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  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Comments on Death of Hamas Terrorist Leader Yahya Sinwar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    October 17, 2024

    October 17, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement commenting on the apparent death of Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar:

    “Yahya Sinwar was one of the world’s most wanted terrorists. He directed Hamas’ October 7th terror attack that murdered 1,195 innocent people – including 46 Americans. As head of Hamas’ secret police force, Sinwar was dubbed the ‘Butcher of Khan Younis’ for torturing and killing those who deviated from Hamas’ tyrannical codes. He also sacrificed countless Palestinian lives in pursuit of his desire to wipe Israel off the map. Today, Israel brought him to justice and the world is a safer place as a result.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Conference on Small Modular Reactors Next Week

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    More than 1000 participants from nearly 100 countries are set to attend the first IAEA International Conference on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications, from 21 to 25 October at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna. The conference comes at a crucial time amid a new global consensus on the need to expand nuclear power to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

    Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are designed to produce typically no more than 300 MW(e), with their size making them a good option for deployment in remote areas and regions with smaller electric grids. The modularity of their design allows for their various components to be assembled in factories before transportation to deployment sites for installation, potentially reducing the time needed for construction. And with a growing number of prospective end users considering nuclear power to meet their needs, such as energy-intensive data centres, as well as the urgency to decarbonize a wide range of non-electric applications, SMRs may be in line to play a major role alongside their larger counterparts. Nuclear power generation is expected to expand significantly by mid-century, with versatile SMRs figuring to comprise a large share of the reactor fleet of the future, according to the IAEA.

    “The high case scenario of the IAEA’s latest projections sees nuclear electrical generating capacity in 2050 being two and a half times bigger than today. A quarter of that new capacity is projected to come from SMRs,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “To meet the low carbon energy needs of countries and industries, we need to ensure the timely demonstration and deployment of safe and secure SMRs. For that, international cooperation and collaboration are essential.”

    The conference will feature panel discussions and poster sessions covering areas within four primary topics: SMR design, technology and the fuel cycle; legislative and regulatory frameworks; safety, security and safeguards; and considerations to facilitate deployment of SMRs.

    “There are around 70 active SMR designs at various stages of development worldwide, and many newcomer countries and industries are interested in SMRs,” said Aline des Cloizeaux, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Power. “This event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in SMRs and ways to advance their deployment.”

    In parallel with the conference, the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) will hold a plenary meeting prior to the conference opening. NHSI was launched in 2022 to facilitate the deployment of safe and secure SMRs and other advanced reactors by harmonizing regulatory approaches and standardizing industrial approaches. The initiative supports countries on two tracks. Through NHSI’s regulatory track, three technical documents have been drafted, focused on approaches for cooperation on regulatory reviews, including a multinational pre-licensing joint review process. NHSI’s industry track has produced several working papers on topics including how the production of long-lead items, such as pressure vessels, can be streamlined and how serial manufacturing of SMR components could facilitate quicker deployments. NHSI members will review work done and plan activities for the coming year.

    “The broad participation in the conference highlights countries growing interest in SMRs and their applications,” said Anna Bradford, Director of the IAEA’s Division on Nuclear Installation Safety. “The IAEA remains fully committed to enabling the deployment of safe and secure advanced and innovative nuclear reactors, including SMRs.”

    An ‘Industry Night’, co-organized with the World Nuclear Association (WNA), will be held on Tuesday, 22 October, and feature vendors from around the world presenting the latest reactor technology across four panel sessions. On Wednesday, a young generation event co-organized by the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) and the IAEA will facilitate a discussion on how SMRs and microreactors can contribute to a sustainable and equitable future.

    IAEA assistance through the SMR Platform

    The IAEA supports countries in deploying SMRs through activities including technical assistance, capacity building, information sharing and coordination of research and development efforts. The IAEA Platform on Small Modular Reactors and their Applications serves as the focal point for the IAEA’s work in this area, providing coordinated support and expertise from across the Agency in all aspects relevant to the development, early deployment and oversight of SMRs. The SMR Platform is designed to facilitate cooperation and collaboration among Member States and other stakeholders, supporting the safe and secure deployment of SMRs worldwide.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO launches five new multinational cooperation initiatives that enhance deterrence and defence

    Source: NATO

    On Thursday (17 October 2024), NATO launched five initiatives designed to address some of the most critical areas for Allied deterrence and defence. These new multinational High Visibility Projects will involve a total of 26 Allies and will help deliver critical capabilities that will enhance interoperability among NATO forces.

    Contributing Allies took part in a signing ceremony during a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers at NATO Headquarters. NATO’s Acting Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge welcomed “the beginning of more meaningful work in new areas, but also important milestones for existing projects,” adding that “it’s a great example of how our Alliance delivers”.

    The first project aims to accelerate the delivery of new generation Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) – such as NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) – through multinational cooperation. Thirteen Allies kicked off the project: Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. RPAS fleets are essential to a range of roles and missions including joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and electromagnetic warfare. 

    The second initiative seeks to increase the interchangeability and interoperability of key Allied artillery munitions. With initial contributions from 15 Allies – Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States – the project will contribute to harmonizing national fire testing and certification mechanisms. It will also help keep relevant standards up-to-date and support their adoption.

    The Distributed Synthetic Training Environment project aims to respond to the ever-growing demand for virtual training at the multinational level. It establishes a network of advanced and immersive multinational training opportunities for militaries. Eighteen NATO nations have joined the project: Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, United Kingdom and the United States. By leveraging national simulated training capabilities for multinational purposes, the project will bring immense operational benefits and economies of scale. 

    NATO is further stepping up its efforts to support Allied delivery of space technologies with two new projects. Through NORTHLINK, 13 Allies – Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States – will explore the development of a secure, resilient and reliable multinational Arctic satellite communications capability. Through the STARLIFT initiative, 14 nations – Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States – will investigate ways to strengthen NATO’s access to and use of space to deal with a range of challenges coming from operating from space. STARLIFT may help Allies to launch assets on short notice, manoeuvre a pre-positioned spare spacecraft or buy data from commercial partners during crisis or conflict 

    Further steps were also taken to advance work on two projects already underway: the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and NATO’s cross-border airspace cooperation. Launched in 2020 and managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the NGRC initiative aims to replace medium multi-role capabilities ending their life cycle in 2035 and beyond. On Thursday, five of the participating Allies – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom – committed to identify a single preferred solution for the replacement of these capabilities by the end of 2027, thereby enabling the development of this solution in 2030. 

    NATO’s cross-border airspace initiative also grew to 20 member countries with the addition of Denmark, Germany, Iceland and Portugal. First launched in October 2023, the project aims to foster civil-military cooperation on the use of airspace for NATO training and exercises, and other air activities in several regions of Europe.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to make an announcement to strengthen supply chains in Quebec

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Sorel-Tracy, Quebec – The President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, the Honourable Anita Anand, will announce investments under the National Trade Corridors Fund at Sorel-Tracy, Québec. She will be joined by Robert Bellisle, President and CEO of QSL, Patrick Péloquin, Mayor of Sorel-Tracy, and Vincent Deguise, Mayor of Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel.

    Date: Friday, October 18, 2024

    Time: 9:00 a.m. (EST)

    Location:
     12125 Route Marie-Victorin, Sorel-Tracy, Québec, JP3 7A3

    Contacts

    Laurent de Casanove
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Anita Anand
    Minister of Transport, Ottawa
    laurent.decasanove@tc.gc.ca

    Media relations
    Transport Canada, Ottawa
    613-993-0055
    media@tc.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Secures $800,000 to Repair Failing Section of Old William Penn Highway in Penn Hills

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

    PENN HILLS, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced he secured a $800,000 federal investment to repair a partially collapsed section of Old William Penn Highway in Penn Hills and stave off further collapse and structural failure. The federal funds will support a safer road and easier traffic flow for residents, commuters, and worshippers at the nearby Sri Venkateswara Hindu Temple.   

    “Whether it’s people getting on the Parkway for their work commute, kids taking buses to school, or worshippers heading to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, the good folks in Penn Hills depend on Old William Penn Highway,” said Congressman Deluzio, “I’m proud to announce I secured $800,000 in federal funding to repair Old William Penn Highway, fix up the structural issues caused by the landslide, and make it a safer and better road for all of us.” 

    The section of Old William Penn that is currently failing is due to a landslide that is slowly eroding the roadway. Municipal estimations project one more functional winter before the unsafe conditions would force the road to close. The federal funds Deluzio announced today will keep the road functional while the construction takes place. Work has already begun at the site, with workers this week performing geotechnical services in coordination with PennDOT engineers. Photos of the worksite and today’s event can be found here. Livestreamed video of the event is available here.

    Old William Penn Highway serves as a main artery in the region, connecting Penn Hills to the Parkway East as well as to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, a major Hindu temple in the region with thousands of members. Residents, local businesses, and commuters support this construction.

    This project in Penn Hills is one of fifteen community projects that Congressman Chris Deluzio successfully got funded for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District through the annual congressional funding bills. His funded projects also included local police departments, fire stations, downtown revitalization, street and water system repairs, and more. 

    State Senator Jay Costa, Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese, Councilperson Joanne Fascio, and Municipal Manager Scott Andrejchak joined Congressman Deluzio today to highlight these funds, visit the site on Old William Penn Highway, and accept a large check for the project. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: LIVE: DoD Press Briefing from the Pentagon on October 17, 2024

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder briefs the news media at the Pentagon. The briefing will also be livestreamed on Defense.gov.
    —————
    Your military is an all-volunteer force that serves to protect our security and way of life, but Service members are more than a fighting force. They are leaders, humanitarians and your fellow Americans. Get to know more about the men and women who serve, who they are, what they do, and why they do it.

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

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaLy2ZCUYfY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Greentech Entrepreneur Promotes Clean Energy Solutions in Iraq | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Ms. Basima Abdulrahman is the founder and CEO of KESK, the first Iraqi greentech company which synergizes green power and cloud computing technologies to build alternative energy projects in the country.

    Ms. Abdulrahman was a participant of the panel “Women, Peace, and Security: How to Promote Stability in Conflict-affected Countries by Funding Female Entrepreneurs” at the 5th World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum in Bahrain on 16 May 2024.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=001i-5xXL18

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Syria/Lebanon, Chad, Women/Peacekeeping & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (17 Oct 2024)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

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

    Highlights:
    -Briefings tomorrow
    -IPC report
    -Occupied Palestinian Territory
    -Lebanon
    -Lebanon/Humanitarian
    -Syria/Lebanon
    -Chad
    -Women/Peacekeeping
    -Poverty Index
    -Eradication of poverty

    IPC REPORT
    The Secretary-General said that he is alarmed by today’s IPC report findings that high displacement and restrictions on humanitarian aid flows mean that the people of Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of hunger. One year into the conflict, famine looms. This is intolerable, the Secretary-General said.
    Mr. Guterres said that crossing points must open immediately, bureaucratic impediments must be removed, and law and order must be restored so that UN agencies can deliver lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
    Earlier today, the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization said that the latest findings of the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) report, collecting the work of 16 UN agencies and NGOs, make clear that the risk of famine persists across the whole Gaza Strip. Given the recent surge in hostilities, there are growing concerns that this worst-case scenario may materialize.
    Between September and October 2024, the whole territory is classified in IPC Phase 4 – Emergency. About 1.84 million people across the Gaza Strip are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, classified in IPC Phase 3 – Crisis – or above, including nearly 133,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity, which is IPC Phase 5. Acute Malnutrition is ten times higher than before the escalation of the hostilities.
    The report adds that nearly the entire population has been displaced multiple times, risking injuries or death from shelling and aerial bombardments, while many vulnerable groups are unable to relocate or find safe shelter. The majority are living in temporary makeshift camps with an alarming density of almost 40,000 people per square kilometre.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Our colleagues from Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warn that the ongoing Israeli military operations in northern Gaza are putting tens of thousands of civilians in grave danger. OCHA stresses once again that civilians in the north and across Gaza must be protected. Moreover, the military offensive in northern Gaza is also choking off people’s access to the essentials for their survival, including water.
    Intense hostilities, evacuation orders, and loss of access to numerous water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in northern Gaza have rendered a number of systems for water production and wastewater collection inoperable. In Jabalya and Beit Lahya, water production from municipal wells is currently at zero. That’s according to our partners, who are also doing everything possible to provide access to water for people throughout Gaza. As of a week ago, they reported that 638 cubic metres of water were being distributed in northern Gaza on a daily basis through water trucking. For your reference, daily water distribution throughout all of Gaza prior to October 2023 was 380,000 cubic metres.
    Meanwhile, in central Gaza, we and our humanitarian partners working to support water, sanitation and hygiene services there are preparing for winter and taking urgent steps to mitigate the risk of flooding. These include rehabilitating wastewater pumping stations in Deir al Balah and removing solid waste and cleaning stormwater channels in An Nuseirat refugee camp. Partners are also rehabilitating drainage systems and working to procure dewatering pumps.
    Also in central Gaza, the World Health Organization reports that the second round of the polio vaccination campaign there concluded yesterday, with more than 181,000 children receiving the vaccine and over 148,000 children getting vitamin A supplements. Eight health facilities in central Gaza will continue to provide polio vaccines for families who were unable to bring their children to be vaccinated over the past three days.
    The second round of the polio vaccination campaign is expected to start in southern Gaza tomorrow.
    Meanwhile, in the West Bank, OCHA warns that Israeli settler violence in the context of the ongoing olive harvest season is threatening people’s safety and livelihoods. Since the beginning of the month, OCHA has documented 32 attacks by Israeli settlers, during which 39 Palestinians harvesting olives were injured and about 600 trees and saplings were vandalized, sawn off, or stolen.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=17%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LMOp0V0ZLg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Governor Talks – Pakistan: From Stabilization to Sustainable Growth via Structural Reforms

    Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

    In mid-2023, Pakistan faced significant economic challenges, including due the devastating floods of the previous year. Since then, economic stability has been restored through careful policy-making. However, challenges remain, such as a narrow tax base, elevated spending pressures for social and development needs and building climate resilience, as well as low productivity and weak growth. MCD Director Jihad Azour will be joined by Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss the government’s ambitious policy and reform agenda and the path to sustainable growth.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wb8i0FLqEo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Delivers Keynote Address at Colorado Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis delivered the keynote address at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting to highlight Colorado’s economic success.

    “Colorado has one of the best economies in the country and we continue working to ensure it remains the best place to launch and grow a business. Since taking office, we have brought thousands of new jobs to Colorado. From cutting taxes, to addressing housing costs, expanding access to quality education and more, ours is a great place for individuals, families, and businesses to plant their roots,” said Governor Jared Polis.

    At the meeting, the Chamber announced the “Coolest Thing Made in Colorado” award, which was voted on by members of the Chamber. Freedom Trax was announced as the winner. Freedom Trax is a motorized off-road attachment designed for manual wheelchairs that helps navigate difficult terrain, breaking down barriers to access for Coloradans using wheelchairs in Colorado’s great outdoors.

    “Small, innovative businesses and products like Freedom Trax are driving our economy forward and helping Coloradans of all abilities access our great outdoors. Congratulations on being named the coolest thing made in Colorado! I am proud to celebrate this innovation and your impact on our great state,” said Governor Polis.

    In the last year, Governor Polis has signed laws cutting property, sales, and income taxes, breaking down barriers to housing Coloradans can afford, investing in Colorado workforce and connecting Coloradans to needed skills to fill available jobs, expanding access to low-cost education and more. All critical to a strong economy and a strong workforce.  

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – EU Commissioners-designate confirmation hearings in committees

    Source: European Parliament

    The designated candidates of the von der Leyen Commission will be heard by the EP committees dealing with their respective portfolios from 04/11/2024 until 12/11/2024. During each confirmation hearing, the commissioner-designate will give an opening speech and then answer questions by committee members. More detailed information, including the candidates’ portfolios, the procedure, the schedule, the latest news and a live webstreaming during and record after the hearing, can be found on the dedicated webpage.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP President Metsola to European leaders: on migration the real solution is a European one

    Source: European Parliament

    Speaking to leaders, Parliament President Metsola reiterated Parliament’s unwavering support for Ukraine. She called for a coordinated European approach to ensure the integrity of Schengen.

    On Ukraine

    It has been almost 1,000 days of aggression in Ukraine. We will, and we must, keep standing with Ukraine – and equally we need to reinforce our efforts for peace. A peace that is rooted in freedom; that is anchored in dignity and that is built on justice. A peace that is not a capitulation. A peace that protects our values. Anything less than that is no real peace at all.

    When we talk about Ukraine’s future and putting an end to this terrible war, we need to be clear: only a strong, sovereign Ukraine can achieve that. The European Parliament stands firm in its conviction: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

    Next week the European Parliament will take a final vote in plenary to support Ukraine with an exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance loan of up to 35 billion Euros. Politically and technically, we are proud to have done our work.

    On Middle East

    Alongside the recent escalation in Lebanon, including now involving the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon, it is more critical than ever to find a sustainable solution and to do so urgently. Europe has a role to play here and we cannot be found wanting.

    The European Parliament’s position is clear. Our calls for the immediate release of the remaining hostages will remain steadfast. Our calls for a ceasefire will remain resolute. Our efforts towards de-escalation will remain strong. And our work for a real, dignified, sustainable, long-term peace in the region, based on two States that gives real perspective to Palestinians and security to Israel, will remain unwavering.

    We cannot ignore the ripple effects of instability. What happens in Eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in Northern Africa or anywhere else near our borders, does not just stay isolated – it has consequences for Europe. Nowhere is this more visible than in the area of migration.

    On Migration

    The EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which we adopted earlier this year after a decade of political impasse, offers a pathway forward. But it will not work if, in moments of pressure, we undermine what we have built together. That is why it is important that we scale-up efforts to swiftly implement the Pact.

    Our commonly agreed-to framework that protects our borders, but that is also fair with those eligible for protection, that is firm with those not eligible and who must be safely and swiftly returned, and that – critically – is harsh against the trafficking networks, including malign States like Russia and Belarus using hybrid threats, preying on the vulnerable and weaponising migration.

    The nature of these hybrid threats [coming from Russia and Belarus] require us to think outside the box. We must respond to those actors who seek to abuse the systems we built for the betterment of man, against the very humanity they are meant to protect. And we can do so within the parameters of our values and legal frameworks.

    The key here is cooperation. The real solution is a European solution – one that is broad, that is holistic, and that is sustainable. Because only a coordinated European approach can ensure the integrity of our Schengen area.

    President Metsola´s full speech can be found here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s IXPE Helps Researchers Determine Shape of Black Hole Corona

    Source: NASA

    New findings using data from NASA’s IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) mission offer unprecedented insight into the shape and nature of a structure important to black holes called a corona.
    A corona is a shifting plasma region that is part of the flow of matter onto a black hole, about which scientists have only a theoretical understanding. The new results reveal the corona’s shape for the first time, and may aid scientists’ understanding of the corona’s role in feeding and sustaining black holes.

    Many black holes, so named because not even light can escape their titanic gravity, are surrounded by accretion disks, debris-cluttered whirlpools of gas. Some black holes also have relativistic jets – ultra-powerful outbursts of matter hurled into space at high speed by black holes that are actively eating material in their surroundings.
    Less well known, perhaps, is that snacking black holes, much like Earth’s Sun and other stars, also possess a superheated corona. While the Sun’s corona, which is the star’s outermost atmosphere, burns at roughly 1.8 million degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of a black hole corona is estimated at billions of degrees.
    Astrophysicists previously identified coronae among stellar-mass black holes – those formed by a star’s collapse – and supermassive black holes such as the one at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy.
    “Scientists have long speculated on the makeup and geometry of the corona,” said Lynne Saade, a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and lead author of the new findings. “Is it a sphere above and below the black hole, or an atmosphere generated by the accretion disk, or perhaps plasma located at the base of the jets?”
    Enter IXPE, which specializes in X-ray polarization, the characteristic of light that helps map the shape and structure of even the most powerful energy sources, illuminating their inner workings even when the objects are too small, bright, or distant to see directly. Just as we can safely observe the Sun’s corona during a total solar eclipse, IXPE provides the means to clearly study the black hole’s accretion geometry, or the shape and structure of its accretion disk and related structures, including the corona.
    “X-ray polarization provides a new way to examine black hole accretion geometry,” Saade said. “If the accretion geometry of black holes is similar regardless of mass, we expect the same to be true of their polarization properties.”
    IXPE demonstrated that, among all black holes for which coronal properties could be directly measured via polarization, the corona was found to be extended in the same direction as the accretion disk – providing, for the first time, clues to the corona’s shape and clear evidence of its relationship to the accretion disk. The results rule out the possibility that the corona is shaped like a lamppost hovering over the disk.  
    The research team studied data from IXPE’s observations of 12 black holes, among them Cygnus X-1 and Cygnus X-3, stellar-mass binary black hole systems about 7,000 and 37,000 light-years from Earth, respectively, and LMC X-1 and LMC X-3, stellar-mass black holes in the Large Magellanic Cloud more than 165,000 light-years away. IXPE also observed a number of supermassive black holes, including the one at the center of the Circinus galaxy, 13 million light-years from Earth, and those in galaxies NGC 1068 and NGC 4151, 47 million light-years away and nearly 62 million light-years away, respectively.
    Stellar mass black holes typically have a mass roughly 10 to 30 times that of Earth’s Sun, whereas supermassive black holes may have a mass that is millions to tens of billions of times larger. Despite these vast differences in scale, IXPE data suggests both types of black holes create accretion disks of similar geometry.
    That’s surprising, said Marshall astrophysicist Philip Kaaret, principal investigator for the IXPE mission, because the way the two types are fed is completely different.
    “Stellar-mass black holes rip mass from their companion stars, whereas supermassive black holes devour everything around them,” he said. “Yet the accretion mechanism functions much the same way.”
    That’s an exciting prospect, Saade said, because it suggests that studies of stellar-mass black holes – typically much closer to Earth than their much more massive cousins – can help shed new light on properties of supermassive black holes as well.
    The team next hopes to make additional examinations of both types.
    Saade anticipates there’s much more to glean from X-ray studies of these behemoths. “IXPE has provided the first opportunity in a long time for X-ray astronomy to reveal the underlying processes of accretion and unlock new findings about black holes,” she said.
    The complete findings are available in the latest issue of The Astrophysical Journal.
    More about IXPE
    IXPE, which continues to provide unprecedented data enabling groundbreaking discoveries about celestial objects across the universe, is a joint NASA and Italian Space Agency mission with partners and science collaborators in 12 countries. IXPE is led by Marshall. Ball Aerospace, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, manages spacecraft operations together with the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder.
    Learn more about IXPE’s ongoing mission here:
    https://www.nasa.gov/ixpe
    Elizabeth LandauNASA Headquarterselizabeth.r.landau@nasa.gov202-358-0845
    Lane FigueroaNASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center256-544-0034lane.e.figueroa@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Ng announces 2025 Team Canada Trade Missions to bring more of Canada to the Indo-Pacific

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    As a key part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Team Canada Trade Missions help Canadian businesses open doors in dynamic markets, unlock new opportunities and connect with government and industry leaders. Diversity is Canada’s strength, and Team Canada supports and advances inclusive trade, which contributes to more competitive, innovative and successful businesses.

    October 17, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    Since the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan nearly a year ago, these large-scale missions have visited Malaysia, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea and will soon visit Indonesia and the Philippines. Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, announced that she will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to Australia from February 16 to 21, 2025. These trade missions have allowed more than 650 representatives from over 440 Canadian organizations from more than 15 sectors gain market exposure and pursue commercial opportunities and partnerships. The Team Canada model has proven to be effective at generating economic impact for Canada: for example, the trade mission to Japan led to at least 70 new contracts with an overall value estimated at close to $30 million CAD.

    As a key part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Team Canada Trade Missions help Canadian businesses open doors in dynamic markets, unlock new opportunities and connect with government and industry leaders. Diversity is Canada’s strength, and Team Canada supports and advances inclusive trade, which contributes to more competitive, innovative and successful businesses.

    During the Team Canada Trade Mission to Australia, Canadian companies will learn about opportunities in key sectors of focus:

    • agri-food and agritech
    • clean technologies and clean energy
    • mining equipment technology and services
    • information and communications technologies (with a focus on digital infrastructure and smart cities)

    Following this trade mission, Minister Ng will lead the Team Canada Trade Mission to Thailand and Cambodia in May 2025. Canada will also send business delegations to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Brunei Darussalam in 2025.

    Register now to join Minister Ng in Australia to help grow your Canadian business in a global market. Stay tuned for more details on other trade missions in 2025.

    • The Indo-Pacific is Canada’s second-largest regional export market, after the United States, with yearly 2-way merchandise trade valued at $257 billion in 2023.

    • Launched in November 2022, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is creating opportunities to expand trade and investment, grow good jobs and build supply chain resilience.

    • The Indo-Pacific region is rapidly becoming an increasingly important global centre of economic dynamism and strategic challenge, offering Canadian companies unparalleled opportunities for expansion, market exploration, and strategic partnerships. It accounts for over one-third of the world’s economic activity. By 2030, the region is expected to become home to two-thirds of global middle class. By 2040 it is projected to make up over half of the global economy.   

    • Team Canada Trade Missions help Canadian exporters and innovators expand and diversify their international business portfolios and reach in the region, strengthening their supply chains and facilitating long-term trade and investment opportunities that contribute to the growth of the Canadian economy.

    • Canadian participants gain direct benefits from Team Canada Trade Missions, such as getting market intelligence, access to key local interlocutors, and increased visibility and profile in the market. Canadian businesses have yielded a number of immediate successes and promising outcomes, including, for example, the signature of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), as well as securing sales contracts, new strategic partnerships, or local representation.

    Huzaif Qaisar
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
    343-575-8816
    Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Just Keep Roving

    Source: NASA

    2 min read

    Image from Perseverance’s Right Navigation Camera, looking back towards rover tracks from past drives, into Jezero crater. The camera is located high on the rover mast, and here the rover is looking back in the direction of the Jezero crater floor. This image was acquired on October 4th, 2024 (Sol 1288) at the local mean solar time of 12:51:26.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Throughout the past week, Perseverancehas continued marching up the Jezero crater rim. This steep ascent through the Martian regolith (soil) can prove to be slow driving for the rover, as the wheels can slip on the steepest areas. This is like trying to run up a hill of sand on a beach – with every step forward, you also slip back a little way down the hill! This just means the Science and Engineering teams work together closely to plan slow and steady drives through this tricky terrain.

    Driving through the Mount Ranier quadrangle, the team identified a relatively obstacle-free path to reach the crater rim which they designated Summerland Trail, aptly named from a very popular hiking trail that ascends Mount Ranier. Perseverance is trekking to the next waypoint near an outcrop of rocks called Pico Turquino, where the science team hopes to perform its next proximity science investigations with its instruments PIXL and back-online SHERLOC.

    While roving along Summerland Trail, Perseverance is constantly observing the surrounding terrain. SuperCam and Mastcam-Z have been observing rocks on the ground and on a distant hill, called Crystal Creek. In addition, during this time Perseverance can put its eyes to the sky to make observations of the sun and atmosphere. Last week, the Mastcam-Z camera captured images of Phobos (one of Mars’ two moons) transiting in front of the sun!

    This image, showing Phobos transiting in front of the sun, was acquired using Perseverance’s Left Mastcam-Z camera. Acquired on September 30th, 2024 (Sol 1285) at the local mean solar time of 11:10:04.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

    While the Mars2020 team is itching to reach the ancient stratigraphy exposed in the crater rim, for now, the focus is on documenting our surroundings while navigating the ascent. 

    Written by Eleanor Moreland, Ph.D. Student Collaborator at Rice University

    Reference Links

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pesticides affect the health of wild bees, important plant pollinators

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Native wild bees native play a critical role in ecosystems, pollinating countless plant species, including agricultural crops. Pollination from wild and managed bees benefits some 75% of crop species and 88% of flowering plant species.

    Now, scientists supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation have found that a factor in the decline of wild bee populations is the use of pesticides. Bee populations have declined some 43% in areas with high pesticide use. The results are reported in the journal Nature Sustainability. 

    “The decline of many wild bee species has major consequences for pollination in natural and agro-ecosystems,” state the scientists in their paper. “One hypothesized cause of the declines is pesticide use; neonicotinoids and pyrethroids in particular have been shown to have pernicious effects in laboratory and field experiments and have been linked to population declines.”

    The researchers write that they discovered “that the negative effects of pesticides are widespread; the increase in neonicotinoid and pyrethroid use is a major driver of changes in occupancy across hundreds of wild bee species.” The scientists suggest that reducing pesticide use may help conservation of these important pollinators.

    Using advanced computational methods, the researchers reviewed more than 200,000 observations of more than 1,000 bee species. “The use of biological collections data to understand where organisms occur, or no longer occur, is an increasingly societally important research topic,” says Reed Beaman, a program director in the NSF Division of Biological Infrastructure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dead coral skeletons left by bleaching events hinder reef recovery

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Coral reefs are like underwater cities, with myriad species forming a thriving ocean metropolis. That complexity, however, can hinder a reef’s survival, scientists funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation have found. 

    After bleaching events, the dead coral skeletons left behind allow seaweed to outgrow new young coral, preventing reefs from recovering. The results are published in the journal Global Change Biology.

    The research was conducted at the NSF Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research site in Tahiti, one of more than two dozen such sites funded by NSF and located in ecosystems ranging from forests to deserts and lakes to oceans.

    Seaweed, or macroalgae, competes with corals for space on the reef and for light. The algae grow faster than the coral, so seaweed can overrun a reef, preventing new corals from settling and shading out colonies that do. Young coral is especially vulnerable. Once a reef turns from being covered by coral to being covered by algae, the change can be hard to reverse.

    The research team, led by Russ Schmitt of the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that dead coral skeletons could help young coral that settle on a reef shortly after a bleaching event. But corals usually spawn once a year, while many algae reproduce continually, giving seaweed the advantage in colonizing newly available substrate.

    “If the corals had died in a typhoon that removed both the corals and their skeletons, there’s a good chance new corals would have come in and the reef would have recovered,” says Dan Thornhill, a program director in the NSF Division of Ocean Sciences. “With bleaching, however, the skeletons are left behind. This legacy of dead corals is an ideal habitat for algae to take over.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Surfing atmospheric waves with tiny satellites

    Source: US Government research organizations

    A U.S. National Science Foundation-supported team is designing and building three identical CubeSats, or shoebox-sized satellites, to study space weather and demonstrate new technologies.

    The CubeSats are part of the Space Weather Atmospheric Reconfigurable Multiscale Experiment (SWARM-EX). “The thermosphere and ionosphere system — the start of what we often think of as ‘outer space’ — is a highly variable and complex region of our atmosphere contributing to space weather,” said Scott Palo, a professor at the University of Colorado.

    The ionosphere consists of charged particles and overlaps with the neutral thermosphere. During space weather storms, charged particles collide with high-latitude atoms and molecules in the thermosphere, releasing photons, which we can observe as bright, colorful auroral displays. But space weather can also interfere with satellite electronics, radio communications, GPS signals, spacecraft orbits and even electrical power grids on Earth. ”SWARM-EX will collect data to improve space weather forecasting through a fundamental understanding of the key processes, thus reducing the potential negative impact of space weather on critical space systems,” said Palo.

    SWARM-EX’s three CubeSats will have specialized instruments to measure both the neutral and charged components of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Their onboard radios will allow all three satellites to simultaneously send back data to a single ground station when flying in close formation. Each CubeSat will also have a cold gas propulsion system that the SWARM-EX team will use to control the relative position of the satellites to avoid any potential space debris and deorbit at the end of the science mission.

    The team is working with over 150 students from six collaborating universities to integrate and test all of the spacecraft components in a “flat-sat” configuration, which is a deconstructed version of the satellite used for testing electronics and software. The team expects to start the final spacecraft assembly and integration in the summer of 2025 with a launch target of 2026.

    Since 2008, NSF has awarded over a dozen university-led CubeSat missions for research and education in space science. “CubeSats, which are light and inexpensive compared to typical satellites, offer a unique way to advance observations in space weather and atmospheric and geospace sciences,” NSF program director Mangala Sharma said. “They also allow us to experiment with novel technologies and engage students in exciting space missions.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Parliament’s reading of the 2025 EU budget – 17-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    During the October II plenary session, Parliament is expected to amend the Council’s position on the draft EU budget for 2025. The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) voted to reverse all of the reductions the Council has made to the Commission’s draft and proposes considerable increases in the 2025 budget for Parliament’s priorities: investments tailored to improving people’s lives, and boosting the Union’s competitiveness and sustainability. It would set 2025 commitments at almost €201 billion and payments at €153.5 billion, and proposes to finance the NGEU borrowing costs without cutting into expenditure on flagship programmes.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Unacceptable state of urban transport in Attica – E-001459/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission attaches great importance to public transport as it is key to achieving more sustainable mobility and reduce congestion in urban areas.

    It seeks to promote urban transport, which is efficient, safe, sustainable and inclusive, regardless of whether it is provided by public or private operators.

    The procurement of clean road transport vehicles under Directive 2009/33/EC[1] is part of the Commission’s goal to promote sustainable transport solutions and stimulate the market for clean and energy-efficient vehicles, including zero-emission buses.

    European funds support greener public urban transport in Attica and are made available, inter alia, for the purchase of clean public transport buses in Athens, the renew of rail rolling stock on Metro Line 1, construction of new Metro Line 4, and development of the suburban rail, under the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

    National authorities should accelerate the pace of implementation of these projects to ensure the greening of transport, sustainable and improved level of public service for all citizens.

    It is for national authorities to monitor transport operations safety and ensure that operators implement periodic maintenance and also comply with applicable labour law provisions as well as relevant technical/safety requirements including the training of staff.

    The Commission would also note that public authorities may financially support public passenger transport services, in accordance with the conditions set out in Regulation (EC) 1370/2007[2].

    The Commission would like to point out that EU law does not prescribe privatisation in the field of public transport.

    • [1] Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles OJ L 120, 15.5.2009, p. 5-12.
    • [2] Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70, OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 1-13.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Fundamental freedoms: suppression and deportation of Kanak political prisoners – E-001525/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Detention issues, including decisions concerning the allocation and social rehabilitation of prisoners, are primarily a responsibility of Member States.

    All Member States have, however, committed themselves to respect the standards on this matter drafted by the Council of Europe, such as the 2006 European Prison Rules.

    Moreover, on 8 December 2022, the Commission adopted a recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused in pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions[1].

    It should be noted that the minimum standards as laid down in the recommendation are not legally binding on the Member States. However, they will serve as a reference point in order to improve the situation in prisons within the EU. The Commission will monitor and assess the measures taken by Member States in the coming years.

    The Commission is committed to ensuring the respect of fundamental rights within the remit of its competences. However, the Charter applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law, in line with its Article 51(1).

    Therefore, it is for the concerned Member State to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected in accordance with their national law and international obligations, including the European Convention for Human Rights.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7570
    Last updated: 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation of the Single European Sky (recast) – A10-0010/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation of the Single European Sky (recast)

    (08311/2024 – C10‑0114/2024 – 2013/0186(COD))

    (Ordinary legislative procedure: second reading)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Council position at first reading (08311/2024 – C10‑0114/2024),

    – having regard to its position at first reading[1] on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2013)0410),

    – having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(2020)0579),

    – having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0577 – 2020/0264(COD)),

    – having regard to Article 294(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to Rule 68 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A10-0010/2024),

    1. Approves the Council position at first reading;

    2. Considers that, due to the incorporation of the content of Commission proposal COM(2020)0577 into that position, legislative procedure 2020/0264(COD) has lapsed;

    3. Approves the joint statement by Parliament and the Council annexed to this resolution, which will be published in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union;

    4. Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the Council position;

    5. Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council, in accordance with Article 297(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

    6. Instructs its Secretary-General to sign the act, once it has been verified that all the procedures have been duly completed, and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

    7. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

     

     

    ANNEX TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    JOINT STATEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

    Without prejudice to the prerogatives of the budgetary authority in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and to the Commission’s powers to establish the draft budget, the European Parliament and the Council invite the Commission to propose in the framework of the annual budgetary procedure the creation of an additional administrative support budget line under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), financed from CEF available appropriations as identified in the Legislative Financial Statement provided by the Commission. This new budget line would cover the cost of contractual agents and other administrative expenditures for the Secretariat of the Performance Review Board, Performance Review Board and National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board such as technical assistance, expert costs, contracts for data provision, external studies and for additional consultancy services, while establishment plan posts will be financed from the administrative budget line under Heading 7, with full respect of the current Multiannual Financial Framework Regulation. To the extent possible, such a financing under CEF should be without prejudice to the funds already earmarked in the latest CEF Transport Work Programme.

    The financing under CEF of contractual agents and other administrative expenditures for the Secretariat of the Performance Review Board, Performance Review Board and National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board should not set a precedent for the financing of the Secretariat of other boards. It should not prejudge in any way the financing arrangements to be agreed upon in the framework of the next Multiannual Financial Framework Regulation.

     

     

    SHORT JUSTIFICATION

    The Council position at first reading reflects the agreement reached between Parliament and the Council in interinstitutional negotiations at early second-reading stage. The agreed text has been the result of complex negotiations but the co-legislators have reached a satisfactory compromise text aiming to set provisions to make air navigation services and network management contribute to climate neutrality. EU performance targets on capacity, cost efficiency, climate and environmental factors for air navigation services will be developed by the Commission and the performance of these services against these targets will be reviewed at least every three years.

    An independent advisory Performance Review Board will be established to help the Commission and Member States take decisions on the implementation of performance plans for air navigation services to improve network management of EU airspace, that will have to have binding targets and incentives to make flights more efficient and environmentally friendly.

    The agreement also stipulates that the air navigation service providers and the national supervisory authority can be part of the same organisation as long as they are functionally separated and fulfil independence requirements. Member States may merge economic and safety oversight functions in the same administrative entity and they may authorise the opening of certain air navigation services to market conditions.

     

     

    ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEURS HAVE RECEIVED INPUT

    The rapporteurs declare under their exclusive responsibility that they did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

    PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

    Title

    Implementation of the Single European Sky (recast)

    References

    08311/1/2024 – C10-0114/2024 – 2013/0186(COD)

    Date of Parliament’s first reading – P number

    12.3.2014 T7-0220/2014

    Draft act considered at first reading

    COM(2013)0410 – C7-0171/2013

    Amended Commission proposal

    COM(2020)0579 – C9-0334/2020

    Receipt of Council position at first reading announced in plenary

    10.10.2024

    Committee(s) responsible

    TRAN

     

     

     

    Rapporteurs

     Date appointed

    Jens Gieseke

    30.9.2024

    Johan Danielsson

    30.9.2024

     

     

    Previous rapporteurs

    Marian-Jean Marinescu

    Boguslaw Liberadzki

     

     

    Date adopted

    14.10.2024

     

     

     

    Result of final vote

    +:

    –:

    0:

    30

    1

    5

    Members present for the final vote

    Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Adrian-George Axinia, Tom Berendsen, Rachel Blom, Nikolina Brnjac, Nina Carberry, Benoit Cassart, Anna Maria Cisint, Vivien Costanzo, Johan Danielsson, Valérie Devaux, Siegbert Frank Droese, Jens Gieseke, Borja Giménez Larraz, Sérgio Gonçalves, Sophia Kircher, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Julien Leonardelli, Milan Mazurek, Ştefan Muşoiu, Philippe Olivier, Matteo Ricci, Arash Saeidi, Andreas Schieder, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Kai Tegethoff

    Substitutes present for the final vote

    Arno Bausemer, Asger Christensen, Norbert Lins, Lena Schilling, Tomas Tobé

    Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

    Fredis Beleris, Katrin Langensiepen, Hélder Sousa Silva, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Marion Walsmann

    Date tabled

    17.10.2024

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – Issues at stake in view of the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference in Baku-Scaling up climate action and support – 17-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    This study provides an overview of the status of international climate negotiations and issues at stake at the COP29 climate change conference. It also addresses the current implementation of the Paris Agreement, the climate policies of key Parties and the stakeholders in the negotiations. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

    External author

    Lorenz MOOSMANN, Felix FALLASCH, Hannes JUNG, Sophia LAUER, Nora WISSNER, Cristina URRUTIA, Lambert SCHNEIDER, Dietram OPPELT, Stefanie VON HEINEMANN, Neeta SHARMA, Anders MCCARTHY & Bianca KOHLER

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    Lausanne, 17.10.2024 – Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – Check against delivery

    Excellencies,
    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I’d like to begin by saying, at the end of this day, that my thoughts go out to the Ukrainian people suffering in the midst of this war, to those who have lost a parent, a loved one, a child.

    Mine action is not an end in itself. It saves lives and limbs and is a precondition for sustainable development in affected places. In Ukraine, confronted with such a large-scale contamination, it is stage Zero of reconstruction and the recovery process.

    In other words: Mine action is anything but a quiet road. And at the end of this high-level day of the conference, I am proud to report that we have paved the way for continued international cooperation and support in this area.

    Our shared commitment to humanitarian mine action has brought together high-level representatives from governments, international and regional organizations, the private sector and academia.

    Your participation has demonstrated the importance of this collective engagement — not just for Ukraine, but for the global community.

    A lot has already been done, with three Recovery Conferences in Lugano, London and Berlin; last year’s International Conference on Demining in Zagreb; and all technical discussions which have led us to Lausanne today.

    Throughout the day, we’ve explored key issues that have touched us, provided insights and hopefully brought us a step further. With much work ahead and concrete engagement needed.

    Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Switzerland is actively financing projects in Ukraine that make a real difference on the ground, saving lives by reducing risks for the civilian population.

    In the vast territories suspected of mine contamination, we are supporting rapid surveys and efforts to return cleared land to productive civilian use.

    Our focus has been particularly strong in the Kharkiv region, which has seen the highest number of mine-related accidents. Here, we partner with the Fondation suisse de déminage FSD, one of the most experienced demining operators in Ukraine.

    We will continue this impactful collaboration: last week, my government has decided to allocate an additional 30 million CHF to the FSD so that it can expand its activities in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions until 2027.

    Starting in 2025, these efforts will be enhanced by innovative technologies, including the use of detection dogs and Swiss-made demining machines.
    Moreover, we place great importance on developing local expertise, with the aim of supporting a Ukrainian humanitarian demining NGO to become fully autonomous by 2027.

    Switzerland also engages in risk education and in victim assistance programs. We are working to prevent new victims and to assist the survivors who have suffered injuries by mines and explosive remnants of war. Supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration remains central to our mission.

    Additionally, Switzerland was one of the first to support the UN initiative to return agricultural land to farmers, an effort that has now received broad international backing. This project is vital to restarting agricultural production in contaminated areas, contributing to both local and global food security.

    At the same time, we should not forget the continuous challenges in affected countries around the world and Switzerland will keep up its assistance. Based on the Swiss Action Plan for 2023-2026, we will continue strengthening the norms against mines, supporting mine action on the ground and promoting innovative solutions.

    Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Mine action in Ukraine is done for Ukraine, with Ukraine – and to a large part by Ukraine.
    Mine action programs should be nationally owned and led, supported by international and national partners.

    In Ukraine, the basis for our cooperation and assistance is the recently adopted National Mine Action Strategy and the Operational Plan.

    It is now my honor to present to you the outcome document of this Conference: the Lausanne Call for Action.

    This document reflects our collective will to take concrete steps. We want to support the implementation of the strategy and address mine contamination in Ukraine and around the world.

    The Lausanne Call for Action focuses on the three key pillars: People, Partners, and Progress.

    •    Under the People pillar, we commit to carrying out safe and high-quality mine action activities and to restore contaminated land to safe and productive use.  We will also address the needs of victims and people with disabilities.

    •    Under Partners, we call to continue international cooperation and to promote sustainable national capacities. The goal is to foster long-term and all-encompassing cooperation aligned with national strategic objectives.

    •    The pillar Progress underscores the importance to explore new sources of funding. We emphasize the value of exchanging experiences, best practices and lessons learnt and want to develop and use innovative methods and technologies.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    This document is not just another declaration; it is a commitment — a call for collective action to restore safety, rebuild lives, and sustain long-term recovery.

    Our efforts will remain on the global agenda, with our eyes set on the next Ukraine Mine Action Conference in 2025, which will be hosted in Japan.

    I sincerely hope that by then, we’ll be able to talk about both demining and peace in Ukraine.

    In closing, I thank you all for your participation, engagement, and dedication. The journey continues tomorrow with technical discussions, and I encourage you all to contribute to those essential conversations.

    Thank you.

    Address for enquiries

    FDFA Communication
    Federal Palace West Wing
    CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
    Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
    E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
    Twitter: @SwissMFA

    Publisher

    Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
    https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Combating child sexual abuse and exploitation – 17-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The impact assessment (IA) effectively substantiates the need for a recast of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive, to expand the definitions of offences, and introduce higher penalties and more specific requirements for prevention and assistance for victims. The IA draws largely on the findings of an ex-post evaluation of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive, which provided input and concrete evidence of the need for regulatory intervention. The IA presents a well evidenced problem definition and identifies the initiative’s general and specific objectives, which appear to be specific, achievable, relevant and measurable but not time-bound, as recommended by the Better Regulation Toolbox ‘S.M.A.R.T.’ criteria. The IA considered three cumulative options; however, it remains unclear whether such options really qualify as ‘alternative options’, in respect of the Better Regulation Guidelines requirement to provide a sufficient range of policy options. The IA examined all the options’ security, social, economic, and fundamental rights impacts. However, although the IA mentions that child sexual abuse infringes children’s fundamental rights under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, it analyses the impact on fundamental rights only briefly under the dedicated chapter. In addition, the analysis would have benefited from a more in-depth assessment of the balance between the different fundamental rights of children and users, and of the proportionality of the measures envisaged. The IA considers that the financial impact is expected to be outweighed by the positive economic impact relating to the reduction in the prevalence of child sexual abuse in the EU through prevention, protection, support, investigation and prosecution. The IA is transparent about the evidence and analytical methods used, including the underlying assumptions and limitations. Stakeholders were widely consulted and their views taken into account; however, the feedback from this consultation strategy could have been reflected more effectively in the IA, particularly regarding the available policy options and their potential impacts. The European Commission made efforts to take the Regulatory Scrutiny Board’s comments into account, but some weaknesses remain. It appears that the legislative proposal follows the IA’s preferred option.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Danger to the physical and mental safety of European adolescents and young people on social networks – P-002083/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    15.10.2024

    Priority question for written answer  P-002083/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D)

    National Public Radio (NPR)[1] in the US disclosed internal TikTok documents, indicating that the platform was aware of the risks that its design and algorithm posed to adolescents and young people, especially in terms of the addiction they could generate and their contribution to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders. They also show that its management was aware that minors used the platform to make live transmissions, such as in the cases of 15-year-old girls stripping live on the platform in exchange for ‘gifts’[2].

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that social networks pose an imminent danger to the physical and mental safety of European children and young people?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to hold social network owners who were aware of what was happening accountable?
    • 3.Is the Commission planning immediate action to ensure that social networks reduce the risks posed by their designs, algorithms and lack of security, as set out in the Digital Services Act?

    Submitted: 15.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/g-s1-27676/tiktok-redacted-documents-in-teen-safety-lawsuit-revealed
    • [2] https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20241015/10021767/informes-internos-revelan-tiktok-tanto-desnudos-ninas-cambio-dinero.html
    Last updated: 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Negative impact of the ban on internal combustion engines on employment – E-001811/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001811/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Engin Eroglu (Renew), Christine Singer (Renew), Joachim Streit (Renew)

    The de facto ban on new combustion engine cars from 2035 has already led to a shift in the production processes of car manufacturers in the EU.

    It is no secret that the manufacture of electric cars is less labour intensive than that of combustion engine cars – this politically imposed technological change therefore affects the whole value chain. Many automotive suppliers are already dismissing employees.

    The most recent case of Volkswagen cutting jobs and possibly closing plants is yet another example and more will follow.

    • 1.When deciding on the ban on the internal combustion engine, was the Commission aware of its negative impact on employment?
    • 2.What studies on the loss of jobs caused by the ban on combustion engines is the Commission aware of and which of these, in the opinion of the Commission, provides a reasonable basis for calculation?
    • 3.Would a more open and technology-neutral approach to reducing emissions have resulted in fewer job losses?

    Submitted: 25.9.2024

    Last updated: 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Thursday, 24 October 2024 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    55 Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia     – Motions for resolutions Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 10:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 11:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 19:00 56 People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan     – Motions for resolutions Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 10:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 11:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 19:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 18 October 2024, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Confirmation hearing of Commissioner-designate Šefčovič – Committee on International Trade

    Source: European Parliament

    The designated candidates of the von der Leyen Commission will be heard by the EP committees dealing with their respective portfolios from 04/11/2024 until 12/11/2024. During each confirmation hearing, the commissioner-designate will give an opening speech and then answer questions by committee members. More detailed information, including the candidates’ portfolios, the procedure, the schedule, the latest news and a live webstreaming during and record after the hearing, can be found on the dedicated webpage.

    INTA will be jointly responsible with the Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) for the confirmation hearing of Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner-designate for Trade and Economic Security and for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.

    Maroš Šefčovič’s confirmation hearing will take place on Monday 4 November between 14:30 and 17:30.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Tuesday, 22 October 2024 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    31 Implementation of the Single European Sky
    Jens Gieseke, Johan Danielsson     – Amendments; rejection Friday, 18 October 2024, 13:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00 19 Draft amending budget No 2/2024: entering the surplus of the financial year 2023
    Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0005/2024)      – Amendments Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 13:00 21 Draft amending budget 4/2024: update of revenue (own resources) and adjustments to some decentralised agencies
    Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0007/2024)      – Amendments Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 13:00 28 Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2024/001 BE/Match-Smatch
    Michalis Hadjipantela (A10-0009/2024)      – Amendments Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 13:00 22 Discharge 2022: EU general budget – European Council and Council
    Jonas Sjöstedt (A10-0003/2024)      – Amendments Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 13:00 20 General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections
    Victor Negrescu, Niclas Herbst (A10-0008/2024)      – Amendments Thursday, 17 October 2024, 12:00 27 Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States
    Li Andersson (A10-0004/2024)      – Amendments Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 13:00 55 Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia     – Motions for resolutions Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 10:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 11:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 19:00 56 People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan     – Motions for resolutions Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 10:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 11:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 19:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 18 October 2024, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 21 October 2024, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –