Category: housing

MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Global channelled €693 million to the countries of the Western Balkans in 2024
Source: European Investment Bank
- EIB Global invested €527 million in loans for new projects, mobilising nearly €3.1 billion in new investment, supported by €166 million in grants
- New projects will accelerate the green transition and promote the competitiveness of economies.
- The Bank continued its support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, reaching a record €213 million in signed agreements in 2024
In 2024, the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Global) financing for new projects reached €693 million in loans and grants for the countries of the Western Balkans for energy security, sustainable transport, climate action, digital and human capital development. Out of these funds, €527 million have been signed in loans, €164 million in EU grants under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and €2 million in grants under the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative. The largest share of new signatures was allocated to sustainable transport (43%), clean energy projects (31%, a record) and the private sector (20%).

“We are fully committed to supporting all countries in the region on their path to EU integration” remarked EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot. “Achieving higher convergence requires significant reforms and investments, which is why combined financial and technical support under the Team Europe umbrella provides a coherent, continuous and extensive support. The latest Growth Plan exemplifies initiatives that can accelerate market integration, economic growth, and EU accession ambitions.”

Supporting energy projects

In the energy sector, the Bank provided €213 million in loans for projects such as the rehabilitation of several large hydropower plants and the installation of advanced electricity meters in Serbia, as well as the construction of one of the largest solar photovoltaic plant near Pristina in Kosovo. The plant will address the energy needs of over 29 000 households and cut 174 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“As the EU Climate Bank, we have intensified our efforts to promote a green transition in each and every country and are steadfast in our commitment to support the decarbonisation of regional economies to ensure energy security and reduce environmental pollution,” said Vice-President De Groot.

The bank also made available the Greening Financial Systems (GFS) advisory programme in North Macedonia and Albania to enhance national and local banks’ climate risk management practices and stimulate green investments among companies. Several EIB-financed projects benefited from technical assistance under the WBIF and the Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPERS) advisory program. Since the signing of its third mandate in autumn 2023, JASPERS experts have been working on 32 advisory assignments across the Western Balkans, covering transport, water, energy, urban, and digital sectors.

Advancing sustainable connectivity

In 2024, EIB Global continued to support the transport sector with €295 million in new financing, for projects such as the rehabilitation of railway sections in Albania and Montenegro. These infrastructure improvements along the extended Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) will increase railway capacity, efficiency, and safety, promoting a shift from road to sustainable mobility and generally improve regional connectivity. The bank signed a €79 million EU grant for the construction of the section on the Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Driving job creation and climate action among regional companies

The bank invested €151 million to support the expansion of, and investments in innovation and clean energy projects among local companies, creating employment and economic growth in the region. Thanks to the first impact-based credit line, small businesses in the region have created new jobs, training and career development opportunities for people from vulnerable groups. In addition, under the EU’s “WB EDIF Guarantee Facility for SME Resilience”, the European Investment Fund, part of the EIB Group, provided guarantees to local banks, which are expected to unlock over €750 million worth of loans to some 13 000 small businesses, sustaining around 180 000 jobs.

Background information

About the EIB

The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.

The EIB is one of the leading international financiers in the Western Balkans. For detailed information on the EIB’s activities in this region, visit www.eib.org/en/publications/the-eib-in-the-western-balkans.

About the EIF

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments that specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.
MIL OSI Europe News –
February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission’s opinion on the clear abuses of the judiciary for settling political scores with the current opposition in Slovenia – P-000655/2025

Source: European Parliament

Priority question for written answer P-000655/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Branko Grims (PPE)

Again and again we have seen obviously politically motivated proceedings being launched against Janez Janša in the run-up to elections. Then after the elections the proceedings are halted, only to be revived when the next elections are approaching. This has been going on for two decades, so it is obvious that this abuse is politically motivated.

In the Kafkaesque Patria case, which went on for a decade, Janez Janša was tried for having ‘somewhere’, ‘at some time’ made an ‘unknown promise’ and on the basis of that absurd construct was imprisoned ahead of an election. After the election, Slovenia’s Constitutional Court quashed the ruling.

Now he is on trial in what is referred to as the ‘Trenta’ case. Some thirty years ago, Mr Janša bought a plot with a house in the Trenta valley. It was in the national park, where new building is not permitted. But replacement construction is permitted so these properties change hands at higher prices. In 2005 he sold the property for a higher price. The prosecution argues that the acquisition of the property by the management of a private company was ‘financially detrimental’, even though many properties in tourist areas and in Ljubljana were bought and sold for a substantially bigger price difference in a comparable period.

What is the Commission’s opinion on this clear abuse of the judiciary to politically discredit the opposition in Slovenia?

Submitted: 12.2.2025

Last updated: 24 February 2025

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow

Source: Government of India (2)

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow

Saras Aajeevika Mela aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth

Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Sector 33 A, Noida, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow. Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is being organized from 21^stFebruary to 10th March 2025, primarily to showcase the craft and arts of rural India. For the 5^thtime, the famous Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is being organized by the Ministry of Rural Development with the support of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) with the theme of tradition, art, and culture and “Developing Export Potential of Lakhpati SHG Didis”. On this special occasion, Ministers of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Shri Kamlesh Paswan will also be present.

Visitors are enjoying various products made by Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 30 States. Handloom, Handicrafts & Natural Food Products made by SHGs are showcased on 200 Stalls for exhibition and sale. Besides, 25 Live Food Stalls from 20 States are also showcasing their ethnic cuisines and delicious food items at Noida Haat. Around 450 SHG Members across the country are participating in this Saras Aajeevika Mela.

The Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025 is featuring excellent displays of various state handlooms, sarees, and dress materials. These include: Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari, Assam’s Mekhla Chador, Bihar’s Cotton and Silk, Chhattisgarh’s Kosa Saree, Gujarat’s Bharat Gunthan and Patchwork, Jharkhand’s Tasar Silk and Cotton, Chanderi and Bagh Print from Madhya Pradesh, Eri Products from Meghalaya, Tasar and Bandha from Odisha, Kanchipuram from Tamil Nadu, Pochampally from Telangana, Pashmina from Uttarakhand, Kantha, Batik Print, Tant, and Baluchari from West Bengal. Handicrafts, jewellery, and home decor products from various states are also showcased in Mela. Additionally, natural food products such as ginger, tea, lentils, coffee, papad, apple jam, and pickles are available at food stalls.

Arrangements for Senior Citizen, Kids Zone and Mother’s Care are made in SARAS Mela. Visitors are also enjoying a variety of cultural programs every day during the SARAS Mela. A dedicated Export Promotion Pavilion is placed in the SARAS Mela Premises at Noida Haat for Development of Export Potential of SHG Didis.

This initiative, started by the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth. This will promote the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’.

******

MG/RN/KSR

(Release ID: 2105829) Visitor Counter : 35

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cultivating the Future

Source: Government of India

Cultivating the Future

Innovative Biotech Solutions for Farming, Livestock, and Aquaculture

Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

Biotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences, driving innovation in crop improvement, disease management, and sustainable farming practices. Recent advancements in genome editing, molecular breeding, and biocontrol solutions are enhancing productivity and resilience in these sectors positioning India as a global force!

Agricultural biotechnology is breaking new ground with advanced research in genomics, proteomics, transgenics, and gene editing. The Department of Biotechnology’s Agriculture Biotechnology programme supports innovative biotechnological research for achieving sustainable agriculture by leveraging the latest advances in technologies. The main achievements include:

Climate-Smart Crops: A New Superior Climate Smart Drought Tolerant High-Yielding Chickpea Variety “SAATVIK (NC 9)” with enhanced yield under drought stress is notified recently. SAATVIK (NC9) is now approved by the Central Sub-committee on Crop Standards.

Genome-Edited Crops: Genome editing was employed to generate loss of function mutations in several rice genes that negatively regulate crop productivity. These lines have been developed in the genetic background of the popular Indian rice variety, MTU-1010, and exhibit higher yield (in greenhouse conditions) over the parent line. In particular, similarly, the DEP1 (DENSE ERECT PANICLE; a G protein subunit) genome-edited rice lines produced larger spikes with increased grain numbers and yield.

Genotyping Arrays: The first-ever 90K Pan-genome SNP genotyping array IndRA developed for rice has been commercialized for public use. Similarly, the first-ever 90K Pan-genome SNP genotyping array IndCA for chickpea has been developed. The arrays will help DNA fingerprinting, variety identification, testing genetic purity of rice and chickpea varieties.

Amaranth Genetic Resources: The department of biotechnology has developed an Amaranth Genomic Resource Database, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques for screening nutritional qualities of amaranth grain, and a 64K SNP chip. Amaranth accessions screened using the above resources have been shown to counteract high fat diet induced obesity. This is a significant enabler for rapid screening of amaranth accessions for cultivation as well as varietal development.

Fungal Biocontrol: A stable fungal enzyme nano-formulation from Myrothecium verrucaria has been developed for eco-friendly biocontrol of powdery mildew in tomato and grape.

Kisan-Kavach: An anti-pesticide suit designed to combat the pervasive threat of pesticide-induced toxicity in agricultural settings. Developed with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, Kisan Kavach stands as a beacon of safety and innovation in the field.

India is the largest animal husbandry sector in the world with largest livestock population to supports the livelihoods of more than two-thirds of the rural population, mainly small and marginal farmers. Innovations in animal biotechnology are driving breakthroughs in veterinary medicine and livestock management like:

The Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology program has been implemented with the goal of enhancing both aquaculture production and productivity, while also harnessing marine resources for valuable products and processes. This program plays a vital role in the agricultural economy by ensuring food production for nutritional security. The Department has undertaken various initiatives to benefit the aquatic and marine sectors like.

Shrimp Diet: Fish meal is the important ingredient in shrimp feeds. Due to its high cost and sustainability issues, replacement of fish meal is an important area of research in aquaculture nutrition. Scientists working in this area at ICAR-Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture, Chennai have shown in their studies that yeast fermentation of soybean meal significantly improves inclusion level in shrimp diet by increasing the nutrient digestibility and growth. The growth trial results indicated that soybean meal can be included up to 35% in the grow-out feed of P. vannamei and fermentation improved the growth by approx. 8.5%

CIFA-Brood-Vac: A novel vaccine has been developed to prevent mortality in fish spawn, securing aquaculture stock health. A user-friendly software, Interactive Fish Feed Designer (IFFD) version 2, has been developed for the formulation of cost-effective fish feed with non-conventional ingredients.

The integration of biotechnology into agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences is fostering sustainable food production, disease resistance, and enhanced productivity. These innovations, backed by research and commercialization efforts, are paving the way for a resilient and efficient agricultural ecosystem. As biotechnology continues to evolve, its role in ensuring food security and environmental sustainability will only strengthen in the years to come.

References

https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/uploadfiles/NBM%20WEBSITE-Dr.%20Madhavi_FV.pdf

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2081506

https://dbtindia.gov.in/publications

See in PDF

***

Santosh Kumar/Sheetal Angral/ Madiha Iqbal

(Release ID: 2105824) Visitor Counter : 39

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joins 20-state coalition defending Presidential authority over executive branchRead More

Source: US State of South Carolina

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Today, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 19 other state attorneys general in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to uphold the President’s constitutional at-will removal authority over executive branch officials. Within one week, South Carolina has joined in Bessent v. Dellinger, Storch v. Hegseth, and Wilcox v. Trump, reinforcing the vital principles of separation of powers and state sovereignty.

The three briefs defend President Trump’s ability to hire and fire cabinet officials within both the executive branch and independent agencies. Indeed, the President wields the Constitutional authority to remove such officers without restrictions.

“The Constitution gives the President clear authority to manage the executive branch, and that includes removing officials who no longer have his confidence,” said Attorney General Wilson. “When Congress or courts interfere with that power, they disrupt the accountability South Carolinians and all Americans expect from their federal government. This case is about protecting the balance of power that safeguards our state’s sovereignty.”

The 20-state coalition—including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia—warns that the concept of maintaining independent executive officers free from Presidential oversight threatens our Federalist system. Recent Supreme Court cases like Seila Law v. CFPB underscore the President’s plenary removal power and highlight the historical limits on judicial intervention in such cases.

“We’ve joined this battle three times now because it’s critical to our system of government,” Wilson added. “South Carolina stands firm in defending the President’s authority and the principles that keep power in check.”

The three cases are Bessent v. Dellinger, Wilcox v. Trump, and Storch v. Hegseth.

The as-filed briefs are available here, here, and here.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Panel to examine measures adopted by Türkiye targeting Chinese electric vehicle imports

Source: World Trade Organization

DS629: Türkiye — Measures Concerning Electric Vehicles and Other Types of Vehicles from China

China submitted its second request for the establishment of a dispute panel to rule on various measures taken by Türkiye concerning electric vehicles (“EVs”) and certain other types of vehicles originating in China. China’s first request was blocked by Türkiye at the previous DSB meeting on 27 January. China said challenges faced by one member’s industry need to be addressed in a way consistent with its WTO obligations and should not be used as an excuse for abandoning the core principle of non-discrimination that is the bedrock of the WTO and of the rules-based international trading system.

Türkiye said it is deeply concerned that China is making such a request before all possible bilateral consultations are exhausted. China’s request relates to a major sector that has been facing strong challenges for many years due to uncompetitive practices, subsidization and excess capacity, Türkiye said.

The DSB agreed to the establishment of the panel. The European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, the Russian Federation, Thailand and India reserved their third-party rights to participate in the panel proceedings.

DS593: European Union — Certain Measures Concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop-Based Biofuels

Indonesia noted the panel ruling circulated on 10 January, which it said found that the European Union’s 2018 renewable energy directive and related regulations unfairly discriminated against Indonesia’s palm oil biofuels. The economic impact of these discriminatory measures is substantial and has severely affected Indonesian palm oil exports, impacting millions of farmers and businesses, Indonesia said. It called on the EU to adjust its policy and the measures at issue so that they are in line with the WTO agreements; Indonesia will closely monitor implementation and expects swift compliance.

The European Union said it welcomed the panel’s findings, which confirm that the EU has the right to take measures to ensure that its policies on renewable fuels do not exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions associated with indirect land-use change. While it raised some concerns regarding the panel’s findings, the EU said the panel found that the EU measures aim to achieve legitimate environmental objectives and that they are science-based.

Russia, Brazil, the United States, and St Vincent and the Grenadines (for the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States) took the floor to comment on the panel report.

The DSB took note of the statements and adopted the panel report.

DS599: Panama — Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Products from Costa Rica

Costa Rica made a statement criticizing Panama’s decision to appeal the panel report in DS599, which upheld Costa Rica’s complaint regarding Panama’s import restrictions on various fruit, dairy and meat products from Costa Rica. Costa Rica proposed a bilateral agreement to Panama that would enable both parties to proceed to arbitration under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), but Panama refused, Costa Rica said. Panama’s appeal “into the void” should serve to highlight the importance of alternative avenues under the DSU to resolve disputes, Costa Rica said.

Panama said it reaffirms its commitment to international law and to the WTO agreements in general and the DSU in particular, and its willingness to settle any dispute with its trading partners.

The European Union, Canada and Colombia made statements on the matter.

Appellate Body appointments

Colombia, speaking on behalf of 130 members, introduced for the 84th time the group’s proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common interest in the functioning of the Appellate Body and, more generally, in the functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, Colombia said.

The United States repeated that the US is currently transitioning to a new administration and that, as US concerns with WTO dispute settlement remain unaddressed, it does not support the proposed decision.

Twenty-two members then took the floor to comment, one speaking on behalf of the ACP Group. Most reiterated their support for the joint proposal and for the urgent need to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system. Several welcomed the progress made in the dispute settlement reform discussions last year and supported the proposal by the previous General Council Chair to commence consultations on advancing the discussions.

Ten members (China; Canada; Hong Kong, China; Switzerland; Singapore; the European Union; Australia; Norway; Japan; and New Zealand) urged members to consider joining the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arrangement (MPIA), a contingent measure to safeguard the right to appeal in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body.

Colombia said on behalf of the 130 members that it regretted that, on 84 occasions, members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and, in line with 17.2 of the DSU, members shall comply with their obligation under the Dispute Settlement Understanding to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said on behalf of the group.

Surveillance of implementation

The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, “United States — Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan”, DS160, “United States — Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act”, DS464, “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea”, and DS471, “United States — Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.”

The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, “EC — Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.”

Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, “Indonesia — Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.”

Election of Chairperson

At the end of the meeting, the DSB elected Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand as Chair of the DSB for the coming work year.

Next meeting

The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 24 March.

Share

MIL OSI Economics –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Germany: Human rights must be a priority for new government after ‘poisonous’ electoral campaign

Source: Amnesty International –

24 Feb 2025, 11:08am

Reacting to the Bundestag elections results, Julia Duchrow, Amnesty International Germany’s Secretary General, said:

“This election campaign was divisive poison for our society. It is not mistrust or racist agitation that makes our coexistence safe, but a commitment to the fundamental values of our society: inalienable human rights.

“We therefore call on all parties tasked with forming a government to recognise the non-negotiability of human rights and international law.

“The next German government must work to build a strong civil society, bring an end to misanthropic debates and strengthen international law and the institutions that uphold it.

“In recent weeks, a huge wave of solidarity has emerged in Germany and the activists who stand up for human rights and challenge racism and discrimination need our support, now more than ever.

“We must ensure that this wave of solidarity does not ebb away and that we remain active and united. We must demonstrate our commitment to the rule of law and human rights wherever we are: in our neighbourhoods, our workplaces and our homes.”

View latest press releases

MIL OSI NGO –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Re-approval of 8-hydroxyquinoline and use of the negligible exposure criterion – E-003066/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The re-approval of a substance classified as toxic for reproduction Category cB is possible when exposure to humans under realistic conditions of use is considered negligible.

The discussions at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) were based on the findings regarding exposure in the recent scientific assessment carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Dietary exposure is considered negligible as EFSA found that the residue levels are below the default value as set out in point 3.6.4 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009[1].

For non-dietary exposure, the discussions in SCoPAFF focused on strict conditions to ensure that exposure is reduced to a level considered negligible.

The proposed conditions include a use restriction in permanent greenhouses via a closed transfer system designed to avoid the exposure of operators during mixing and loading for application via drip irrigation.

Although the study referred to by the Honourable Member had certain limitations, the data available suggest that exposure via air is unlikely[2].

To increase confidence in this conclusion, the proposed approval conditions include a requirement to submit a new study on non-dietary exposure as confirmatory information.

EFSA considered the predicted exposure of bystanders and residents to be an overestimate; This is because the estimates in the EFSA conclusion were based on data from application by spraying, while the actual representative use is via drip irrigation in permanent greenhouses.

Therefore, the resulting exposure will be significantly lower[3]. EFSA also concluded that exposure via volatilisation is low[4].

[1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1107/oj

[2] The study monitored the concentrations in air inside and outside the greenhouse and no peaks were found in any of the samples. The lack of detection peaks shows that exposure via air is unlikely and can be considered negligible.

[3] As also reported in the EFSA conclusion, for example on page 27 ‘Predicted exposure to vapour is exceeding the (A)AOEL for children, but these values are very likely overest imated due to the model assumptions as it is based on data for spray application and not for drip irrigation. (RMS suggested that the product should only be applied in high-technology greenhouses, preventing the exchange of vapours of the active substance with the outside. During the peer review meeting, the experts agreed that this should be considered at Member State level for national authorisations)’.

[4] See page 9 of the EFSA conclusion ‘This was considered possible for the drip irrigation use because the substance Henry’s Law constant is below 1 Pa m3 mol -1; this indicates active substance volati lisation would be low, so minimising the possibility for its condensation on greenhouse structures’.
Last updated: 24 February 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – NRRP funds for Poland – E-000001/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Commission has received on 27 December 2024 Poland’s third payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

This payment request brings together a total of 41 milestones and targets from the fourth and fifth instalments (both loan and grant parts) identified in the Council Implementing Decision Annex[1].

The payment request covers reforms aimed at matching skills with labour market needs, advancing hydrogen technology development, and improving public employment services. In the field of public health, reforms include the entry into force of the Act on the National Cardiological Network, and the introduction of low-emission zones for the largest and most polluted cities.

The request also covers investments aiming to shorten the supply chain of agricultural and food products, investments in the replacement of heat sources and the improvement of energy efficiency in single family residential buildings, as well as projects improving road safety.

The Commission has generally up to two months to share its preliminary assessment of the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets with the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. This period can be extended upon request of the Member State, in particular in case where the Member State decides to revise its plan.

In case of a positive preliminary assessment, and following the EFC’s opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, in accordance with the Comitology examination procedure. Following the adoption of the decision by the Commission, the disbursement to Poland can take place.

[1] See p. 212 — 251 of the Council Implementing Decision Annex, available through the following link: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/3a4cd838-426b-449d-98fb-49d33ba854db_en?filename=COM_2024_284_1_EN_annexe_proposition_cp_part1_v4.pdf
Last updated: 24 February 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah interacts with 250 children from Jammu and Kashmir under ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme in New Delhi

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah interacts with 250 children from Jammu and Kashmir under ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme in New Delhi

The main objective of the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme is to familiarize the youth of J&K with the social and cultural diversities of the country and to bring about an emotional connect among them

PM Modi united the entire country by abolishing Article 370, now the children of Kashmir have as much right over the country as the children of any other state

Our goal is to make Jammu and Kashmir such that not a single person of Jammu and Kashmir dies due to terrorism

The peace that has come to Jammu and Kashmir has to be converted into permanent peace

In the last 10 years, stone pelting, bomb blasts and terrorism have ended in Jammu and Kashmir and development has gained new momentum

Union Home Minister appeals to the children to go back and talk about peace, harmony and development to their families, friends and villages

Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 8:24PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah interacted with 250 children from Jammu and Kashmir under ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme in New Delhi today. Union Home Secretary and Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were also present on the occasion. The program aims to introduce the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir to the nation’s dynamic progress, rich social fabric, and cultural diversity, fostering a strong sense of social, cultural, and emotional connection.

During the interaction, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah described the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program as an initiative to deepen the understanding of our country. He said that our country is our home and just as we are familiar with every part of our home, we should also know our country in the same way. Shri Shah said that this vision led the Government of India to launch the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ program. Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has united the whole country by abolishing Article 370 and now the citizens of Kashmir have the same rights on the country as the citizens of any other state.

Shri Amit Shah underlined that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, significant efforts have been made over the past decade to make India prosperous, modern, and a global leader. He expressed confidence that in the future, students from around the world will come to India for education. As India advances, it will naturally drive progress for all. Home Minister emphasized that a more prosperous, modern, and developed India will bring benefits to everyone.

Union Home Minister said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant development in education, industry, healthcare, and infrastructure. He highlighted that the world’s highest railway arch bridge, Asia’s largest tunnel, and the country’s only cable suspension bridge have all been built in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is also the only region in India to have two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), along with two Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It also has 24 major colleges, and eight universities. He emphasized that Kashmir, once badly affected by bomb blasts and terrorism, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Incidents of stone pelting, bomb blasts, and terrorism have been eliminated, allowing schools to function smoothly. Infrastructure development, including roads, hospitals, and universities, has progressed rapidly. Moreover, 36,000 elected public representatives now have their rightful authority at the Panchayat and Municipality levels, strengthening grassroots democracy in the region.

Shri Amit Shah said that development can only happen when there is peace. He said no one benefits from terrorism. In the last 30 years, 38 thousand people have been killed in Kashmir due to violence. Shri Shah said that there has been an 80 per cent reduction in the death of civilians in Kashmir, and people are happy about this, but true happiness will come when not a single citizen of Jammu and Kashmir loses their life. Union Home Minister said that it is our goal to make Jammu and Kashmir a place where not a single person dies due to terrorism. He said that the responsibility of creating such a Jammu and Kashmir lies with the children and youth.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation told the children that the entire country belongs to them and they should go back to Kashmir with the same spirit. He said that peace and tranquility is the most important thing and peace has come there under the rule of PM Modi. He said that under the Modi government, educational systems have been established, industries have come, hospitals have been built, drinking water facilities have been provided, and large infrastructure projects have been carried out. Shri Shah stated that no government can maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir, only children can do so. He mentioned that if every child in Jammu and Kashmir explains to their parents and neighbours that the entire country belongs to us, and we need to live in peace with everyone while driving terrorism out of here, then there will be no need for police or army. He further said that the day is not far when there will be no weapons in anyone’s hands, and there will be no need for police or army with weapons.

Shri Amit Shah appealed to the children to go back to their villages and talk to their parents, siblings, friends, relatives, and people in their village about peace, harmony, and development. He said that this country belongs to everyone, and it is important to instill this belief in the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has brought so much development to the country, creating numerous avenues and opportunities that await the youth and children, and they should take advantage of these opportunities. He added that we all must work together to transform the peace established in Jammu and Kashmir into lasting peace.

Two hundred fifty children from weaker sections of Jammu and Kashmir including 62 girls and 188 boys in the age group of 9-18 years visited Jaipur, Ajmer and Delhi under ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme organized by Social Welfare Department of the Govt of J&K in coordination with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). During their exposure trip, started on 15^th February, 2025, the children visited many important and historic places in Jaipur and Ajmer. They reached Delhi on 23^rd February to meet dignitaries and to visit Qutub Minar, Red Fort and other important places in the national capital. The children will return to Jammu & Kashmir on 27^th February, 2025.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Jammu and Kashmir have been conducting Youth Exchange programme. The main objective of the programme is to expose the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir to vibrant development and social and cultural diversity of India so that they can feel socially, culturally and emotionally integrated with rest of the country. The programme is expected to have positive impact on the thinking of the youth.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the MHA is committed to such initiatives for development and progress of youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir. ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme in one such initiative through which, children of terrorism affected families and/or weaker sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir identified by J&K Rehabilitation Council are taken for exposure trip.

The youth and children are mainly selected from the various orphanages in the districts of J&K. Preference is given to children from terrorism affected families, destitute children and children from weaker sections. The other criterion for selection apart from socio economic background, is proficiency in education, sports and cultural activities. So far, about 2868 youth/children have participated in ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme.

*****

RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2105908) Visitor Counter : 98

Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Redwood Services Announces 17th Partnership with Indiana-Based Hope Plumbing

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Redwood Services (“Redwood”), an established home services firm focused on investing in leading HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services companies in growing U.S. markets, announced that it has partnered with Hope Plumbing. This partnership marks Redwood’s seventeenth platform investment, highlighting the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to expansion.

Hope Plumbing, based in Indianapolis, has built a loyal customer base by providing quality service since 2007. The company has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, doubling revenue and achieving substantial bottom-line results. With an established and capable management team in place to sustain current operations and implement plans for further infrastructure development, Redwood is looking forward to supporting even further growth for the Indiana area.

“Redwood and Hope Plumbing share many core values, such as delivering exceptional services to customers and cultivating a growth-driven culture,” said Richard Lewis, CEO of Redwood Services. “We are excited to be part of Hope Plumbing’s continued growth and to support this impressive management team.”

“Hope Plumbing has experienced tremendous growth over the years, and we are ready to build on that momentum to ensure we reach our potential,” said Jack Hope, Co-President of Hope Plumbing. “Under the guidance of Redwood’s leadership and support, our partnership will help us continue to perfect our craft and exceed customer expectations.”

Hope Plumbing is one of the most recognized home service brands in Indianapolis and has more than doubled in size since 2021. With over 5,000 Google reviews and an average rating of 4.9, the Hope team also has a history of delivering exceptional customer service.

Owners Jack Hope and Brad Persic will retain a significant minority ownership stake as part of the investment. The Hope Plumbing team will continue to operate and manage the business under its banner and name, while Redwood will offer operational, strategic, and financial support to enhance the company’s growth.

About Redwood Services
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Memphis, Redwood Services is a nationwide people-focused platform dedicated to empowering elite contractors in the essential home services industry. Redwood provides world-class resources, coaching, and strategic partnerships to 17 leading companies across the United States, enabling its partners to deliver exceptional HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services to residential customers. Redwood’s mission is to unleash the full potential of its partners, supporting them in providing high-quality service and building lasting relationships with customers. For more information, visit www.redwoodservices.com.

From left to right: Raj Midha, David Katz, Adam Hanover, Richard Lewis, Jack Hope, Sue Reas, Brad Persic, Scott Brinkley, John Conway, Sandra Koblas, Shaun Hardick

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21b6289b-ba25-4095-ae52-da2e4a11287e

The MIL Network –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Bybit Web3 Launches Largest SpaceS Airdrop to Date: 45 Million Web3 Points With Mantle and Pengu

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SpaceS, Bybit Web3‘s innovative Telegram game bot, is launching its largest airdrop campaign to date, offering 45 million Bybit Web3 Points to celebrate a community of over 3 million players. Running until March 10 and exclusively available to SpaceS Points holders, this initiative marks the first-ever distribution of Web3 Points – a utility token with tangible financial value that unlocks new engagement opportunities.

While the familiar FarmX mechanics remain unchanged, rewards will now be delivered as Web3 Points directly to users’ wallets. Once received, every 1,000 Web3 Points earns one raffle entry, which can be redeemed via the campaign website for a chance to win exclusive prizes. This means any Telegram user can seamlessly create a Web3 Ton wallet on Bybit, and stand a chance to earn crypto tokens, such as MNT, PENGU, as well as NFTs through a raffle, simplifying their crypto journey.

Bybit Web3 Points serve as a dynamic reward system, enabling participation in lucky draws featuring tokens such as MNT and Pengu. Previous campaigns rewarded holders with exclusive NFTs, and future rewards are already in the pipeline. This airdrop is designed to seamlessly integrate the TON ecosystem with the Bybit Web3 ecosystem – users simply need a Bybit Wallet to earn and redeem their points.

To further support the transition from Web2 to Web3, Bybit has introduced the Bybit TG Mini Wallet, fully integrated with SpaceS. This new tool simplifies onboarding for newcomers and reinforces Bybit’s mission to bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized platforms.

FarmX Airdrop Success and Enhanced Opportunities
Building on the success of earlier FarmX Airdrop campaigns – which distributed over $150,000 in rewards (including PinEye, Flock, ANIME, and USDT) to more than 80,000 participants – this latest campaign features an increased reward pool and broader participation. Participants can redeem their Web3 Points for lucky draw entries either through the dedicated landing page on Bybit Web3’s website or via the Discover section in the Bybit App. With a prize pool of 100,000 $MNT and 10,000,000 $PENGU, each draw could yield up to 100 MNT or 10,000 PENGU.

Bybit’s Vision for Web3 Gaming
“Our largest airdrop yet underscores our commitment to continuous innovation and enhanced utility for our community,” said Emily Bao, Head of Spot and Web3 at Bybit. “By introducing Web3 Points – tokens with clear, tangible financial value – we are setting a new benchmark in rewards and engagement in the Web3 space.”

With the ongoing success of SpaceS and the expansion of its airdrop campaigns, Bybit is solidifying its leadership in Web3 gaming and rewards by delivering immersive experiences and strengthening its decentralized ecosystem.

More information about Bybit Web3 Points is available on the website.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitWeb3

About Bybit Web3
Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over 130 million wallet addresses across over 30 major ecosystem partners, and counting.

Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, trusted by over 60 million users globally.

Exploring the possibilities of Web3 future with Bybit.

For more details about Bybit Web3, users can visit Bybit Web3.

About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Contact

Head of PR
Tony Au
Bybit
tony.au@bybit.com

The MIL Network –

February 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Do you speak other languages at home? This will not hold your child back at school

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Valeria Maria Rigobon, Lecturer in Literacy, Australian Catholic University

Serwin365/Unsplash, CC BY

It is common for Australian children to grow up with languages other than English in their family lives.

More than one-fifth of Australians report speaking a language other than English at home.

But when it comes time to start school, it’s common for parents to worry about raising a child to be bilingual or multilingual.

They may wonder, am I harming my child’s English development if I speak another language at home?

The short answer is no. Research shows speaking more than one language doesn’t hinder a child’s academic progress – in fact, it can even help.

What does the research say?

Up until the 1980s, some studies incorrectly suggested early exposure to more than one language could harm a child’s academic achievement. But these findings have since been widely criticised because many of the children in the studies came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (and so were already disadvantaged in terms of their schooling).

More recent Australian research has found when socioeconomic status is accounted for, multilingual children are “indistinguishable from their monolingual peers” in literacy and numeracy by the time they are eleven years old. This is provided they have adequate English vocabulary skills by the time they finish Year 2.

Some studies show multilingual students even surpass monolingual children in different academic areas. This includes English reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation as well as numeracy. Research suggests multilingual students’ enhanced mental flexibility from switching between languages may explain their higher academic performance later in school, but this is not yet confirmed.

Recent Australian studies show bilingual and multilingual children keep up with their peers at school.
PNW Promotion/ Pexels, CC BY

Do you need to learn one language before starting the other?

Research shows children can learn multiple languages at the same time, starting from infancy.

This means you don’t have to wait for a child to become fluent in one before you start learning another.

Similarly, a child does not have to be a highly skilled English speaker to start to learn to read in English. They can develop their spoken and written/reading language skills at the same time.

It is also important to look at children’s skills across all the languages they know.

Research on children aged up to 30 months found multilingual children often had smaller vocabularies in English than their monolingual peers. But they had a healthy range when assessed on words they knew in all languages.

A common misconception is multilingual children may “confuse” words between languages, but this is not the case. They actually learn quite quickly whom they can communicate with in each language, and switch between languages without much effort.

For example, Valeria’s niece Aurora is four and is already fluent in Hungarian, Spanish and Ukrainian. There are videos of Aurora speaking Spanish with her Venezuelan father and grandmother, turning to respond to her grandfather in Hungarian, and switching to Ukrainian to speak with her mother, all in one conversation.

Regular calls or visits with family members who speak the home language will help your child develop their languages skills.
Tima Miroshnichenko/ Unsplash, CC BY

How can I help my child learn multiple languages?

Research shows it is important a child receives lots of exposure to each language through meaningful interactions with people who speak those languages.

There is no clear definition of the amount needed, but it should be regular – for example, everyday talk with parents or visits or phone calls with grandparents who share the home language.

Also, if you’re worried your child isn’t getting enough English exposure outside school, do not abandon your home language. Instead, create other English opportunities, such as in playgroups, daycare, sports teams or other out-of-school activities.

Ultimately, the best thing parents can do to support their children’s multilingual learning is build a community filled with native speakers of English and the home language(s).

Staying consistently connected to this community of people who value each language, especially after children start school, will also support a child’s motivation to keep growing in each language.

Rauno Parrila receives funding from Australian Research Council and Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Valeria Maria Rigobon 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. Do you speak other languages at home? This will not hold your child back at school – https://theconversation.com/do-you-speak-other-languages-at-home-this-will-not-hold-your-child-back-at-school-250405

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Schmitt, Van Hollen Champion Bipartisan Legislation to Support Americans With Disabilities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) partnered with Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to introduce theEnsuring Nationwide Access to Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act, bipartisan legislation to make several provisions related to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings accounts permanent.
ABLE accounts allow Americans with disabilities and their families to utilize tax-free savings programs without losing eligibility for federal programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
“Individuals with disabilities and their loved ones need flexibility to help meet financial needs. Giving them that opportunity is common sense and I’m pleased to support a bipartisan effort to ensure they can continue to save for the future and achieve financial security free from costly penalties,” said Boozman.
“I was proud to lead the introduction of the ENABLE Act in the 118th Congress, where this critical legislation passed the Senate. I entered public service to fight for people like my son Stephen. Stephen was born with a rare genetic disease, is on the autism spectrum, has epilepsy, and is non-verbal. I know firsthand how critical ABLE accounts are to individuals with disabilities and their families. ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save for their future and ease burdens on their families. It’s a common-sense solution that provides an easy fix for those who depend on ABLE accounts, and I’m proud to have bipartisan, bicameral support for this important piece of legislation,” said Schmitt.
“I worked alongside a bipartisan coalition to create the ABLE Program over a decade ago to expand financial tools for people with disabilities and their families. Since then, it has helped empower more than a hundred thousand Americans and provide greater flexibility for families to support loved ones with disabilities. Making these key ABLE provisions permanent will build on the success of the ABLE Act and allow these Americans and many more to continue growing their savings and strengthening their economic independence,” said Van Hollen.
The ENABLE Act will make the below provisions that are set to expire this year permanent:
529 to ABLE Rollover: Permits an individual with a disability to rollover savings from a 529 education savings account to an ABLE account that are less than or equal to the annual ABLE contribution limit tax and penalty free;
ABLE Saver’s Credit: Permits an individual with a disability who makes qualified contributions to an ABLE account eligible for a nonrefundable saver’s credit of up to $1,000; and
ABLE to Work: Permits an individual with a disability who is employed to contribute an additional amount to his or her ABLE account provided it is not greater than either the prior year’s federal poverty level for a one-person household ($15,060 in 2024), or the beneficiary’s yearly compensation.
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Fetterman (D-PA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
Congressmen Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) and Don Beyer (D-VA-08) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Click here to view the text of the bill

MIL OSI USA News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Scott, Hill Work to Roll Back Biden-Era CFPB Overdraft Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR-04) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) final rule capping overdraft fees at banks and credit unions, citing the rule’s damaging impact on access to important financial services.

“The CFPB’s overreach is well established and only intensified during the Biden administration. Instead of bringing more consumers into the banking system, this overdraft rule will push them away to unregulated lenders and I’m pleased to join my colleagues to block it,” said Boozman.

“The Biden administration’s CFPB routinely targeted legitimate payment incentives and practices in pursuit of political headlines over sound policies. The overdraft rule was yet another example – many consumers rely on overdraft services to make ends meet and limiting this practice will push Americans to riskier financial products. I’m proud to lead the effort to overturn this misguided rule and protect Americans’ access to important financial services,” said Scott.

“As I have consistently said, the CFPB needs guardrails on its enforcement and rulemaking powers, and this rule is another clear example of why. The CFPB’s actions on overdraft is another form of government price controls that hurt consumers who deserve financial protections and greater choice. Our CRA will help overturn this harmful rule and is a next step toward ensuring the CFPB halts all ongoing rules until it answers to Congress, just like any other non-independent federal agency,” said Hill.

The resolution is also supported by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).

The CRA has the support of key stakeholders including the Consumer Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Bankers Association and America’s Credit Unions.

A CRA resolution is a tool used by Congress to eliminate onerous regulations imposed by the executive branch through an expedited procedure for consideration in the Senate. A joint resolution of disapproval under the CRA is afforded special privileges that bypass normal Senate rules and allow for a vote on the Senate floor. When a CRA resolution is approved by a simple majority in both chambers of Congress and signed by the president – or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto – the rule is invalidated.

Click here for full text of the resolution

MIL OSI USA News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Prolific Alien Smuggler Extradited from Mexico to the United States in Joint Task Force Alpha Investigation

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities culminated in the extradition of an alleged alien smuggler who operated in Mexicali on the U.S.-Mexico border for several years as part of an international alien smuggling conspiracy.

Raul Saucedo-Huipio, 49, was arrested in Mexico on March 2, 2023, pursuant to a U.S. request for his extradition, and was surrendered by Mexico to U.S. authorities on Feb. 21 to face charges previously filed in the District of Arizona. Saucedo-Huipio made his initial appearance on Feb. 21 in the Southern District of California. His co-conspirator, Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, 62, was extradited to the United States from Mexico in 2023 and pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024, to conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and substantive counts of bringing an alien to the United States.

According to court documents, Saucedo-Huipio conspired with other smugglers, including Hernandez-Salas, to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants into the United States from and through Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Eritrea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas allegedly charged the migrants as much as tens of thousands of dollars to make the journey and directed the migrants where to unlawfully cross the border into the United States, including by providing them with a ladder to climb over the border fence. Saucedo-Huipio and co-conspirators also allegedly robbed the migrants of money and personal belongings while armed with guns and knives.

In June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed corresponding sanctions on this transnational criminal organization.

Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachel C. Hernandez for the District of Arizona, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola, made the announcement.

ICE HSI Yuma is investigating the case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; FBI; and the U.S. Marshals Service, working in concert with ICE HSI Tijuana, INTERPOL, and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI also received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center/Counter Network Division and OFAC.

Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in arresting Saucedo-Huipio, and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Foreign Ministry for making the extradition possible.

The indictments against Raul Saucedo-Huipio and Hernandez-Salas, and their subsequent arrests and extraditions, were coordinated through Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA was created in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strengthen the Justice Department’s efforts to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse, or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime. The initiative was expanded to Colombia and Panama to combat human smuggling in the Darién in June 2024. JTFA comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, and the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training; the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; OIA; and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in over 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; more than 300 U.S. convictions; more than 245 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

This investigation is also supported by the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or raise grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Alectra Inc. employees surpass fundraising goal, raising more than $27,000 for Coldest Night of the Year

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alectra employees once again stepped up to support their communities, raising $27,278 for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a national initiative aimed at helping people experiencing homelessness, hunger and hardship.

More than 100 Alectra employees braved the winter temperatures, joining thousands of Canadians in walking to raise funds for local organizations that provide vital services to those in need. This year, Alectra employees joined 10 teams across Alectra’s service territory including St. Catharines, Brampton, Guelph, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

“Alectra employees continue to embody the spirit of community and their dedication to supporting Coldest Night of the Year annually is commendable,” said Brian Bentz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alectra Inc. “By coming together to walk and raise funds, through our AlectraCARES Community Support Program, we are increasing awareness for individuals facing homelessness by supporting grassroots organizations in our communities.”

Since 2018, Alectra has been supporting the Coldest Night of the Year and has donated over $55,000 through employee participation. To learn more about Alectra’s community support, visit: alectra.com/about-community-support.

About Alectra Inc. Family of Companies

Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alectranews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alectranews/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alectranews/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16178435/admin/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alectranews.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alectranews

Media Contact:

Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson
ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1.833.MEDIA-LN

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55268d96-eb69-45b8-87c9-a0c916174907

The MIL Network –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: West New Annan — Colchester County District RCMP arrests five people and executes search warrant
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Colchester County District RCMP has arrested five people and executed a search warrant in West New Annan.

On February 20, in relation to an ongoing voyeurism investigation, RCMP officers, assisted by the RCMP Emergency Response Team, safely arrested four men and one woman at a home on Hwy. 246.

Investigators then executed a search warrant at the residence, where they seized cell phones, laptops, a pistol, a shotgun, a loaded rifle, ammunition, body armour, correctional services uniforms, methamphetamine pills and tannerite pellets.

Leland Lance Lynds, 55, of West New Annan, has been charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (three counts)
- Contravention of Storage Regulations (three counts)
- Possession Contrary to a Prohibition Order (six counts)
- Failure to Comply with a Probation Order
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (three counts)
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
Colby Alexander Keating, 28, of Central New Annan, has been charged with:
- Failure to Comply with a Probation Order
- Failure to Comply with a Release Order (two counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (three counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Restricted Weapon
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (three counts)
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling
Lynds was remanded into custody and is due to appear in Truro Provincial Court on February 26, at 9:30 a.m.

Keating was held in custody and released on conditions by the courts. He will appear in Truro Provincial Court on April 2, at 9:30 a.m.

A 66-year-old man of West New Annan was issued a summary offence ticket under the Body Armour Control Act of Nova Scotia for possessing body armour. The remaining two people who were arrested, a 43-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were released on conditions. All three are scheduled to appear in Truro Provincial Court at a later date.

The investigation is ongoing.

File # 2025-186604

-30-

MIL Security OSI –
February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating 50 Years of CBO

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

Fifty years ago today, Alice Rivlin was appointed to lead the Congressional Budget Office as the agency’s first director. Gathering in a single room in the Dirksen Senate Office Building (CBO’s original home), Rivlin and a few assistants began the process of standing up a new nonpartisan agency dedicated to supporting the Congressional budget process.

From the start, Rivlin insisted that CBO should never try to tell the Congress what to do. And for the past half century, the agency’s mission has remained the same: to deliver objective and timely information, without making recommendations, to help lawmakers as they confront difficult policy decisions.

That nonpartisan mission and CBO’s enduring legacy—first defined by Rivlin and continued under nine other directors—could not have been achieved without the hard work of the agency’s talented staff, many of whom have served for years or even decades and exemplify the very best of public service. CBO is grateful for the contributions of its employees both past and present—those who carry out the agency’s analysis and those who provide the organizational structure to make it possible.

CBO is also deeply appreciative of the ongoing support from those it was created to serve, including the House and Senate Budget Committees, other Congressional committees, Congressional leadership, and individual Members.

In addition to our staff, the agency has been aided by many outside experts over the years, including those from other government agencies, the academic community, think tanks, and the private sector. We are grateful for the time and talent they have lent to CBO.

At this important milestone, we can look to the past with pride and to the future with optimism, driven by the challenge to always improve our work. That includes making our analysis more accurate and transparent, striving to be as responsive as possible to the lawmakers who rely on us, and ensuring that the agency continues to bring together bright minds, powerful analytic tools, and all the available evidence.

Much has changed in the 50 years since CBO’s founding. But Alice Rivlin would be pleased to know that the agency’s commitment to provide objective, insightful, and timely information to the Congress has not changed. It is still upheld daily by people who take their responsibility seriously and regard their service as a privilege.

Cheers to the first 50 years—and to 50 more!

Phillip L. Swagel is CBO’s Director.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between medical abortion and surgical abortion?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lydia Mainey, Senior Nursing Lecturer, CQUniversity Australia

PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

In Australia, around one in four people who are able to get pregnant will have a medical or surgical abortion in their lifetime.

Both options are safe, legal and effective. The choice between them usually comes down to personal preference and availability.

So, what’s the difference?

What is a medical abortion?

A medical abortion involves taking two types of tablets, sold together in Australia as MS2Step.

The first tablet, mifepristone, stops the hormone progesterone, which is needed for pregnancy. This causes the lining of the uterus to break down and stops the embryo from growing.

After taking mifepristone, you wait 36–48 hours before taking the second tablet, misoprostol. Misoprostol makes the cervix (the opening of the uterus) softer and starts contractions to expel the pregnancy.

It’s normal to have strong pain and heavy bleeding with clots after taking misoprostol. Pain relief including ibuprofen and paracetamol can help.

After two to six hours, the bleeding and pain usually become like a normal period, although this may last between two to six weeks.

Haemorrhage after a medical abortion is rare (occurring in fewer than 1% of abortions). But you should seek help if bleeding remains heavy (if you soak two pads per hour for two consecutive hours) or if you have have signs of infection (such as a fever, increasing abdominal pain or smelly vaginal discharge).

Do I have to go to hospital?

It is legal to have a medical abortion outside of a hospital up to nine weeks of pregnancy.

Depending on state or territory law, the medication can be prescribed by a qualified health-care provider such as a GP, nurse practitioner or endorsed midwife. These clinicians often work in GP surgeries or sexual and reproductive health clinics and they may use telehealth.

Medical abortions also occur after nine weeks of pregnancy, but these are done in hospitals and overseen by doctors alongside nurses or midwives.

Medical abortions after 20 weeks are done by taking medications to start early labour in a maternity unit. Often, medications are first given to stop the foetal heartbeat so it is not born alive. Then, other medications are given to manage pain.

These types of abortions are very rare. They may be used when an obstacle has prevented someone accessing an abortion abortion earlier, continuing with the pregnancy is dangerous for the pregnant person’s health or if there is a serious problem with the foetus.

Medical abortions in Australia involve taking two tablets, usually around two days apart.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

What is a surgical abortion?

Surgical abortions are performed in an operating unit, usually with sedation, so you will not remember the procedure. Surgical abortions are sometimes preferred over medical abortions because they are quicker. But the decision should be between you and your health-care provider.

In the first 12–14 weeks of pregnancy, a surgical abortion takes less than 15 minutes and patients are usually discharged a few hours after the procedure.

Medications may be given before surgery to soften and open the cervix and to ease pain. During the procedure, the cervix is gently stretched open and the contents of the uterus are removed with a small tube. This procedure is carried out by trained doctors with the assistance of nurses.

Surgical abortions after 12–14 weeks are more complex and are performed by specially trained doctors. Similar to medical abortions, medications may be given first to stop the foetal heartbeat.

It is normal to experience some cramping and bleeding after a surgical abortion, which can last about two weeks. However, like medical abortion, you should seek help for heavy bleeding or signs of infection.

Do I need an ultrasound?

It used to be common before an abortion to have an ultrasound scan to check how far along the pregnancy was and to make sure it was not ectopic (outside the uterus).

However, this is no longer recommended in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 14 weeks) if it delays access to abortion. If the date of the last menstrual period is known and there are no other concerning symptoms, an ultrasound scan may not be necessary.

This means people can access medical abortion much sooner, even from the first day of a missed period, without waiting for the embryo to be big enough to be seen on an ultrasound scan. This is called “very early medical abortion”.

Before and after care

Before having an abortion, a health-care provider will explain common side effects and when to seek urgent medical attention. For people who want it, many types of contraception can be started the day of abortion.

Your health-care provider will help you understand your options, including whether you want to start contraception.
PowerUp/Shutterstock

Even though the success rate of medical abortion is very high (over 95%) it is routine to make sure the person is no longer pregnant.

This is usually done two to three weeks after taking the first tablet mifepristone, either by a low-sensitivity urine pregnancy test (which you can do at home) or a blood test.

In the rare case a medical abortion has not worked, a surgical abortion can be done.

Sometimes after a medical or surgical abortion, tissue is left behind in the uterus. If this happens you may need another dose of misoprostol (the second tablet) or a surgical procedure to remove the tissue.

Some people may also seek support-based counselling or peer support to help them work through the emotions that might accompany having an abortion.

Understanding the differences and similarities between medical and surgical abortions can help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

It’s important to speak with an unbiased health-care provider to discuss the best option for your circumstances and to ensure you receive the necessary follow-up care and support.

Lydia Mainey is the co-chair of the Termination of Pregnancy Working Group, a subgroup of the Queensland Health Sexual Health Clinical Network. She has previously worked at MSI Australia, a non-profit which provides abortion, contraception and vasectomy services. Lydia was previously a member of the MSI Australia Technical Advisory Group.

– ref. What’s the difference between medical abortion and surgical abortion? – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-medical-abortion-and-surgical-abortion-249839

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján Named Ranking Member of Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Subcommittee Oversees Key New Mexico Priorities Including Broadband Access and Public Safety Communications

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media for the 119^th Congress. Senator Luján previously served as Chair, formerly named the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, since 2021.

“New Mexicans know the difference between fast internet, slow internet, and no internet. Broadband is a necessity for daily life, and I am proud to once again represent New Mexico on this critical subcommittee to ensure every household in our state and across the country has affordable, secure, and reliable internet access,” said Senator Luján. “Since being elected to the Senate in 2020, I have been proud to chair this subcommittee which has broad jurisdiction over communications policy, including federal spectrum, broadband affordability & accessibility, public safety communications, network resiliency, broadcasting & streaming, and the Internet.

“In this Congress, I look forward to serving as Ranking Member and working closely with Senator Fischer to continue our bipartisan work to expand broadband access, secure communications networks, and enact policies that will benefit all Americans,” continued Senator Luján. “The subcommittee is at the center of critical debates over the future of access to media, including streaming and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Far too many communities throughout the country have been left without broadband access, and I won’t stop working until every New Mexican is connected.”

Background on Senator Luján’s work on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media:

During the 117^th and 118^th Congress, Senator Luján chaired a total of 11 subcommittee hearings on key issues, ranging from broadband buildout and affordability, to protecting Americans from robocalls, to preventing harms online. In May 2023, as Chair of the Subcommittee, Senator Luján created a bipartisan, bicameral working group to evaluate and propose potential reforms to the Universal Service Fund. During the 117^th Congress, as chair of the subcommittee, Senator Luján successfully helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that created the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, as well as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which delivered broadband access to over 55 million Americans.

Background on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media:

The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media has jurisdiction over matters relating to communications, including includes telephones, cell phones, the Internet, commercial and noncommercial television, cable, satellite broadcast, satellite communications, wireline and wireless broadband, radio, consumer electronic equipment associated with such services, and public safety communications. The subcommittee is also responsible for oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce, which is the federal agency primarily responsible for the management of government spectrum and advising the President on telecommunications policy.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 25, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Angola

Source: IMF – News in Russian

February 24, 2025

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Angola.

Angola’s economy recovered in 2024 as the oil sector rebounded. GDP growth is estimated to have reached 3.8 percent, surpassing earlier projections, and the recovery broadened to the non-oil sector. The public debt-to-GDP ratio declined in 2024, benefiting from higher nominal GDP growth and sustained primary surpluses. However, fiscal consolidation efforts waned, and buffers built during the 2018–21 EFF—supported program are being eroded by fiscal slippages from higher capital expenditures and a slower fuel subsidy reform.

Inflation remained elevated driven by exchange rate pressures and higher food prices. The central bank raised monetary policy rate by 150 bps in 2024 and streamlined liquidity management, resulting in a better alignment of the interbank rate with the policy rate. The currency depreciated by over 10 percent against the U.S. dollar in 2024. Adverse market expectations and a high external debt service continue to weigh on the exchange rate. The government’s active cash and debt management helped mitigate liquidity pressures.

The recovery is expected to continue but risks to the outlook remain high. Growth is expected to remain at 3 percent in 2025 while inflation is projected to ease with the fading of cost-push factors. The resolution of maintenance bottlenecks in key extraction blocks and government-led efforts to incentivize production should help sustain oil production. However, high external debt service constrains development spending, and oil dependence remains a drag on sustainable growth. Liquidity risk could intensify should financing conditions deteriorate, further crowding out social spending, and exerting pressures on the exchange rate. Moreover, with presidential elections scheduled for 2027, an early start of the political cycle risks slowing down the implementation of economic reforms. On the upside, higher oil prices, positive spillovers from further global monetary policy easing, and stronger non-oil FDIs, including through the Lobito Corridor development, could improve the medium-term outlook.

Executive Board Assessment[2]

“Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. While welcoming the economic recovery, they highlighted the continued risks from oil price volatility and debt vulnerabilities. Against this background, Directors emphasized the urgency of accelerating structural reforms to strengthen macroeconomic and financial stability and foster diversified and inclusive growth.

“Directors stressed that returning to a fiscal consolidation path is critical to strengthen buffers and create space for development needs. They emphasized the importance of fully implementing fuel subsidy reforms accompanied by mitigating measures to protect the most vulnerable and intensifying non‑oil revenue mobilization efforts. Directors also advised rationalizing public investment and improving spending efficiency in line with the 2019 PIMA recommendations, strengthening public financial management, including the procurement framework and SOE reforms, and improving cash and debt management to mitigate liquidity risks and support a timely return to markets.

“Directors stressed the need for monetary policy to maintain a tightening bias to ensure durable disinflation. They called on the authorities to strictly adhere to the ceiling on government loans to safeguard international reserves and contain inflationary pressures. Directors welcomed the authorities’ efforts to streamline liquidity management to enhance monetary policy transmission, as well as to improve foreign exchange market functioning and exchange rate flexibility as part of the transition toward an inflation‑targeting framework.

“Directors underlined the need to continue addressing financial sector vulnerabilities. They called on the authorities to address AML/CFT weaknesses to achieve swift removal from the FATF grey list. Directors emphasized the importance of effectively implementing new supervisory regulations and developing a robust financial stability framework, including strengthened safety nets. They advised addressing remaining vulnerabilities from the sovereign‑bank nexus, high NPLs, and problem banks, and looked forward to the upcoming FSAP assessment.

“Directors supported the authorities’ National Development Plan to achieve more diversified and resilient growth. A key focus should be on market‑friendly policies to streamline business regulations, enhance governance, fight corruption, develop human capital, and deepen financial inclusion. Stronger statistical capacity is also needed to support sound policy making.

It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Angola will be held on the standard 12‑month cycle.”

Angola: Selected Economic Indicators, 2023–25
	2023	2024	2025
		Prel.	Proj.
Real economy (percent change, except where otherwise indicated)
Real gross domestic product	1.0	3.8	3.0
Oil sector	-2.4	3.2	0.3
Non-oil sector	2.2	3.9	3.4
Nominal gross domestic product (GDP)	14.6	33.3	24.3
Oil sector	9.5	33.7	17.4
Non-oil sector	15.5	33.2	25.6
GDP deflator	13.4	28.5	20.8
Non-oil GDP deflator	14.4	28.2	21.3
Consumer prices (annual average)	13.6	28.2	21.0
Consumer prices (end of period)	20.0	27.5	18.9

Central government (percent of GDP)
Total revenue	17.4	16.6	16.0
Of which: Oil-related	10.3	10.0	9.7
Of which: Non-oil tax	6.1	5.6	5.0
Total expenditure	19.2	17.6	17.3
Current expenditure	15.2	14.1	12.4
Capital spending	4.1	3.6	4.9
Overall fiscal balance	-1.9	-1.0	-1.3
Non-oil primary fiscal balance	-6.4	-5.7	-7.2

Money and credit (end of period, percent change)
Broad money (M2)	37.8	30.6	38.5
Percent of GDP	20.8	20.4	22.7
Velocity (GDP/M2)	4.8	4.9	4.4
Velocity (non-oil GDP/M2)	4.1	4.1	3.8
Credit to the private sector (annual percent change)	28.8	28.1	27.0

Balance of payments
Trade balance (percent of GDP)	19.9	19.7	17.0
Exports of goods, f.o.b. (percent of GDP)	33.6	33.1	31.5
Of which: Oil and gas exports (percent of GDP)	31.6	30.9	28.6
Imports of goods, f.o.b. (percent of GDP)	13.8	13.4	14.5
Terms of trade (percent change)	-19.3	-4.0	-10.4
Current account balance (percent of GDP)	3.8	4.1	2.4
Gross international reserves (end of period, millions of U.S. dollars)	14,727	15,227	15,277
Gross international reserves (months of next year’s imports)	7.3	7.3	7.3

Exchange rate
Official exchange rate (average, kwanzas per U.S. dollar)	685	876	…
Official exchange rate (end of period, kwanzas per U.S. dollar)	829	924	…

Public debt (percent of GDP)
Public sector debt (gross)¹	71.4	62.4	63.3
Of which: Central Government debt	67.9	60.4	61.9

Oil
Oil and gas production (millions of barrels per day)	1.205	1.262	1.266
Oil and gas exports (billions of U.S. dollars)	34.7	35.4	31.5
Angola oil price (average, U.S. dollars per barrel)	80.6	78.5	70.3
Brent oil price (average, U.S. dollars per barrel)	82.3	80.0	71.4
Sources: Angolan authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.
¹ Includes debt of the Central Government, external debt of state oil company Sonangol and state airline company TAAG, and guaranteed debt.

[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summing up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/24/pr-2541-angola-imf-executive-board-concludes-2024-article-iv-consultation

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 25, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

UN Human Rights Council 58: Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel

Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel. As delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at the 58th HRC session in Geneva.

Thank you Mr President,

In this 30th anniversary year for gender equality, let me reaffirm the British government’s commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

My government’s dedication to advancing gender equality at home has led to a narrowing of the gender pay gap, more women on the boards of the largest companies than ever before and stronger action to protect women and girls from violence and abuse. And we have put women and girls at the heart of our international work, from our diplomacy to our development spend.

But while it is important to acknowledge the progress made, quite clearly no country – the UK included – has achieved or even got close to achieving gender equality. Indeed, we are seeing a growing international trend of efforts to undermine and roll back the rights of women, girls and other marginalised groups.

We must resist that roll back, take concerted action to build on the progress we have made both at home and overseas. That is why we are putting women’s voices at the heart of everything we do and will make the changes needed so gender equality can, at last, become a reality.

We call on all Members of the Council and states to use this landmark year to accelerate action towards empowering all women and girls.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 24 February 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: ‘Your life becomes a nightmare’: how scam operations exploit those trapped inside – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 2

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

A few weeks after Ben Yeo travelled to Cambodia for what he thought was a job in a casino, he found himself locked up in a padded room. “It’s a combination between a prison and a madhouse,” he remembers. He was being punished for refusing to conduct online scams.

“They tried all kinds of coercive manoeuvres, using a fire extinguisher to try to hit me, to scare me, using a plastic bag over my head to suffocate me … Whatever you see in the movies that actually happened.”

Scam Factories is a podcast series from The Conversation Weekly taking you inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds. It accompanies a series of multimedia articles on The Conversation.

In the second episode, Inside the Operation, we explore the history of how scam compounds emerged in Southeast Asia and who is behind them. We hear about the violent treatment people receive inside through the testimonies of two survivors, Ben, and another man we’re calling George to protect his real identity.

The Conversation collaborated for this series with three researchers: Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne, Ling Li, a PhD candidate at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Mark Bo, an independent researcher.

They’ve spent the past few years researching the expansion of scam compounds in the region for a forthcoming book. They’ve interviewed nearly 100 survivors of the compounds, analysed maps and financial documents related to the scam industry and tracked scammers online to find out how these compounds work.

Read an article by Ivan Franceschini and Ling Li which accompanies this episode about the rise of the scamming industry.

The Conversation contacted AsiaHR international for comment. We did not receive a response. We contacted all the other companies mentioned in this multimedia series for comment, except Jinshui who we could not contact. We did not receive a response from them either.

This episode was written and produced by Gemma Ware, with assistance from Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Leila Goldstein was our producer in Cambodia and Halima Athumani recorded for us in Uganda. Hui Lin helped us with Chinese translation. Sound design by Michelle Macklem and editing help from Ashlynee McGhee and Justin Bergman.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

Mark Bo, an independent researcher who works with Ivan Franeschini and Ling Li, is also interviewed in this podcast series. Ivan, Ling, Mark, and others have co-founded EOS Collective, a non-profit organisation dedicated to investigating the criminal networks behind the online scam industry and supporting survivors.

– ref. ‘Your life becomes a nightmare’: how scam operations exploit those trapped inside – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 2 – https://theconversation.com/your-life-becomes-a-nightmare-how-scam-operations-exploit-those-trapped-inside-scam-factories-podcast-ep-2-250464

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A Palestinian-Israeli film is an Oscars favorite − so why is it so hard to see?

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Drew Paul, Associate Professor of Arabic, University of Tennessee

Directors Basel Adra, left, and Yuval Abraham on stage at the 62nd New York Film Festival on Sept. 29, 2024. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

For many low-budget, independent films, an Oscar nomination is a golden ticket.

The publicity can translate into theatrical releases or rereleases, along with more on-demand rentals and sales.

However, for “No Other Land,” a Palestinian-Israeli film nominated for best documentary at the 2025 Academy Awards, this exposure is unlikely to translate into commercial success in the U.S. That’s because the film has been unable to find a company to distribute it in America.

“No Other Land” chronicles the efforts of Palestinian townspeople to combat an Israeli plan to demolish their villages in the West Bank and use the area as a military training ground. It was directed by four Palestinian and Israeli activists and journalists: Basel Adra, who is a resident of the area facing demolition, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor. While the filmmakers have organized screenings in a number of U.S. cities, the lack of a national distributor makes a broader release unlikely.

Film distributors are a crucial but often unseen link in the chain that allows a film to reach cinemas and people’s living rooms. In recent years it has become more common for controversial award-winning films to run into issues finding a distributor. Palestinian films have encountered additional barriers.

As a scholar of Arabic who has written about Palestinian cinema, I’m disheartened by the difficulties “No Other Land” has faced. But I’m not surprised.

The role of film distributors

Distributors are often invisible to moviegoers. But without one, it can be difficult for a film to find an audience.

Distributors typically acquire rights to a film for a specific country or set of countries. They then market films to movie theaters, cinema chains and streaming platforms. As compensation, distributors receive a percentage of the revenue generated by theatrical and home releases.

The film “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat,” another finalist for best documentary, shows how this process typically works. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and was acquired for distribution just a few months later by Kino Lorber, a major U.S.-based distributor of independent films.

The inability to find a distributor is not itself noteworthy. No film is entitled to distribution, and most films by newer or unknown directors face long odds.

However, it is unusual for a film like “No Other Land,” which has garnered critical acclaim and has been recognized at various film festivals and award shows. Some have pegged it as a favorite to win best documentary at the Academy Awards. And “No Other Land” has been able to find distributors in Europe, where it’s easily accessible on multiple streaming platforms.

So why can’t “No Other Land” find a distributor in the U.S.?

There are a couple of factors at play.

Shying away from controversy

In recent years, film critics have noticed a trend: Documentaries on controversial topics have faced distribution difficulties. These include a film about a campaign by Amazon workers to unionize and a documentary about Adam Kinzinger, one of the few Republican congresspeople to vote to impeach Donald Trump in 2021.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of course, has long stirred controversy. But the release of “No Other Land” comes at a time when the issue is particularly salient. The Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli bombardment and invasion of the Gaza Strip have become a polarizing issue in U.S. domestic politics, reflected in the campus protests and crackdowns in 2024. The filmmakers’ critical comments about the Israeli occupation of Palestine have also garnered backlash in Germany.

Locals attend a screening of ‘No Other Land’ in the village of A-Tuwani in the West Bank on March 14, 2024.
Yahel Gazit/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Yet the fact that this conflict has been in the news since October 2023 should also heighten audience interest in a film such as “No Other Land” – and, therefore, lead to increased sales, the metric that distributors care about the most.

Indeed, an earlier film that also documents Palestinian protests against Israeli land expropriation, “5 Broken Cameras,” was a finalist for best documentary at the 2013 Academy Awards. It was able to find a U.S. distributor. However, it had the support of a major European Union documentary development program called Greenhouse. The support of an organization like Greenhouse, which had ties to numerous production and distribution companies in Europe and the U.S., can facilitate the process of finding a distributor.

By contrast, “No Other Land,” although it has a Norwegian co-producer and received some funding from organizations in Europe and the U.S., was made primarily by a grassroots filmmaking collective.

Stages for protest

While distribution challenges may be recent, controversies surrounding Palestinian films are nothing new.

Many of them stem from the fact that the system of film festivals, awards and distribution is primarily based on a movie’s nation of origin. Since there is no sovereign Palestinian state – and many countries and organizations have not recognized the state of Palestine – the question of how to categorize Palestinian films has been hard to resolve.

In 2002, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rejected the first ever Palestinian film submitted to the best foreign language film category – Elia Suleiman’s “Divine Intervention” – because Palestine was not recognized as a country by the United Nations. The rules were changed for the following year’s awards ceremony.

In 2021, the cast of the film “Let It Be Morning,” which had an Israeli director but primarily Palestinian actors, boycotted the Cannes Film Festival in protest of the film’s categorization as an Israeli film rather than a Palestinian one.

Film festivals and other cultural venues have also become places to make statements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and engage in protest. For example, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, the right-wing Israeli culture minister wore a controversial – and meme-worthy – dress that featured the Jerusalem skyline in support of Israeli claims of sovereignty over the holy city, despite the unresolved status of Jerusalem under international law.

Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev wears a dress featuring the old city of Jerusalem during the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.
Antonin Thuillier/AFP via Getty Images

At the 2024 Academy Awards, a number of attendees, including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali, wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, and pro-Palestine protesters delayed the start of the ceremonies.

So even though a film like “No Other Land” addresses a topic of clear interest to many people in the U.S., it faces an uphill battle to finding a distributor.

I wonder whether a win at the Oscars would even be enough.

This article has been updated to clarify that the film was a collaborative effort between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers.

Drew Paul does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. A Palestinian-Israeli film is an Oscars favorite − so why is it so hard to see? – https://theconversation.com/a-palestinian-israeli-film-is-an-oscars-favorite-so-why-is-it-so-hard-to-see-249233

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to Deliver Keynote Address at 10th Powering Africa Summit

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy, has been confirmed as a speaker and guest of honour at the 10^th Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place at JW Marriott Washington, D.C. across March 6-7. This is an important step to provide an answer to the question that all of African energy is now asking: how will the new Administration approach the strategic energy relationship between the U.S. and Africa?

Under the Summit theme, The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will deliver a keynote address at the 10^th annual Powering Africa Summit. Wright will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of State: Ambassador Troy Fitrell, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs; Kimberly Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources; and Stephen Banks, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy, Bureau of Energy Resources. All will share their vision for this future relationship between African countries and the US-based investors that are so vital to realizing their energy ambitions.

“As Secretary of Energy, I am committed to unleashing all forms of affordable, reliable and secure energy here at home and advancing that mission of energy security around the world – and nowhere is that more critical than the continent of Africa. I look forward to joining the Summit to reaffirm the strategic energy partnership between the U.S. and Africa and share my vision for advancing innovation and removing barriers to energy access, both at home and around the world,” Secretary Wright said.

Ministers and governments from 19 African countries will arrive in Washington D.C., where the Africa Welcome Address will be given by H.E. Honourable Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria. Together with H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia; H.E. Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria; H.E. Honourable Mahmoud Mustafa Esmat, Minister of Electricity & Renewable Energy, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Egypt; H.E. Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana; H.E. Honourable Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum, Kenya; and Amina Benkhadra, Director General, Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Morocco, he will meet distinguished Ministers and leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Togo, Sierra Leone and more to drive energy development across the continent.

Flagship ministerial boardrooms and regional energy cooperation sessions will discuss and debate derisking projects, South Africa’s energy future, the need for West African regulatory reforms, and the role of hydrogen in North Africa. New areas of opportunity such as bitcoin mining and data centers will be discussed through an East African lens. The Mission 300 initiative, set to provide electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, is also high on the agenda.

The 10^th Anniversary Gala Drinks Reception sponsored by Genesis Energy, will celebrate International Women’s Day, ahead of March 8.

Critical to the week’s discussions will be a host of private players including Alliant Insurance Services, GE Vernova, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Globeleq, Africa50, Nextracker, Schneider Electric, Newmarket Capital and the summit’s general sponsor, Sun Africa, who are looking to a new future for the U.S.-Africa relationship.

Sun Africa CEO, Adam Cortese said: “We are seeing a sea change in how the U.S. participates in foreign infrastructure development and our unique model of development is an excellent illustration of how U.S. energy companies can thrive in emerging markets on a strictly commercial basis. Sun Africa remains committed to harnessing Africa’s immense energy resources through innovative structures, state-of-the-art technology and strong alliances while maintaining our long-standing market-based approach to development. At Sun Africa, we believe energy development on the continent truly represents an opportunity for win-win partnerships and look forward to sharing our experience.”

Simon Gosling, MD of EnergyNet added: “This summit has always been about bringing together African countries seeking investment with U.S.-based investors who see the vast potential on the continent. It is more important than ever to establish the crucial energy projects that Africa needs. PAS25 will put the continent center stage and make sure that both sides have a future relationship to be excited about.”

Media Credentials Requited for Powering Africa Summit

The Secretary will open the Summit on 6 March, delivering a Keynote Speech at 09:45, followed by a Fireside Chat with Mission 300 Accelerator CEO, Andrew Herscowitz.

MIL OSI Africa –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City Walls to be Illuminated to commemorate Joseph Rowntree

Source: City of York

To mark the 100th anniversary of Joseph Rowntree’s death, City of York Council will illuminate the city walls in blue and orange tonight, paying tribute to his lasting impact on the city.

Joseph Rowntree is one of York’s most well-known names, not just for his business success but for his significant contributions to social reform and community development. As the owner of Rowntree’s from 1869, Joseph helped grow the chocolate company into an internationally recognised name, employing thousands and strengthening York’s position in the confectionery industry.

However, it is his commitment to social causes that remains a cornerstone of his legacy. Inspired by a desire to improve the lives of his workers, Joseph founded several trusts to address social issues, promote education, and advocate for reform. His son, Seebohm Rowntree, furthered this work with the publication of Poverty: A Study of Town Life in 1901, which highlighted the extent of poverty in York and sparked change.

Joseph’s vision for a better quality of life for York’s residents also led to the creation of New Earswick, a model village offering affordable housing, and the donation of Rowntree Park to the city in 1921, both of which continue to benefit the city today.

To remember Joseph Rowntree’s contributions, the city walls will be lit up in blue and orange, representing the Rowntree family’s connection to York, from dusk until 11pm this evening.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of the Council said:

“Joseph Rowntree’s influence on York cannot be overstated. His commitment to improving the lives of those who lived and worked in the city is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.

“This lighting is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy, and I’m proud that we can acknowledge his contributions in this way.”

Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities will be speaking at a special event marking Joseph Rowntree’s funeral, which takes place on Saturday 1 March at the Friargate Quaker Meeting House in the city, and he said:

“Joseph Rowntree’s vision of social justice, alongside his entrepreneurial spirit, has shaped York into the city we know and love today.

“The lighting of the walls reminds us of his remarkable legacy and the values he instilled in York — values that continue to guide us as a city to this day.”

The city is also supporting The Rowntree Society’s year-long programme of events.

Nick Smith, Executive Director of The Rowntree Society said:

“The impact that Joseph Rowntree had particularly on York is still felt today; both through the tangible assets he provided for us which still exist and with the example he gave in making life better for so many people.  We would like all of York to get involved in marking the Joseph Rowntree Centenary.” 

For more information on The Rowntree Society’s work and how to get involved with the Centenary visit www.rowntreesociety.org.uk.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – New bishop consecrated in Rakhine State as fighting continues

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Archdiocese of Yangon

Pyay (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic faithful of the Rakhine State (or Arakan), in western Myanmar, have welcomed their new Bishop, Peter Tin Wai, a “Good Shepherd” called to lead the Catholic faithful in a situation of civil war, while clashes between the “Arakan Army”, local militias and the regular Burmese army continue in the territory of the State.Despite the widespread violence and displacement, in recent days more than 2,000 Catholic faithful have gathered in the city of Pyay, the diocese that covers the entire territory of Rakhine State, to welcome the new Bishop. The solemn Eucharist and ordination of the new bishop, presided over yesterday by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, was attended by about 20 Burmese bishops, 150 priests, more than 200 nuns and thousands of faithful gathered from surrounding towns and villages. Many others were unable to leave their villages amid the fighting, but prayed in their homes or in the forests where they are sheltered.The diocese of Pyay is mostly inhabited by the Rakhine ethnic group, including about 30,000 Catholics, in a Buddhist-majority area. The episcopal seat is located in the Diocese of Pyay, the former Apostolic Prefecture of Sittwe (created in 1940), which was led by Father Thomas Newman, the first Apostolic Prefect. Later, the territory was entrusted to the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, and in 1961 Bishop Thomas Newman became the first bishop of the diocese, which was initially called Prome and in 1991 became the Diocese of Pyay as it exists today.The faithful gathered – an extraordinary event in times of war – to pray with and for Bishop Peter Tin Wai and to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope despite the tragic context in the conflict region. “We have come to celebrate God’s time, which is always a time of hope,” said Cardinal Charls Maung Bo, who also took the opportunity to thank the previous Bishop Alexandre Pyone Cho, a Pastor who “embodied the spirit of Simon of Cyrene, walking the Via Crucis with the people”.In the war- and poverty-stricken region, life for priests and religious is difficult, but the bishop has always supported them, for which the faithful are grateful. “We live in difficult times when darkness seems to have prevailed,” Cardinal Bo continued. “Evil seems to strangle good. Hatred seems to have overwhelmed love. But we are a people of hope and we are celebrating the JubileeYear of Hope. The Lord is the Lord of life, not of death. As we celebrate the ordination of Bishop Peter Tin Wai as a family, we rejoice in spirit and offer comfort and encouragement to one another. This is a time of healing and reconciliation.”Bishop Peter Tin Wai was born and raised in Rakhine State and is therefore very familiar with the region, the local culture, the challenges and struggles of the local people and the plight of the internally displaced. As a priest, he was involved in pastoral care for the displaced, “and his resilience is a testimony to his evangelical spirit,” stressed those present, describing him as someone “who leads a simple life among the people of Rakhine State, who knows their tears, joys and the pain of displacement and poverty.” The bishop will be able to “spread the Gospel in places marked by wounds and despair” and “bring peace and healing where there is conflict, in our hearts, in our diocese and in the nation.” The area of Rakhine State is also facing the problem of Rohingya refugees, an ethnic minority of Muslim faith who have been increasingly displaced in recent years and are now also victims of the ongoing conflict.Meanwhile, the “Arakan Army” (AA) is approaching the city of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, and, according to observers, is preparing an attack to bring the city under its control. In recent days, civilians have begun to flee Sittwe after initial fighting on the outskirts of the city. In the meantime, the junta has blocked all escape routes. Of the 17 townships in Rakhine State, 14 are already under the control of the Arakan Army and only three are still controlled by the Burmese army: Kyaukphyu, Munaung and Sittwe, where the regional headquarters of the Burmese military junta is located.The scenario unfolding in Rakhine State is found in several states in Myanmar and is an example of the presence of the Catholic community in this country marked by four years of civil war: they ensure pastoral and sacramental life, provide assistance and comfort to displaced people scattered throughout the territory – they have often left their villages and therefore their parishes. And the commitment continues with great dedication and a deep witness of faith even in this difficult and uncertain time.The Holy See also continues to pay special attention to the region with the erection of new dioceses, such as the Diocese of Mindat, with territory taken from the diocese of Hakha, in the Chin State, on the border with India. Recent actions by the Holy See include the appointment of Father Raymond Wai Lin Htun as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Yangon in 2024 and the appointment of Father John Mung-ngawn La Sam (MF), a religious of the Missionaries of the Faith, as Bishop of the Diocese of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, another area affected by serious displacement. And this includes the appointment of Father Felice Ba Htoo as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Pekhon, in Shan State, an area affected by violent clashes and where new guerrilla groups have recently emerged, such as the “United Wa State Army” and the “Shan State Army-North”, fueling general violence, in which the Catholic faithful suffer like everyone else, sharing the fate of the local population. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2024)
Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/EGYPT – Sudanese and South Sudanese gathered for the anniversary of the founding of the Arbaa wNus centre in Cairo, dedicated to Saint Bakhita

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Monday, 24 February 2025

Comboni

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) – This year the parish of Sakakini in Cairo has reason to celebrate: it is celebrating the centenary of its foundation (until the 1980s the parish was entrusted to the Society of African Missions) and the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Arbaa wNus Center, dedicated to Saint Bakhita.On the occasion of the feast of the South Sudanese Saint on February 7, the Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria, Bishop Claudio Lurati, presided over a Mass at the Arbaa wNus Center in the Nasr City district (Cairo), attended by many Sudanese and South Sudanese from the Sacred Heart Parish in Sakakini and from other parishes.In Sudan, devotion to Saint Bakhita and the closeness of the Comboni missionaries to the Sudanese people are deeply rooted, who in recent weeks have witnessed the advance of the forces of the regular army in Khartoum, with news and videos showing several members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaving the capital (see Fides, 6/2/2025). “With the arrival of the army in Bahri (North Khartoum),” the Comboni missionaries report, “we have news of the provincial house for the first time in more than 18 months, which fortunately seems to be in good condition. On the other hand, the clashes in the center (Souq Arabi, where the Comboni College is located) and in the south (Azhari and Soba) of Khartoum continue to be very fierce”.The missionaries add that in Kosti, south of Khartoum, the destruction of the nearby electricity plant has caused a power outage for two weeks, making life difficult in the town where the lack of running water has led to a rise in cholera cases. At the moment, both parties to the conflict seem unwilling to consider negotiations to end hostilities. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2025)
Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – “We are grateful that we are still alive”: Witnesses report from Bukavu one week after the conquest by the M23

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “We are grateful to be alive”, this is the prevailing mood in Bukavu, the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was taken by the M23 on February 16 (see Fides, 17/2/2025).In a statement sent to Fides, a source of the local Church describes the situation in the city a week after its capture.”Yesterday, Sunday 23 February, the first morning Mass in the parish of Nguba, on the outskirts of Bukavu, was almost as crowded as usual with people. Some were still afraid to go out on the street before six o’clock, the first light of dawn, and postponed going to the second Mass. There is a choir worthy of the Vatican celebrations and there is a great desire to say thank you. Father Jean-Marie, the celebrant, expressed everyone’s thoughts: ‘I wasn’t sure if we would still be here this Sunday to praise the Lord. Let us give thanks!” “How could I not dance and give thanks?’ repeats an elderly woman. The feeling of gratitude after having escaped danger is palpable in the assembly. The new conquerors had only entered the city last Sunday, after days of unrest. And while they were supposedly maintaining order, they had increased the number of fatalities: between Friday 14 February and Monday 17 February, the Red Cross counted twenty-six dead. When I hear the songs, the clapping and the dancing, I think that this is the resilience of this people: their stubborn faith in God, their ability to thank him for the positive without blaming him for the negative: they know that it is a matter of human responsibility,” reports the local source.The city is without leadership: “The previous rulers have fled, the new ones have not yet been appointed; the streets are without police: 2,200 of them have been sent to Goma for training and will receive the uniforms of the new rulers. There is no longer any talk of the soldiers of the Congolese army: they have fled to create unrest in the Ruzizi plain further south and in Uvira. There is strong local resistance there from the Wazalendo militia and it will not be easy to occupy the places. For now, despite various rumors, it looks as if the M23 are only in Kamanyola, or perhaps not even there. In the meantime, a large part of the plain’s population has fled to Burundi in recent days, many across the wide Ruzizi river: and who counts the children swept away by the floods?”.The call to everyone in Bukavu is to go back to work: “Tomorrow (today, February 24, editor’s note) classes are due to resume in schools, at least primary schools, but who will pay the salaries of teachers in public and state-supported schools if they say Kinshasa no longer has anything to do with these provinces?”.In Kinshasa, strange incidents are occurring: “They arrest young people just because they speak Swahili, the language of the East, and accuse them of being accomplices of the Rwandans. It is urgent that an authority speaks out to restore freedom and security and give the population guidance.””The M23 rebel movement, a cover for the Rwandan occupation, numbers only about ten thousand men (the Burundian soldiers sent to support the Congolese army alone numbered fifteen thousand!),” the source continued. “How can the movement think of occupying an entire country or even just the eastern provinces? As for the rebellion led by Corneille Nangaa (head of the Congo River Alliance, ed.), it was launched at the last minute and would be insignificant without the support of the M23. For this reason, the M23 is in a hurry to recruit new fighters.””According to various witnesses, the M23 in Goma surrounds every neighborhood where it suspects resistance and goes from house to house, from school to school. If someone gives the impression of being a wazalendo or a resistance fighter of the Congolese army, they take them to join their group. If they resist, they shoot,” the source reports.”But none of this seems to move the minds of the people gathered to praise their Lord,” the source concludes. “They are sure that beyond human plans, there is God and that everything is in his hands. Next to the altar, in the preparation of the offerings, there are still piles of sacks of flour and rice: a donation for the poor of the community that the base communities take turns to deliver every Sunday”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/2/2025)
Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 25, 2025

Category: housing

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrowSaras Aajeevika Mela aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth

Cultivating the FutureInnovative Biotech Solutions for Farming, Livestock, and Aquaculture

DS629: Türkiye — Measures Concerning Electric Vehicles and Other Types of Vehicles from China

DS593: European Union — Certain Measures Concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop-Based Biofuels

DS599: Panama — Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Products from Costa Rica

Appellate Body appointments

Surveillance of implementation

Election of Chairperson

Next meeting

Share

What does the research say?

Do you need to learn one language before starting the other?

How can I help my child learn multiple languages?

What is a medical abortion?

Do I have to go to hospital?

What is a surgical abortion?

Do I need an ultrasound?

Before and after care

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

UN Human Rights Council 58: Annual High-Level Mainstreaming Panel

Updates to this page

The role of film distributors

Shying away from controversy

Stages for protest

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Mela at Noida Haat, Uttar Pradesh tomorrow

Saras Aajeevika Mela aims to help artisans and craftsmen to promote their livelihoods and inclusive growth

Cultivating the Future

Innovative Biotech Solutions for Farming, Livestock, and Aquaculture