NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 1 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 1 March 2025

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon. 

    The Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that the UK will always stand with them, for as long as it takes.

    The Prime Minister re-stated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. 

    The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow’s leaders’ summit in London.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 1 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 1 March 2025

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon. 

    The Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that the UK will always stand with them, for as long as it takes.

    The Prime Minister re-stated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. 

    The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow’s leaders’ summit in London.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Conditions imposed to keep tractors away from farmers’ protest

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met is urging anyone planning to attend a farmers’ protest taking place in central London on Tuesday to leave their tractors at home.

    Those attending the event will form up in Whitehall from 11:00hrs, with a procession taking place from around midday heading towards Trafalgar Square, turning right into Northumberland Avenue, along the Embankment and back into Whitehall via Westminster Bridge Road and Parliament Street.

    A rally will take place in Whitehall from 13:30hrs. It is expected to finish by 15:00hrs.

    Conditions have been imposed under the Public Order Act preventing anyone taking part in the protest from bringing tractors, other than a limited number being arranged by the organisers with the prior permission of the police.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, who is commanding the policing operation, said: “Two previous protests have taken place in the same area, with the same organisers, in recent months.

    “The second protest saw a significant number of people attend with tractors and other large farming vehicles. Whitehall was blocked for much of the day and there were lengthy significant delays on surrounding roads.

    “It is our responsibility to ensure that protests don’t cause serious disruption to the life of the community and we’ve used our powers under the Public Order Act to ensure that does not happen on Tuesday.

    “We have been in regular contact with the organisers to explain our decision making and I’m grateful for the positive and collaborative approach they have taken.”

    The conditions imposed under the Public Order Act are as follows:

    Section 14(3) Public Order Act

    Individuals taking part in the Farmers Protest assembly must not drive, or otherwise use, mechanically propelled vehicles without having obtained authority, in advance, from the Metropolitan Police.

    Section 12(3) Public Order Act

    Individuals taking part in the Farmers Protest procession must not drive, or otherwise use, mechanically propelled vehicles without obtained authority, in advance, from the Metropolitan Police.

    It is a criminal offence to breach the conditions or to incite others to do so. Anyone doing so may face arrest.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged with murder in Perivale

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the death of a woman in Perivale have charged a man with her murder.

    Mugurel Nica, 50 (10.03.74) of Perivale was charged on Saturday, 1 March.

    He will appear in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 March.

    On Friday, 28 February, police were called to a property on Jubilee Road following reports of a disturbance.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who worked hard to save 45-year-old Ana Maria Murariu but despite their best efforts she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

    A special post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

    Detective Inspector Richard Kempshall, from Specialist Crime, said: “We are continuing to support Ana Maria’s family at this difficult time and our thoughts remain with them. We are not actively seeking anyone else in connection with this investigation.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three teenagers charged with manslaughter

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the death of a man in Seven Sisters Road, have charged three teenage girls with manslaughter.

    The teenagers aged 14, 16 and 17, who cannot be named because of their age, will appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 March.

    The victim’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

    Fredi Reviro, aged 75, was attacked on Seven Sisters Road, N7 at around 23:35hrs on Thursday, 27 February. Officers provided first aid before paramedics arrived, but despite the efforts of emergency services, Fredi sadly died in hospital on Friday, 28 February.

    A special post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

    Anyone who has information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or contact @MetCC on X, quoting CAD 8184/27Feb. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed following investigation into sexual offending

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    An investigation by the Met’s Public Protection team has resulted in a lengthy sentence for a man who was convicted of a sex offence.

    Laurence Rafter, 43 (01.09.81) of Bittacy Hill, Barnet appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 28 February where he was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, after officers were able to prove that he had removed a condom during sex without consent.

    He was convicted at the same court on 18 October 2024 for all offences in a unanimous verdict by the jury. He also pleaded guilty last year to harassment against the same victim.

    The court heard that on 15 July 2021 the 32-year-old survivor was contacted by the defendant on a dating app. He posed as a man called “Jay Lincoln” and met the victim at her home address in Islington. The defendant then proceeded to rape the victim who specifically requested the defendant wear a condom, despite him repeatedly requesting not to wear one.

    As he left the address he stated that he was HIV Positive which was later revealed to be a lie. The victim reported the incident to the Met who launched an immediate investigation and supported the victim.

    Detectives from the Public Protection Serious Sexual Offences Team were able to identify Rafter through a distinctive tattoo on his arm recorded by police on a previous arrest which matched photos he had sent to the victim in this case.

    Enquiries showed the level of pre-planning that Rafter had done to commit his offences, creating an alias, setting up a false address and bank statement and using a disposable ‘pre-paid’ mobile phone in a bid to avoid police detection.

    His false driving licence included a pseudonym and he claimed to live in a prosperous area of London in a multi-million pound house. In reality he was employed as an HGV driver and lived in a flat.

    The court also heard that the defendant was previously known for sexual predatory behaviour towards women. In February 2022 he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to malicious communications and threats to disclose a private image relating to two separate victims. In those cases he also posed online using an alias, met the women and subsequently became abusive and threatening towards both women via text messages as well as demanding explicit images.

    After appearing in court on Friday, 28 February, Rafter was sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was ordered to serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

    Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley said: “I would like to commend this survivor for the bravery she demonstrated in this case and the evidence she provided. The robust sentence delivered by the judge clearly demonstrates the significant dangerousness that this man poses to women.

    “The investigation team carried out an expansive, diligent and relentless investigation to identify Rafter and secured the evidence to bring him to justice ensuring that the victim was supported throughout.

    “Rafter is a predatory offender who exploited social media to facilitate his violent and abusive behaviour. He devised a fictitious profile posing as a wealthy businessman with multiple businesses around the world in a calculated campaign to violate, threaten and harm the women he met.”

    The Met is putting extra people into specialist Public Protection teams to prioritise this critical work and target offenders, with officers and staff working more closely with partners across London to protect victim survivors and bring offenders to justice.   

    Police are aiming to do much more to identify and tackle the most dangerous and prolific perpetrators of Violence Against Women and Girls, identifying high risk and high harm locations, and making better use of police powers to protect women and girls from perpetrators.  

    Find out more on how to report a rape or sexual assault here. Always call 999 in an emergency.   

    If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, charities and support agencies can offer help and guidance: 

    Rape Crisis: 08085002222   

    National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline: 0808 802 9999    

    Survivors UK: 0203 598 3898 info@survivorsuk.org.   

    Samaritans: 116 123 jo@samaritans.org  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and Nuffield Health support NHS staff get back to work

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government and Nuffield Health support NHS staff get back to work

    Thousands of frontline NHS staff to benefit from a free rehabilitation programme with Nuffield Health to get them back to work.

    • The partnership will support thousands of NHS workers suffering from chronic joint conditions like arthritis or back pain
    • Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are second leading cause of absence among NHS staff, and this initiative will help them regain quality of life
    • Programme will help deliver Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future and shift healthcare from hospitals to community

    Four thousand frontline NHS staff will benefit from a free rehabilitation programme Nuffield Health are rolling out in partnership with the government to get them back to work, the Health and Social Care Secretary announced today.

    Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme will support NHS workers with chronic and long-term joint conditions like arthritis, helping them regain their quality of life and focus on bringing down waiting lists. 

    It will work with NHS teams to identity staff suitable for the programme and initially offer it at 10 trusts in London, Birmingham and the North West before a national rollout later this year.

    Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the second leading cause of absence among NHS staff, and this groundbreaking partnership will help them recover and focus on supporting patients.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    NHS staff cannot treat patients if they’re in debilitating pain themselves.

    This partnership with Nuffield Health will help get thousands of NHS staff back to work, improve their quality of life, and allow them to continue to cut waiting lists.

    We’ll care for them so they can care for us and deliver our Plan for Change’s goal to build an NHS fit for the future.

    Alex Perry, CEO, Nuffield Health said:

    Nuffield Health’s mission is to build a healthier nation and our free-to-access Joint Pain Programme is a key part of that. This unique programme has helped over 35,000 people to date improve their health and quality of life.

    By offering this free programme directly to NHS staff—including nurses, porters, and paramedics—we are providing them with support to recover, return to work, and continue delivering essential care.

    This not only improves their health but also reduces pressure on the NHS by lowering sickness absence and keeping skilled staff where they are needed most

    In August 2024, more than two million days were lost due to NHS staff sickness.

    Back and musculoskeletal problems led to over 314,000 lost days and over 10,000 members of staff off.

    Nuffield Health’s programme has already benefitted 35,000 people, and participants experienced 35% improvement in joint pain and 37% improvement in joint function after taking part in 2024.

    On top of this, it prevented 86,226 sick days and resulted in a 29% reduction in GP appointments in 2024.

    The programme will deliver the Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future as part of a decade of national renewal.

    It provides 12 weeks of exercise and support led by a personal trainer who has been upskilled to deliver rehabilitation programmes, followed by 12 weeks of access to Nuffield Health fitness facilities – all at no cost.

    It will help keep NHS staff healthy and fulfil one of the 10 Year Health Plan’s key ambitions of shifting care from hospital into the community.

    Keeping more NHS staff at work will boost productivity – ensuring they can focus on delivering the highest-quality care for patients and continue to cut waiting lists.

    Between July and November last year, the NHS carried out almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared to the same period the previous year – delivering on the government’s mission to fix the NHS. 

    The government reached the target seven months earlier than promised – with 100,000 more treatments, tests, and scans for patients each week, and more than half a million extra diagnostic tests delivered.

    It follows figures published this month which showed the waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

    The Health and Social Care Secretary announced the partnership at an event attended by 100 NHS staff in Peterborough earlier this week to gather their views on how to fix the health service.

    The public engagement event will help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and forms part of a nationwide series of debates about how to make the NHS fit for the future.

    Ministers and NHS clinicians have carried out engagement events with NHS workers throughout this month – while thousands of NHS staff and the wider public have already submitted a range of ideas on Change NHS. These ideas will inform the government’s Plan for Change, which will drive a decade of national renewal and transform the health service.

    A new survey has recently been launched on the page, focusing on patient choice, how to support staff to care for patients, and using technology to improve people’s experiences of the NHS.

    Notes to editors

    The Joint Pain Programme will be available to NHS staff in the following Nuffield Health locations:

    • Wandsworth
    • Wandsworth Southside
    • City
    • Covent Garden
    • Shoreditch
    • Paddington
    • Battersea
    • Chiselhurst
    • Fulham
    • Wimbledon
    • Twickenham
    • Brondesbury Park
    • Stoke Poges
    • Friern Barnet Hendon
    • Birmingham Central
    • Preston
    • Bolton

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘World’s first’ dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel arrives in the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    ‘World’s first’ dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel arrives in the UK

    ‘Fortescue Green Pioneer successfully demonstrates what a future of cleaner shipping could look like’

    Fortescue Green Pioneer arrives in the UK

    The UK has welcomed the world’s first dual-fuelled ammonia-powered vessel to its shores, marking an important step forward in maritime decarbonisation.

    The Singapore-flagged vessel Fortescue Green Pioneer has arrived in the UK to demonstrate the viability of ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel. The vessel is the first of its kind, powered by a four-stroke engine, two of which are capable of being fuelled by ammonia and diesel.

    Ammonia, a zero-carbon fuel, has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used for shipping. An ammonia-powered vessel exemplifies how shipping can become more sustainable, an ambitious but essential mission fully backed by UK Government. 

    To support Fortescue Green Pioneer’s time in the UK, the vessel and team have been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure full compliance with UK regulatory requirements.

    Fortescue Green Pioneer has today docked at the Port of Southampton, where Port State Control inspections will be conducted by the MCA’s Survey and Inspection team.

    The vessel will then travel to West India Dock in London, operated by Canal and River Trust, to showcase its technology and capabilities to key maritime stakeholders, partners and the public.

    Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: 

    It’s great to welcome this pioneering, first-of-a-kind vessel to UK shores – this is exactly the kind of innovation that will drive forward decarbonisation in the shipping sector. 

    Through our UK SHORE programme, we are committed to supporting the technology and alternative fuels needed to make zero-emission shipping a reality and establishing the UK as a clean energy superpower.

    MCA Director of UK Customer Services Lars Lippuner said:

    Decarbonisation in the maritime sector is a huge priority for the UK and shipping, and Fortescue Green Pioneer successfully demonstrates what a future of cleaner shipping could look like.

    The MCA will conduct thorough inspections and checks to ensure the vessel’s safety and operational readiness for its onward journey. It has been a pleasure working in collaboration with Fortescue to bring this innovative vessel to Europe, and we are excited that the shift to a more sustainable marine fuel and a world’s first is being showcased here in the UK.

    Fortescue Executive Chairman and Founder, Dr Andrew Forrest, said:

    We have brought the Fortescue Green Pioneer to the UK to deliver a simple message: This vessel encapsulates the innovation and character that has defined Fortescue’s mission to lead the world beyond fossil fuels.

    Over the coming months, global shipping regulators at the International Maritime Organization have the chance to fast-track shipping’s move away from dirty bunker fuel and embrace real zero fuel standards. With the right character and leadership, they can chart a course towards a more sustainable future for the planet and advance a dramatic reduction in shipping costs through the widespread adoption and scaling of renewable sources. This opportunity cannot be missed.

    BACKGROUND

    • The MCA works with operators and Classification Societies to regulate vessels using ammonia as a marine fuel, under the International Maritime Organization’s interim guidelines for using ammonia as fuel. This should be used in conjunction with the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). These guidelines can be used by owners or operators wishing to build new vessels or convert existing vessels to run on ammonia.
    • The MCA is currently working with other member states at the IMO to further develop the interim guidelines on the use of ammonia as a fuel with the expectation of them being reviewed, finalised and adopted into the main IGF code in the future.
    • As part of the requirements, the IGF Code requires that an Alternative Design Arrangement (ADA) is submitted to the Administration to be notified to the IMO. Full guidance on the ADA process is published in MSC Circular, MSC.1/Circ.1212, and should be closely followed by owners and operators prior to submission to the MCA as part of the plan approval process.
    • Ammonia can be used in existing marine diesel engines by carrying out appropriate modifications, which should be duly approved by the relevant Classification Society and the flag administration.

    Press office

    Email public.relations@mcga.gov.uk

    Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222

    Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! Happy St David’s Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The stained glass on Committee Staircase and in Speaker’s House feature a motif of a leek. This vegetable has been a popular symbol of Wales for centuries.

    The Palace of Westminster has many Welsh symbols – including depictions of the patron saint St David and the Gwynedd Arms.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOy5OxPuSA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Over 500,000 people demand oil & gas companies pay for climate damages

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Cape Town, February 28, 2024 — Greenpeace Africa delivered on Friday 28th February a global petition on behalf of more than half a million people, calling on governments to force fossil fuel companies to “stop their climate wrecking activities” and “repair and pay for the damage they have caused.” The petition was handed over to a coalition of 17 countries and groups currently reviewing “polluter pays” levies [1] at the sidelines of the meeting of the Finance in Commons Summit in Cape Town.[2] In parallel, Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain National Park is being consumed by wildfires, in the midst of the worst drought in more than 100 years across Southern Africa.[3]

    Sherelee Odayar, Greenpeace Africa’s Oil and Gas Campaigner, said: “It is unfair to expect that ordinary people will face the climate crisis with cents and rands, while the polluters in chief will pocket billions. It is also impractical: Most world governments simply cannot afford to provide climate solutions at the needed scale. Drought, extreme heat, storms, floods and fires are disproportionately affecting Africa and other Global Majority countries. Science and technology can help bring relief, now governments must make polluters pay to deliver justice and raise the necessary funds.”  

    Signatures by people from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia were collected between 2023-24, the two hottest years since records began, replete with extreme weather events fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry. At the same, five oil and gas corporations alone reported over US$100 billion cumulatively in profit for last year. 

    The collective demand was presented to the secretariat of the Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce, a coalition of 17 countries and groups, co-led by Barbados, France, and Kenya. It contributes to a public process of consultation which started last month concerning a series of proposals being considered by the governments who are members of the Taskforce, including options to apply levies on fossil fuel industry profits and extraction to fund climate action.

    A letter accompanying the petition reminds that oil and gas companies “knowingly lied about climate change and lobbied to slow action” and are failing to pay their fair share. “Super rich individuals and other polluting industries… should also be held to account. Making polluters pay for the damages they have caused is vital to help communities across the world to recover, rebuild and invest in climate solutions.” 

    The petition’s demands are in line with public polling across a range of geographies, including research recently commissioned by Greenpeace International, which has consistently demonstrated the strong popularity of increasing taxes on oil and gas profits. 

    Greenpeace Africa calls for designing tax and penalty mechanisms in a way that is fair and proportionate – including: ensuring a well-managed and just transition out of coal, oil and gas, while imposing more polluter taxes and fines on the industry to help fund the transition; taking steps to prevent knock-on increases in prices and the cost of living, especially for people living in poverty; and ensuring that people most impacted by climate change benefit the most from revenues raised. 

    Notes:

    [1] The Global Solidarity Levies Task Force: For People and the Planet explores feasible, scaleable and sensible options for levies to raise additional resources for climate and development: https://globalsolidaritylevies.org/world-leaders-pledge-action-on-climate-finance-as-coalition-for-solidarity-levies-launched-at-cop29/ 

    [2] The 5th Finance in Common Summit (FiCS), co-hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): https://www.financeincommonsummit2025.com/ 

    [3] A night of flames: Table Mountain fire lights up the Cape Town skyline https://www.capetownetc.com/news/a-night-of-flames-table-mountain-fire-lights-up-the-ct-skyline/ ; Climate change behind the 2021 Table Mountain fire – study https://mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2023-03-02-climate-change-behind-the-2021-table-mountain-fire-study/ 

    Photos: Handover of petition by Greenpeace Africa campaigner

    For more information, contact: 

    Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected] 

    Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours). Follow @greenpeacepress for our latest international press releases.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Omar, Schakowsky Reintroduce Bill to Address Rising Islamophobia Worldwide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in Islamophobic incidents worldwide. The bill requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and develop a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in confronting anti-Muslim bigotry across the globe. U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) reintroduced companion legislation in the House last month.

    From the violent atrocities against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma to the crackdowns on Muslim communities in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees in Hungary and Poland, and the rise of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, Islamophobia remains a global crisis. Minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran, also continue to face systemic oppression and persecution.

    Here in the United States, incidents of Islamophobic hate crimes and discrimination have surged. Mosques have been vandalized, Muslims have been harassed in public spaces, and anti-Muslim rhetoric continues to be normalized in political discourse. The urgent need for federal action to combat this growing threat cannot be overstated.

    “Religious freedom is one of our nation’s most foundational values, and no one should ever have to live in fear of discrimination or violence for practicing their faith,” said Senator Booker. “Islamophobic attacks and rhetoric are on the rise in the United States and around the world, and this legislation would establish a Special Envoy at the State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia in all its forms. We must dedicate resources to protecting people’s fundamental right to practice their faith and put an end to bigotry.”

    “Islamophobia is not just a problem overseas—it is on the rise here at home. From the desecration of mosques to the violent attacks on Muslim Americans, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of anti-Muslim bigotry in our communities,” said Representative Omar. “We cannot turn a blind eye while Muslim communities face targeted violence and systemic discrimination worldwide. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Combating International Islamophobia Act alongside Senator Booker and Representative Schakowsky. The United States must take a stand and lead in the fight against this global crisis.”

    Anti-Muslim bigotry is on the rise in the U.S., and around the world, and we have a duty to stop it once and for all,” said Representative Schakowsky. “I’m joining my colleagues, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Senator Cory Booker, in reintroducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This critical legislation will create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and will ensure the United States has the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world. I hope all our colleagues join us in standing together against Islamophobia. We must promote peace and acceptance for all.”

    During the 117th Congress, this bill was successfully passed in the House, marking a historic step forward in the fight against anti-Muslim hate. 

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Workshop on the utilisation and integration of new data sources for the Consumer Price Index

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Report PDF
    Agenda PDF
    Session 1. New data sources and collection methods for CPI  
    From survey to multiple source-based CPI, Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Development of the CPI in Norway, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Practices and experiences from the development of the CPI in Switzerland (data sources), Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 2. Scanner data  
    Scanner data, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Country practices scanner data, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Ways of using scanner data for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Scanner data: challenges, Corinne Becker, Federal Statistical Office of Switzerland PDF
    Alternative data sources used in Türkiye’s CPI, Hasan ÇİĞ, Turkstat PDF
    Product relaunches, shrinkflation and quality adjustment in scanner data, Ken van Loon, Belgium PDF
    Multilateral Methods in the HICP, Vanda Guerreiro, Eurostat PDF
    Session 3. Web prices and web scraping  
    Web scraping for the CPI: ways of implementation and challenges, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 4. Administrative data sources  
    Results of the survey on country practices on administrative data sources for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Practices and challenges in using administrative data sources for CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Administrative data source, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 5. Methodological issues  
    Treatment of seasonal products, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF
    Aggregation of higher-level price indice, Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Session 6. Classification of goods and services in the CPI – changeover to COICOP-18  
    Implementation of ECOICOP ver. 2 in the HICP, Vanda Guerreiro, Eurostat PDF
    Changes in the classification of goods and services in the CPI. Carsten Boldsen, UNECE PDF
    Classification of goods and services in the CPI. Practical part, Corinne Becker, Switzerland PDF
    Session 7. Communication of CPI  
    Disseminating the Consumer Price Index in Georgia, Giorgi Tetrauli, Georgia PDF
    Communication of the CPI in Kazakhstan, Tokbayeva Zhairan, Kazakhstan PDF
    Communication of the CPI, Randi Johannessen, Norway PDF

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Let’s move beyond the little things and think big for Wales’

    Source: Party of Wales

    In his message to the people of Wales on St David’s Day, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Leader of Plaid Cymru has outlined his party’s plans to “move beyond the little things” and “think big for Wales” as we approach the 2026 Senedd election.

    Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

    “On St David’s Day, we come together as a nation to celebrate our Patron Saint. Today, we remember what Dewi said – ‘do the little things’ – and as important as that message is, let’s think big for Wales. Let’s aim higher and be ambitious for our future.

    “Plaid Cymru is ready to work with you and your community to offer a new start for Wales. We will always demand fair play for you whilst also setting a much greater ambition for what we can achieve, and for the Wales we want to see.

    “With only a year to go until the next Senedd election, Plaid Cymru will do the little things in order to bring about that big change. From our plans to cut NHS waiting lists, to offering a way forward for creating better jobs and developing a more prosperous economy as we grow in confidence as a country. Plaid Cymru’s message to you is: come with us on that journey.”

    “Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus i chi gyd.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: 28 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM call with President Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: 28 February 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister reflected on his recent visit to the US and the importance of working with international partners to uphold European security.

    Discussing the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary to deter Russian aggression.

    The Prime Minister went on to set out his aims for the Leaders’ Summit he is convening in London on Sunday and said he was looking forward to Türkiye’s Foreign Minister participating in these talks.

    The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Finnish Skiing in Finland

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    —————
    @usarmy soldiers with @10thMountainDivision and 11th Airborne Division train on Finnish skis to enhance warfighting readiness, tactical proficiency and integration during Arctic Forge 25 in Finland.

    For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
    —————
    Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

    Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-ATGWfl5-s

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Farmington Hills Man Convicted in a Racially Motivated Assault of a Postal Worker

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DETROIT – A Farmington Hills man was convicted by a federal jury yesterday on charges of assaulting a United States Postal Worker, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced today.

    Beck was joined in the announcement by Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the U.S Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division. 

    Russell Valleau, 62, was convicted following a three-day jury trial before United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds. The jury also unanimously found that Valleau intentionally selected the letter carrier as the object of his offense because of her actual or perceived race or color. The jury deliberated approximately two hours before returning their verdict.  Valleau was convicted of assaulting a federal employee but acquitted of using a dangerous weapon in the assault.

    Evidence presented at the trial established that Valleau, angered by receiving a black person’s mail in his mailbox, aggressively approached the passenger window of his letter carrier’s postal truck yelling racially charged insults at her. This letter carrier, a black woman herself, tried to diffuse the situation by directing him to leave the unwanted mail in his mailbox. Undeterred, Valleau continued his insults, now pointing the vitriol directly to the letter carrier.  When she asked him to step away from her vehicle, he attempted to attack her through her open passenger window.  Valleau was only thwarted when the letter carrier sprayed him in the face with her USPS-issued mace and drove away.  Once apprehended, Valleau continued his offensive and profane language while in the custody of the officers – this included referring to his letter carrier as a “f**king smelly n**ger.” When officers admonished him for his language, he responded: “Oh, you like n**gers.”

    Acting U.S. Attorney Beck stated, “A letter carrier was simply trying to do her job, and this defendant physically attacked her while using racist and offensive language. This type of behavior has no place in our community and will not be tolerated.”

    “As the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service, the Postal Inspection Service prioritizes the safety and security of postal employees above all else,” said Detroit Division Inspector in Charge Rodney Hopkins. “Let this verdict be a warning to those who threaten, intimidate, or otherwise harm the dedicated men and women of USPS: We will arrest you, and we will seek to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

    The Court scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM.  Valleau faces up to twelve months incarceration.

    This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Farmington Hills Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances Carlson and Darrin Crawford. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trump’s chaotic abuse of Zelensky shows why state visit must be cancelled

    Source: Scottish Greens

    28 Feb 2025 External Affairs

    No state visit for Donald Trump.

    More in External Affairs

    Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK must be cancelled, say the Scottish Greens.

    Responding to President Trump’s extraordinary meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the party Co-Leader, Patrick Harvie, called for the invitation to be withdrawn.

    Mr Harvie said:

    “Only 24 hours ago Keir Starmer was fawning over Donald Trump and telling us how close their relationship was, but surely even he must see from the scenes this evening what a profound danger that friendship represents.

    “President Zelensky has shown the self respect and integrity that was so lacking from Starmer’s grovelling performance.

    “Donald Trump hasn’t changed. He is the same dangerous bully that he was yesterday, and he’s only going to get worse. It is wrong for Starmer and so many others to pretend otherwise.

    “The invitation for a state visit should never have been made in the first place, and it is time for it to be withdrawn. It must be obvious how much danger there is in it, both for Starmer’s government and for the country.

    “All democratic leaders need to stand up to Trump and the toxic, hateful and authoritarian politics that he represents.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suspected bank robbers arrested in Belgium

    Source: Eurojust

    28 February 2025|

    Eurojust coordinated the collaboration between French and Belgian authorities that led to the arrest of 12 gang members on 26 February. The criminals are suspected of attempting to rob cash transports for banks. Due to the swift cooperation between the authorities, the criminals were stopped before committing a robbery.

    Two High Value Targets specialised in armed robbery were part of the criminal group. One of the suspects is known as the ‘escape king’ due to him escaping from prison multiple times. In the course of their investigation, the French authorities noticed the two High Value Targets travelling regularly to Belgium. They suspected the targets were planning to commit a crime. After their investigations showed that the members had links with Belgian suspects, cooperation with the Belgian authorities was quickly set up through Eurojust. 

    A joint investigation team was set up at Eurojust to allow the Belgian and French authorities to work together swiftly and efficiently, exchanging information and evidence in real time. To stop the criminals, a joint operation was planned at Eurojust. 

    In the late hours of 26 February, the Belgian authorities arrested 12 suspects. The authorities know several of the people arrested. Following the arrests, several searches were carried out in France and Belgium. Investigations into the robbers are ongoing. 

    The following authorities carried out the operations: 

    • France: JIRS PARIS inter regional specialised jurisdiction; OCCLO National Police Organised Crime unit  
    • Belgium: PPO Brussels; Investigative Judge Brussels; Judicial Police Brussels (PJF Bruxelles); Special Units Belgian Federal Police (DSU)

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    28 February 2025 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 28.02.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 28 February 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,400,000 4.65
    CEUX – –
    BATE – –
    AQEU – –
    TQEX – –
    Total 1,400,000 4.65

    * Rounded to two decimals

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

    Total cost of transactions executed on 28 February 2025 was EUR 6,507,900. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 135,282,828 treasury shares.

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

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

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

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

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

    Inquiries:

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

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Foreign powers have long profited from Ukrainian resources – Trump’s minerals grab is no exception

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Victoria Donovan, Professor of Ukrainian and East European Studies, University of St Andrews

    Donald Trump and Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, meet outside the Élysée Palace in Paris. Frederic Legrand – COMEO / Shutterstock

    Donald Trump’s grab for Ukraine’s minerals, which the US president is demanding as compensation for his country’s wartime assistance to Kyiv, might seem like a new low in a week of US-Ukraine relations lows.

    The latest draft of Trump’s “minerals deal” would grant the US substantial control of a new fund that would invest in Ukrainian reconstruction. The fund would receive 50% of the profits from the future monetisation of government-owned Ukrainian natural resources such as lithium and titanium, as well as coal, gas, oil and uranium.

    This deal, despite offering no guarantee of continued US military support, is a slight improvement on Trump’s first offering. That bid would have imposed financial conditions on Ukraine harsher than those forced on Germany after the first world war.

    However, the deal will still require future generations of Ukrainians to shoulder the cost of a war for which they bear no responsibility. Commentators, including British foreign minister David Lammy, have noted that it would be more just to seize frozen Russian assets and use them to cover the cost of repairing the damage Russia has wreaked across the country.

    But, while many in the west have balked at Trump’s barefaced extractivism, his actions are entirely in line with the way western capitalists have approached Ukraine and its resources since the 19th century.

    The Donbas region of Ukraine is a major coal mining and industrial area.
    deniks315 / Shutterstock

    Ukraine’s east, referred to as Donbas, is often thought to have been industrialised in the 1930s, when Joseph Stalin was leading the Soviet Union. At this time, Donbas was marketed to the world as a symbol of proletarian superabundance. It was a place where miners and steelworkers exceeded their production quotas by 30 or 40 times.

    But the development of industrial extraction in eastern Ukraine dates back much earlier and was powered, in part, by European capital and technology.

    In the mid-19th century, when this part of Ukraine was controlled by the Russian empire, the Russian tsars opened the country’s borders to foreign capital investment in the hopes of accelerating its industrialisation drive. A series of fiscal measures were introduced that made it more attractive to foreigners to invest in the empire’s emerging industrial markets.

    This encouraged a wave of economic migration from western Europe to all regions of the multinational state. Foreign capitalists often partnered with Russian business elites based in Saint Petersburg and other major cities and set about generating huge amounts of profit from the extraction of the empire’s valuable resources.

    Donbas, with its wealth of minerals, was a region of particular interest for foreign capitalists. French, Belgian, German, Dutch and British industrialists all relocated to the region in the second half of the 19th century hoping to make their fortunes by excavating the region’s salt, chalk, gypsum, and coal. In fact, there was so much Belgian capital circulating at one point that Donbas became known as “the tenth Belgian province”.

    Despite the paternalism of some foreign managers, the extraction of Ukraine’s minerals did little to improve the life of local communities. Rather, it contributed to the displacement of indigenous people and caused massive environmental and ecological damage.

    Urban planning often replicated the segregated conditions of European colonies in Africa and India. Foreign settlers lived apart from local workers, in privileged housing located in better provisioned parts of town downwind of the toxic fumes of the blast furnaces and the chimney stacks.

    In the settlement of Hughesovka (now known as Donetsk), which was named after the Welsh industrialist John Hughes, Welsh settlers attempted to reconstruct the trappings of British life on the Ukrainian steppe.

    They built tennis courts and an Anglican church, arranged tea parties, and even had an amateur dramatics society. Meanwhile, the local workforce lived in abject poverty, often accommodated in barracks or mud dugouts.

    In these dismal conditions, infectious disease and dissatisfaction were widespread. There are several reports of riots following large-scale outbreaks of cholera and local hospitals were reportedly overflowing.

    Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this period of European capitalist exploitation was drawing considerable interest from researchers.

    The “European” industrial heritage of Donbas was being used to tell different stories about the region and to highlight its complex, multicultural history. This heritage was seen to hold potential as a counter-narrative to the toxic “Russian world” propaganda emanating from the occupied territories, which maintains that Ukraine is an integral part of Russia’s historic sphere of cultural influence.

    But there is a danger in being too romantic about this chapter in history. Foreign capitalist investment in the extraction of Ukrainian minerals was not a classic example of settler colonialism. However, it bore many similarities to western European colonial practices in other parts of the world at this time.

    What this history reminds us is that Ukraine has long been located at the intersection of empires. And these empires have often collaborated to plunder the country’s resources, offering little or nothing in return.

    We can see this kind of predatory collaboration of imperial and neo-imperial regimes once again taking shape. Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin, is trying to tempt Trump away from a deal with Ukraine with promises of access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in the occupied territories.

    We must continue to gather and protest, as many of us did on the three-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion this week, to resist such politics of resourcification.

    Victoria Donovan’s research has received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, 2019-2023.

    – ref. Foreign powers have long profited from Ukrainian resources – Trump’s minerals grab is no exception – https://theconversation.com/foreign-powers-have-long-profited-from-ukrainian-resources-trumps-minerals-grab-is-no-exception-250811

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five essential strategies to master your habits

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eike Buabang, Research Fellow, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin

    Branislav Nenin / Shutterstock

    We often set ambitious goals, such as going to the gym, adopting healthier eating habits, or reducing our social media use. However, despite our best intentions, staying committed can often feel like an uphill battle.

    A review of evidence published in 2024 highlights why. While understanding the benefits of behaviour change and believing in its value are important, these play only minor roles. The strongest determinant of our ability to shift how we act everyday is our habits.

    As the 19th and 20th-century philosopher William James put it, we are essentially “bundles of habits”. He believed that these habits could hold people back from achieving their full potential. If he were around today, he would probably be concerned at the way some people mindlessly check their phones every five minutes.

    In a recent academic review, my colleagues and I at Trinity College Dublin illustrated that habits are governed by a delicate balance between two distinct brain systems. One system drives automatic responses to familiar cues in the environment, while the other enables the control of behaviour directed towards goals.

    This interplay helps explain why we might mindlessly scroll through social media when bored, yet still retain the ability to deliberately put our phones away to focus on work. We reviewed decades of research from laboratory studies and real world settings for the study. Here, we share five practical strategies to help you build positive habits and break negative ones.

    1. Forget the 21-day myth

    Forget the 21-day rule – there is no magic number. This rule refers to a popular perception that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Habit formation is different for every person.

    In one study, habit formation such as having a piece of fruit with lunch was estimated to take 66 days on average, but it varied widely between individuals, from 18 days to 254 days.

    It also depends on the specific habit itself. A study demonstrated this using a subset of AI called machine learning. The study analysed more than 12 million gym visits and 40 million instances of hospital handwashing to understand how habits form.

    The research found that forming a gym habit typically takes months, while hospital staff can develop a handwashing habit in just weeks. No matter how long it takes, the key is sticking with it, even if you miss a day here and there.

    2. Make rewards your ally

    Your brain learns to repeat behaviour that is rewarding. One study examining people’s intake of water throughout the day found that it was more of a habit for people who perceived it as more rewarding.

    The habit loop can also be reinforced through external rewards, such as treating yourself to something enjoyable after completing a workout.

    Rewards are also important for breaking habits. If scrolling through social media becomes a way to unwind, try replacing it with an alternative activity that provides a similar sense of relaxation and enjoyment.

    By substituting a positive behaviour, you not only avoid feeling deprived but also create a competing response to the old habit, making it easier to break the cycle.

    3. Stack your habits

    The brain has a natural tendency to combine different actions and respond to contextual cues – the kind that help people understand their surroundings. A strategy called habit stacking takes advantage of this by linking a desired behaviour to something you already do.

    For example, research on flossing found that people who flossed immediately after brushing their teeth were more likely to establish a lasting habit. The existing cue – brushing your teeth – serves as a reminder, making the new habit – flossing – feel like a natural part of your routine.

    So, if you want to start meditating, pair it with your morning coffee. Sip your coffee, then meditate for five minutes. Over time, the two types of behaviour become intertwined, making it easier to stick with your goals.

    4. Watch out for stress

    When life gets overwhelming, many of us find ourselves falling back into old habits, even ones we thought we had moved past. Acute and chronic stress can shift the balance away from controlled goal directed behaviour towards the automatic response system in the brain.

    A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study revealed that prolonged stress in humans leads to an over-reliance on the brain’s circuits that drive habits, while suppressing the prefrontal cortex, which governs deliberate decision making.

    The good news? These effects are reversible. After a six week stress-free period, participants returned to goal directed behaviour, and their brain activity normalised.

    5. Plan for weak moments

    We like to set new ambitious goals when we feel motivated. Motivational changes are often initiated based around time, such as the start of a new year, a phenomenon known as the “fresh start effect”. But it is important to be strategic and prepare for situations when motivation is low and we still want to work towards our goals.

    A powerful strategy for overcoming these weak moments is to plan ahead for specific situations by saying, “If I find myself reaching for a snack when I’m stressed, then I will take a five-minute walk instead.” This strategy is generally referred to as “if-then” plans.

    This approach helps to preemptively trigger a healthier response in those moments when bad habits might otherwise take over.

    So, while it might seem difficult, if you’re looking to rid yourself of a bad habit or replace it with a good one, our research suggests it’s possible to change your behaviour using strategies based on scientific evidence.

    Eike Buabang receives funding from the Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme.

    – ref. Five essential strategies to master your habits – https://theconversation.com/five-essential-strategies-to-master-your-habits-250099

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Miss Austen: the TV show about the Georgian writer’s life embraces her love of fiction

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gillian Dow, Associate Professor of English, University of Southampton

    At the heart of the BBC’s new series Miss Austen is a fictional Cassandra Austen (played by Keeley Hawes). Reviews have stressed that the real life Cassandra’s destruction of her sister Jane Austen’s letters has been considered one of the greatest acts of literary vandalism in history. These letters would have provided an invaluable insight into the author who died so young.

    Why Cassandra destroyed her sister’s correspondence – and what she destroyed – cannot be known. But Miss Austen gives us intriguing speculation. It deals with family relationships, and with what gets passed down to subsequent generations.

    In Miss Austen, Mary Austen is considering encouraging her son James Edward to write a biography of his literary father and aunt. Cassandra must find her sister’s letters before they get into the wrong hands. What happens next is a clever blend of fact and fiction.

    James Edward Austen-Leigh did publish the first full biography of his aunt with the help of his sisters, although not until 1869.

    However, the series also deviates from fact in its depiction of an incident in Jane’s life in the early 1800s. She may have met a young gentleman at a seaside resort in Devon. This young man may have admired Jane and she may have admired him in turn.

    This story was recounted to James Edward Austen-Leigh by his sister when he was preparing a second edition of his Jane Austen memoir. She had been told the story by Cassandra and, though she could not remember the young man’s name, she knew he died shortly after Jane’s encounter with him.

    Miss Austen picks up on the suggestion of Jane’s shadowy seaside encounter, locates the events firmly in Sidmouth, names the gentleman Mr Hobday and gives the encounter an intriguing twist by making it Cassandra’s, not Jane’s, romance.

    Jane Austen might have enjoyed this fictionalisation.

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    A love of fiction and an aversion to history

    In the concluding paragraphs of Mansfield Park (1814), Austen’s narrator purposely abstains from dates, “that every one may be at liberty to fix their own”. In Northanger Abbey, the heroine Catherine Morland has no taste for “real, solemn History.” Instead, the novels of Maria Edgeworth and Frances Burney are championed as “works in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed”.

    Miss Austen’s Jane is played by Patsy Ferran as witty, acerbic and, crucially, devoted to fiction. She is utterly determined to become a published author and her family support her in this pursuit. This Austen is true to the version of the author that scholars and biographers have presented in recent years.

    Jane Austen’s novels are not about the union of one couple. They explore communities and dependence, particularly that of women. Foremost in these explorations are sisterly bonds.

    In Austen’s fiction, these bonds may indeed be mutually supportive and fulfilling. But they are always complex too. It is the truth of these complexities that the series Miss Austen captures so beautifully, via Isabella Fowle and her relationship with her sisters, and of course via Cassandra’s relationship with hers.

    This adaptation should send viewers to read Gill Hornby’s novel, and to read and reread Jane Austen. Miss Austen embraces the possibilities of fiction in rethinking the lives of the past.

    I hope viewers of Miss Austen will think more favourably about the real Cassandra too.

    She kept letters and Jane’s manuscripts, leaving them to her nieces on her death. Jane and Cassandra had six brothers.

    She was not the only one who had letters that gave insight into Jane Austen’s mind. She must have also written countless more to her other brothers and their wives, her nieces and nephews and her friends.

    Many of these are now lost to us. But Cassandra’s curation of her sister’s correspondence can be seen in a positive light when we reflect on what she preserved in relation to what was lost.

    Gillian Dow 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. Miss Austen: the TV show about the Georgian writer’s life embraces her love of fiction – https://theconversation.com/miss-austen-the-tv-show-about-the-georgian-writers-life-embraces-her-love-of-fiction-249783

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement: Second Meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, New Delhi (February 28, 2025)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 FEB 2025 6:25PM by PIB Delhi

    The second meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) took place in New Delhi on 28 February 2025. It was co-chaired on the Indian side by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar; Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal; and Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Ms. Henna Virkkunen, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Mr. Maros Šefčovič and Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ms Ekaterina Zaharieva co-chaired on the EU side.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had established the India-EU TTC in April 2022 as a key bilateral platform to address challenges at the confluence of trade, trusted technology and security. India and the European Union, as two large and vibrant democracies with open market economies, shared values and pluralistic societies, are natural partners in a multipolar world.

    The deepening of bilateral relations and the growing strategic convergence between the EU and India respond to the shifting dynamics of the global geopolitical landscape and a common interest in promoting global stability, economic security, and sustainable and inclusive growth. In that respect, both sides emphasized again the importance of the rules-based international order and the full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, transparency, and peaceful resolution of disputes. The TTC reflects a shared acknowledgement between the EU and India of the increasingly critical links between trade and technology, the potential of cooperation on these issues to enhance the economies of both partners, and the need to work together on the related security challenges. Both sides note the potential of their partnership to increase resilience, strengthen connectivity and drive forward the development of green and clean technologies.

    The first meeting of the India-EU TTC was held in Brussels on 16 May 2023. The TTC Ministerial Meeting provided political guidance for the way forward. Subsequently on 24 November 2023, a stock-taking meeting in virtual mode reviewed the progress made by the three TTC working groups.

    Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity

    India and the European Union reaffirmed the importance of deepening their digital cooperation in line with their shared values through the Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity. Both sides committed to leverage their respective strengths to accelerate a human-centric digital transformation and the development of advanced and trustworthy digital technologies such as AI, semiconductors, High-Performance Computing and 6G, which will benefit both economies and societies. Both sides committed to work jointly to strengthen EU-India research and innovation for this purpose to further enhance competitiveness, while increasing their economic security. Both sides committed to promoting global connectivity in a cyber-secure digital ecosystem.

    Recognizing the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the development of open and inclusive digital economies and digital societies, India and the European Union agreed to collaborate on working towards interoperability of their respective DPIs that respect human rights and protect personal data, privacy, and intellectual property rights. Both sides further committed to jointly promote DPIs solutions to third countries and further emphasized the need of mutual recognition of e-signatures to enhance cross-border digital transactions and foster mutual economic growth.

    Both sides emphasized their commitment to further strengthen the resilience of semiconductor supply chains and promote collaboration in the field of semiconductors. To that end, they agreed to explore joint R&D in the field of chip design, heterogeneous integration, sustainable semiconductor technologies, technology development for advanced processes for process design kit (PDK), among others. Both sides shall promote the strengthening of the EU and Indian semiconductor ecosystems to enhance technological capabilities and ensure supply chain resilience by developing sustainable, secure and diversified semiconductor production capacities. Furthermore, they committed to developing a dedicated programme that will facilitate talent exchanges and foster semiconductor skills among students and young professionals.

    The two sides reiterated their commitment to safe, secure, trustworthy, human-centric, sustainable and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to promote this vision on the international level. In addition, with a view to ensuring continued and impactful cooperation on AI, the European AI Office and India AI Mission agreed to deepen cooperation, encouraging an ecosystem of innovation and fostering information exchange on common open research questions for developing trustworthy AI. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on large language models, and to harness the potential of AI for human development and common good, including through joint projects such as developing tools and frameworks for ethical and responsible AI. These will build on the progress made under R&D collaboration on high-performance computing applications in the areas of natural hazards, climate change, and bioinformatics.

    India and the EU welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Bharat 6G Alliance and the EU 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association for aligning research and development priorities and creating secured and trusted telecommunications and resilient supply chains. Both sides will also enhance cooperation on IT and telecoms standardisation with a particular focus on promoting interoperable global standards.

    Furthermore, the two sides agreed to work towards bridging the digital skills gap, explore mutual recognition of certifications, and promote legal pathways of skilled professionals and exchange of talent.

    Both sides agreed to collaborate on the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, agreed by consensus at the UN General Assembly in September 2024, as a key instrument for delivering on their shared objectives. They noted the need to ensure that the forthcoming World Summit on Information Society +20 maintains global support for and enhances the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance.

    Working Group 2 on Clean and Green Technologies

    India and the European Union recalled the importance of the priority workstreams identified under Working Group 2 on Clean and Green Technologies for achieving net zero emissions by 2070 and 2050 for India and the European Union, respectively. Achieving these targets will require significant investment in new clean technologies and standards. An emphasis on research and innovation (R&I) will foster technological collaboration and exchange of best practices between the EU and India. In parallel, supporting technological innovations for market uptake will enhance access to the respective markets by Indian and EU enterprises and facilitate wide adoption of innovative technologies. This opens perspectives for cooperation between Indian and EU incubators, SMEs and start-ups and building human resource capability and capacity in such technologies.

    In this regard, both sides agreed on joint research cooperation through exceptional coordinated calls on recycling of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), marine plastic litter, and waste-to-hydrogen. The estimated total joint budget will be about EUR 60 million from the Horizon Europe programme and from matching Indian contributions. On recycling of batteries for EVs, the focus will be on battery circularity through different kinds of flexible/low cost/easy to recycle batteries. In marine plastic litter, the focus will be on developing technologies for detection, measurement and analysis of aquatic litter and for mitigation of the cumulative impact of pollution on the marine environment. On waste-to-hydrogen, the focus will be on developing technologies with greater efficiency to produce hydrogen from biogenic wastes.

    The two sides recalled the importance of the substantive exchanges between experts in the identified areas of cooperation as the basis for future action. Indian experts have participated in a training and mutual learning exercise on EV interoperability and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) E-Mobility Lab in Ispra, Italy in January 2024. Furthermore, a joint hybrid workshop on EV Charging Technologies (Standardisation and Testing) was organised at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, India and online, to deepen the EU-Indian dialogue and the industry’s engagement in charging infrastructure standardisation processes with India. The two sides also concluded a Matchmaking Event to identify, support and organise exchanges between Indian and EU startups in technology for recycling of batteries for EVs. Experts also jointly discussed assessment and monitoring tools for marine plastic litter. Finally, an “Ideathon” fostering EU-India collaboration to co-create practical solutions involving all stakeholders for addressing marine plastic pollution effectively is in preparation.

    Both sides agreed to explore cooperation on harmonising standards for EV charging infrastructure, including cooperative, pre-normative research for harmonised testing solutions and knowledge exchange in the domain of e-mobility. They also agreed to explore how to enhance collaboration in the field of hydrogen-related safety standards, the science of standards as well as the market uptake of wastewater treatment technologies as outcomes of previous jointly conducted research projects.

    Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains

    India and the European Union noted productive discussions under Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains with a view to building a closer economic partnership between India and the European Union. In an increasingly challenging geopolitical context, both sides committed to work together for creating wealth and shared prosperity. The work under Working Group 3 complements the ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) and a Geographical Indications Agreement which are proceeding on separate tracks.

    Both sides committed to fostering resilient and future-ready value chains by prioritizing transparency, predictability, diversification, security and sustainability. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made on Agri-food, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Clean Technologies sectors and agreed on work plans in these three fields with the aim of promoting value chains that can withstand global challenges.

    In agriculture, India and the EU intend to collaborate on contingency planning for food security and welcomed common efforts on shared research and innovations needs regarding climate-resilient practices, crop diversification and infrastructure improvements as promoted for cooperation through the G20 framework. In the pharmaceutical sector, both sides aim to enhance transparency and security in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) supply chains by mapping vulnerabilities, promoting sustainable manufacturing, and establishing early warning systems to prevent disruptions. Clean technology cooperation centers on strengthening supply chains for solar energy, offshore wind, and clean hydrogen by exchanging information on sectoral capabilities and investment incentives and Research, Development and Innovation priorities as well as on methodologies to assess vulnerabilities, discussing approaches to minimize trade barriers and exploring possible synergies of the supply chains. Across these sectors, India and the EU are working to foster investment, exchange best practices, and mitigate risks through regular dialogues, research collaborations, and business-to-business engagements, ensuring supply chain resilience and sustainable economic growth.

    Both sides acknowledged that relevant priority market access issues are being addressed through cooperation within the TTC framework. The EU side appreciated the Indian initiatives to approve the marketing of several EU plant products while the Indian side appreciated the listing of a number of Indian aquaculture establishments and taking up the issue of equivalence for agricultural organic products. Both sides agreed to pursue their efforts on these topics, under the TTC review mechanism, and to continue their engagement on remaining issues flagged by each other.

    The two sides noted the exchanges regarding best practices in the screening of Foreign Direct Investments, which is an area of growing importance to foster economic security.

    India and the EU strengthened their commitment towards the multilateral trading system as an anchor in the current challenging geopolitical context. At the same time, they recognized the need to bring necessary reform to the WTO so that it is able to address efficiently and effectively issues of interest to Members. Both sides also recognized the importance of a functioning dispute settlement system. For this purpose, they agreed to deepen their dialogue and engagement to help the WTO deliver concrete outcomes, including at MC14.

    Both sides have held in-depth discussions on trade and decarbonization through several bilateral channels and have engaged jointly with stakeholders, especially on the implementation of the EU’s carbon border mechanism (CBAM). Both sides discussed the challenges arising out of CBAM implementation, in particular for the small and medium enterprises and agreed to continue addressing them.

    The co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to expanding and deepening their engagement under the TTC and to working together to fulfill the goals laid out in this successful second meeting of the TTC. They agreed to meet again for the third meeting of TTC within one year from now.

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2107026) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Illegal purchases and sales of Greek Cypriot properties encouraged by the occupation regime – E-002963/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 (the Aid Regulation)[1] provides that the Commission shall ensure that in the implementation of actions financed under the regulation the rights of natural or legal persons, including the rights to possessions and property, are respected.

    To this end, the Commission systematically consults the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to avoid infringing property rights by such actions.

    Outside the scope of the Aid Regulation, the Commission has no competence to ensure that property transactions in the non-government-controlled areas respect the rights of the owners concerned, due to the suspension of the acquis in those areas pursuant to Protocol 10 of the 2003 Act of Accession[2].

    The Commission is aware of civil cases decided by courts of the Republic of Cyprus against EU citizens involved in illegal property transactions and property developments in the areas not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

    All courts of the Member States are obliged to comply with the judgment of the Grand Chamber in the Case C-420/07 Apostolides v Orams[3].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006R0389
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A12003T%2FPRO%2F10
    • [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2023-000070-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Effectiveness of investigations into alleged pushbacks in Greece – E-000772/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000772/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE)

    The Commission has stated that it ‘is informed that Greece has taken measures and established independent mechanisms’[1] to investigate pushbacks and other fundamental rights violations through a ‘three tier set-up’[2] involving (a) internal control bodies of law enforcement authorities, (b) the National Transparency Authority (NTA) and the Ombudsman, and (c) prosecution services.

    How does the Commission evaluate the effectiveness of these mechanisms and their compliance with the enabling conditions of the Common Provisions Regulation[3], regarding:

    • 1.Prosecution services, given the serious doubts recently expressed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as to the effectiveness of criminal investigations into the ‘systematic practice’ of pushbacks[4]?
    • 2.The NTA’s independence and methodology, in the light of recent concerns voiced by the ECtHR[5], and the Ombudsman, in the light of government interference regarding the Pylos shipwreck, including ministerial statements[6] questioning its competence?
    • 3.Internal control bodies of law enforcement authorities, given the Greek Coast Guard’s refusal to conduct an internal investigation into the Pylos shipwreck[7]?

    Submitted: 19.2.2025

    • [1] E-00762/2023(ASW).
    • [2] E-001651/2023(ASW).
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1060/oj.
    • [4] A.R.E. v. Greece (application No 15783/21), paragraphs 198 and 229.
    • [5] A.R.E. v. Greece (application No 15783/21), paragraphs 227-228.
    • [6] https://www.ynanp.gr/el/gr-epikoinwnias-enhmerwshs/anakoinwsh-toy-ypoyrgeioy-naytilias-kai-nhsiwtikhs-politikhs-sxetika-me-to-deltio-typoy-toy-synhgoroy-toy-polith-04022025/.
    • [7] https://www.synigoros.gr/el/category/default/post/deltio-typoy-or-o-synhgoros-toy-polith-ereyna-to-nayagio-ths-pyloy.
    Last updated: 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Bernard-Henri Lévy/ARTE case – measures to prevent conflicts of interest in Europe’s public audiovisual sector – E-000734/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000734/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Catherine Griset (PfE)

    The recent investigation against Bernard-Henri Lévy for unlawful conflict of interest has revealed potential abuses in the management of public funds for the audiovisual sector. Over his 30+ years as chair of ARTE France’s supervisory board, he is said to have received EUR 750 000 in funding from the channel for his own film productions.

    This raises concerns over the lack of sufficient checks in the management of Europe’s public media, like ARTE, which is largely financed by taxpayers. Political interference and conflicts of interest have a detrimental impact on the sector’s transparency and independence, and thus undermine plurality and integrity of information.

    • 1.Can the Commission say what measures it will take to ensure that media financed by European public funds comply with strict transparency and ethical rules?
    • 2.Has it received information from the French and/or German authorities on the measures put in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that media receiving public funding are being managed independently?

    Submitted: 18.2.2025

    Last updated: 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Inconsistencies in published occupational-accident statistics – P-000848/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000848/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Alexander Bernhuber (PPE)

    Referencing by the Commission in its reporting focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular in the area of ‘safety and health at work’. The questioner has noticed inconsistencies in published occupational-accident statistics, however, which raise questions as to quality assurance relating to the underlying data, as there are also extreme fluctuations in values within the EU. With regard to United Nations data, information is needed on verification, on quality (about which there are doubts) and on how discrepancies are dealt with.

    • 1.Does the Commission, in particular Eurostat, independently verify the data provided by the United Nations and, if so, are the verification results made publicly available?
    • 2.In the specific case of ‘Occupational Accident Statistics’, has the Commission ever identified discrepancies or voiced the suspicion that the published data may be incorrect or incomplete, and how can the Commission explain the fact that in Romania, for instance, there are only 71 ‘non-fatal occupational injuries per 100 000 workers’ and in France 2 800 and in Denmark over 3 000 ‘non-fatal occupational injuries per 100 000 workers’?
    • 3.How does the Commission intend to proceed in this case in order to ensure the quality and plausibility of the data, and what measures are in place for verification or for coordination with data providers, e.g. with national statistical offices, the ILO or the United Nations?

    Submitted: 26.2.2025

    Last updated: 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Committing International Child Exploitation Pleads Guilty in Miami Federal Court

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – An Italian national living in Miami who used social media and money to entice minors, including four United Kingdom girls ages 14 to 16, to make and send him sexually explicit images of themselves has pled guilty to producing child sexual abuse material and committing international promotional money laundering in furtherance of his child exploitation crimes.

    During a court hearing in the Southern District of Florida, Marco Pagano, 41, admitted the following: From about March 2023 to April 2024, Pagano engaged in illegal online exchanges with minors, including four girls living in the United Kingdom. As to those four minors, Pagano used his online payment system accounts more than 180 times to send thousands of dollars from the United States to the girls abroad. In exchange, Pagano demanded that the four minors produce illegal pornographic photographs and videos and send those to him through a social media application. These included images of the minor girls performing sexual acts on one another.

    Sentencing is set for June 9, at 9:00 a.m., in Miami before United States District Court Judge Robert N. Scola. Pagano faces up to life in prison.

    United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami made the announcement.

    FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller is prosecuting it.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    Anyone with information relating to child sexual exploitation or abuse is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20360.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Monday Briefings, Secretary-General & other topics – Daily Press Briefing

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    – Monday Briefings
    – Secretary-General
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – South Sudan
    – Biodiversity
    – International Days
    – Jane

    MONDAY BRIEFINGS
    On Monday there will be a briefing here by Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, whom as you know is the Permanent Representative of Denmark, but she will be here in her capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of March. She will of course brief on the Council’s programme for the month. The briefing will be in person only, so if you want to ask questions you will need to have your backside in the seats. You can obviously follow it on the webcast.
    Then, at 2:15 p.m., there will be a briefing here on the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Speakers will include Akan Rakhmetullin, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and President of the Meeting, and he will be joined by Melissa Parke, the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

    SECRETARY-GENERAL
    You will have seen that early this morning, the Secretary-General in his remarks expressed his deep concern about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — regarding severe cuts in funding by the United States. The consequences, he said, will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world.
    The Secretary-General expressed his hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews, adding that in the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects.
    The Secretary-General also announced that next Tuesday, he will be in Cairo to join the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the issue of the reconstruction of Gaza.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    And turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that since last month, our humanitarian partners have screened more than 100,000 children under the age of five for malnutrition, enrolling those who need it for treatment. They also continue to distribute nutrient supplements to infants and young children.
    For its part, UNRWA [the Relief and Works Agency] tells us that more than half a million people across the five governorates of the Gaza Strip have received blankets, mattresses, floor mats, clothes, and other items including tarpaulins for rain protection.
    Turning to the West Bank, our colleagues at OCHA remind us that the ongoing Israeli forces’ operation has entered its sixth week. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced in Jenin and Tulkarm.
    On 25 and 26 of this month, OCHA and its partners led a mission to assess the needs of people displaced in Jenin and Tulkarm. Many of these families have been displaced multiple times. They lost their livelihoods and are no longer able to cover the basic needs of their families. Access to food is limited, with some displaced people reporting a reduction in meals consumed each day.
    Children in schools have lost more than one month of learning and have been subjected to high levels of anxiety and distress.
    In a report published yesterday, partners called for the protection of children and their right to live and access education, healthcare and other basic services.
    Meanwhile, Israeli settlers continue to attack Palestinian communities across the West Bank. Since 2020, settler-related incidents targeting Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities have increased almost sevenfold.
    Documented incidents rose to 330 in 2024 – compared to just 50 in 2020.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=28%20February%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4yCJbG0vw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Concludes Seventy-Seventh Session after Adopting Concluding Observations on Reports of Croatia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and the United Kingdom

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon concluded its seventy-seventhsession after adopting concluding observationson the reports of Croatia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and the United Kingdom under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights .

    The concluding observations will be transmitted to the States concerned and made available on the webpage of the session   on the afternoon of Monday, 3 March.

    Laura-MariaCraciunean-Tatu, Committee Chair, said that during the intense session, in addition to engaging with five States parties, the Committee had considered two follow-up reports; adopted three lists of issues on Cabo Verde, North Macedonia and Turkmenistan; conducted work on communications under the Optional Protocol; and discussed one draft and two future general comments and one statement.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said that this session, the Committee had welcomed four new members, and would formally welcome its fifth, Peijie Chen (China), in its next session. Despite the discontinuance of formal hybrid meetings, the Committee continued to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in person and remotely outside of formal meeting time. Ms. Craciunean-Tatu expressed thanks to all those who worked to promote and protect the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

    During the session, she said, the Committee adopted assessments on the follow-up reports to concluding observations for Serbia and Uzbekistan. The assessments would be transmitted to the States concerned and made available publicly in the weeks to come. The Committee urged other States to submit follow-up reports which were overdue or due.

    Under the Optional Protocol, the Committee adopted decisions relating to 48 individual communications. It found violations of the Covenant in three cases concerning the right to housing; declared admissible one case on alleged violation of the right to work of a human rights defender; and declared inadmissible two cases on alleged unequal pay for overtime in teaching-related activities and alleged wage discrimination. The Committee further discontinued the consideration of 42 cases concerning the right to housing. Finally, it adopted a follow-up progress report on individual communications.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu saidthe Committee had adopted a Statement on Tax Policy and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It hoped that this statement would guide States parties, both domestically and in the context of international tax cooperation, to observe increasingly inclusive and transparent tax policy-making processes, thus encouraging the implementation of tax systems that supported the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the Covenant, with a focus on disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

    Regarding general comments, the Committee completed a second reading of the draft general comment on the environmental dimension of sustainable development, and continued discussing the scope of two general comments on drug policy and on armed conflict as they related to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. These discussions would continue at the next session.

    During the session, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said, the Committee held an informal meeting with States on 20 February and engaged in discussion on all aspects of its work. In addition to the numerous contacts the Committee had with civil society organizations, it also held this morning its annual meeting with non-governmental organizations, in which it heard their views on several important topics, including strategic litigation and the right to a clean and healthy environment.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu also said that the Committee had held informal meetings with other stakeholders, including with treaty body members, United Nations agencies and the Special Rapporteurs on climate change and in the field of cultural rights. The engagement of all concerned was deeply appreciated.

    In its next session, she said, in addition to reviewing the reports of seven States parties, the Committee would adopt lists of issues on the reports of Eswatini, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova and Tunisia. It would also adopt assessments on the follow-up reports of El Salvador and Luxembourg.

    This session, the Committee reaffirmed its decision to implement a simplified reporting procedure and had requested the Secretariat to prepare a structured implementation plan, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said. However, until such a plan was operationalised, she encouraged States parties to submit reports under the regular reporting procedure, including long overdue reports.

    The Committee had not yet held dialogues with 24 States parties that had not submitted their initial reports, of which five were overdue for more than 10 years. In total, 51 States’ periodic reports were also overdue, at least 16 of which for more than 10 years. The capacity building programme established pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/268 (2014) was available to offer support to States requiring technical assistance in this regard, including with respect to the establishment of national mechanisms for reporting implementation and follow-up.

    Ms. Craciunean-Tatu invited all States to ratify the Covenant and encouraged States that were parties to the Covenant but had not acceded to or ratified the Optional Protocol to do so, and to enter the declarations for its articles 10 and 11. She welcomed the accession, two weeks ago, of Albania to the Optional Protocol.

    In closing, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu thanked the Committee and all who had contributed to the busy session. The Committee looked forward to, in its next session, holding dialogues with States, pursuing other work, and engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders to achieve the effective promotion and protection of all the rights enshrined in the Covenant.

    In its seventy-eighth session, to be held from 8 September to 3 October 2025, the Committee will review the reports of Australia, Chile, Colombia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Netherlands, Russian Federation and Zimbabwe.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CESCR25.007E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –