the sharing of good practices among countries, especially South-South and Triangular cooperation. By learning from each other, exchanging good practices, and working collaboratively, countries can accelerate the adoption of new solutions to ensure no one is left behind.”

    – Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR

    A mini quiz at the end of the first training session reinforced key learning messages. A total of 1,362 unique participants from 141 countries and territories joined this session live, reflecting strong global interest in inclusive urban resilience approaches.

    This joint training includes three online training sessions. The second session, led by PAHO/WHO on 19 March, explored the intersection of ageing, disability, and urban health emergencies, highlighting the importance of integrating diverse actors into disaster risk reduction and urban resilience planning to ensure inclusive and accessible solutions. The final session, led by UNOSSC on 26 March, was centered on leveraging technological innovation for urban disaster risk reduction and management. This session facilitated the exchange of knowledge and good practices on cutting-edge, low-cost, and high-impact technologies that can enhance urban resilience through South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

    Dima Al-Khatib, Director of UNOSSC, called attention to the importance of South-South Cooperation, especially in capacity building activities to further SDGs

    “South-South Cooperation fosters collaboration amongst developing countries by facilitating knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and resource sharing to achieve mutual development goals.”

    – Dima Al-Khatib, Director of UNOSSC

    The UNDRR-UNOSSC-PAHO Joint Certificate Training Programme 2025 featured 30 expert speakers, with a balanced gender representation, and provided simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, as well as International Sign Language, to ensure accessibility and inclusion.

    The training series has been highly successful, attracting over 9,800 live session participants and 6,500 self-paced learners from 155 countries and territories over the past four training programmes. This year’s training alone attracted over 3,200 registrants, with 1,846 participants including 71 persons with disabilities, reflecting its growing reach and impact.

    For more information and session recordings, please visit https://www.undrr.org/event/undrr-unossc-paho2025

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Carter Congratulates Lori Frazier Bearden on her U.S. Department of Labor Appointment

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Rep. Carter Congratulates Lori Frazier Bearden on her U.S. Department of Labor Appointment

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter today spoke on the House Floor to honor Savannah resident, Lori Frazier Bearden, for her appointment as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the United States Department of Labor.

    Watch and read his remarks here:

    Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lori Frazier Bearden, a resident of Savannah, Georgia, who will serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the United States Department of Labor.

    Ms. Bearden earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbus State University in Georgia and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University.

    In this role, Ms. Bearden will assist Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in executing President Donald Trump’s mission of prioritizing American workers, veterans, and retirees.

    She will work to advance the ETA’s mission of contributing to the more efficient functioning of the U.S. labor market by providing high-quality job training, employment, labor market information, and income maintenance services, primarily through state and local workforce development programs.

    Ms. Bearden’s dedication to public service and expertise in navigating complex policy landscapes make her an asset to the Trump Administration.

    Ms. Bearden, congratulations on this exciting achievement.

    We all look forward to watching you succeed and wish you the best in your new role.

    Watch the full remarks here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government responds to media enquiries on UK parliament member being denied entry

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    In response to media enquiries about a Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom (UK) having been denied entry earlier, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (April 14) issued the following statement:
     
    A HKSAR Government spokesman said that it is the Government’s standing policy not to comment on individual cases. The Immigration Department will deal with each case in accordance with the relevant law and immigration policy. It is the duty of immigration officer to ask questions to ascertain that there is no doubt about the purpose of any visit. The person concerned knows best what he or she has done. It will be unhelpful to the person’s case if the person refuses to answer questions put to him or her for that purpose.
     
    In addition, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today afternoon met with the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, UK, Mr Douglas Alexander, who is visiting Hong Kong, to exchange views on the matter. Mr Chan also reiterated the stance of the HKSAR Government during the meeting.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Increasing biodiversity financing in the next EU international cooperation budget – E-001406/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001406/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    César Luena (S&D), Michal Wiezik (Renew), Pär Holmgren (Verts/ALE), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (Renew), Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE)

    The EU must not abandon its global leadership in tackling current interconnected global challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, environmental degradation, health risks and insecurity. Biodiversity loss, particularly in vulnerable regions, fuels conflict, displacement and migration pressures, which in turn undermine stability. In the upcoming multiannual financial framework, the EU must fulfil its commitments under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and increase its investment in nature because of the essential role it plays in supporting communities and economies and in tackling climate change.

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm its commitment to increasing biodiversity financing in the next international cooperation budget (NDICI-GE), ensuring that the EU meets its international obligations and drives the transformational change needed?
    • 2.How does the Commission plan to mainstream biodiversity in climate finance and enhance investment in nature and biodiversity within the Global Gateway initiative?
    • 3.What measures will the Commission take to ensure that funding under the next NDICI-GE reaches key stakeholders in on-site conservation efforts, including civil society organisations?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Support for EU farmers in accessing seed potatoes – E-001404/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001404/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maria Walsh (PPE), Nina Carberry (PPE), Seán Kelly (PPE), Regina Doherty (PPE)

    The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union created many challenges for sectors involved in bilateral trade. Since Brexit, the Commission has made significant efforts to negotiate various bilateral agreements, including the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, to address these challenges and facilitate trade. However, one sector for which a solution has not been found is the trade in seed potatoes. Since 1 January 2021, the import of seed potatoes from the UK to Ireland and the rest of the EU has been prohibited, which has had a negative impact on European, and particularly Irish, potato production.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Assuming that the UK is unlikely to commit to dynamic alignment, how does the Commission intend to proceed in addressing this critical issue?
    • 2.Is there a possibility of finding a solution under the current Plant Health Regulation to reopen bilateral trade in seed potatoes?
    • 3.Given that the Commission conducted an audit in the UK at the end of 2024, what are the next steps envisaged in discussions with the UK authorities to find a compromise and reinstate bilateral trade in seed potatoes?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lack of transparency on allegedly manipulated EMA vaccine documents and implications for public trust and foreign interference – E-001401/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001401/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    In December 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was the target of a cyberattack in which internal emails and confidential documents relating to COVID-19 vaccine evaluations were stolen, allegedly altered, and selectively leaked. The EMA has since confirmed that the perpetrators:

    – manipulated emails and other documents, including through altered titles, selective aggregation, and out-of-context presentation;

    – did so explicitly in a way ‘which could undermine trust in vaccines’[1];

    – released content during a critical phase of public debate and political pressure around vaccine approvals.

    Despite this, the EMA and the Commission have not disclosed the specific alterations made or provided any analysis of the potential impact on public perception, citing the risk of spreading misinformation. Meanwhile, credible sources have pointed to foreign state actors as likely culprits, yet the EU has not publicly attributed responsibility.

    In this context, can the Commission clarify:

    • 1.Why has no public review been conducted of the manipulated content, given its relevance to vaccine trust and democratic accountability?
    • 2.Has the Commission deliberately withheld attribution of the attack for diplomatic or political reasons?
    • 3.Does the Commission consider it acceptable that no factual account of the alleged document manipulation has been made public to date?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    • [1] https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/cyberattack-ema-update-5.
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission statement on the LIFE programme – E-001407/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001407/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Freund (Verts/ALE), Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE)

    On 1 April 2025, the Commission issued a statement on the LIFE programme – the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. It states that the Commission ‘has recognised that in some cases work programmes submitted by the NGOs and annexed to the operating grant agreements contained specific advocacy actions and undue lobbying activities’[1]. In this context, we would like to know:

    Which lobbying activities included in the grant agreements does the Commission consider to be ‘undue’?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_942.
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for a revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive – E-001408/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001408/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marlena Maląg (ECR)

    During the recent meeting of the Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) with Commissioner Hoekstra, a discussion ensued regarding the revision of Directive 2011/64/EU on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco.

    It should be stressed that the Directive has not been amended since its inception in 2011, while the tobacco market has undergone profound changes. The lack of uniform regulation is contributing to increasing market fragmentation and distortions of competition between countries.

    In its conclusions of 2 June 2020, the Council of the EU also noted that amendments to the Directive are necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market and to ensure health protection in the EU.

    In light of the foregoing:

    • 1.Does the Commission recognise these problems, and what specific measures does it intend to take to counter them?
    • 2.Is the Commission planning to revise Directive 2011/64/EU and, if so, when?
    • 3.Is it true that the Commission already prepared a draft of a new directive in 2022 based on the evaluation of the functioning of the Directive and public consultations? If so, why has further action been halted?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Taxation of big digital tech companies – E-001409/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001409/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Aurore Lalucq (S&D), Carla Tavares (S&D), Jonás Fernández (S&D), Matthias Ecke (S&D), Lara Wolters (S&D), David Cormand (Verts/ALE), Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE), André Rodrigues (S&D), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Sandra Gómez López (S&D), Vivien Costanzo (S&D), Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D), Bruno Tobback (S&D), Arash Saeidi (The Left), Francisco Assis (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Marta Temido (S&D), Manon Aubry (The Left), Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew), Elio Di Rupo (S&D), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Virginijus Sinkevičius (Verts/ALE), Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Claire Fita (S&D), Catarina Martins (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Evelyn Regner (S&D), Isilda Gomes (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Daniel Attard (S&D), Li Andersson (The Left), Sara Matthieu (Verts/ALE), Aura Salla (PPE)

    As mentioned in the interinstitutional agreement of 16 December 2020, the EU has agreed to establish a digital levy as a new EU own resource. This initiative was delayed in favour of the multilateral approach via the G20/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s two-pillar solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy.

    Unfortunately, a recent executive order by US President Donald Trump not only undermines the agreement reached for Pillar Two – establishing a global minimum level of corporate taxation – but also jeopardises a positive outcome in the negotiations of Pillar One, which deals with a fairer tax framework for large digital companies.

    As stated by Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in his confirmation hearing: ‘It cannot be that we’re not going to tax these [digital] companies because we cannot come to a global agreement’. In light of this, the Commission should be prepared to propose a common digital services tax in the EU.

    Is the Commission prepared to make such a proposal? Can we expect it to do so in the context of the aggressive ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, and/or the recent exchange between EU Heads of State and Government regarding new EU own resources, as mentioned in the most recent European Council conclusions?

    Supporter[1]

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Ongoing threats and persecution of Christians and other religious and ethnic communities in Syria – E-001399/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001399/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)

    In the last twenty-four hours, images of the continued targeting of Christian and other religious communities in Syria by forces and extremists close to the al-Jolani regime have come to light. By way of illustration, on Sunday 6 April, Islamists invaded the Church of St George in the Greek Orthodox town of Budan [sic], doused the seats with petrol and planted explosive devices, which fortunately did not detonate. Other reports state that high-ranking Government officials from the Ministry of Interior – ‘former’ members of extremist organisations and Al-Qaeda – support terrorist attacks, such as the plan circulating online to bomb the Roman Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary in Tartus. It is clear that Alawites, Christians and other communities in Syria are under threat from the regime in Damascus. In these circumstances, the EU must urgently intervene to do what Jolani refuses to do, to protect the lives of all Syrians, regardless of religion.

    Given the above:

    • 1.Why is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy not intervening decisively with the Government in Damascus, demanding the protection of Christian and other threatened communities?
    • 2.Why is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy not finally sending a team of observers to document the massacres and incidents of violence?
    • 3.Why is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy not coordinating a humanitarian aid mission to the threatened coastal areas, with the participation of Member States such as Greece, Cyprus, France and others, as requested by the representatives of the affected and terror-stricken areas?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – National institutes of health funding for European researchers following budget cuts – E-001398/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001398/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Olivier Chastel (Renew)

    The US administration’s budget has been restructured, with a 15 % cap on indirect research costs and consequences for national institutes of health (NIHs), leaving the funding of many ongoing scientific projects under threat.

    The United States is the largest funder of biomedical research, with an annual budget of USD 47 billion – 80 % of which is allocated to more than 300 000 researchers all over the world in the form of grants. Some articles identify 121 projects involving Europe-based researchers that received NIH funding in 2024.

    • 1.Does the Commission have the exact number of projects carried out by European researchers affected and threatened by the NIH budget cuts?
    • 2.Are any joint projects funded by the NIH and Horizon Europe at risk? Does the Commission intend to ensure funding continues for the research interrupted by current events?

    Submitted: 7.4.2025

    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Exchanges of messages – E-000179/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. In accordance with Article 5(1) of the Detailed Rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001[1], annexed to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission[2] (hereinafter, the Detailed Rules), ‘Any content that constitutes important information that is not short-lived shall be registered pursuant to Article 7 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121’[3]. On this basis, the President of the Commission, the Commissioners and the Commission staff are not expected to keep and register text messages unless they satisfy the criteria of Article 7(1) of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121. It must also be noted that, pursuant to Article 5(4) of the Detailed Rules, text messaging applications on corporate mobile phones shall not be used for important information that is not short-lived, unless where this is strictly required in the interest of the service. The same provision states that text messaging applications shall comply with the Commission’s information technology security recommendations for the automatic disappearance of messages. Commission guidelines for acceptable use of public instant messaging applications recommend to have recourse to Signal as the preferred instant messaging application.

    2. and 3. The most recent rules have been introduced by the Detailed Rules, which apply as from 6 December 2024. They provide in Article 5 rules for the registration of documents and the deletion of unregistered content. Any content that constitutes important information that is not short-lived shall be registered pursuant to Article 7 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121; if not, it does not need to be registered and kept.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, OJ L 145, 31/05/2001, p. 43-48, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32001R1049
    • [2] Commission Decision (EU) 2024/3080 of 4 December 2024 establishing the Rules of Procedure of the Commission and amending Decision C(2000) 3614, OJ L, 2024/3080, 5.12.2024, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/3080/oj
    • [3] Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121 of 6 July 2020 on records management and archives, OJ L 430, 2.12.2021, p. 30-41, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/2121/oj/eng
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Strengthening EU sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet by aligning with international partners – E-000937/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Since the 14th package, the EU has taken far-reaching initiatives to curb the operation as well as the risks posed by Russia’s shadow fleet.

    The recent 16th package significantly expanded the number of listed vessels by 74 , thereby bringing the total number of ships subject to EU sanctions to 153.

    To date, this measure has had a considerable impact on the activity of the shadow fleet. These ships have often changed their names, flag and ownership to obfuscate their identities. Despite such attempts, the vessels become tainted and struggle to lift oil, increasing the cost for Russia to operate such a fleet.

    In addition to listing vessels, the Council has taken auxiliary measures to weaken the shadow fleet. For example, it has broadened the listing criterion, and designated companies which are material in enabling the fleet.

    This includes shipping companies and their managers, who facilitate the transport of Russian oil. Any vessels owned or controlled by these individuals or entities also become subject to restrictions, for example on accessing EU services.

    Coordination with international partners plays an important role in undermining the shadow fleet. The EU is committed to continued strong multilateral cooperation, with the goal of implementing measures that will further weaken Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression.

    At the same time, it should be noted that targeting requires thorough preparation to ensure a solid legal basis. Variations in legal standards between the United Kingdom, United States and EU can apply, and may result in designations that are different in scope and number.

    Ultimately, any decision on new listings, including those which result in a closer alignment with partners, is taken by the Council acting through unanimity.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting areas of particular natural beauty and controlling building activities in the EU: a new hotel in Sarakiniko – development or environmental disaster? – E-000556/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive[1], prior to granting consent for such projects, it is up to Member States to determine whether an EIA is necessary, based on a case-by-case analysis or by setting specific criteria[2]. Such an assessment, if required, will consider the impacts of the projects on cultural heritage and environmental aspects.

    The Commission does not verify whether individual building permits comply with the relevant national legislation. Without prejudice to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties, it is primarily the responsibility of the Greek authorities to ensure that projects are developed in full compliance with EU law.

    In parallel, the Commission prioritises its enforcement efforts on cases pointing to a systemic breach of EU law[3]. For instance, the Commission ensures that the national legal framework complies with EU legislation by checking the transposition of directives, which it has done for the EIA Directive.

    The Commission also prioritises infringements preventing national judicial systems from ensuring effective enforcement of EU law or showing a persistent failure by a Member State to apply EU law correctly, with sufficient evidence of a general practice.

    Funding possibilities are available under the EU Cohesion Policy Funds[4],[5]. Under the shared management and subsidiarity principles governing these funds, project selection and implementation fall under the responsibility of the Member State. No financial support has been provided by the Cohesion Policy funds for this project.

    There is a relevant reform[6] included in the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan[7]. There are also funding opportunities through the EU programme for the environment and climate action[8].

    • [1] Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1-21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1-18.
    • [2] such as the location, size or type of project.
    • [3] As set out in the communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application — C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20) and in the communication of 13 October 2022 COM(2022) 518 final — Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.
    • [4] https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/cohesion-fund_en
    • [5] https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/countries/GR/21-27
    • [6] ‘Preparation of Urban Plans in implementation of the urban policy reform’
    • [7] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/greeces-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en
    • [8] LIFE, https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Guaranteeing the availability and adequate supply of critical medicines in the EU – E-000646/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 11 March 2025, the Commission adopted the Critical Medicines Act[1] to strengthen the availability and security of supply of critical medicines. Its main goal is to address supply chain vulnerabilities and reduce the EU’s dependencies.

    In particular, strategic projects which create, increase or modernise EU manufacturing capacity of critical medicines, their active substances and other key inputs may benefit from easier access to funding and fast-tracked administrative, regulatory and scientific support. In addition, it incentivises the diversification and resilience of supply chains through public procurement.

    Collaborative procurement, including joint procurement at EU level, is also one of the tools proposed to improve the availability of critical medicines.

    This Act complements the regulatory measures to address shortages and improve the security of supply of medicines proposed in the reform of the EU Pharmaceutical legislation[2], currently under negotiation.

    Furthermore, the scope of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism[3] was extended in 2020 to include the stockpiling of medical counter measures aimed at combating serious cross-border threats to health, through the EU level stocks under rescEU.

    The Commission has invested EUR 1.65 billion in medical and chemical, biological and radio-nuclear (CBRN) stockpiles, which now offer a safety net in cases where Member States’ national response capacity is insufficient.

    In June 2025, an EU stockpiling strategy and a medical counter measures strategy will be published, covering strategic stockpiling for medical countermeasures.

    • [1] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying a framework for strengthening the availability and security of supply of critical medicinal products as well as the availability of, and accessibility of, medicinal products of common interest, and amending Regulation (EU) 2024/795.
    • [2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/legal-framework-governing-medicinal-products-human-use-eu/reform-eu-pharmaceutical-legislation_en
    • [3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Urgent need to renew and modernise the commercial heavy-duty vehicle fleet to achieve the EU’s climate goals – E-000903/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission recognises that incentives can be useful in certain cases to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

    However, the adoption of subsidy programmes and other incentives is a decision taken at Member State level. At EU level, the CO2 standards Regulation for heavy-duty vehicles sets the framework for the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, creating predictability for investors and manufacturers.

    In the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector[1] the Commission announced several initiatives to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles.

    These include a targeted amendment of the Eurovignette Directive[2], to extend the deadline to fully exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from road charges.

    The Plan also stresses the importance of finalising interinstitutional negotiations on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, to ensure payload parity between zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and diesel vehicles.

    The Commission also published a communication to decarbonise corporate fleets[3], which notably encourages national authorities to provide financial support and incentives for public transport authorities and operators switching to zero-emission buses.

    This contributes to the preparation of a legislative proposal to decarbonise corporate fleets, expected by end 2025. As part of the work on corporate fleets, the Commission will also look into measures to accelerate the uptake of European zero-emission trucks.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0095&qid=1742550809591
    • [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/362/oj
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0096&qid=1742550887847
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU response to the Scirtothrips aurantii infestation and citrus fruit imports from South Africa – E-000438/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Regulation (EU) 2022/2389[1] on frequency rates, prescribes 100% identity and physical checks at import for host plants of Scirtothrips aurantii, except for those referred to in Annex I of that regulation.

    The number of non-compliances at import is a criterion for deciding the frequency rates. Within the last 20 years there have been in total 12 non-compliances on eggplants, gourds, litchees, strawberries and cut flowers of gypsophila and lisianthus.

    Mandatory cold treatment has been added to the EU import requirements as a measure to guarantee freedom from Thaumatotibia leucotreta in oranges. The EU follows a risk-based approach when setting EU requirements.

    The existing scientific and technical evidence does not support an extension of that measure to other host plants and for other Union quarantine pests such as Scirtothrips aurantii.

    The list of priority pests has been established by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/17022[2]. A scientific evaluation of all Union quarantine pests is ongoing.

    Certification of imported consignments is required in line with the international phytosanitary standards. Detailed EU phytosanitary import requirements are in place, with compliance verified through Commission audits in third countries.

    The EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement includes a chapter on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures[3], reaffirming the principles contained in the World Trade Organisation SPS Agreement, plus some reinforced transparency obligations.

    As a result, phytosanitary certificates serve to guarantee amongst others that the fruits were inspected and found free from quarantine pests.

    • [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2389 of 7 December 2022 establishing rules for the uniform application of frequency rates for identity checks and physical checks on consignments of plants, plant products and other objects entering the Union. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/2389/2024-05-01
    • [2] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1702 of 1 August 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing the list of priority pests. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/1702/oj
    • [3]  Articles 59-67: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2016:250:FULL
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Environmental destruction in Zaragoza: privatisation and mass logging in the Los Pinares de Venecia natural area to expand a theme park – E-000597/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As signatory to the Green City Accord[1], Zaragoza committed to enhance urban biodiversity, increase quality green areas, improve air quality, water and waste management, and reduce noise by 2030.

    Zaragoza was awarded the Cities’ Mission Label[2] after concluding its Climate City Contract[3], which plans CO2 absorption from urban trees and actions on re-naturalisation and circular economy[4].

    The Nature Restoration Regulation[5] requires Member States to ensure that, by 31 December 2030, there is no net loss in the total national area of urban green space and of urban tree canopy cover in urban ecosystem areas[6].

    It should be noted, however, that the Green City Accord, the Climate City Contract and the Nature Restoration Regulation allow the local authorities, in line with the subsidiarity principle, to decide on the actions to carry out in urban spaces, provided they respect the above commitments.

    It is therefore not for the Commission to comment on the choice of the competent authorities on the project referred to by the Honourable Member.

    However, Member States must monitor the area of urban green space and tree canopy as of August 2024 and report to the Commission by 30 June 2028[7].

    From August 2029, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council. In addition, the Green City Accord signatory cities must report periodically about their progress in the run up to 2030[8] and the Climate City Contract provides for monitoring measures, which will allow the Commission to follow up on the compliance by Zaragoza with the above commitments and obligations in due time.

    • [1] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/urban-environment/green-city-accord_en
    • [2] EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/climate-neutral-and-smart-cities_en
    • [3] https://netzerocities.app/resource-4068
    • [4] Ibid. cfr. Part B ‘Pathways’, pillar 3, page 73.
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869. OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1991/oj
    • [6]  Compared to 2024.
    • [7] Articles 20(1)(b) and 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/2991.
    • [8] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-green-city-accords-report-progress-and-achievements-2020-2023_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Construction of luxury villas and hotels in Tenerife – E-000493/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission does not possess detailed information about the project referred to by the Honourable Member, and whether it could have significant effects for the Natura 2000 site[1] or the energy system of Tenerife.

    Therefore, the Commission is not in a position to express its views on the compatibility of the project with the provisions under the Habitats Directive[2] or assess its potential impacts on the island’s energy sustainability.

    Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive determines that any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site must be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site concerned. Such plan or project can only be approved if it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site.

    Should a project have negative implications for the site, it can only be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and in the absence of alternative solutions, and provided that the Member State takes all compensatory measures necessary to protect the overall coherence of the network, in accordance with Article 6(4) of the directive.

    The responsibility for applying these provisions lies with the Spanish public authorities. In order to assist them in this task, the Commission has issued guidance documents supporting those involved in managing Natura 2000 sites[3] and has published studies on addressing conflicts and promoting benefits in the Natura 2000 network[4].

    • [1]  ES7020017: https://www.idecanarias.es/resources/ZEC/AnexoI/ES7020017_I.pdf
    • [2] Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
    • [3] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000/managing-and-protecting-natura-2000-sites_en
    • [4] https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/3f466d71-92a7-49eb-9c63-6cb0fadf29dc/library/642f6372-437e-434f-b041-000f24e8d9e0/details?download=true
    Last updated: 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –