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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: Over 7 Lakh Pilgrims treated at Prayagraj; Experts from AIIMS and BHU join forces with Specialists from Canada, Germany, Russia

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Mahakumbh 2025: Over 7 Lakh Pilgrims treated at Prayagraj; Experts from AIIMS and BHU join forces with Specialists from Canada, Germany, Russia

    World-Class Treatment with Allopathy and AYUSH Medicine in place; 23 Allopathic and 20 AYUSH Hospitals in Operation

    3,800 Minor and 12 Major Surgeries Completed, 3.71 Lakh Pilgrims underwent Pathology Tests

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 7:13PM by PIB Delhi

    The health of pilgrims is being given top priority at the Mahakumbh 2025, and the Mela administration has ensured extensive medical arrangements are in place. From common ailments to specialized treatments, comprehensive healthcare facilities are available. So far, over 7 lakh pilgrims have been treated. To make the healthcare services world-class, specialists from Canada, Germany, Russia, along with doctors from AIIMS Delhi and IMS BHU, are working tirelessly on the ground.

    Dr. Gaurav Dubey, the nodal medical officer of the Kumbh Mela, shared that more than 4.5 lakh pilgrims have been treated at 23 allopathic hospitals, and over 3.71 lakh pilgrims have undergone pathology tests. Additionally, more than 3,800 minor surgeries and 12 major surgeries have been successfully completed.

    Over 2.18 Lakh Pilgrims Treated with AYUSH Medicine

    With the collaboration of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and Uttar Pradesh AYUSH Society, 20 AYUSH hospitals (10 Ayurveda and 10 Homeopathy) are operating 24/7 in the Kumbh Mela area. To date, over 2.18 lakh pilgrims have benefited from Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy treatments. Specialists from AIIMS Ayurveda, Delhi, including Dr. V.K. Joshi, Dean of BHU, Dr. Thomas from Canada, and many other medical experts from around the world, are treating pilgrims at the Kumbh Mela.

    Pilgrims Benefiting from Yoga, Panchakarma, and Ayurvedic Treatments

    At the Ayurvedic hospitals in the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims are being treated with traditional methods like Panchakarma, herbal-based treatments, yoga therapy, and naturopathy. AYUSH kits, yoga kits, calendars, medicinal plants, and health awareness materials are being distributed to help pilgrims adopt a healthier lifestyle in the future. Yoga sessions are regularly conducted by teams of yoga instructors from New Delhi, and these sessions have gained significant interest, especially from foreign pilgrims.

    Special Ayurvedic ‘Swarnaprashan’ Medicine for Children

    For children aged 1 to 12 years, special Ayurvedic ‘Swarnaprashan’ medicine is being administered, distributed during the Pushya Nakshatra. This medicine is proving beneficial in enhancing children’s concentration, intelligence, immunity, and physical development.

    Multidimensional Medical Facilities Become a Major Attraction for Pilgrims

    The combined arrangement of Allopathy and AYUSH medicine at the Kumbh Mela is proving to be a great relief for pilgrims. High-quality healthcare services are being provided free of charge to sadhus, kalpavasis, and common pilgrims. The integration of Ayurveda, yoga, Panchakarma, and modern medical science has set a new standard for healthcare services at the Kumbh Mela.

    It has been ensured that the Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 will not only be a center for spiritual experiences but also an exemplary event in terms of health and well-being. The health services being offered to pilgrims are being appreciated both nationally and internationally, giving global recognition to the Indian medical system.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts global OEMs to use the opportunities offered by the Indian defence ecosystem to find solutions to today’s challenges

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts global OEMs to use the opportunities offered by the Indian defence ecosystem to find solutions to today’s challenges

    Stresses on the need to adopt & improve solutions constantly amidst the fragile global security situation

    “Govt is taking all steps to equip the Armed Forces & make the nation ‘Aatmanirbhar’ in defence”

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 5:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has invited the global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to utilise the opportunities offered by the expanding Indian defence ecosystem and find targeted solutions & counter measures to the challenges emerging due to the volatile geopolitical landscape of today. He was addressing the CEOs Roundtable organised as part of Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. Raksha Mantri stated that amidst the fragile global security situation, where rules-based order is being challenged and technologies are creating new opportunities & vulnerabilities, there is a need to adopt & improve solutions constantly.

    “Today, the nature of communication and data sharing in military operations is getting much more complex. The reliance on space-based navigation systems, communication and surveillance implies that such assets would have to be integrated in our operational plans. The use of drones in recent conflicts indicate that the future would depend on the integrated efforts of manned, unmanned and autonomous warfare systems. Hence, our defence manufacturing has to focus on creating counter measures for these emerging challenges,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.

    Citing great Indian strategist Kautilya, Raksha Mantri said: “We have the moral responsibility to protect our people and territory in a hostile atmosphere. To achieve this, we are taking all necessary steps to equip our Armed Forces and making the country self-reliant in defence manufacturing through the establishment of a strong, efficient, resilient and future-ready defence industrial ecosystem,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has put in place transparent & industry-friendly regulations, processes and policies. He emphasised that the opportunities provided by the Indian defence ecosystem are driven by the policies of self-reliance in defence production, facilitated by a conducive policy regime.

    Raksha Mantri enumerated the transformative steps taken by the Government to make the domestic defence industry an important component of the national economy in order to facilitate India’s transition from a developing to a developed country by 2047. “We have allowed FDI upto 75% through the Automatic Route for companies seeking new defence license, while upto 100% is also allowed under Government approval route. A total of 46 Joint Ventures and Companies have been given foreign investment approval in the defence sector till date,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh added that more than 250 MoUs have, so far, been signed for the establishment of industrial units in the Defence Industrial Corridors set-up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He mentioned about the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme introduced to provide financial assistance to the Aerospace and Defence sector for setting up 6-8 greenfield Testing and Certification facilities. The Defence Exim Portal has made the export authorisation process seamless. “As a testimony to the emergence of India as a defence export nucleus, India has seen 31 times growth in the export of products in the last 10 years as compared to Financial Year 2013-14,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri described the issuance of Positive Indigenisation Lists as a clear indicator to the Government’s intent to support the industry in its self-reliance pursuit. He added that for innovation projects in the defence sector, over 500 start-ups & MSMEs are presently working under the aegis of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). “Our overall ease of doing business environment has improved tremendously. This is showing great results as India has the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem in the world today; this is expected to witness Year on Year growth of 10-12%. We possess a young generation of highly-skilled workforce, which constantly updates itself in the face of the fast-changing ecosystem of the world. You must not miss the opportunity to leverage the advantages of this ecosystem,” he told the over 100 CEOs, both domestic and foreign, present on the occasion.

    Shri Rajnath Singh described the CEOs Roundtable as a platform where the idea of making India self-reliant in defence production would take root, germinate and blossom into full scale reality. It reflects the serious intent of the Government to team with the best organisations around the world in the spirit of cooperation. The essence of this conclave is to explore how to join hands to make India a leading defence manufacturer and service provider at the global scale, he said.

    The theme of the Roundtable was ‘Enabling Defence Cooperation through Global Engagement (EDGE)’. OEMs from 19 countries (USA, France, Russia, South Korea, UK, Japan, Israel & Brazil etc), 35 Indian (Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Ltd, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, BrahMos Aerospace & Ashok Leyland Defence) and 16 Defence DPSUs attended the event.

    Major foreign OEMs including Airbus (France), Ultra Maritime (USA), GNT (South Korea), John Cockerill Defence (UK), Mitsubishi (Japan), Rafael Advanced Defense System (Israel), Safran (France) and Liebherr Aerospace (France) highlighted their future plans, Joint Ventures, collaborations, partnerships with Indian companies for production of spares parts, development of aero-engines, setting up of Maintenance, Repair and Operations facilities and establishment of R&D facilities.

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat were among those who attended the CEOs Roundtable.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Labour & Employment and FoundIt Signs MoU in Presence of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry of Labour & Employment and FoundIt Signs MoU in Presence of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

    MoU with FoundIt to Bring 10 lakh Job Opportunities Annually on NCS portal: Dr. Mandaviya

    NCS Portal has become a crucial gateway, connecting millions of job seekers with employers at national and international levels – Union Minister

    Partnership to Boost International Job Opportunities on NCS Portal

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to enhance job creation and expand opportunities for young job seekers, the Ministry of Labour & Employment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FoundIt (Formerly Monster), a leading job portal in New Delhi today. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and aims to enhance international & domestic employment opportunities for job seekers registered on NCS portal.

    Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the NCS Portal’s transformative role in bridging the gap between job seekers and employment opportunities, both within India and abroad. “The NCS Portal has become a crucial gateway, connecting millions of job seekers with employers at the national and international levels. With the addition of 3,000 to 4,000 job postings daily, this MoU is expected to bring 1.25 lakhs international vacancies and over 10 lakhs domestic vacancies to NCS each year, significantly boosting employment prospects for Indian youth,” he stated.

    He further emphasized the NCS Portal’s role as a robust employment-generation platform, connecting job seekers across diverse industries. “With over 40 lakh employers registered, the portal has facilitated the mobilization of more than 4.40 crore vacancies since its inception. At any given time, nearly 10 lakh job vacancies are available, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities for the youth,” he added.

    Expanding its global reach, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the NCS Portal’s integration with the e-Migrate platform, under which more than 500 active Recruitment Agencies (RAs) registered with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have been onboarded. “This initiative has opened doors for Indian professionals to secure jobs with credible, verified employers abroad,” he noted.

    Calling the NCS Portal a vital resource for job seekers, Dr. Mandaviya urged the youth to register on the platform and take full advantage of the numerous career opportunities available. He mentioned that NCS portal is integrated with My Bharat, SIDH portal which is bridging the skill gap among the youth to make them more employable.

    Secretary MoLE, Smt. Sumita Dawra stated that countries like Germany, Finland, and nations across the Middle East are actively seeking skilled workers for both blue-collar and white-collar jobs. This MoU will enable NCS to facilitate these vacancies and enhance career prospects for Indian job seekers, she added.

    V. Suresh, CEO of FoundIt, lauded the partnership, stating that it aligns with the Modi Government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ by fostering inclusive employment opportunities. “Employment is the key to economic growth, and the government’s commitment to creating better career prospects is reflected in the continued success of the NCS Portal, which connects millions of job seekers with opportunities in India and abroad,” he said.

    Benefits of the MoU between MoLE and FoundIt:

    1. Expanded Job Opportunities: Job seekers registered on the National Career Service (NCS) Portal will gain access to vacancies not only within India but also in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, significantly broadening their employment prospects.
    2. Seamless Job Integration: FoundIt will post job opportunities on the NCS Portal, enhancing employment prospects for job seekers. It will gather job demand from employers across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia looking to hire in both the formal and informal sectors. Relevant job listings will be integrated into the NCS Portal via APIs for seamless access.
    3. Inclusive Hiring Practices: The NCS Portal is committed to providing employment opportunities for women and persons with disabilities. This partnership with FoundIt will promote a fair and inclusive hiring process, ensuring equal job opportunities for underrepresented groups.
    4. Access to a Diverse Talent Pool: Through this MoU, FoundIt will gain access to a large and diverse pool of candidates from the NCS Portal, including women and persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Labour & Employment will facilitate database integration, enabling FoundIt to connect with a broad talent base via a seamless technology interface, accessible both online and offline.

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    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2101338) Visitor Counter : 85

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group President Calviño in Kyiv on first official visit outside EU to announce new major projects for critical energy infrastructure, basic services for citizens and investment in SMEs across Ukraine

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB President is leading the EIB delegation to Ukraine on her first visit outside the EU since taking up office last year.
    • Calviño stressed the EIB Group’s long-term commitment to Ukraine in talks with the government and business leaders in Kyiv.
    • The projects announced under EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility include €420 million in investment for the public sector to restore and protect energy supplies, and for water, heating, housing and other critical infrastructure.
    • The support also includes new loan and guarantees for SMEs, unlocking almost €500 million of new finance.
    • The EU 112 emergency call system will be rolled out in Ukraine with EIB backing.
    • A €16.5 million grant provided by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to an EIB International Climate Initiative Trust Fund has been signed for renewable energy in Ukraine.
    • There are plans for close cooperation to advance social housing in the country.

    On her first official visit outside the European Union since taking up office a year ago, European Investment Bank (EIB) Group President Nadia Calviño is visiting Kyiv today to meet top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The objective of the visit is to agree on new financing operations for Ukraine and stress Europe’s long-term commitment to the country. President Calviño is leading the delegation that also features EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska and EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.

    The package – part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility – includes €420 million for new public-sector projects to restore and protect energy supplies, heating systems and other critical infrastructure that has been damaged since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The EIB and the European Commission are set to finalise the approval of a €2 billion EIB contribution under the Facility.

    The latest round of European funding announced today will also benefit Ukraine’s private sector, with the aim of bolstering thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the country’s economy. It combines a €100 million loan and guarantees aimed at unlocking around €400 million in lending to SMEs through key Ukrainian banks – including Ukreximbank, ProCredit Bank and Ukrgasbank – with which the EIB has signed agreements today.

    Another element of the package is the planned rollout of the European Union’s common 112 emergency number and call system across Ukraine to enhance public safety. President Calviño visited an operating centre in Kyiv that will run the new system to mark the signing of a €40 million EIB loan for the initiative, which is complemented by a €12 million EU grant and funding from Member States under the EU for Ukraine Fund.

    “This is my first official visit outside the European Union since  taking up office as President of the EIB Group last year. Support for Ukraine is a top priority and that is why I am so pleased to be here to announce new major projects for SMEs, energy, water and other essential services that will help people to continue with their daily lives and support the country’s economic resilience, while also laying the foundation for a stronger Ukraine on its path to EU membership,” said EIB Group President Nadia Calviño.”

    “The financing package that we have announced reflects our ongoing and unwavering commitment, since the very first day of this war, to help Ukraine recover, rebuild, and thrive despite the immense challenges it faces. This is a joint effort of Team Europe made possible through close collaboration with the European Commission and EU Member States,” added EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Ukraine.

    “This support package, developed with the EIB, further demonstrates the European Union’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. With the Ukraine Facility, we are restoring vital infrastructure and helping businesses grow – crucial projects as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression. Together, we will continue to support Ukraine, working on key areas, such as energy, housing, and public safety to build a stronger and more sustainable future,” said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová.

    Today, four projects worth €420 million were announced under the EU’s Ukraine Facility. They will help to restore critical infrastructure and services and ensure a stable energy supply. The projects include the €100 million “Ukraine Recovery III”, €100 million “Ukraine Water Recovery”, and the €100 million “Ukraine District Heating”, which will be channelled through Ukreximbank. These initiatives aim to ensure that millions of Ukrainians in more than 100 communities across the country have access to heating, water, hospitals, schools and housing for internally displaced people. The €120 million “Support of Ukrhydroenergo Stability and Recovery” loan to the largest hydropower generating company in Ukraine will help to restore hydropower plants and thus reinforce the Ukrainian energy system.

    Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “We deeply value the strong cooperation with the European Investment Bank, in particular under the recovery programmes, which are playing, since 2014 a key role in supporting more than 100 communities across the country. We are grateful for the support to the communities that are de-occupied or close to the front line. The provision of social, medical, logistical, educational and other infrastructure is essential to ensuring our communities remains strong and resilient. Today we sign €100 million of the multi-sector Ukraine Recovery III loan for the restoration and modernization of critical infrastructure, such as heating, hospitals and housing for IDPs and we sign €100 million of Ukraine Water Recovery dedicated to water and wastewater. Our collaboration on social housing is another key component, reflecting our shared commitment to providing essential infrastructure and stability for those in need. The grant for renewable energy, which we also signed today, will play a vital role in ensuring that critical buildings, like hospitals, can continue serving the population amidst power cuts. Together, these initiatives not only accelerate our recovery but also help us build a more resilient and sustainable future for our country.”

    The financing provided for the 112 call system in Ukraine will expand data centres across the country and upgrade their technological capacity, ensuring that critical services are reliable and efficient.

    “Implementing and developing the 112 emergency call system has become a crucial component in enhancing public safety in Ukraine and in aligning our infrastructure to European standards. Thanks to the EIB loan and support from European partners, we will be able to improve cooperation between emergency services, particularly through the automatic detection of the caller’s geolocation. We will strengthen our ability to assist individuals with hearing and speech impairments, as well as foreign citizens. This project is about enhancing the safety of our citizens and providing timely assistance to those in need,” said Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko.

    The EIB is also signing a €16.5 million grant from the German government with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine to promote renewable energy. The grant comes through the EIB’s International Climate Initiative Fund and is part of the Ukraine Energy Rescue Plan announced by the EIB in October 2024.

    The grant will help integrate renewable energy systems into public buildings undergoing renovation works under EIB municipal loans. This will upgrade social infrastructure and make energy more reliable, cleaner and less costly. The grant will also help to decentralise energy generation, ensuring that critical public buildings in towns and villages are less reliant on electricity supplies from large power stations, making them less vulnerable to blackouts in the event of an airstrike.

    Berthold Goeke, Director-General for Climate Action, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) said: “Through the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) is helping smaller Ukrainian communities — those most affected by the war and in urgent need — to implement climate-friendly technologies. This support enables Ukraine to reduce energy costs and modernize outdated infrastructure in public buildings, laying the foundation for a stable and renewable energy future. In this way, the German government is addressing two critical challenges in Ukraine’s energy system. First, we are supporting the development of a decentralized and resilient energy supply, particularly for essential public infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and kindergartens. Given the ongoing Russian aggression and the destruction of central energy infrastructure, this is vital for ensuring stability and security. Second, our initiative contributes to Ukraine’s long-term energy transition by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, paving the way for a climate-neutral energy system.”

    Social housing is one of the most pressing issues in Ukraine, with 10% of the country’s housing stock damaged as a result of the war. The EIB is supporting the government in drafting a new housing code and exploring the possibility of financing the construction of homes that are publicly owned.

    Background information

    EIB in Ukraine 

    The EIB Group has been supporting Ukraine’s resilience, economy and efforts to rebuild since the very first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In 2024, we supported projects aimed at securing Ukraine’s energy supply, repairing critical infrastructure that has been damaged, and ensuring that essential services continue to be delivered across the country. This brings the total amount of aid we have disbursed since the start of the war to over €2.2 billion. This funding has played a crucial role in ensuring that vital services continue to be delivered to people in Ukraine. For example, this year we inaugurated the water supply facility in Bucha that was rebuilt, and which provides clean water to 9 000 residents. We also opened five new schools in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Ternopil Oblasts, helped build a department for children’s infectious diseases at a hospital in Zhytomyr Oblast, and significantly improved sanitation through the upgraded sewerage collector in Vinnytsia Oblast. Furthermore, our investments have helped modernise street lighting in Dnipro, benefitted the reclamation of the Hrybovychi landfill in Lviv, and helped to upgrade water infrastructure in Mykolaiv. We have also strengthened Ukraine’s transport networks to ensure resilient and sustainable mobility for businesses and residents. With our support, cities such as Lviv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, and Sumy have purchased new buses, trolleybuses, and trams. In addition, we have funded the reconstruction of the M01 Kyiv-Chernihiv-Novi Yarylovychi section of road that had been damaged in the war. To enhance Ukraine’s energy resilience, we have launched the Energy Rescue Plan, securing €600 million in EU-backed financing, including €86 million to build anti-drone shelters to protect critical electricity transmission infrastructure. These measures are crucial to maintaining stable power supply across the country amid ongoing challenges. In 2024, we signed over €250 million in new investment for projects to further enhance social infrastructure and support businesses that are the backbone of Ukraine’s economy.

    The EU for Ukraine Fund (EU4U) was established in 2023 as part of a larger EU for Ukraine initiative. The fund aims to accelerate EIB Global’s support for Ukraine’s most urgent infrastructure needs and help sustain its economy. The Fund supports both public and private sector projects to rebuild critical municipal infrastructure and improve access to finance for entrepreneurs.

    The International Climate Initiative (IKI) Fund was established in 2019 in partnership with the government of Germany, with the aim of catalysing investment for ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in developing and emerging countries. The IKI Fund seeks to do this by providing investment grants, financial instruments and technical assistance to public and private sector beneficiaries, as well as advisory services to central banks and financial institutions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Presence of British Bases in the Republic of Cyprus – E-000388/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000388/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)

    The United Kingdom (UK) appears to be pursuing an institutional rapprochement with the EU. We must be the ones to define the negotiating framework.

    The British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in Cyprus were created in 1960 with the Zurich-London Agreements, for the independence of the Republic of Cyprus (RC), on the agreement that the UK would be a guarantor power for the RC, a role it completely failed to fulfil in 1974 when it ignored the illegal Turkish invasion. In contrast, the UK has used the SBAs for military operations in Iraq, Syria and Somalia, which is completely incompatible with its presence there. It does not even inform the Republic of Cyprus about these operations. At the same time, Türkiye often confirms its expansionist attitude towards the RC[1] and increases its military presence in the – illegally – occupied Cypriot territories.[2] In the debate on strengthening the EU’s European military role[3] there have been no references to the protection of the RC, despite the Turkish occupation/threat.

    In view of the above, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy answer the following:

    • 1.How many times and in what circumstances has she raised the issue of the withdrawal of British troops from Cyprus, in discussions with the UK?
    • 2.Does she plan to call for the replacement of the British military presence in Cyprus with a European military force to defend the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus?

    Submitted: 28.1.2025

    • [1] https://gr.euronews.com/2024/03/19/proklitiki-anafora-erdogan-gia-tin-kypro-an-eixame-piesei-pros-ton-noto-kypros-diki-mas
    • [2] https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/turkey-expands-military-presence-in-cyprus-with-bases-and-radar-installations/
    • [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/europe%E2%80%99s-demosthenes-moment-putting-defence-centre-eu-policies_en
    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Farmland bought by private investment funds – P-000546/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000546/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D), Cristina Maestre (S&D), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D)

    The number of large foreign investment funds buying up farmland has shot up in recent years, increasing the cost of land of that kind in many regions, in both Spain and other Member States.

    As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small and medium-sized farms to access land and extremely difficult for young people to join the industry. This new model for land ownership in rural areas may pose a threat to the family farming model that underpins our rural areas and may undermine those areas’ future.

    In the light of this state of affairs:

    • 1.What can the Commission do to prevent a substantial portion of farmland from being bought up by large investment funds?
    • 2.When does it intend to launch the land price observatory it announced and what other measures is it considering taking to curb rising prices?

    Submitted: 5.2.2025

    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Air quality in Italy – E-000385/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000385/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Mario Furore (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE)

    The European Environment Agency estimates that, in 2022, air pollution from fine particulate matter caused 239 000 premature deaths in Europe, including 48 600 in Italy[1].

    Directive 2008/50/EC, which Italy transposed by means of Legislative Decree No 155/2010[2], lays down that the limit value of 50 μg/m³ of PM10 may not be exceeded more than 35 times a year[3]. However, many sampling points in Italy recorded a much higher number of exceedances of PM10 limits than that[4]. Those breaches come after the Court of Justice of the European Union, in its judgments of 10 November 2020 in case C-644/18[5] and of 12 May 2022 in case C-573/19[6], had already established that Italy had violated Directive 2008/50/EC by exceeding the PM10 and nitrogen dioxide limit values and had taken action in that regard.

    In view of the above, what further steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Italy keeps to the limits established in Directive 2008/50/EC?

    Submitted: 28.1.2025

    • [1] EEA, Europe’s air quality status 2024, https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/europes-air-quality-status-2024.
    • [2] Legislative Decree of 13 August 2010, No 155, https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2010-08-13;155.
    • [3] Annex XI, point B, Directive 2008/50/EC, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02008L0050-20150918
    • [4] For example, Lazio’s regional environmental protection agency, ARPA Lazio recorded 68 exceedances at the Frosinone Scalo monitoring point, 54 in Cassino and 77 in Ceccano. ARPA Lazio, weekly bulletins: https://www.arpalazio.net/main/aria/sci/basedati/bollettini/bs.php?year=2024.
    • [5] Judgment of the Court of 10 November 2020 – European Commission v Italian Republic (Case C-644/18), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62018CJ0644.
    • [6] Judgment of the Court of 12 May 2022 – European Commission v Italian Republic (Case C-573/19), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62019CA0573.
    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European Commission measures to support farmers with low yields due to extreme weather events – E-002828/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan Regulation[1] already includes a number of interventions that may help farmers to perform preventive actions especially to prevent crises and build on medium and long-term resilience. For mitigating short-term impacts, the available tools include direct payments, which represent the biggest share of the CAP budget and support farmers’ incomes, risk management tools helping farmers manage production risks due to adverse weather events, as well as sectoral interventions supporting replanting or restocking, and investments in the restoration of production potential. Under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP)[2], in addition to direct payments, Greece envisages also support for investments to restore agricultural and forestry potential following natural disasters, adverse climatic or catastrophic events.

    2. Moreover, on 19 December 2024[3] the Commission’s proposal amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2220[4] was adopted by the co-legislators to allow Member States to provide liquidity support to beneficiaries affected in 2024 by natural disasters and a destruction of at least 30% of the relevant production potential. It will be up to the Member States to decide if they will use this new support possibility under their Rural Development Programmes 2014-2022.

    The design of the future Multiannual Financial Framework and its instruments lies ahead. The Common Agricultural Policy must become simpler and more targeted and find the right balance between incentives, investments and regulation. The priority will be to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?toc=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A435%3ATOC&uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2021.435.01.0001.01.ENG
    • [2] https://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/category/sskap-2023-2027/sskap-egkrisi-tropopoiiseis/
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/3242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 as regards specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R3242&qid=1735899275178
    • [4] Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 December 2020 laying down certain transitional provisions for support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) in the years 2021 and 2022 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 as regards resources and application in the years 2021 and 2022 and Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards resources and the distribution of such support in respect of the years 2021 and 2022 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2220/oj/eng
    Last updated: 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Yemen, Lebanon & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    ———————————

    Highlights:

    – Secretary-General/France
    – Yemen
    – Lebanon
    – Lebanon/Humanitarian
    – Egypt
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Libya
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – Somalia
    – Security Council
    – Cyprus
    – Report/Africa
    – International Days
    – Financial Contributions
    – Guest Tomorrow

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/FRANCE
    Earlier today, the Secretary-General arrived in Paris where, tomorrow, he will attend the Artificial Intelligence summit, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
    He is expected to tell leaders gathered there that the growing concentration of AI capabilities in the hands of a few companies and countries risks widening global inequalities and deepening geopolitical divides.
    He will underscore that we must prevent a world of AI “haves” and “have-nots,” and he will call on AI leaders to pool expertise and cooperate with each other. He will emphasize that it is in the interests of government and technology leaders to commit to global guardrails.
    While in Paris, he is also expected to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders during a working dinner later today.
    He will also have a bilateral meeting with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, prior to attending the AI summit.
    The Secretary-General will leave Wednesday evening for the African Union summit.

    YEMEN
    Following the recent detention by the Houthi de facto authorities of eight additional United Nations personnel, including six working in Sa’ada governorate, which has impacted the UN’s ability to operate, the Secretary-General has instructed the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations, in the absence of the necessary security conditions and guarantees, to pause all operations and programmes in Sa’ada governorate, Yemen.
    This extraordinary and temporary measure seeks to balance the imperative to stay and deliver with the need to have the safety and security of the UN personnel and its partners guaranteed. Such guarantees are ultimately required to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts.
    This pause is to give time to the de facto authorities and the United Nations to arrange the release of arbitrarily detained UN personnel and ensure that the necessary conditions are in place to deliver critical humanitarian support guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality, independence and humanity.
    The United Nations remains fully committed to assist the millions of people in need across Yemen.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10+February+2025

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dingwall and Seaforth Committee Invests £162,541 in Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial Upgrade

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council is pleased to announce a significant investment of £162,541 from the Community Regeneration Funding (CRF) towards the structural upgrade of the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial in Dingwall. This funding, part of the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP) provided by The Scottish Government, aims to support economic regeneration and sustainable development in the Highland region.

    The decision to allocate this funding was made following a thorough review of potential projects in the Dingwall and Seaforth area. The Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial emerged as a priority due to its strategic importance and strong community support.

    The restoration project will be managed by The Highland Council in collaboration with the Dingwall Community Development Company, who wish to take possession and oversee the asset upon completion of the works.

    Councillor Margaret Paterson, Vice-Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Committee, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This investment is a testament to our commitment in preserving our local heritage and fostering community pride. The upgrade works for the Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial will not only honour a significant historical figure but also enhance the cultural and economic vitality of Dingwall and the local area.”

    The funding must be invested in a project by 31 March 2025 to comply with the grant conditions set by The Scottish Government.

    Sir Hector MacDonald Memorial, Dingwall

    10 Feb 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee Agree Garage Rent Increases for 2025/2026

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Highland Council owned garage rents for the Ward 8 area will increase by 6% for 2025/26 as agreed at today’s Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee.

    Vice-Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee, Cllr Margaret Paterson said: “We understand that any increase in rent can be a concern for our tenants. However, the proposed increases are necessary to ensure that we can continue to maintain and improve our tenants’ garage estate.

    “Highland Council garage rents remain low in the Dingwall and Seaforth Area when compared with other renting alternatives.”

    Councillors agreed that for Council tenants:

    • Garage Rents will increase from £11.25 to £11.93 per week, an increase of 69p

    …and for non-tenants:

    • Garage Rents will increase from £13.50 to £14.31 per week, an increase of 81p
    • Garage Sites weekly rents will increase from £0.98 to £1.04, an increase of 6p

    As a result of the 6% garage rent increase, total annual income will rise to £121,733.58.

    10 Feb 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Online enrolment opens for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) providers

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Online enrolment opens today (Monday 10 February 2025), for all Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) providers, including local authority nurseries, partner settings and commissioned childminders.  The enrolment week for all ELC places is from Monday 10 February to Friday 14 February 2025.

    Children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2023 will be entitled to a funded ELC place. 

    To enrol your child, or for further information on completing the online form, the enrolment process, catchment areas, Gaelic Medium education, school transport and placing requests, please visit www.highland.gov.uk/enrol.

    Please note once you have enrolled your child online, the setting will contact you to arrange the necessary induction for your child. 

    Parents who do not have access to the online enrolment process should contact their ELC setting during enrolment week to request a paper copy of the enrolment form.

    Parents and carers are also welcome to phone the setting of their choice to find out more about what is offered. To find out what provision is available in local communities, a helpful map can be found on the Council’s website.

    10 Feb 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Farr ELC and Primary Schools receive positive Education Scotland reports

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Farr ELC and Primary School have received positive reports following their most recent inspection by Education Scotland. 

    Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The recent inspection at the Farr ELC and Primary School from Education Scotland received a very positive report, reflecting the professionalism, dedication and commitment of the caring staff at the settings, to create an inclusive, safe and nurturing ethos for all pupils attending.

    “The report noted, the strong working partnerships with parents, the highly skilled staff/leadership and the well-equipped environment that promote children’s natural curiosity and imagination, learning and growth.

    “The setting is at the heart of the community and staff work collaboratively to ensure a holistic approach to help assist in supporting the needs of all pupils and their families. I’d like to commend all the staff at Farr ELC and Primary School for this excellent and deserving report.”

    The reports for the ELC from HMIE and the Care Inspectorate praised various qualities and strengths, reporting the following:

    • Practitioners in the nursery are highly skilled. They effectively support children to make very good progress in their learning through skilful interactions.
    • Positive relationships are a key strength of the nursery and are evident between children, practitioners, families, and senior leaders. Practitioners have a strong focus on the wellbeing of children, their families and each other.
    • Children were cared for by staff who were warm, compassionate, and nurturing. Staff provided individualised support by positively engaging with children.
    • Senior leaders provide sensitive and responsive support to practitioners to ensure they can be highly effective in their role. The ELC also merited the distinction of having practice identified that should be shared more widely.

    The report for the primary school also identified examples of good practice and strengths:

    • Across the school, there is an inclusive and welcoming ethos. Children are proud of their school and show respect for adults and visitors.
    • Teachers create calm, purposeful learning environments. Overall, most children engage well in their learning and are eager participants in class discussions.
    • Children across the school benefit from a range of leadership opportunities. For example, they are members of the pupil council, the eco group or the rights respecting schools’ group.
    • Children have access to attractive grounds and beautiful natural landscapes that surround the school. Senior leaders recognise the need to ensure that children experience greater opportunities to take their learning outdoors.
    • Senior leaders support staff, including non-teaching staff to engage meaningfully with annual staff professional reviews. The Head Teacher provides strong leadership and is ambitious for children to achieve success.

    Farr Cluster Head Teacher, Katherine Van Voornveld said:  “Over the past seven years, all of the ELCs, primaries and secondary school within our Campus have been inspected by HMIE and the Care Inspectorate.  This has been a very positive experience and extremely supportive of our improvement journey.  I am very proud of the most recent inspection reports received by Farr ELC and Primary School and would like to both commend the pupils and staff for their hard work and thank all our parents and partners for their ongoing support. “

    The full report is available on Education Scotland’s website (external link).

    10 Feb 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney

    For a long time, it seemed refugee law had little relevance to people fleeing the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    Nearly 30 years ago, the High Court of Australia, for instance, remarked that people fleeing a “natural disaster” or “natural catastrophes” could not be refugees.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Canada had said “victims of natural disasters” couldn’t be refugees “even when the home state is unable to provide assistance”.

    It was back in 2007 that I first started considering whether international refugee law could apply to people escaping the impacts of drought, floods or sea-level rise. At the time, I also thought refugee law had limited application. For a start, most people seeking to escape natural hazards move within their own country and don’t cross an international border. That fact alone makes refugee law inapplicable.

    Refugee law defines a refugee as someone with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.

    So one challenge was in classifying supposedly “natural” events as “persecution”, which requires an identifiable human actor.

    It was also widely thought such events were indiscriminate and couldn’t target people on account of their race, religion or one of the other five grounds. This is partly why some advocates called for an overhaul of the Refugee Convention to protect so-called “climate refugees”.

    However, we have learned a lot in the intervening years.

    A new approach

    It’s become clear the impacts of climate change and disasters interact with other social, economic and political drivers of displacement to create risks for people.

    This is what some legal experts have called the “hazard-scape”.

    And the impacts of climate change and disasters are not indiscriminate – they affect people in different ways. Factors such as age, gender, disability and health can intersect to create particular risk of persecution for particular individuals or communities.

    For example, a person who is a member of a minority may find their government is withholding disaster relief from them. Or, climate or disaster impacts may end up exacerbating inter-communal conflicts, putting certain people at heightened risk of persecution.

    Now, we have a much more nuanced understanding of things. Refugee law (and complementary protection under human rights law) do have a role to play in assessing the claims of people affected by climate change.

    No such thing as a ‘climate refugee’ under the law

    There isn’t a legal category of “climate refugee” – a popular label that has caused confusion. However, there are certainly people facing heightened risks because of the impacts of climate change or disasters. These impacts can generate or exacerbate a risk of persecution or other serious harm.

    This means that when it comes to the law, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

    Instead, by applying existing legal principles and approaches, it’s clear some people impacted by climate change already qualify for refugee status or complementary protection (under human rights law).

    One instructive case, heard in New Zealand, involved a deaf and mute man from Tuvalu who was seeking to avoid deportation on humanitarian grounds. He was found to be at heightened risk if a disaster struck because he could not hear evacuation or other warnings. He also didn’t have anyone who could sign for him or ensure his safety.

    In another case, an older couple from Eritrea were found to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of “their elderly status and lack of family support”, in circumstances where they would be exposed to “conditions of abject poverty, underdevelopment and likely displacement”. This, in addition to other conditions in Eritrea, meant that there was “a real chance they would suffer cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by way of starvation and destitution”. They were granted complementary protection.

    A practical way forward

    New Zealand has led the way on showing how existing international refugee and human rights law can provide protection in the context of climate change and disasters. It’s time for the rest of the world to catch up.

    With colleagues from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, I’ve helped create a practical toolkit on international protection for people displaced across borders in the context of climate change and disasters.

    This is a detailed resource for legal practitioners and decision-makers tasked with assessing international protection claims involving the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    It shows when, why and how existing law can apply to claims where climate change or disasters play a role.

    Inaccurate but popular labels aren’t helpful

    Inaccurate but popular labels – such as “climate refugee” – have caused confusion and arguably hampered a consistent, principled approach.

    Some judges and decision-makers assessing refugee claims may be spooked by “climate change”. They may think they need specialist scientific expertise to grapple with it.

    The new toolkit shows why international protection claims arising in the context of climate change and disasters should be assessed in the same way as all other international protection claims. That is, by applying conventional legal principles and considering the facts of each case.

    The toolkit stresses that it’s important to assess the impacts of climate change and disasters within a broader social context.

    That includes examining underlying systemic issues of discrimination or inequity that may impact on how particular people experience harm.

    The toolkit also shows why a cumulative assessment of risk is necessary, especially since risks may emerge over time, rather than as the result of a single, extreme event.

    And it emphasises the need to look at the “hazard-scape” as a whole in assessing the future risk of harm to a person.

    We hope the toolkit helps to debunk some common misunderstandings and charts a clear way forward. Our ultimate ambition is that people seeking international protection in the context of climate change and disasters will have their claims assessed in a consistent, fair and principled way.

    Jane McAdam receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a member of the expert sub-committee of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration. She thanks the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for its generous support of this project and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its endorsement.

    – ref. Climate impacts are forcing people from their homes. When, how and why do they have valid refugee claims? – https://theconversation.com/climate-impacts-are-forcing-people-from-their-homes-when-how-and-why-do-they-have-valid-refugee-claims-248865

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antisemitism goes beyond overt acts of hate – subtle forms of bias take their toll, too

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mareike Riedel, Senior lecturer in law, Macquarie University

    The dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents has dominated headlines in Australia in recent months, with calls for urgent action to address what many are calling a crisis.

    The Executive Council of Australian Jewry tallied more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents in 2024, including physical assaults, attacks on synagogues, vandalism and graffiti. This is a 316% increase over the previous year.

    These alarming events have sparked a heated political debate, with the opposition accusing the federal government of not taking the issue seriously enough.

    However, focusing only on overt acts of antisemitism risks seeing it as an exceptional phenomenon or a problem limited to fringe extremist groups. This can obscure the more subtle and structural forms of antisemitism that perpetuate stereotypes about Jews and entrench discrimination in society.

    How laws ingrain structural antisemitism

    In my research, I examine how certain forms of antisemitism persist in Western societies with a Christian tradition.

    While laws explicitly targeting Jews are largely a relic of the past, subtler forms of exclusion and discrimination remain. These often stem from perceptions that Jews deviate from dominant cultural norms.

    For instance, Jewish communities frequently encounter resistance to the building of an eruv. This is a symbolic demarcation of a public space that enables Jews to observe Shabbat, a day when work is prohibited. It can sometimes involve stringing a wire between poles to create a boundary where people can do things they aren’t normally able to do, such as push a pram or carry shopping bags.

    When an Orthodox Jewish community in Sydney sought permission to construct an eruv in the 2010s, local residents opposed it. Many arguments invoked stereotypes of Jews as clannish, intrusive and conspiratorial.

    There have been similar disputes over eruvs in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. In many cases, local councils have sided with opponents, meaning Orthodox Jewish communities have had to go to court to seek approval.

    In Europe, bans on religious slaughter have also singled out Jews and Muslims as cruel and fundamentalist, despite the widespread use of factory farming in Western societies.

    There have also been calls to outlaw infant male circumcision in the name of children’s rights in many European countries and parts of the US.

    These campaigns have, at times, tapped into longstanding antisemitic ideas about Jews as barbaric, bloodthirsty and backward.

    These legal conflicts or campaigns reveal the structural dimensions of antisemitism. Similar to other forms of structural racism, structural antisemitism normalises majoritarian norms, perceptions and practices.

    In turn, it marginalises and denigrates Jews as foreign, threatening and a problematic “other”.

    Institutions, including schools, workplaces and local councils, can perpetuate these biases when they legitimise such exclusionary norms without critical reflection.



    Read more:
    The long, dark history of antisemitism in Australia

    Challenging majority cultural norms

    Understanding structural antisemitism also requires examining the Christian heritage of Western societies. In particular, there is a need to reflect on the legacy of Christian anti-Judaism.

    Historically, the Christian belief in “supersessionism” referred to idea that Christianity has superseded Judaism and that Christians have replaced Jews as the people of God. Alongside the stereotype of Jews as the killers of Christ, this belief has contributed to stereotypes of Jews as inferior to Christians and being archaic, unenlightened, exclusive and ritualistic.

    As the legal conflicts over eruvs, religious slaughter and circumcision suggest, such views continue to subtly influence attitudes towards Jews, even in modern secular societies.

    For example, popular references to Judeo-Christian values signal the equality of Jews and Christians in society. However, this glosses over the fact that the acceptance of Jews can be contingent on conforming with majority norms.

    This legacy also normalises Christian privilege. While Christians may face discrimination in certain contexts, they also enjoy inherent advantages in societies shaped by Christian traditions.

    National calendars, weekly rhythms and public holidays align with Christian practices, while minorities need to seek accommodations to observe their own traditions.

    For example, Western cities are filled with Christian symbols, such as churches and annual Christmas decorations. Several Australian parliaments and local councils also still begin meetings with Christian prayers.

    What might seem like benign cultural traditions can signal exclusion to minority communities, including Jews. Implicit Christian norms can also create pressure to assimilate, especially given the long history of Christian societies’ attempts to convert or assimilate Jews.

    However, these dynamics are rarely acknowledged in public debates about the discrimination of Jews and can also fly under the radar of the law.

    In 1998, for instance, a Jewish father in New South Wales brought racial discrimination complaints against the education department over Christian activities at his children’s public school. These included nativity plays, Christmas carols and exchanging Easter eggs. The complaints were dismissed because they did not constitute discrimination on the basis of race.

    The law in NSW does not prohibit religious discrimination (although the state now has religious vilification laws).

    This gap exists in federal discrimination law, as well. It leaves minority religious groups with limited legal options to challenge the dominance of Christian norms. The NSW example demonstrates this and suggests there may be a case for a new federal religious discrimination law.

    The question of what constitutes antisemitism remains a vexed question, including among Jews. Violent antisemitic attacks demand urgent attention. Yet, public discussions of antisemitism must also address these subtler forms of exclusion and the structural dimensions of antisemitism.

    Mareike Riedel 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. Antisemitism goes beyond overt acts of hate – subtle forms of bias take their toll, too – https://theconversation.com/antisemitism-goes-beyond-overt-acts-of-hate-subtle-forms-of-bias-take-their-toll-too-249023

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Continuing Alberta’s advocacy efforts to U.S. officials

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Support for Ukrainians continues as government extends driving licence and vehicle exemptions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ukrainian licence holders will be able to drive on Great Britain’s roads for up to 4.5 years from when they arrive in the UK.

    • rules to allow Ukrainians to drive in the UK using their Ukrainian license extended
    • Ukrainians will also remain exempt from registering and paying vehicle excise duty in the UK on Ukrainian-registered vehicles
    • additional support comes as UK and Ukraine sign historic 100-year partnership to bolster maritime security and deepen trade ties

    Ukrainian nationals who have fled Russia’s illegal invasion will continue being able to drive, as the government extends rules to support them.

    The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, has announced an 18-month extension for Ukrainian licence holders, allowing them to drive mopeds, motorcycles and cars – meaning these motorists will be able to drive on Great Britain’s roads for up to 4.5 years from arriving here in the UK.

    In addition, certain Ukrainians on visa schemes will be exempt for a further 18 months from registering their vehicles or paying vehicle excise duty (VED) for their Ukrainian-registered vehicles in the UK. This reduces financial pressure and avoids unnecessary costs and complications.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    The government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine, and it’s important those in the UK who’ve fled Putin’s illegal invasion are able to get about with ease for work or education.

    This may seem like a small thing, but I’m pleased our country is taking action to help make day-to-day life that little bit easier for those who have endured unimaginable hardship for 3 years now.

    The UK and Ukraine have an unbreakable bond reflected through the recently announced 100 Year Partnership, which ensures closer communities are supported for generations to come.

    These exemptions align with the launch of the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, which enables certain Ukrainians to stay in the UK for a further 18 months from the end of their current permission. These measures will help avoid obstacles that may make it harder for Ukrainians to return home after the war to support reconstruction efforts.

    The UK is steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine, with £12.8 billion in humanitarian, economic and military support since the invasion started in February 2022. The Prime Minister committed £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cyber scaleup Goldilock expands Wolverhampton hub to support rapid growth

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Goldilock is a UK based cyber security scaleup which has developed a unique network isolation and segmentation device that ringfences networks away from the internet to make them inaccessible to hackers. Over the past year, FireBreak has won Goldilock a place on multiple accelerators including the prestigious NATO DIANA programme and the MoD’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). FireBreak’s applications for critical networks and sensitive data mean the product is being used by organisations responsible for critical national infrastructure (CNI) globally including the Ukrainian Cyber Command, as well as in sectors such as financial services, healthcare and manufacturing. Goldilock fuelled its growth in 2024 through expanding its channel partner programme, and now collaborates with over 50 partners across 18 countries in Europe, while the company’s headcount in the West Midlands hub has doubled over the course of the year to support a rapidly expanding customer base.

    The West Midlands region, with its burgeoning community of forward thinking businesses and access to a talented pool of cybersecurity professionals, provides an ideal foundation for Goldilock’s continued success. FireBreak’s applications for defence and deployment by large UK CNI companies means Goldilock’s facilities in the West Midlands have been officially vetted by both NATO and UK security regulators. Now, as Goldilock scales up and moves from R&D and prototyping to large scale manufacturing to meet the global demand for FireBreak, it has chosen to re-invest in the West Midlands by expanding its facilities and continuing to conduct all manufacturing in its new dedicated space in the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.

    Anticipating continued growth over the next few years, Goldilock expects to increase the team to 32 employees by the end of 2025 and forecasts that it will be able to create 44 new jobs in the area between now and the end of 2027, the majority of which will be engineers to help service customer orders for FireBreak as they continue to grow in size and number.

    Stephen Kines, co-founder and COO of Goldilock, said: “We are thrilled to expand our capability to meet the large scale orders we have coming in and in doing so further strengthen our ties with the tech community in the West Midlands.

    “With sophisticated ransomware and AI powered attacks on a continuous rise, paired with the increasing interconnectedness of systems, Goldilock’s technology provides a critical, foundational layer of defence. The West Midlands offers us an invaluable hub for innovation, providing access to a diverse pool of talented tech professionals and a supportive business environment from which we can continue to grow the business and get our critical product to where it’s needed most, as quickly as possible.”

    Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “We warmly welcome Goldilock’s commitment to growing its pioneering cyber security business in the West Midlands.

    Goldilock is helping to strengthen our manufacturing supply chain and create new jobs for local people.”

    City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “Goldilock’s expansion is a testament to the City of Wolverhampton’s growing appeal as a destination of choice for ambitious tech firms, with an extensive R&D network, deep pool of specialist talent and proximity to the region’s end to end manufacturing supply chain.

    “We’re very proud that Goldilock chose to call the University of Wolverhampton Science Park home and look forward to supporting their continued growth, while encouraging many more tech firms to make the most of the valuable opportunity presented by our Green Innovation Corridor.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK remains committed to achieving justice for survivors of Daesh crimes: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

    The UK remains fully focused on tackling the continued threat from Daesh and its affiliates. 

    Whilst steady progress has been made by the international community to suppress Daesh, we cannot become complacent. 

    Daesh continues to exploit regional instability, drive division and seek new ways to finance its operations through emerging technology and this remains a global threat which we need to address collectively. 

    In the Middle East, after decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, the United Kingdom stands with the people of Syria and their desire to build a more stable, free and prosperous future. 

    We welcome continued efforts, including by the Global Coalition, to suppress Daesh and reduce the risk they pose as Syria embarks on this historic political transition.   

    Iraq also remains a critical partner – the reduction in Daesh’s influence and impact in Iraq is a credit to Iraqi determination and sustained military efforts, alongside Coalition partners.  

    The UK remains committed to achieving justice for survivors of Daesh crimes. 

    We will continue working with the Government of Iraq as they build on UNITAD’s legacy and deliver accountability through their National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC).

    In Asia, ISKP continue to pose a threat despite work to combat them, including by Pakistan, and other countries in the region. 

    The UK continues to coordinate action against the group through the ISKP Diplomatic Grouping, targeting their propaganda and seeking to restrict their access to financial resources.  

    In Africa, Daesh continues to spread across large parts of the continent, threatening regional stability and inspiring individuals to conduct attacks. 

    The African Union plays a central role in coordinating the international response, and the UK welcomes, for example. the renewed mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the recent deployment of the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission to Somalia.  

    Finally, we cannot fight terrorism with force alone. 

    A whole of society approach with the meaningful participation of women is needed to address the long-term drivers of terrorism. 

    The protection of human rights and rule of law should be at the heart of all of our efforts.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Suspended prison sentence for illegal waste activity

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    A man has appeared at court for failing to clear an illegal waste site for the second time – and operating another one in Middlesbrough.

    The image shows large piles of waste at the illegal Owens Road site.

    In a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency, Martin Hindmarsh, 38, of High Street, Stokesley, appeared at Teesside magistrates’ court on Tuesday 4 February.

    He admitted he was in contempt of court for the second time for failing to comply with a court order to clear waste from an illegal site at Tame Road, in Middlesbrough.

    He had also previously pleaded guilty on 19 November 2024 to operating another illegal waste site at Owens Road, also in Middlesbrough, which he was doing during the investigation and prosecution in relation to the Tame Road site.

    For the illegal waste site, he was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 250 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £7,506.60.

    For the contempt of court, he was fined £5,000 and told he must clear the site or expect to be back before the court.

    The image shows the piles of waste still present at the illegal Tame Road site.

    ‘Determined to tackle waste crime’

    Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

    We are determined to tackle waste crime that is blighting our communities, and continue to take action against those involved.

    Hindmarsh has shown a complete disregard for the law in relation to both of the sites he has operated in Middlesbrough, and we’re pleased this has been recognised by the court.

    Trying to bypass environmental laws for financial gain can ultimately end up being significantly more costly.

    The court heard that Hindmarsh, the director of B8 Waste Services Ltd – which was ultimately dissolved in October 2023 – started renting an industrial unit at Owens Road in December 2022.

    In June 2023, both Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency received information about a large amount of waste on the site.

    Officers from both organisations attended the site together and saw it filled with waste, including fridges and freezers, wood, metal, mattresses and gas canisters, all stored in one big pile causing a fire hazard.

    Hindmarsh, who was on site, said he did not have an Environment Agency environmental permit, which is required to operate a waste facility.

    He was given a notice that required him to stop operating the site with immediate effect and to remove all waste by 14 July 2023. He was also asked for his waste transfer notes, which are a legally required document that record the movement of waste between one place and another.

    The image shows illegal waste at the Owens Road site.

    Checks on illegal site

    On 14 July, the Environment Agency returned to the site to assess whether waste had been removed, and while the unit was shut, they found there was an increase in waste stored outside of the unit.

    In August, a further visit confirmed the amount of waste on site had increased.

    In December, the Environment Agency wrote to Hindmarsh requesting that all waste transfer notes for waste that left the site between 1 July and 20 December 2023 were provided by 29 December 2023.

    In February the following year, officers met with Hindmarsh on site. While the majority of waste had been removed, there were still around 40 fridge freezers remaining. Hindmarsh also provided the waste transfer notes this month, six weeks after the December deadline.

    At the Tame Road site, in July 2023, Hindmarsh and his other company, B8 Waste Management Limited, were fined and ordered to pay costs totalling almost £26,000 when they appeared at Teesside magistrates’ court. Hindmarsh was ordered to clear the site of waste by 31 December 2023, and disqualified from being a company director for two years

    In July 2024, he appeared in court again where he admitted contempt of court for failing to clear the site by the deadline. He was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,750.

    He indicated he would clear the site within two months, but checks by Environment Agency officers in August and November revealed the waste was still on site. Waste was also still present during a final visit by officers on the day of sentencing – 4 February 2025.

    In mitigation, the court heard that Hindmarsh had cleared the Owens Road site and had recently borrowed money to clear the Tame Road site, and expected it to be cleared in the next week. It was added that his family would suffer if sent to prison. 

    People can report waste crime to the Environment Agency on its incident hotline: 0800 807060

    Background

    Full charge

    Between 7 June and 2 February 2024, Hindmarsh operated a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the recovery or disposal of waste, except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit.

    Contrary to regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Simon Case takes leading role in plan to transform Barrow

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Former Cabinet Secretary appointed independent Chair of Barrow Delivery Board Barrow Transformation Fund backed by £200m government investment

    Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Simon Case has been appointed independent Chair of the Barrow Delivery Board, the government announced today (Monday, Feb 10). 

    Dr Case brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role after a long career in the Civil Service. 

    The Delivery Board will deliver the Barrow Transformation Fund, a £200m government package to deepen and develop Barrow’s crucial role at the heart of UK national security and nuclear submarine-building, overseen by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

    It forms part of the Plan for Barrow, which aims to strengthen the local economy, support sustainable growth and boost opportunities for residents.  

    Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris said: 

    Barrow lies at the heart of our defence industry, and the nuclear submarines produced there play a crucial role in keeping Britain safe. We are committed to building on Barrow’s incredible strengths and making sure local people benefit from the town’s development.

    Simon Case is ideally placed to chair the Delivery Board and oversee the delivery of £200m of funding to tackle local priorities, taking Barrow towards an exciting future. He will ensure Barrow’s place in our national Plan for Change – because what’s best for Barrow is best for the country.

    Dr Case said:

    I’m delighted to be appointed Chair and take on this important role. Barrow is critical to our national security; there’s nowhere else in the country with the unique set of skills and supporting infrastructure required to deliver complex nuclear submarines, so it’s vital we invest now to sustain this capability. 

    Barrow is a fantastic town and the Government’s long-term commitment to the UK’s submarine programme means it has an exciting future, but it’s not without its challenges. Our task is to address these, turn ambition into reality and help transform Barrow into a place where people choose to live, work and thrive.

    The government is committed to growing the economy, strengthening national security and supporting our communities as part of the Plan for Change.

    Barrow’s contribution to maintaining and renewing the UK’s nuclear deterrent has been built up over many years – often by multiple generations of the same families as part of a truly national endeavour. The government’s tailored Transformation Fund will build on these historic strengths and ensure the town’s full potential is realised. 

    Dr Case’s appointment was confirmed by Minister Norris in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament today. The Delivery Board will meet in March to make its first spending decisions. This funding will bring transformational and long-lasting change to Barrow across areas including transport, education, employment, skills, health, equity and wellbeing. 

    Dr Case previously acted as Chair of the Board on an interim basis, as part of his role as Cabinet Secretary.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Office smashes targets with mass surge in migrant removals

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and people with no right to be in the UK have now been removed since the government took office.

    Nearly 19,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders have been returned since the election to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America following a major escalation in immigration enforcement by the Home Office.

    By redeploying 1,000 staff to work on immigration enforcement and sending a clear signal that those coming here illegally will be returned swiftly – between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, enforced returns are up 24%, removals of foreign national offenders up 21% and illegal working raids up by 38% compared to the same period 12 months prior.

    These figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the 4 biggest returns charter flights in the UK’s history, with a total of more than 850 people on board.

    As part of this release, the Home Office has for the first time shared images of the inner working of the removals process to provide further understanding of this important work.

    The government’s success in ramping up removals is a key part of our Plan for Change to deliver on working people’s priorities and finally restoring order to the asylum system. This new approach focusses on breaking the business model of smuggling gangs through tougher law enforcement powers than ever before, rapidly removing those who are here illegally and ending the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:   

    To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced. That’s why, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, we have put significant additional resource into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.

    I want to pay tribute to all the Immigration Enforcement staff and other officials in the Home Office who strive tirelessly every day to make our returns system work firmly, fairly and swiftly.

    Deportations and returns of foreign national offenders and failed asylum seekers continue to take place regularly, with final numbers to be confirmed later in the year, as part of the Home Office’s usual published statistics.

    Ramping up returns is an important part of the government’s system-wide action to strengthen UK border security and restore order to the asylum and immigration system. Tackling illegal working is also vital to this approach and last month saw 828 premises raided by Immigration Enforcement, the highest total of raids recorded in the month of January for over half a decade.

    During these enforcement operations Immigration Enforcement officers also play a crucial role in tackling human trafficking and modern slavery through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). This system allows the government to carry out its obligations to identify and support adult victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Immigration Enforcement officers are trained to spot the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking when they carry out enforcement visits and refer victims to the NRM for support.

    In the months ahead, the government will introduce new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs, as part of new, robust legislation to protect UK border security, which has second reading in the House of Commons today.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Romanian National Sentenced To 18 Months In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry Into The United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Severin Bombu (35, Romania) to 18 months in federal prison for illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. Bombu pleaded guilty on November 18, 2024.

    According to court documents, Bombu is a citizen and national of Romania. He was previously removed from the United States on three prior occasions: November 16, 2018, December 20, 2023, and March 2, 2024. Bombu was found voluntarily back in the United States on November 1, 2024, when he was arrested in Marion County on an outstanding grand theft warrant. Bombu has never applied for or received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.

    This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – President Metsola: “Örebro shooting was a senseless act of violence”

    Source: European Parliament 3

    President Metsola opened the 10-13 February session with a minute’s silence for the victims of last week’s shooting in Örebro – the worst in Sweden’s history.

    Örebro Shooting

    Calling on MEPs to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the mass shooting at Risbergska school in Örebro on Tuesday 4 February 2025, President Metsola called the tragedy “a senseless act of violence that claimed innocent lives, shattering families, and scarring communities. Europe mourns those who have been lost, and our thoughts are with their loved ones, with all those who have been injured, and with the people of Sweden in this moment of profound sorrow.” She added that “hatred and violence have no place in Europe. The values that unite us – peace, democracy, and the dignity of human life – will always prevail.”

    Three years since Russian invasion of Ukraine

    President Metsola marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine by saying that “Ukraine remains resilient. And this Parliament stands with it.” President Metsola informed MEPs that Parliament will welcome Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday 11 February to mark this sombre anniversary.

    Interruptions during International Holocaust Remembrance Day

    Referring to interruptions that took place during Parliament’s solemn session on 29 January 2025 to honour International Holocaust Remembrance Day, President Metsola extended her deepest apologies for the “disgraceful” incident. “The gravity of such behaviour cannot be overstated. It is a stark reminder of why remembrance is not just a symbolic act, but a fundamental duty that this Parliament – that we all must – uphold,” she said. “The appropriate consequences will be drawn after the relevant procedures are followed. I thank all of you for being present that day.”

    Changes to the agenda

    MONDAY

    Parliament’s statements on the Situation in Sweden in the midst of the recent mass shooting in Örebro, with one round of political group speakers, is added as the first point today.

    TUESDAY

    A formal sitting with an address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is added at 12:00. As a consequence, the voting session will start at 12:30.

    THURSDAY

    The order of debates in the morning is changed as follows:

    • the debate on EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement is taken as the first point on the agenda, whereas
    • the debate on Threats to EU sovereignty through strategic dependencies in communication infrastructure follows as the second point.

    Request by several committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

    Decisions by committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 71) are published on the plenary website.

    If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Tuesday at midnight, the committees may start negotiations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party Secures Support for Humane XL Bully Legislation Reform

    Source: The Green Party in Northern Ireland

    Green Party Councillors Lauren Kendall and Barry McKee have achieved a significant victory for animal welfare at the Ards & North Down Environment Committee. Their motion, of “Kindness over cruelty”, challenges Northern Ireland’s current ban on rehoming XL Bully type dogs, which has led to the destruction of healthy, non-aggressive animals.
    The approved motion recognises the paramount importance of community safety while arguing that the blanket ban on rehoming XL Bullies is unnecessarily cruel. It calls on the DAERA Minister to revise the legislation, allowing registered animal charities and shelters to rehome these dogs following professional behavioural assessments.
    Councillor Kendall emphasised the need for evidence-based policy: “Expert organisations like the USPCA and Dogs Trust agree that dog breeds aren’t inherently dangerous. Every day, shelters assess dogs for rehoming based on behaviour, not breed. We’re simply asking for XL Bullies to be given the same chance, with proper vetting and safety measures in place.”
    Councillor McKee highlighted the human cost of the current legislation: “The case of Max in Lisburn & Castlereagh shows how flawed this system is. Without public outcry, a misidentified dog would have been needlessly destroyed. We’re wasting time and resources fighting these battles when better legislation could prevent them entirely.”
    The Green Party’s motion offers a balanced approach, prioritising both public safety and animal welfare. By advocating for professional assessments and responsible ownership practices, it aims to prevent the needless euthanasia of dogs that could bring joy to suitable owners.
    As the Council prepares to write to the DAERA Minister, the Green Party Northern Ireland reaffirms its commitment to evidence-based policy-making that protects both communities and animals. This motion represents a crucial step towards more humane and effective dog control measures in Northern Ireland, ensuring that no dog is destroyed simply because of its breed.
    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Norwich City Council celebrates National Apprenticeship Week!

    Source: City of Norwich

    Published on Monday, 10th February 2025

    National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration of apprentices, highlighting the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals and organisations across the country.

    With the national campaign now in its 18th year, Norwich City Council is proud to once again celebrate the invaluable contribution apprentices make to its workforce, helping to deliver essential public services to the residents across the city.

    The authority boasts that Since 2018 more than 18 apprenticeships have been completed, with another 12 currently ongoing. Qualifications range from NVQ level 2 to level 6 (or equivalent) in a variety of disciplines, including:

    • Business administration.
    • Civil engineering.
    • Procurement.
    • Accountancy.
    • Human resources (HR).
    • Software development.
    • Customer Service.

    Meanwhile, the council’s retention rate is an equally impressive 72%, demonstrating that the apprentices choose to stay on and progress within the authority, even after they have completed their course.

    This mirrors the picture nationally, with studies showing that 80% of employers report higher staff retention due to apprenticeships and 92% of employers seeing a boost in workforce motivation and satisfaction.

    Councillor Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council said: “As a council we are very proud of our apprentices and the work they do for us, not only do apprenticeships offer fantastic opportunities for young people in the local area to kickstart their careers, but it is also a way for our established members of staff to retrain in other disciplines, should they wish to.”

    “I would like to encourage more local businesses in the city to take on apprentices, so we can foster a more experienced and qualified workforce which can only help to enrich the local economy further.”

    For more information on the council’s apprenticeships – and news of vacancies as they become available, please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/apprenticeships

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Four new members appointed and two reappointed to Defra’s Science Advisory Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Appointments and reappointments made to Defra’s Science Advisory Council

    The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed the appointment of four new members and the reappointment of two members to the Science Advisory Council.

    The four new appointees are:

    • Professor Nicola Beaumont
    • Professor Camille Bonneaud
    • Professor Chris Hauton
    • Professor Jane Hill

    Members will serve a three-year term, taking effect from 10 February 2025 until 9 February 2028.

    Two existing members of the Science Advisory Council have been reappointed for a second term of three years. Professor Felix Eigenbrod’s reappointment began on 1 February 2025 and will continue until 31 January 2028. Professor Marian Scott’s second term takes effect on 1 June 2025 and will run until 31 May 2028.

    The appointments have been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments. 

    Defra’s Science Advisory Council 

    Defra’s Science Advisory Council is an advisory non-departmental public body which provides expert independent advice on science policy and strategy to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext announces volumes for January 2025    

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext announces volumes for January 2025        

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 10 February 2025 – Euronext, the leading European capital market infrastructure, today announced trading volumes for January 2025.

    Monthly and historical volume tables are available at this address:

    euronext.com/investor-relations#monthly-volumes

    CONTACTS  

    ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

    Aurélie Cohen  
    Judith Stein  +33 6 15 23 91 97 

                          

    MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com 

    Europe Aurélie Cohen + 33 1 70 48 24 45  
      Andrea Monzani +39 02 72 42 62 13
    Belgium  Marianne Aalders + 32 26 20 15 01
    France, Corporate Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella + 33 1 70 48 24 45
    Ireland Andrea Monzani  + 39 02 72 42 62 13
    Italy  Ester Russom + 39 02 72 42 67 56
    The Netherlands Marianne Aalders + 31 20 721 41 33
    Norway Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund + 47 41 69 59 10
    Portugal Sandra Machado + 351 91 777 68 97
    Corporate Services Coralie Patri + 33 7 88 34 27 44

     About Euronext   

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Portugal. 

    As of December 2024, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal host over 1,800 listed issuers with around €6 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices. 

    For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn. 

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

    © 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved. 

    The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: While the world is distracted by Trump, here’s how Putin and Musk are weakening European democracies

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    In an unprecedented decision on December 6 2024, the Romanian constitutional court annulled the November 25 presidential elections after it received credible intelligence of large-scale external interference rigging the results of the first round in favour of a hardly-known far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu.

    Georgescu’s massive last-minute surge was largely blamed on the creation of thousands of paid-for Russian-controlled bots on TikTok and illegal campaign financing.

    This may seem like last year’s news, but with elections coming up in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and possibly even Ukraine, there’s plenty to worry about – apart from a new US president who is disrupting Washington (and the world) with a flurry of executive orders and foreign policy initiatives that feel more like real estate sales pitches.

    Concerns about Russian election interference are nothing new, but so far the picture of Moscow’s success is rather mixed.

    Back in January 2017, the US intelligence community was confident that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential elections to get Donald Trump elected. The following year, similar accusations arose in the context of presidential elections in France. But in France, the Kremlin failed to prevent the victory of Emmanuel Macron.

    More recently, in Georgia, the incumbent government of the Georgian Dream party won the parliamentary elections in October 2024 after alleged Russian interference. This sparked widespread protests and a government crackdown on media and civil society.

    By contrast, despite alleged Russian interference in Moldova, the country’s pro-western president won a second term in November 2024. A referendum on a constitutional commitment to EU membership was supported by a razor-thin majority of voters.



    Read more:
    Maia Sandu’s victory in second round of Moldovan election show’s limits to Moscow’s meddling

    Opinion polls on perceptions of Russia and Vladimir Putin across western democracies also offer some solace. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2024, positive views of Russia and its leader remain very low across EU and Nato member countries. At the same time, approval ratings of the EU and Nato remained high among member countries’ citizens.

    But these relatively comforting headline figures mask important, and somewhat worrying, trends. In Germany, which holds early parliamentary elections on February 23, positive views of Putin more than doubled from 8% in 2023 to 17% in 2024. This is still a far cry from the 76% who approved of Putin in 2003 or even the 36% who did so in 2019, according to the same survey. The German increase is an outlier among the 13 EU members, but in only one of them – Italy – did support for Putin drop, compared with the previous year.



    Read more:
    Why Romania’s election was annulled – and what happens next?

    The same goes for support for the EU and Nato. The median level of support for the EU across nine member states surveyed stands at 63%, with 36% of participants holding unfavourable views. Germany, with 63% favourable views, however, recorded the second consecutive decline, down from 78% in 2022 and 71% in 2023. And Germany is less of an outlier here – favourable views of the EU among member states have generally declined somewhat over the past two years.

    Musk speaks at an AfD rally.

    When it comes to Nato, 63% of survey participants in 13 member countries thought more positively of the alliance, while 33% had more negative views. But again, with the exception of Hungary and Canada (where favourability went up), the share of those with favourable views had declined by between two and eight percentage points since last year.

    Does this mean that Putin is winning? No, at least not yet. Attitude surveys are less important than election results.

    Russia appears to have had some recent success in changing election outcomes, for instance in Romania where Romanian intelligance services discovered evidence of voter manipulation. But the Romanian example (in annulling the election) is also illustrative of how important it is for democracies to fight back – and even more importantly to take preventive action.

    And this is a lesson that seems to have sunk in. On January 30, the foreign ministers of 12 EU member states sent a joint letter to Brussels urging the European Commission to make more aggressive use of its powers under the Digital Services Act to protect the integrity of democratic elections in the bloc. Article 25 of that act, crucially, establishes an obligation on online platforms to design their services free from deception and manipulation and ensure that users can make informed decisions.

    While the commission has yet to demonstrate its resolve under the Digital Services Act, a Berlin court on February 7 2025, ordered that X must hand over data needed to track disinformation to two civil society groups who had requested it.

    Musk and Putin: shared values?

    If Putin is winning, he is not winning on his own. Democracies are not only under threat from Russia. Musk – an unelected billionaire wielding unprecedented influence under Donald Trump – has repeatedly been accused of interfering in European debates and election campaigns. Of his comments on the German election, Musk has argued that as he has significant investments in Germany he has the right to comment on its politics and that the AfD “resonates with many Germans who feel their concerns are ignored by the establishment”.

    What Musk and Putin have in common is their deep dislike of open liberal democracies and a cunning ability to employ technology to further their goals by promoting political parties and movements that share their illiberal views.

    Where they differ is that Musk focuses on the far right – Germany’s AfD or the UK’s Tommy Robinson. But Putin tends to back whoever he sees as serving Russian interests in weakening western unity and influence. This leads to the Kremlin lending support to leaders on both the far right and far left.

    But often Putin’s and Musk’s proteges are the same. In the case of the German AfD, it was no accident that Putin echoed comments from a speech Musk gave at an AfD election rally, saying that Germans should move beyond their war guilt. Both were keen to remove the stain of being too close to Germany’s Nazi past from the AfD and make it not just electable but also respectable enough to bring into a coalition, much like Austria’s far-right Freedom Party which has a long history of friendly relations with Putin.

    And what Musk can do openly on X, Putin tries to achieve with a campaign of his bot army on the platform.

    Perhaps the most significant similarity between Musk and Putin – and others who have been accused of election interference – is that they tap into a growing reservoir of discontent with liberal democracy.

    According to a 2024 survey of 31 democracies worldwide, 54% of participants were dissatisfied with how they saw democracy working. In 12 high-income countries – Canada, US, and 10 EU member states – dissatisfaction was even higher with 64% and has been increasing for the fourth consecutive year.

    Pushing back against the kind of blatant election interference by the likes of Putin and Musk is clearly important. But it will not be enough to reverse persistent trends of decline in the support for democracy and its standard bearers including the EU and Nato. It is right to resist and prosecute election rigging. But it is also crucial to ask why people are dissatisfied with democracy – and to do something about it.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. While the world is distracted by Trump, here’s how Putin and Musk are weakening European democracies – https://theconversation.com/while-the-world-is-distracted-by-trump-heres-how-putin-and-musk-are-weakening-european-democracies-249400

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Coface SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at 31 January 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at 31 January 2025

    Paris, 10 February 2025 – 17.45

    Total Number of
    Shares Capital    		 Theoretical Number of Voting Rights1 Number of Real
    Voting Rights2
    150,179,792 150,179,792 149,405,017

    (1)   including own shares
    (2)   excluding own shares

    Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust. You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    About Coface

    COFACE SA is a société anonyme (joint-stock corporation), with a Board of Directors (Conseil d’Administration) incorporated under the laws of France, and is governed by the provisions of the French Commercial Code. The Company is registered with the Nanterre Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) under the number 432 413 599. The Company’s registered office is at 1 Place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois Colombes, France.

    At the date of 31 December 2024, the Company’s share capital amounts to €300,359,584, divided into 150,179,792 shares, all of the same class, and all of which are fully paid up and subscribed.

    All regulated information is available on the company’s website (http://www.coface.com/Investors).

    Coface SA. is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment A
    ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –