NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Floods Affect 180,000 Residents of One County in South China’s Guangdong Province

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GUANGZHOU, June 18 (Xinhua) — Floods caused by incessant torrential rains have affected more than 180,000 residents in Huaiji County, Zhaoqing City, south China’s Guangdong Province, as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.

    Rains brought by Typhoon Wutip, the first typhoon of the year, have been battering the region since Saturday. The water level at the Huaiji Dam peaked at 55.22 meters at 7:05 a.m. Wednesday, exceeding the critical level by 5.22 meters.

    As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, the raging floodwaters had affected the lives of about 183,000 residents in 19 townships and villages in Huaiji County. Dams, roads and farmland were severely damaged. Meanwhile, according to local authorities, 68,000 people were urgently evacuated to safe areas.

    Currently, more than 10 thousand rescuers and more than 500 units of emergency rescue equipment have been mobilized.

    At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Huaiji raised its flood emergency response to Level 1, the highest level. Schools, work, manufacturing, transportation and business activities were suspended across the county. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to a systematic review looking at the association between ocean microplastic pollution and cardiometabolic disease risk

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A systematic review published in the Journal for the American Heart Association looks at ocean microplastic pollution and the risk of cardiometabolic disease in US coastline counties. 

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “I fear this paper will lead to more “plastics cause scary disease X” headlines, but, to my mind, the evidence in this paper is quite weak. 

    “Firstly, the authors don’t claim that microplastics cause disease, but rather that they found an association between microplastic exposure and type 2 diabetes (T2D), coronary artery disease (CAD), and stroke. An association between two things does not necessarily mean that one caused the other; it is simply an observation. There is also a large amount of overlap in the datasets, even between the very low and very high exposure scenarios, and the authors clearly state in the paper that their “results do not imply causation”.

    “Perhaps more importantly, the authors didn’t measure either microplastic exposure or the health factors they studied directly; both were estimates. Microplastic concentrations were estimated from ocean measurements, some of which were taken up to 230 miles offshore and thus may not accurately represent what coastal communities are exposed to. The rates of disease occurrence were estimated from county-level survey data, which does not provide data on individuals. Potential cofounders were limited to those listed in the survey data, meaning some potentially confounding factors could not be controlled for. 

    “The authors all appear to be medics, rather than chemists or environmental scientists. The paper makes a lot of incorrect generalisations about microplastics, for example, referring to “microplastic compounds like phthalates”. Phthalates are not microplastics, and not all phthalates are the same. They claim that bisphenol A and phthalates promote adverse health outcomes through their endocrine-disrupting properties, which is incorrect. The paper also refers to toxicity studies on polystyrene particles, neglecting the fact that polystyrene is far from the most common type of plastic in the environment.

    “So, while the work raises interesting research questions, I do not think the evidence of harm is strong, and people living near the coast don’t need to panic”

    Dr Ria Devereux, Environmental Research Fellow, the Sustainable Research Institute, the University of East London, said:

    Does the press release accurately reflect the science?

    “It is important to note that this research focuses solely on the United States, particularly its coastal counties, and specifically examines marine microplastics. It does not consider other types of microplastics, such as those found in marine sediment, beach sediment, atmospheric microplastics, or microplastics in soil. The title, “Living near an ocean polluted by microplastics may increase cardiometabolic disease risk,” could give the incorrect impression that these findings apply globally, which is not justified by this data.

    “Both sizes of plastic particles come from the chemical breakdown (decomposition) of larger plastic waste, including food packaging (like single-use water bottles), synthetic fabrics and personal care products.” This statement is also slightly incorrect. Microplastics can also be found in the form primary microplastics (nurdles) which are made to be a particular size and are not the result of degradation. Plastics are also subjected to mechanical, biological degradation as well as chemical.

    Is this good quality research?  Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?

    “It is very interesting research which does need further research to investigate some of the limitations of the study conducted. One major limitation that is not addressed is that microplastics contain chemicals which have been found to be harmful to human health. There is no mention in this study regarding data on water quality. For example, is there a higher abundance of chemicals found within plastics in the water surrounding these coastal communities which may be a contributing factor.

    How does this work fit with the existing evidence?

    “The production of plastic and its associated pollution are increasingly recognized for their potential implications on human health. Research conducted on wildlife has demonstrated severe consequences, including choking hazards and hormonal disruptions.

    “Recent studies have identified plastics in various human tissues, including the placenta [1],breastmilk [2] and stool [3].

    “In addition to the presence of microplastics in the human body, chemicals commonly used in plastic production have been found to pose health risks. Research indicates that exposure to these chemicals can lead to various health issues, including skin irritation, respiratory diseases, hormonal disruptions, and certain cancers [4].

    Have the authors accounted for confounders?  Are there important limitations to be aware of?

    “The dataset from NOAA presents several limitations. It does not account for when the samples were collected—such as during storms—or the duration of the sampling periods. Additionally, there may be a lack of studies in many coastal counties. For instance, most samples from the Gulf of Mexico are concentrated around Tampa and the southern region of Florida, with only two data points near New Orleans. While the authors briefly mention this issue in relation to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, they do not address it for the Gulf of Mexico. They note that “study design, spatial coverage, and oceanic transport dynamics” may contribute to differences observed in previous studies.

    “The authors also acknowledge that the absence of data on the types of microplastics—such as fragments and fibers—constitutes a limitation. However, this statement should also include the lack of information regarding polymer types and plastic sizes.

    “Additionally, it would be relevant to consider how many people in these coastal areas consume seafood and whether it is locally sourced or imported.

    “As for the timeframe investigated, How long must someone live near the coast for it potentially to impact their health?

    “Regarding groundwater, the authors mention that only “35% of drinking water in the United States is supplied by groundwater.” Is the proportion of coastal residents who drink groundwater higher than that of individuals living in other parts of America?

    “Perhaps the most critical issue that the authors have not fully addressed is that almost all plastic production plants in the United States, which are involved in petrochemical and petroleum manufacturing, are located either in coastal counties along the Gulf of Mexico or on the Atlantic Ocean side (according to the Plastics Inventory Map [5]). This study indicates that cases of heart disease and similar health issues are higher in these areas. Many chemicals used in plastic production, such as BPA and phthalates, have been previously linked to these health problems [6]

    What are the implications in the real world?  Is there any over-speculation?   

    “This study highlights the need for further investigation into the health impacts of plastics on human well-being throughout their entire lifecycle. While this research primarily focuses on marine microplastics, it is essential to recognize that microplastics are also present in soil, air, and water. Additionally, it is important to understand that the risks associated with plastic do not stop at ingestion or inhalation, the entire lifecycle of plastic poses threats to public health. This includes hazards linked to petroleum extraction, the use of chemicals in production, and the leaching of these substances into our environment during manufacturing and disposal.

    “It is important to note that this study cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between ocean microplastic levels (which were assessed only in water, not in sediment or fish) and the development of certain diseases due to its limitations in data and design. Further research is needed to determine whether microplastics and associated chemicals are present in higher concentrations near coastlines in soil, water, and air, as well as within the human body, to fully evaluate the potential health implications of living closer to the coast. Additionally, this study should be expanded to explore whether this trend is observed worldwide.

    “Unfortunately, many individuals around the globe view plastic pollution solely as an environmental issue, overlooking its potential implications for human health. Studies like this one play a crucial role in raising awareness of these risks.

    Extra commentary from Dr Ria Devereux on wider context

    “The adverse effects of chemicals used in plastic production are particularly pronounced in the Gulf of Mexico, an area often referred to as “Cancer Alley.” This region experiences a higher-than-average incidence of cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, which are concentrated in particular areas. The reason behind this is the concentration of petrochemical, petroleum and production plants involved in plastic production and an increase in the presence of chemicals used within the plastic production such as BPA and Phthalates [7,8]. 

    “Although the Plastics Treaty acknowledges that human health is a critical factor in regulating plastic production and the associated chemicals, reports indicate that “chemicals of concern in plastic products” are at threat of being excluded from the current treaty text [9,10,11].

    “In regards to America, we may find in the future that this types of disparity in human health and microplastics become worse due to Trumps “America first” narrative on top of increasing tariffs which will cause an increase in the plastics industry to align with the needs of the consumer and manufacturers. On top of this Trump has bought plastic straws back to America [12] and has started to dismantle key government institutions such as NOAA ( The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)[13]  and the Environmental Protection Agency [14] which will push back Americas efforts to reduce plastic waste.”

    1 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020322297

    2 – https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2700

    3 – https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7326/M19-0618

    4 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935124004390 

    5 – https://eipmaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=ebb37bd4fefb481db69c500b3f1f69e7

    6 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8335843/

    7 – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/17/st-james-parish-formosa-complex-biden-cancer-alley 

    8 – https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1440&context=elj

    9 – https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf5410 

    10 – https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157326 

    11 – https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250610-nations-call-for-strong-plastics-treaty-as-difficult-talks-loom 

    12  – https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ends-the-procurement-and-forced-use-of-paper-straws/

    13 – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/11/climate-website-shut-down-noaa 

    ‘Marine Microplastic Levels and the Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Diseases in US Coastline Counties’ by Makwana et al. will be published in Journal for the American Heart Association at 10:00UK time on Wednesday 18th June.

    DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.039891

    Declared interests

    Dr Ria Devereux None

    Prof Oliver Jones “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I conduct research into environmental pollution and its effects on biological systems. I don’t have any conflicts of interest to declare.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Director General Statement to United Nations Security Council

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    (As prepared for delivery)

    I thank the President of the Security Council in allowing me the opportunity today to update you on IAEA activities concerning nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine. I also thank the Council for their continuing support for the IAEA’s efforts.

    I have addressed the Council on the situation in Ukraine five times before, on 4 March, 11 August, 6 September, 27 October in 2022, and 30 May last year.

    It is now nearly two years since the beginning of the war, and I remind you that it is the first time in history that a war is being fought amid the facilities of a major nuclear power programme.

    This includes several of Ukraine’s five nuclear power plants and other facilities that have come under direct shelling. All NPPs have lost off-site power at some point.

    Furthermore, one of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, the Zaporizhzhya NPP, has been under Russian operational control with the presence of Russian troops on-site for almost all of that time.

    And as you know the IAEA has been closely monitoring the situation and assisting Ukraine every single day since the start of the war.

    Shortly after the start of the war, I elaborated the Seven Indispensable Pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. These are:

    1. The physical integrity of facilities – whether it is the reactors, fuel ponds or radioactive waste stores – must be maintained.
    2. All safety and security systems and equipment must be fully functional at all times.
    3. The operating staff must be able to fulfil their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure.
    4. There must be a secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites.
    5. There must be uninterrupted logistical supply chains and transportation to and from the sites.
    6. There must be effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems, and emergency preparedness and response measures.
    7. There must be reliable communication with the regulator and others.

    And in my previous update to the Council on 30 May I reported that, as a result of intensive consultations with the leadership of Ukraine, as well as of the Russian Federation, I had further established five concrete principles for the ZNPP in order to prevent a nuclear accident and ensure the integrity of the plant, namely:

    1. There should be no attack of any kind from or against the plant, in particular targeting the reactors, spent fuel storage, other critical infrastructure, or personnel;
    2. ZNPP should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons (i.e. multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks) or military personnel that could be used for an attack from the plant;
    3. Off-site power to the plant should not be put at risk. To that effect, all efforts should be made to ensure that off-site power remains available and secure at all times;
    4. All structures, systems and components essential to the safe and secure operation of ZNPP should be protected from attacks or acts of sabotage;
    5. No action should be taken that undermines these principles.

    I said that these commitments are essential to avoid the danger of a catastrophic nuclear incident and I had respectfully and solemnly asked both sides to observe them.

    I was pleased that at that meeting last May distinguished Members of the Security Council and Ukraine clearly supported those principles.

    Furthermore, I said that the experts on the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ), who have been on-site since 1 September 2022, would report to me on the observance of these principles and that I would report publicly on any violations.

    Now nine months later, I wish to report today on the nuclear safety security and safeguards situation in Ukraine, and the Agency’s continued activities including the Agency’s assessment against the seven pillars and our monitoring of these five principles.

    Mr. President,

    Firstly, I wish to report on the scope and extent of our activities over nearly two years,

    There has been a total of 102 missions to Ukraine. I have personally led eight of them, including three to ZNPP and I will shortly be leading another one to ZNPP within the next two weeks.

    We have the 15th ISAMZ team of our dedicated and courageous international staff at the ZNPP, a plant that is still on the front lines of this war and our staff who still have to cross that front line to undertake this vital work. 37 of our staff have been part of these teams at ZNPP, a number of them more than once.

    For a year we have had other dedicated IAEA experts stationed at every other major Ukrainian nuclear site: Rivne NPP, South Ukraine NPP, Khmelnytskyy NPP and at the Chornobyl NPP – their presence allowing us to provide the international community with reliable information on the nuclear safety and security situation at each of those sites as well. More than 100 of our staff have been part of these teams, totalling more than 3662 person-days of our staff in Ukraine.

    Since I last addressed you, thanks to the generosity of Member States, the Agency has purchased armoured vehicles and recruited additional staff, security officers and drivers, and now manages our own security for the missions, thereby relieving some of the pressures on the United Nations Departments of Safety and Security and Operational Support.

    We continue to facilitate an international assistance package now totalling more than €8.5 million with 34 deliveries of vital equipment to Ukraine, and I again thank Member States for their contributions.

    We have developed a proposal for the Agency to provide advice, training, and equipment in the area of the safety and security of radioactive sources in Ukraine.

    We have put together a programme of health care assistance including through equipment and psychological support for all Ukrainian nuclear workers.

    I also announced the new programme for assistance of the Kherson Oblast aimed at managing the adverse impact associated with the flooding after the Kakhovka dam destruction and we work with Ukraine to identify their immediate needs in this area.

    In addition to our work on nuclear safety and security we are also continuing our vital safeguards verification activities across Ukraine, ensuring that there is no diversion of nuclear material for military purposes. Based on these activities the Agency has not found any indication that would give rise to a proliferation concern.

    And we are keeping the world informed of the situation at Ukraine’s nuclear sites with now well over 200 web statements and updates, 9 reports and multiple briefings, including to the United Nations General Assembly and to your distinguished selves at the Security Council. Thanks to this, the international community has at its disposal timely, technically sound and objective information, thus avoiding the risks associated with lack of information and misinformation, including misperceptions which might lead to decisions with serious implications.

    Mr. President,

    The nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP – in particular – continues to be extremely fragile.

    The plant’s six reactors have been shut down since mid-2022 – five of them in cold shutdown and one in hot shutdown. But the potential dangers of a major nuclear accident remain very real.

    Although the plant has not been shelled for a considerable time, significant military activities continue in the region and sometime in the vicinity of the facility, with our staff reporting rockets flying overhead close to the plant, thereby putting at risk the physical integrity of the plant.

    The plant needs secure and uninterrupted sources of external cooling water. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in early June last year, just days after I last reported to the Council, led to a large reduction in the water level of the reservoir. Consequently, the depth of the water in the reservoir was no longer sufficient to supply water and considerable efforts on site were needed, including the drilling of wells on site, to provide sufficient cooling water for the six shutdown reactor units.

    The plant has been operating on significantly reduced staff, who are under unprecedented psychological pressure – which despite the reactors being shut-down is not sustainable.

    The reduced number of qualified and trained operating personnel and the challenging supply chain has had a negative impact on the maintenance of equipment which is essential for maintaining the safety of the plant.  

    And there have now been eight occasions when the site lost all off-site power and had to rely on emergency diesel generators, the last line of defence against a nuclear accident, to provide essential cooling of the reactor and spent fuel.

    The plant is currently relying on just two lines of external power, and sometimes just one, or for a period the backup power was not properly configured. This demonstrates the highly precarious situation regarding essential off-site power.

    There are occasions when the team has not had timely access to some areas of the plant. The IAEA teams need access in order to be able to effectively conduct their assessment of the situation regarding nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP and to reflect on the new developments.

    Turning now to the five concrete principles, the Agency has been monitoring observance of these principles, and there have been no indications that the five concrete principles are not being observed. Nevertheless, in line with the evolving situation, the Agency needs to have timely access to all areas of the ZNPP of significance for nuclear safety and security, to monitor that all five concrete principles are being observed at all times.

    We also should not forget the other nuclear facilities in Ukraine which are operating, most of the reactor units at full capacity. Although our teams continue to report that nuclear safety and security is maintained, they are also confirming the looming threat of military conflict and at some plants having to take shelter on several occasions. I wish to remind the Council that the availability of off-site power is essential to ensure their safe operation.

    Mr. President,

    A nuclear accident has not yet happened. This is true. But complacency could still lead us to tragedy. That should not happen. We must do everything in our power to minimize the risk that it does. And I am grateful for the continuing support from Member States – including financial support.

    And we must be clear about the nature of the five principles established in this very chamber on 30 May last year. They are not an arms control or armistice agreement. They are not the solution to all the tragic problems this war has brought.

    Instead, they are a creative, practical arrangement which has a very defined aim: to save Ukraine, Europe, and the world from a major nuclear accident with significant radiological consequences.

    So far, this limited but crucial objective has been achieved. But we should not be complacent – we should take nothing for granted. Utmost restraint is a must, from all sides.

    I am asking this Council for continued support for the seven pillars and the five principles, and for the IAEA’s role in monitoring the situation, in the service of the international community.

    And I thank the Council, and you Mr President, for inviting me today thereby demonstrating its continuing focus on this critical issue.

    The IAEA and myself remain at your disposal for updates, clarifications and action, where so required, to assist this body in its mission to preserve international peace and security.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Director General’s Speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Nobel’s spotlight on our perilous path and how we change course

    I want to start by congratulating Nihon Hidankyō and the hibakusha for their Nobel Peace Prize.

    As a young diplomat almost 40 years ago, I was fortunate to be part of a UN disarmament fellowship programme and to visit Hiroshima. There, fellows had an opportunity to meet the hibakusha and I had a conversation with an ailing victim. I have carried to every meeting, to every negotiation, and to every posting, the memory this woman’s silent testimony. When I asked her about that morning in 1945, she struggled to express the horror in words. She tried to articulate some words but stayed silent. Looking at me, right into my eyes. The look in her eyes has stayed with me ever since, like a powerful reminder, a secret mandate, to work so that her suffering is never repeated.

    For decades after the Second World War, the international community has been dealing with this unique dilemma: we built robust norms and passed nonproliferation and disarmament treaties. Instead of dozens of countries armed with nuclear weapons, as was the concern in the 1960s, there are less than ten. Stockpiles of nuclear weapons have shrunk from tens of thousands to thousands.

    But on its journey through the perils of the atomic age, the world has come to a crucial crossroads. Our deep psychological connection caused by collectively seeing the horror of the consequences of nuclear war seems to be evaporating, taking with it our joint resolve to do everything possible to prevent a repetition.

    Like a giant spotlight, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has lit up our path ahead. It has done it, by reminding us of the past, and of the consequences of ignoring the perils of nuclear weapons use.

    Context of conflicts

    To understand the important challenges we face, we must look at the global context, at what is happening around the world.  

    War has returned to Europe, and it directly involves a nuclear weapon state. The conflict in Ukraine is also an indirect confrontation between the world’s biggest nuclear weapon states, the first since the end of the Cold War. But nuclear exercises and open references to the use of nuclear weapons in the theatre of this war are increasing the risks and can not be ignored.

    In the Middle East, the conflict of the past year has ignited smoldering tensions between Israel and Iran and led to the unprecedented step of direct exchanges and attacks between the two. Here there is also a nuclear weapons dimension. On one side, the assumed presence of nuclear weapons looms in the background. On the other, the very real potential of nuclear proliferation is raising the stakes.

    We find ourselves in a harmful loop: the erosion of the restraints around nuclear weapons is making these conflicts more dangerous. Meanwhile, these conflicts are contributing to the erosion of the restraints. The vicious circle dynamic is in motion.

    An unfortunate change of direction

    Doctrines regarding the use of nuclear weapons are being revised or reinterpreted. The quantity and quality of nuclear weapon stockpiles are being increased. 

    And in some non-nuclear weapon states – states that are important in their region – leaders are asking “why not us?”. And they are asking this openly!

    At the start of the nuclear arms race, J Robert Oppenheimer described the USSR and the US as “two scorpions in a bottle” each capable of killing the other, but only by risking their own life.

    Oppenheimer’s blunt statement would later be developed and elaborated under the roof of deterrence and the more sophisticated concept of “Mutual Assured Destruction,” or MAD.

    Today, independent of the vantage point of the observer, there is widespread concern that the risk of mutual destruction through nuclear war is higher than it has been for more than a generation.

    Lessons from history

    But it does not have to be this way. We can do better. History has shown that effective dialogue among superpowers has, more often than not, led to confidence and, as a result, also to arms limitation and even disarmament. At certain moments in history, world leaders took the right decisions, to tone down, or, to use today’s parlance, to de-escalate. Let’s see:

    The end of the Cuban Missile Crisis happened thanks to the direct engagement of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and US President John F Kennedy. Decades later, at the Geneva Summit of 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan agreed a crucial axiom: “Nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought.” They met again the next year in Reykjavik and significant reductions in nuclear arsenals followed. Nuclear weapon reductions and the elimination of a whole category of weapon, through the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, Treaty, were agreed. These steps towards rapprochement took leadership and courage. They often happened despite skepticism and voices against them.

    Diplomacy and dialogue (and the duty of nuclear weapon states)

    A return to diplomacy and dialogue is urgently needed, and this, not only in things nuclear. Shutting the other side out has never solved a problem and almost certainly aggravates it. Top leadership involvement is simply indispensable when nuclear weapons are involved. President Trump took the initiative and talked to Kim Jong Un. More of this is needed. Some have said these talks were ill prepared. I say, this is important. Nuclear weapon policy and limitations does not work bottom up. It is of course the other way around.

    We must be proactive in building the trust and protections that lower the risk of close calls and of brinkmanship, especially during today’s tensions. Not taking active steps means we rely on luck – or the assumption that the other side will show restraint – to save us from nuclear war. The longer you rely on luck, the more likely it is to run out.

    Conflict and tensions compel nations to arm themselves. Diplomacy and compromise create conditions in which they can disarm.

    The road to a nuclear weapon-free world is long and winding. The disarmament landscape is complex, and it’s worth acknowledging that. This does not diminish the responsibility nuclear weapons states have to make progress. After all, they committed themselves to this goal back in 1968, through the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    Steps can be taken to decrease the reliance on nuclear weapons, both in their production and the scenarios for their use.

    Nuclear weapon states, through their actions at home and on the world stage, have a responsibility to avoid a scenario in which more countries seek nuclear weapons. Pushing ahead with increases in arsenals leads to despair, cynicism, and a growing skepticism about the value of past commitments. Disengagement and unilateralism fuel sentiments of vulnerability in other countries, and with that, the notion nuclear weapons could be the ultimate protection against outside threats.

    Engagement among the five permanent members of the Security Council is indispensable. Such engagement can take many different shapes, starting with direct contact among themselves, bilaterally or as a group. This dialogue, which still exists, has been reduced to a very low level, virtually without real impact. Perhaps its revival could be assisted by an international organization, or facilitated with the support of a respected, impartial leader. Therefore, it’s essential that the United Nations, other international organizations, and their leaders work effectively to ensure their continued relevance amid the changing needs of their stakeholders.

    Do not make things worse (by falling for the siren call of proliferation)

    The IAEA has played its indispensable technical role during past attempts of nuclear proliferation, particularly in the Middle East. As the difficult experiences in Iraq, Libya and Syria remind us, the draw of nuclear weapons is real and so is the geopolitical and military response.

    Today’s tensions are prompting even leaders of important counties that, so far, are in good standing with the NPT to ask: “Why shouldn’t we have a nuclear weapon too?”

    To this, I would say, “Do not make things worse.” Acquiring a nuclear weapon will not increase national security, it will do the opposite. Other countries will follow. And this will contribute to the unravelling of a nonproliferation regime that has had its ups and downs – and it still has its limitations – but none-the-less it has served humanity extraordinarily well. The problem and challenge to the NPT regime may come from those nuclear armed but also those who, while not having nuclear weapons, may feel the NPT has failed as a catalyst to disarmament.

    Weakening the non-proliferation treaty under the argument that progress on nuclear disarmament has been slow and more drastic approaches are required, would be totally misguided and may make us throw away existing international measures committing nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states in this field.

    I come from a non-nuclear weapon state. I understand the frustration that some people feel about the “haves” and “have-nots” of nuclear weapons. But I have also seen the legacy of peace and prosperity left by leaders who resisted that siren call. In the 1980s, vision, resolve and dialogue meant Brazil and Argentina changed course and did not go down the path to nuclear arms. Today, Latin America is a nuclear weapon free zone.

    Multilateral leaders: step up by stepping in

    Many wonder whether there’s still a role for multilateralism in guiding us through this maze of conflicting interests. Yes, there is. During difficult times in the past, international organizations have had a big impact on peace and security. But it only happens when leaders of these organizations get off the side lines and use their mandate and their own good offices effectively.

    We prove our relevance in extraordinary times.   

    Each organization has different tools, a different mandate, a different membership, and each of their leaders will determine how to act. I can speak for the IAEA.  We have nuclear science at our core, and we are the world’s nuclear weapons watchdog. Let me give you an example:

    For almost three years, Ukraine, the world and the IAEA have been confronted with a completely unprecedented situation – never before has a military conflict involved the seizure of a nuclear power plant and been fought among the facilities of a major nuclear power programme.

    At the beginning of the war, Ukraine’s biggest nuclear power plant – the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe, with nearly 6 gigawatts of installed capacity – was taken by Russia. This established a hotspot in the middle of a combat zone. The chance of an incident – or accident – causing terrible radiological consequences became real.

    Observing this from the outside was never, in my mind, an option. Staying on the sidelines and later reflecting on “lessons learned” may have been the more traditional – or expected – path for an international organization. But to me this would have been a dereliction of duty. So, we leaned into our core mission, crossed the front lines of war, and established a permanent presence of IAEA experts at all Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. That makes us the only international organization operating independently in occupied territory. We are informing the world of what’s going on and reducing the chance that a radiological incident enflames the conflict and causes even more devastation.

    We did the same by going to Kursk when a Russian nuclear reactor was at risk of coming into the line of fire. I am in constant communication with both sides.

    I have been meeting with President Zelenskyy, and President Putin regularly. Nuclear safety and security during this conflict must have the buy-in and continued involvement of both leaders. Talking to only one of them would not achieve this important goal. At the same time, I am keeping an open dialogue with leaders on all continents and briefing the UN Security Council. When it comes to nuclear safety in Ukraine it has been possible to build a level of agreement that is rare during the divisions of this conflict. Where there is agreement, there is hope for more agreement.

    Ukraine is not our only hotspot.

    In Iran, the IAEA’s job is to verify the exclusively peaceful nature of a growing nuclear programme. Iran has now enriched uranium to a level that is hard to justify. It has not yet answered the IAEA’s questions completely and it has made our work more difficult by taking away some of our cameras and blocking some of our most experienced safeguards inspectors from going into the country. This has caused concern and led to a pattern of mistrust and recriminations. In diplomacy, progress often requires prompting, catalyzing, and suggesting ways forward. This presents a role for an impartial, honest and effective broker. It is a role I, in my capacity as the IAEA’s Director General, have been playing. In fact, I returned from my latest visit to Tehran just a few weeks ago where I presented alternatives and ideas to reduce the growing tensions, and hopefully to retain Iran within the NPT and the non-proliferation norms.

    The danger of playing it safe

    When it comes to working on behalf of peace and security, playing it safe is dangerous.

    Silence and indifference can be deadly.

    Dag Hammerskjold, the second Secretary General of the United Nations, said: “It is when we all play safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity.”

    A new path

    This week, the Norwegian Nobel Committee looked beyond today’s conflicts. In its own way, it did not play it safe. Instead, it shined a light on the horrors of nuclear war and the people who have been warning us about them for many decades.

    In doing that, the Nobel Committee, Nihon Hidankyō and the hibakusha have illuminated the danger of the path we are now on.

    We have to make a new path.

    First, the leaders of the nuclear weapon states must recognize the need for a responsible management of their nuclear arsenals. Experiences from the past confirm that even at times of crisis and conflict it has been possible to recognize the unique terminal power of these weapons and the responsibility that comes with it. What Kennedy, Khrushchev, Reagan, Gorbachev, or Trump did by reaching out to a nuclear-armed adversary, sets a precedent, a useful one. Such contacts, either bilateral or at the P5 level could possibly be facilitated by a competent broker. These are the first steps to bringing down the tone so that nuclear sabre rattling recedes and the commitments to the unequivocal undertakings to move towards a nuclear free world can be fulfilled.

    Secondly, an iron-clad resolve to observe and strengthen the global non-proliferation regime needs to be adopted. Nuclear weapon and nuclear non-weapon states must work together to ensure the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    We need to walk through perilous times by recognizing limitations and keeping our eyes on our common objectives.

    Nuclear disarmament cannot be imposed on the nuclear armed.

    Realism is not defeatism. Diplomacy is not weakness.

    Difficult times call for enlightened leadership, at the national level, and at the international level as well.

    Putting the international system back on track is within our reach. World leaders, including those at the top of the multilateral system, have a duty and an irrevocable responsibility to work towards this.  

    Personally, I am convinced. Perhaps, because the secret mandate I received that day in Hiroshima from a hibakusha burns in me, stronger than ever. Thank you.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Update 295 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today heard repeated rounds of gunfire that appeared to be aimed at drones reportedly attacking the site’s training centre, followed by the sound of multiple explosions, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

    It was the fourth time this year that the training centre, located just outside the site perimeter, was reportedly targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles.

    “Drones flying close to nuclear power plants could threaten their safety and security, with potentially serious consequences. As I have stated repeatedly during the war, such incidents must stop immediately,” Director General Grossi said.

    The IAEA team on site reported hearing at least five explosions between 11:30am and 13:45pm local time, each preceded by gunfire. Additional gunfire was heard around 14:00pm. The ZNPP told the IAEA team that all incidents involved “drone neutralization” near the training centre premises. There were no immediate reports of any damage to the centre.

    Last month, the IAEA team also heard bursts of gunfire, coinciding with a purported drone attack on the same training centre. In mid-April this year, a drone was reportedly shot down and crashed near the ZNPP’s training centre, just over three months after another reported drone attack on the centre.

    Drones are also frequently detected near Ukraine’s other nuclear sites.

    In February, a drone severely damaged the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl plant in northern Ukraine, built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor unit 4 destroyed in the 1986 accident and to protect it from external hazards.

    Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – also regularly report of drones being detected near the respective sites.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Ramirez Champions $31.1M for Housing, Infrastructure, & Workforce Priorities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Delia Ramirez – Illinois (3rd District)

    The selected projects respond to years of local advocacy to address safety concerns in the region, expand affordable housing, and improve infrastructure in our communities.

    Chicago, IL—Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), local leaders, and regional organizations announced they are advocating to bring more than $31.1 million for the development of 15 community projects in IL-03. When allocated in the FY26 appropriations, the dedicated funding would increase the number of affordable housing units, expand safe outdoor spaces for students and communities, enhance infrastructure and road safety, and support workforce development in IL-03.

    “I’m excited to announce that our community came together to identify and submit the maximum number of projects allowed in the FY26 appropriations process. Thanks to the support of community leaders and local officials, we are ready to champion $31.1 million for critical, transformative projects across IL-03,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “From Wayne Township to Wheaton to Albany Park, these funds will guarantee that we are investing in critical projects in our district and improving the conditions that keep our communities healthy and thriving.”

    “Now, we need to get this urgent funding and protect the programs and services our communities and working people rely on! We cannot allow the same partisan politics that delayed the appropriations process last year and held up the funds for our communities to continue. I will continue to fight for critical safety net programs that help working families across the country and to bring resources back to IL-03,” added Rep. Ramirez. 

    During the public announcement, Congresswoman Ramirez said she was “particularly proud” of the projects selected because they respond to the immediate needs of the communities and years of advocacy.

    “The Chicago Department of Housing is honored to have been submitted by Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez for funding consideration by the House Committee on Appropriations. At a time when our nation is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, the need for bold, community-driven solutions has never been greater. Funding for Encuentro Phase II is not just an investment in safe, stable housing for working families in Chicago—it’s an investment in economic opportunity. This project will empower families to thrive, support local businesses, and remain in their communities without being burdened by skyrocketing rents. Building on the success of Phase I, Encuentro Phase II is a critical step toward making Logan Square a more equitable and inclusive neighborhood. We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Ramirez’s commitment to housing justice and her support of this transformative project,” said Chicago Department of Housing Managing Deputy Commissioner Tamra Collins, requesting $10,000,000 for the construction of a new 98-unit housing development.

    “DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity is honored to have been selected alongside the DuPage Housing Authority, who is a proud partner in this endeavor, for Community Project Funding through our partners in the fight for affordable housing in the IL-03, Congresswoman Ramirez’s office. This infusion of federally directed dollars is a testament of what can happen when we all come together to address a critical need in our local community. A 12-unit townhome development in West Chicago will help in continuing our success of addressing the lack of housing stock within the neighborhoods we serve,” said DuPage Housing Authority Interim CEO Dorian Jenkins, requesting $2,200,000 to facilitate the pre-development of a 12-unit single-family townhome community.

    “This bridge improvement study will identify key infrastructure needs to support potential Metra O’Hare Express service, serving a growing future market for air travelers and other trips,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski, requesting $1,500,000 to study viability of infrastructure improvements along the Milwaukee District North and North Central Service Metra lines.

    “As Northeastern Illinois University embarks upon our next strategic plan, the Board of Trustees and I believe that the MSNEP program confers broad societal benefit, which is both economic and social, and is therefore positioned as one of our highest priorities,” said the President of Northeastern Illinois University, Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D, requesting $1,283,976 to develop modern classrooms and a dedicated Simulation Lab at the campus. 

    “We are incredibly grateful for the support of U.S. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez as we work to modernize manufacturing education for students in DuPage County. With more than 1,200 manufacturing companies and over 80,000 job opportunities, DuPage plays a vital role in supporting our local workforce and opening doors for students to pursue high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers. Partnering with state legislators helps us create a clear, coordinated path from the classroom to the workplace—ensuring students are well-prepared to succeed in our region’s thriving manufacturing sector,” said DuPage Regional Advanced Manufacturing Hub Executive Director, Michael Fumagalli, requesting $500,000 to upgrade equipment at the Manufacturing Lab and drive economic growth.

    “With this critical funding secured, Goethe Elementary School will finally complete its long-awaited outdoor renovation project – transforming the space into a safe, durable, and enriching environment for students and families alike. These improvements will not only enhance daily learning and play for Goethe students but also create a vibrant community resource accessible to all residents in the neighborhood. This investment ensures that every child in and around the Goethe community has access to an outdoor space that encourages physical well-being, supports healthy development, and promotes overall well-being,” said Goethe Elementary School Principal, Nader Elmasri, requesting $1,100,000 for enhancement against flooding of the outdoor playspace at Goethe Elementary School.

    “On behalf of the Park District and the residents of the Montclare community, I’d like to extend my sincerest appreciation to Congresswoman Delia Ramirez for working to secure $3 million in funding for a new fieldhouse at Bell Park. A new fieldhouse at Bell Park to replace the existing facility would bring transformative change to the neighboring children and families by expanding recreational offerings that contribute to overall health and quality of life,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO, Ramirez-Rosa, requesting $3,000,000 for the construction of a community field house. 

    “This project is necessary to provide flood relief in this area of the County, it will also improve water quality and replace aging infrastructure,” said DuPage County Board Chair, Deb Conroy, requesting $4,125,000 for the upgrade of outdated storm sewer systems.

    “Every one of our school communities deserves a safe and enriching space for activities such as sporting events and gatherings. The new turf surface at Hanson Park Stadium is environmentally-sound and accessible while benefiting the larger school community. Thanks to Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and our community partners for making this amazing space a reality,” said CPS Chief Operating Officer Charles Mayfield, requesting $1,000,000 for the rehabilitation of the Hanson Park Stadium.

    “This project was student voice in action. Our students have worked tirelessly for years presenting to Chicago Public Schools officials, elected officials, and other members of the community to advocate for this turf field,” said Dever Elementary School Principal Jason Major, requesting $1,100,000 to rehabilitate Dever Elementary School’s field.

    “We are deeply grateful for this investment in our students’ future. This funding marks an exciting step forward, enabling us to modernize our athletic facilities for a safer and more functional environment while simultaneously creating a dynamic new STEM lab in previously underutilized space. This dual investment underscores our commitment to the holistic development of our students, fostering both their physical well-being and their readiness for STEM fields,” said Von Steuben High School Principal Jennifer M. Sutton, requesting $1,000,000 to renovate outdated locker room facilities.

    “Patrick Henry Elementary School is a neighborhood school in the Albany Park area that is a central location for families within the community. We do not have a green space within a 1 mile radius of the school and we are in need of major renovations within the playground and the surrounding area. I am thankful for the opportunity for our school and the community to have a space for families and students to enjoy,” said Patrick Henry Elementary School Principal, Mary Ann Reynolds, requesting $1,250,00 to enhance Patrick Henry Elementary School’s playground and outdoor facilities

    “This high-impact project represents a significant milestone in our efforts to address flood-related challenges in our community. Not only will it directly prevent overland flooding into 27 homes, but by lowering the street, an additional 10 homes will be able to reduce the occurrences of flooding. Over the course of 30 years, this initiative is projected to save homeowners an estimated $19 million in damages currently incurred due to flooding. The project will make a tangible difference in the lives of residents impacted by flooding events, enhance the resilience of our neighborhoods and protect our residents’ properties,” said Wheaton City Manager, Mike Dzugan, requesting $1,200,000 for improvements on a flood-prone area. 

    “We are excited about the project as it will make an immediate and lasting impact on our students and communities. This initiative will provide increased opportunities for physical activity, fostering a stronger focus on the whole child’s development and well being. Ultimately, we believe this project will create a more connected and active place for our entire community to engage,” said Marvin Camras Children’s Engineering Elementary School Principal, Clariza Dominici, requesting $1,000,000 to improve safety at the outdoor space. 

    “Wayne Township is grateful to Congresswoman Ramirez for helping reduce the tax burden on our community by securing funding for much-needed safety improvements to Powis Rd. Partnerships like this show what’s possible when government agencies work together to improve infrastructure and quality of life for all residents,” said Wayne Township Highway Commissioner Martin McManamon, requesting $854 to repair the main entry road at  Pratt Wayne Woods Forest Preserve.

    For the recording of the public announcement, CLICK HERE.

    For photos and videos, CLICK HERE.

    BACKGROUND

    In her first term, Congresswoman Ramirez secured $14.1 MILLION in Community Project Funding for the Illinois Third Congressional District.  The funding for 15 local community projects helped secure safe, affordable housing, expand food security efforts, and make important infrastructure improvements. 

    During the FY25 Appropriation Process, Congresswoman Ramirez fought for $34.5 million in federal funding for 15 community projects. The funding would have increased affordable housing units, expanded safe green spaces for students and communities, strengthened climate change resilience infrastructure and road safety, and supported workforce development in IL-03. Unfortunately, the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress did not include Community Project Funding for FY25. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Israeli Attack on Iran an Uncalculated Escalation

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 17, 2025

    Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that Israel’s attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran represents an uncalculated escalation with serious consequences for regional security, which is already strained and cannot handle further crises.

    During the Ministry’s weekly press briefing, Al Ansari highlighted the State of Qatar’s deep concern over the situation, describing it as a new chapter in an ongoing pattern of provocations. He pointed out that, while countries across the region are making efforts to de-escalate various tensions, one regional actor continues to be the main source of instability and is undermining every peace effort.

    He strongly criticized what he described as an uncalculated attack on nuclear and energy infrastructure, warning that this move could have far-reaching impacts on both global energy markets and regional security. He particularly highlighted the strategic significance of Gulf waters, not only as a local water source but also as a crucial artery for the world’s energy supply.

    Al Ansari mentioned that, for the first time in over seven years, the region was witnessing real diplomatic momentum in talks between Iran and the United States, momentum that the State of Qatar and other countries were supporting. However, he cautioned that the current escalation could derail these efforts. He reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to working with both regional and international partners to help return to dialogue and avoid an unpredictable regional war.

    He explained the region’s importance by citing that nearly 30% of the world’s exports of oil and fertilizers, and about 25% of its natural gas, pass through this area and the Strait of Hormuz.

    He expressed confidence in the State of Qatar’s economy, highlighting that things remain very stable. He also noted that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change announced yesterday that it had not detected any pollution in the water. He added that the government is monitoring the situation closely and, for now, water safety is intact and maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz is normal, with energy exports proceeding without disruption.

    When asked about contingency plans, he said that the State of Qatar has them in place and for various scenarios covering both the energy sector and public safety. He noted that the State of Qatar has consistently demonstrated readiness and resilience during past regional crises.

    Despite the current calm in shipping and energy flow, he warned that any continued escalation could trigger dangerous and unforeseen consequences.

    He also highlighted that the State of Qatar is in constant contact with its regional and international allies, aiming to end the crisis and facilitate dialogue. According to him, the country is actively engaged in mediation efforts to bring all sides closer together and reach a peaceful resolution to this dangerous escalation.

    Al Ansari stressed that the region’s most urgent challenge now is escalation. He warned that if these tensions are not curbed, the consequences could be increasingly negative. That’s why, he added, all efforts must focus on crisis prevention.

    Regarding Israel’s strike on Iran’s side of the South Pars gas field, He described the strike as a serious concern. He noted that many international companies operate in these energy fields and employ people from various countries. He said that, despite the State of Qatar’s energy infrastructure remaining unaffected and exports continuing normally, the targeting of the field has raised legitimate fears across the region about global energy supply security.

    On Gaza, he confirmed that the State of Qatar’s mediation efforts toward a ceasefire were still underway. But he acknowledged that regional escalations, especially the latest confrontation between Iran and Israel, were severely hampering progress on multiple diplomatic fronts, including Gaza.

    He raised alarm regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying that the situation has been deteriorating since early March. Of particular concern, he noted, is the repeated targeting of civilians seeking humanitarian aid. He stressed that the only way to address this crisis is to allow the unconditional entry of aid into Gaza and enable international organizations to distribute it. Al-Ansari dismissed justifications for blocking aid as weak and disconnected from the reality on the ground.

    Spokesperson Al Ansari addressed the recent diplomatic outreach conducted by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He noted that since last Friday and up to Monday, His Excellency made numerous phone calls with his counterparts, including Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abbas Araghchi. During that call, HE the Prime Minister extended the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized that the State of Qatar would work with both regional and international partners to urgently halt the aggression against Iran and spare the region from its potentially disastrous consequences.

    He also highlighted that HE the Prime Minister held conversations with several high-level officials, including UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty; Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ayman Safadi, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al-Saud, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani; Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand; and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.

    He also highlighted HE the Prime Minister’s expressing the State of Qatar’s condemnation of the repeated Israeli violations and attacks in the region during these conversations, stressing that such actions undermine peace efforts. He called for unified regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

    The Spokesperson added that HE the Prime Minister hosted German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Saturday in Doha. Their meeting focused on regional developments and enhancing international peace and security.

    In a related development, He said that Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi held a phone call with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to discuss the recent Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and the need to bolster nuclear site security. Dr. Al Khulaifi stressed during the call that targeting such facilities poses a serious threat to regional and global peace, reaffirming that Qatar is working actively with its partners to return to dialogue and promote lasting security and stability.

    Al Ansari also noted that last Thursday marked the opening of the third Qatar-France Strategic Dialogue, held in Paris. The session was co-chaired by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was mutual appreciation for the progress made since HH the Amir’s state visit to France in February last year, which paved the way for new cooperation initiatives across multiple sectors. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic partnerships.

    On the sidelines of the dialogue, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and addressed regional developments, particularly the ongoing challenges surrounding the Gaza Strip.

    He further noted that Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met today with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinian refugees). Their meeting focused on enhancing the collaboration between Qatar and UNRWA.

    Additionally, on Monday, Minister Al Misnad also met with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Hadjivassiliou to discuss bilateral cooperation

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • €500 million EIB loan to finance sustainable infrastructure in cities and towns across Greece
    • Total EIB support under the “Antonis Tritsis” programme reaches €1 billion to improve everyday life in cities across the country
    • Funding targets climate-resilient, inclusive projects with strong benefits for local communities

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) have signed a new €500 million loan with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) to support hundreds of sustainable projects in cities and towns across Greece. The new funding will help local authorities invest in cleaner water, better waste management, safer roads, greener public buildings and smarter urban services.

    This latest operation builds on the success of a previous €500 million loan signed in 2021 under the national “Antonis Tritsis” programme. With today’s signature and, the EIB’s total support for the programme now reaches €1 billion — making it one of the largest urban investment partnerships between Greece and the EU Bank.

    “This new €500 million loan reaffirms the EIB’s strong long-standing partnership with Greece and our joint commitment to enabling sustainable urban development in every corner of the country. By supporting the “Antonis Tritsis” programme, we help local communities improve essential infrastructure, enhance resilience and deliver better quality of life for citizens. We are proud to continue our close collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund to turn ambitious local projects into reality,” said EIB Vice-President, Yannis Tsakiris.

    EIB helping to harness local impact of CDLF in Greece’s localities

    The CDLF, a financial institution which operates as a Legal Entity of Public Law and is supervised by the Ministry of Interior, is tasked with the registry of consignments and the social and regional development by funding projects of public and social interest. For this purpose, the CDLF mainly grants loans to municipalities and prefectures, participates in development bodies and co-funds projects with the EIB. All projects must meet EU environmental and climate standards and support sustainable, inclusive urban development.

    “With this signing, the funding for the projects included in the “Antonis Tritsis” Program is secured. These are projects that change the quality of life for all residents in the country, create new infrastructure and strengthen Local Government”, said Minister of the Interior of the Hellenic Republic, Thodoris Livanios.

    Unlocking high impact investment across key sectors

    • The EIB financing will support a wide range of projects across Greek cities and towns, includingSustainable water and wastewater management
    • Solid waste infrastructure and recycling
    • Safer and more climate-resilient roads
    • Energy-efficient upgrades to public buildings
    • Urban regeneration and public space improvements
    • Smart city technologies and digital services
    • Anti-seismic measures in schools and other public infrastructure

    CDLF President Mr. Dimitris Stamatis stated: “We are pleased to continue our excellent cooperation with the EIB and proud of our contribution to the design and implementation of the Ministry of Interior’s special development programme Antonis Tritsis. This programme supports a wide range of investments: urban regeneration, flood and seismic protection, water and waste management, e-mobility, renovation and construction of municipal buildings, and smart city initiatives. Our aim is to ensure that every project we finance delivers not only economic returns, but also long-term environmental and social benefits that meet the needs and improve the wellbeing of both current and future generations.”

    Only projects that are climate-aligned and follow the principles of sustainable development will be eligible for funding. The investments will be spread across the country, helping cities and smaller communities address local challenges and improve quality of life.

    The EIB will complement its financing with advisory services under InvestEU and other EU-supported technical assistance programmes to enhance the capacity of smaller municipalities to develop mature, sustainable and bankable projects.

    About the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    The Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) is a public legal entity supervised by the Greek Ministry of Finance. It operates as an autonomous financial and management institution serving local and regional development, the public and social interest, and the exclusive custody and management of all forms of consignments.

    The CDLF provides loans to municipalities, regional authorities and other public sector bodies for infrastructure and general interest projects, while also offering technical assistance either directly or in collaboration with other institutions.

    Under the “Antonis Tritsis” programme, the CDLF has so far signed loan agreements totalling €2.7 billion, of which €1.7 billion has already been disbursed. These are financed either from CDLF’s own resources or co-financed with the EIB.

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
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    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
    Download original

    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • €500 million EIB loan to finance sustainable infrastructure in cities and towns across Greece
    • Total EIB support under the “Antonis Tritsis” programme reaches €1 billion to improve everyday life in cities across the country
    • Funding targets climate-resilient, inclusive projects with strong benefits for local communities

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) have signed a new €500 million loan with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) to support hundreds of sustainable projects in cities and towns across Greece. The new funding will help local authorities invest in cleaner water, better waste management, safer roads, greener public buildings and smarter urban services.

    This latest operation builds on the success of a previous €500 million loan signed in 2021 under the national “Antonis Tritsis” programme. With today’s signature and, the EIB’s total support for the programme now reaches €1 billion — making it one of the largest urban investment partnerships between Greece and the EU Bank.

    “This new €500 million loan reaffirms the EIB’s strong long-standing partnership with Greece and our joint commitment to enabling sustainable urban development in every corner of the country. By supporting the “Antonis Tritsis” programme, we help local communities improve essential infrastructure, enhance resilience and deliver better quality of life for citizens. We are proud to continue our close collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund to turn ambitious local projects into reality,” said EIB Vice-President, Yannis Tsakiris.

    EIB helping to harness local impact of CDLF in Greece’s localities

    The CDLF, a financial institution which operates as a Legal Entity of Public Law and is supervised by the Ministry of Interior, is tasked with the registry of consignments and the social and regional development by funding projects of public and social interest. For this purpose, the CDLF mainly grants loans to municipalities and prefectures, participates in development bodies and co-funds projects with the EIB. All projects must meet EU environmental and climate standards and support sustainable, inclusive urban development.

    “With this signing, the funding for the projects included in the “Antonis Tritsis” Program is secured. These are projects that change the quality of life for all residents in the country, create new infrastructure and strengthen Local Government”, said Minister of the Interior of the Hellenic Republic, Thodoris Livanios.

    Unlocking high impact investment across key sectors

    • The EIB financing will support a wide range of projects across Greek cities and towns, includingSustainable water and wastewater management
    • Solid waste infrastructure and recycling
    • Safer and more climate-resilient roads
    • Energy-efficient upgrades to public buildings
    • Urban regeneration and public space improvements
    • Smart city technologies and digital services
    • Anti-seismic measures in schools and other public infrastructure

    CDLF President Mr. Dimitris Stamatis stated: “We are pleased to continue our excellent cooperation with the EIB and proud of our contribution to the design and implementation of the Ministry of Interior’s special development programme Antonis Tritsis. This programme supports a wide range of investments: urban regeneration, flood and seismic protection, water and waste management, e-mobility, renovation and construction of municipal buildings, and smart city initiatives. Our aim is to ensure that every project we finance delivers not only economic returns, but also long-term environmental and social benefits that meet the needs and improve the wellbeing of both current and future generations.”

    Only projects that are climate-aligned and follow the principles of sustainable development will be eligible for funding. The investments will be spread across the country, helping cities and smaller communities address local challenges and improve quality of life.

    The EIB will complement its financing with advisory services under InvestEU and other EU-supported technical assistance programmes to enhance the capacity of smaller municipalities to develop mature, sustainable and bankable projects.

    About the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    The Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF) is a public legal entity supervised by the Greek Ministry of Finance. It operates as an autonomous financial and management institution serving local and regional development, the public and social interest, and the exclusive custody and management of all forms of consignments.

    The CDLF provides loans to municipalities, regional authorities and other public sector bodies for infrastructure and general interest projects, while also offering technical assistance either directly or in collaboration with other institutions.

    Under the “Antonis Tritsis” programme, the CDLF has so far signed loan agreements totalling €2.7 billion, of which €1.7 billion has already been disbursed. These are financed either from CDLF’s own resources or co-financed with the EIB.

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
    Download original

    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
    Download original

    The EIB strengthens its support for green and sustainable urban development in Greece with a new €500 million financing agreement in partnership with the Consignment Deposits and Loans Fund (CDLF)

    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2025-06-17

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – Strasbourg

     Abbreviations and symbols

    + adopted
    – rejected
    ↓ lapsed
    W withdrawn
    RCV roll-call votes
    EV electronic vote
    SEC secret ballot
    split split vote
    sep separate vote
    am amendment
    CA compromise amendment
    CP corresponding part
    D deleting amendment
    = identical amendments
    § paragraph

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:00.



    2. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) ***I (debate)

    Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) [COM(2024)0060 – C9-0028/2024 – 2024/0035(COD)] – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Jeroen Lenaers (A10-0097/2025)

    Jeroen Lenaers introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Heléne Fritzon (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Javier Zarzalejos, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marina Kaljurand, on behalf of the S&D Group, Susanna Ceccardi, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Saskia Bricmont, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, Mary Khan, on behalf of the ESN Group, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Alex Agius Saliba, Anders Vistisen, who also answered a blue-card question from Jeroen Lenaers, Paolo Inselvini, Laurence Farreng, Alice Kuhnke, Nikos Pappas, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Monika Beňová, Lukas Sieper, on comments made by some of the previous speakers (the President took note), Ewa Kopacz, Maria Guzenina, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Georgiana Teodorescu, Moritz Körner, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Anja Arndt, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Moritz Körner, Malika Sorel, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Mathilde Androuët, Gheorghe Piperea, Ana Miguel Pedro, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Elisabeth Dieringer, Chiara Gemma, Péter Magyar, who also answered a blue-card question from Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Jaak Madison, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Lara Magoni and François-Xavier Bellamy, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Eleonora Meleti, Maria Grapini, Viktória Ferenc, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Nina Carberry, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Annamária Vicsek, João Oliveira and Alessandra Moretti.

    IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
    Vice-President

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Magnus Brunner and Jeroen Lenaers.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 17 June 2025.



    3. European Ocean Pact (debate)

    Commission statement: European Ocean Pact (2025/2744(RSP))

    Costas Kadis (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Isabelle Le Callennec, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christophe Clergeau, on behalf of the S&D Group, Silvia Sardone, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Emma Fourreau, on behalf of The Left Group, Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group, Carmen Crespo Díaz, André Rodrigues, António Tânger Corrêa, Nora Junco García, Ana Vasconcelos, Rasmus Nordqvist, Nikolas Farantouris, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Antonio Decaro, André Rougé, who also answered a blue-card question from Christophe Clergeau, Michal Wiezik, Mélissa Camara, Catarina Martins, Željana Zovko, Sofie Eriksson, France Jamet, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Sebastian Everding, Francisco José Millán Mon, Thomas Bajada, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Yvan Verougstraete, Luke Ming Flanagan, Sander Smit, Nicolás González Casares, Billy Kelleher, Fredis Beleris, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Salvatore De Meo, Giuseppe Lupo, César Luena and Idoia Mendia.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Ingeborg Ter Laak, Sebastian Tynkkynen and João Oliveira.

    The following spoke: Costas Kadis.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:57.)



    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    4. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:06.



    5. Formal sitting – Address by His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

    The President made an address to welcome His Majesty Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

    King Abdullah II addressed the House.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)



    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    6. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:33.

    ***

    The following spoke: Fernand Kartheiser on the response time for written questions (the President provided some clarifications) and Alexander Jungbluth (the President cut him off as remarks did not constitute a point of order).



    7. Voting time

    For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.



    7.1. Amending Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 as regards additional assistance and further flexibility to outermost regions affected by severe natural disasters and in the context of cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte ***I (vote)

    Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 as regards additional assistance and further flexibility to outermost regions affected by severe natural disasters and in the context of cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte (COM(2025)0190 – C10-0071/2025 – 2025/0104(COD)) – Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0115)

    Detailed voting results



    7.2. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) [COM(2024)0060 – C9-0028/2024 – 2024/0035(COD)] – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Jeroen Lenaers (A10-0097/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0116)

    REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

    Approved

    The following had spoken:

    Jeroen Lenaers (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations in accordance with Rule 60(4).

    Detailed voting results



    7.3. Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road of 29 June 2022 *** (vote)

    Recommendation on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the carriage of freight by road of 29 June 2022 [16072/2024 – C10-0226/2024 – 2024/0290(NLE)] – Committee on Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (A10-0102/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0117)

    Parliament consented to the conclusion of the agreement.

    Detailed voting results



    7.4. Termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union *** (vote)

    Recommendation on the draft Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union [05673/2025 – C10-0012/2025 – 2024/0245(NLE)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro (A10-0089/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0118)

    Parliament consented to the termination of the agreement.

    Detailed voting results



    7.5. Termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union (Resolution) (vote)

    Report containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the termination of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the Union [2024/0245M(NLE)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Karin Karlsbro (A10-0094/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0119)

    Detailed voting results



    7.6. Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in European Parliament elections * (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a Council directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast) [09789/2024 – C10-0001/2024 – 2021/0372(CNS)] – Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Simon (A10-0090/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COUNCIL DRAFT

    Approved (P10_TA(2025)0120)

    Detailed voting results



    7.7. Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the declaration of input (Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure) (vote)

    Report on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the declaration of input (Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure) [2025/2067(REG)] – Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Simon (A10-0086/2025)

    (Majority of Parliament’s component Members required)

    PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0121)

    This amendment would enter into force on the first day of the following part-session.

    The following had spoken:

    Sven Simon (rapporteur), before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(1).

    Detailed voting results



    7.8. Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (vote)

    Report on strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy [2024/2105(INI)] – Committee on Regional Development. Rapporteur: Denis Nesci (A10-0092/2025)

    The debate had taken place on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 22).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0122)

    Detailed voting results



    7.9. Financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville (vote)

    Report on financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville [2025/2004(INI)] – Committee on Development. Rapporteur: Charles Goerens (A10-0101/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Rejected

    The following had spoken:

    Charles Goerens (rapporteur), before the vote, to make a statement under Rule 165(4), and after the vote on the resolution as a whole.

    Detailed voting results

    9

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)



    8. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:57.



    9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The following spoke: Marion Maréchal, to make a personal statement in the light of the comments made by Benedetta Scuderi during the previous day’s sitting, before the adoption of the agenda (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 16).

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.



    10. Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

    Report on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility [2024/2085(INI)] – Committee on Budgets – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteurs: Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0098/2025)

    Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Carla Tavares (rapporteur for the opinion of the BUDG Committee), Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (rapporteur for the opinion of the EMPL Committee), Jonas Sjöstedt (rapporteur for the opinion of the ENVI Committee), Giuseppe Lupo (rapporteur for the opinion of the TRAN Committee), Markus Ferber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Jean-Marc Germain, on behalf of the S&D Group, Enikő Győri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, and Ľudovít Ódor, on behalf of the Renew Group.

    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Nikolas Farantouris on behalf of The Left Group, Rada Laykova, on behalf of the ESN Group, Karlo Ressler, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Jonás Fernández, Julien Sanchez, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Ruggero Razza, Rasmus Andresen, Jussi Saramo, Alexander Jungbluth, who also answered a blue-card question from Radan Kanev, Thomas Geisel, Dirk Gotink, Costas Mavrides, Klara Dostalova, Bogdan Rzońca, Gordan Bosanac, who also answered a blue-card question from Sunčana Glavak, Milan Mazurek, Danuše Nerudová, Pierre Pimpie, Aurelijus Veryga, Radan Kanev, Alex Agius Saliba, Tomasz Buczek, Dick Erixon, Gheorghe Falcă, Idoia Mendia, Angéline Furet, Giovanni Crosetto, Georgios Aftias, Nils Ušakovs, Marlena Maląg, Kinga Kollár, who also answered a blue-card question from Enikő Győri, Evelyn Regner, Marion Maréchal, Angelika Winzig, Eero Heinäluoma, Adrian-George Axinia, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Sandra Gómez López, Jacek Ozdoba, Adnan Dibrani, César Luena and Damian Boeselager.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nikolina Brnjac, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă and Hélder Sousa Silva.

    The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto, Victor Negrescu and Siegfried Mureşan.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 18 June 2025.



    11. The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report (debate)

    Report on The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report [2024/2078(INI)] – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Ana Catarina Mendes (A10-0100/2025)

    Ana Catarina Mendes introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission).

    IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima (rapporteur for the opinion of the AFET Committee), Ilhan Kyuchyuk (rapporteur for the opinion of the JURI Committee), Michał Wawrykiewicz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Birgit Sippel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alessandro Ciriani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Moritz Körner, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Gaetano Pedulla’, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Marco Tarquinio, Fabrice Leggeri, Mariusz Kamiński, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Mary Khan, Ondřej Dostál, Javier Zarzalejos, Chloé Ridel, András László, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Patryk Jaki (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Irena Joveva, Marcin Sypniewski, who also answered a blue-card question from Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Zoltán Tarr, Alessandro Zan, Marieke Ehlers, Nicolas Bay, Nikola Minchev, Sven Simon, Marc Angel, Gilles Pennelle, Dainius Žalimas, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Matjaž Nemec, Csaba Dömötör, David Casa, Katarina Barley, who also answered a blue-card question from Patryk Jaki, and Loucas Fourlas.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Katrin Langensiepen, Petras Gražulis and Maria Zacharia.

    The following spoke: Michael McGrath and Ana Catarina Mendes.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 18 June 2025.



    12. 2023 and 2024 reports on Montenegro (debate)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Montenegro [2025/2020(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec (A10-0093/2025)

    Marjan Šarec introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group, Costas Mavrides, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jaroslav Bžoch, on behalf of the PfE Group, and Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, on behalf of the ECR Group.

    IN THE CHAIR: Nicolae ŞTEFĂNUȚĂ
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Davor Ivo Stier, Matjaž Nemec, Matthieu Valet, Carlo Ciccioli, Thomas Waitz, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomislav Sokol, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Željana Zovko, Tonino Picula, Annamária Vicsek, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Sunčana Glavak, Carla Tavares, Liudas Mažylis and Tomislav Sokol.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos and Marjan Šarec.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 18 June 2025.



    13. 2023 and 2024 reports on Moldova (debate)

    Report on 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Moldova [2025/2025(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Sven Mikser (A10-0096/2025)

    Sven Mikser introduced the report.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Andrzej Halicki, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marta Temido, on behalf of the S&D Group, Cristian Terheş, on behalf of the ECR Group, Dan Barna, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Andrey Kovatchev, Victor Negrescu, Eugen Tomac, Davor Ivo Stier, Marcos Ros Sempere, Karin Karlsbro, Mika Aaltola, Kristian Vigenin and Krzysztof Brejza.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Maria Grapini, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Marta Kos and Sven Mikser.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 18 June 2025.



    14. Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident (debate)

    Commission statement: Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident (2025/2698(RSP))

    The President provided some procedural clarifications.

    Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, on behalf of the PPE Group, Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Afroditi Latinopoulou, on behalf of the PfE Group, Emmanouil Fragkos, on behalf of the ECR Group, Sandro Gozi, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, and Siegbert Frank Droese, on behalf of the ESN Group.

    The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

    The debate closed.



    15. Corrigenda (Rule 251) (action taken)

    Corrigendum P9_TA(2024)0348(COR02) had been announced on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 15).

    As no requests for a vote had been made in accordance with Rule 251(4), the corrigendum was deemed approved.



    16. Delegated acts (Rule 114(6)) (action taken)

    The recommendation from the AGRI Committee to raise no objections to a delegated act had been announced in plenary on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 14).

    As no objections to the recommendation had been raised in accordance with Rule 114(6), the recommendation was deemed approved.



    17. Interpretations of the Rules of Procedure (action taken)

    The AFCO Committee had provided interpretations of Article 3(5), first subparagraph, of Annex I and Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure. The interpretations had been announced in plenary on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 11).

    As they had not been contested by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold in accordance with Rule 242(4), the interpretations were appended to the Rules (P10_TA(2025)0123).



    18. EU framework conditions for competitive, efficient and sustainable public transport services at all levels (debate)

    Commission statement: EU framework conditions for competitive, efficient and sustainable public transport services at all levels (2025/2742(RSP))

    Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Dariusz Joński, on behalf of the PPE Group, Johan Danielsson, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roman Haider, on behalf of the PfE Group, Antonella Sberna, on behalf of the ECR Group, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, on behalf of the Renew Group, Lena Schilling, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Nina Carberry, François Kalfon, Annamária Vicsek, Kosma Złotowski, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Kai Tegethoff, Kostas Papadakis, Elena Nevado del Campo, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Julien Leonardelli, Péter Magyar, who also answered a blue-card question from Annamária Vicsek, Sérgio Gonçalves, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Sérgio Humberto, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Matteo Ricci, Nikolina Brnjac and Regina Doherty.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Maria Zacharia and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)



    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    19. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 19:33.



    20. Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (2025/2743(RSP))

    Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Matteo Ricci, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roman Haider, on behalf of the PfE Group, Kosma Złotowski, on behalf of the ECR Group, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Arash Saeidi, on behalf of The Left Group, Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jens Gieseke, Johan Danielsson, Julien Leonardelli, Michele Picaro, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Nina Carberry, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Annamária Vicsek, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Borja Giménez Larraz, François Kalfon, Ernő Schaller-Baross, Nikolina Brnjac, Sérgio Gonçalves, Barbara Bonte, Sophia Kircher, Isabella Tovaglieri, Markus Ferber and Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sérgio Humberto, Ana Miranda Paz, Elena Kountoura and Magdalena Adamowicz.

    The following spoke: Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Adam Szłapka.

    The debate closed.



    21. Situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation (2025/2770(RSP))

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza (2025/2747(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastiaan Stöteler, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Bart Groothuis, on behalf of the Renew Group, Hannah Neumann, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Rima Hassan, on behalf of The Left Group, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Yannis Maniatis and Elena Donazzan.

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Bernard Guetta, Mounir Satouri, Marc Botenga, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Hildegard Bentele, Kathleen Van Brempt, Rihards Kols, Barry Andrews, Villy Søvndal, Kathleen Funchion, Ruth Firmenich, Reinhold Lopatka, Ana Catarina Mendes, Alexandr Vondra, Irena Joveva, Catarina Vieira, Catarina Martins, Erik Kaliňák, Wouter Beke, Leire Pajín, Alberico Gambino, Abir Al-Sahlani, Saskia Bricmont, João Oliveira, Maria Zacharia, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Marta Temido, Geadis Geadi, Leoluca Orlando, Luke Ming Flanagan, Fidias Panayiotou, Maria Walsh, Thijs Reuten, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Alice Kuhnke, Danilo Della Valle, David Casa, Chloé Ridel, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Majdouline Sbai, Céline Imart, Vasile Dîncu, Michael McNamara, Anna Strolenberg, Michał Szczerba, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Evin Incir and Regina Doherty.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Lukas Sieper and Katarína Roth Neveďalová.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.



    22. Assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe and the threat to the democratic process and peace in Colombia (debate)

    Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe and the threat to the democratic process and peace in Colombia (2025/2749(RSP))

    Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Davor Ivo Stier, on behalf of the PPE Group, Leire Pajín, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastian Kruis, on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Cristina Guarda, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Anthony Smith, on behalf of The Left Group, Francisco José Millán Mon, Javi López, Jorge Martín Frías, Reinhold Lopatka, Julien Sanchez and Rody Tolassy.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

    The debate closed.



    23. Oral explanations of votes (Rule 201)



    23.1. Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast) (A10-0097/2025)
    Cristian Terheş



    23.2. Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy (A10-0092/2025)
    Cristian Terheş, Kathleen Funchion



    24. Explanations of votes in writing (Rule 201)

    Explanations of votes given in writing would appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website



    25. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 18 June 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.



    26. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.



    27. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 22:52.



    LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT



    I. Documents received

    The following documents had been received from committees:

    – ***I Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability (COM(2023)0769 – C9-0443/2023 – 2023/0447(COD)) – AGRI Committee – Rapporteur: Veronika Vrecionová (A10-0104/2025)



    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Christensen Asger, Ciccioli Carlo, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Hadjipantela Michalis, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schnurrbusch Volker, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ștefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiezik Michal, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Berg Sibylle, Burkhardt Delara, Friis Sigrid, Hazekamp Anja

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Repair and maintenance of public roads

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Chan Siu-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):

    Question:

    It is learnt that the Highways Department (HyD) adopts innovative technologies and promotes management digitalisation to enhance the efficiency in road repair and maintenance services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the total length of public roads in Hong Kong, the total length of public roads repaired and the total project cost for repair of public roads in each of the past three years; the respective details of the contracts awarded for repair and maintenance of such roads (including but not limited to the names of contractors, districts involved, contract periods, length of the roads involved and contract values);

    (2) as the Government indicated in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on March 27 last year that the HyD aimed to digitalise most inspection and supervision procedures in all road maintenance contracts in 2024, of the progress of the relevant work; whether it has assessed how the adoption of innovative technologies help enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of road inspection, including the savings in manpower expenditure and project cost; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) given that, according to the information from the HyD, the HyD is using the Road Defect Detection System (RDDS) and the Road Condition Assessment System (RCAS) for inspection of road conditions, of the respective application scenarios, stages of application (e.g. at trial stage or being converted to regular use), efficiency of inspection and cost-effectiveness of the two systems;

    (4) given that, according to the estimation of HyD, the introduction of RCAS will be able to free up about one-fourth of the manpower of the contractors’ road inspection teams, and the HyD is now evaluating the effectiveness of RCAS and will consider in due course the full scale application of the technology and its incorporation into the standard operating procedures for future road inspections, of the latest progress of the relevant work, and whether it has studied if future deployment will be implemented by adopting both systems, namely RDDS and RCAS, or either one of them; and

    (5) given that HyD is one of the selected applicants for the first batch of low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects, of the details of HyD’s pilot projects involving road repair and maintenance as well as road inspection (including but not limited to the contents of the projects, application scenarios, flight paths, route plans and flight distances)?

    Reply:

    President,

    Having consulted the Highways Department (HyD), my reply to the various parts of the question raised by Hon Chan Siu-hung is as follows:

    (1) In the past three years (i.e. from 2022 to 2024), the total length of roads maintained by the HyD each year was 2 223, 2 239 and 2 241 kilometres respectively. The annual expenditure on maintenance of roads and associated road facilities was about $1.70 billion, $1.73 billion, and $1.66 billion respectively.

    The HyD ensures the safety and reliability of the public road network by engaging road maintenance contractors under term contracts to carry out regular inspection and maintenance work. When damage to road surfaces is identified during inspections or damages to roads and ancillary road facilities are reported by the public, the HyD would arrange contractors to carry out repair works as soon as possible to defects that may pose hazard to road users. As such repairs are part of the routine road maintenance work, the HyD does not separately keep statistics on the area of such type of road surface maintained.

    Moreover, for defects that do not pose immediate danger to road safety, the HyD would formulate appropriate maintenance plan and schedule for such defects after taking into account various factors, such as arranging road resurfacing at a timely juncture. In each of the past three years (i.e. from 2022 to 2024), the areas of roads resurfaced and reconstructed by HyD are about 1.55, 1.77 and 1.65 million square metre respectively.

    Currently, the HyD has a total of 9 road maintenance contracts for the maintenance of all public roads in Hong Kong, details of which are at Annex.

    (2) At present, the Road Maintenance Monitoring System (RMMS), which is a system that fully digitalises the monitoring and administrative work of road maintenance, has been used in all road maintenance contracts. In the past, whenever the HyD’s staff identified defects in road facilities during inspection, they were required to fill in and send the relevant physical form to the contractors upon completion of the inspections. With the RMMS, staff can now log on to the system during outdoor inspections and electronically notify the contractors of the information on damage to facilities captured on site, so that contractors can receive the relevant data promptly and arrange for repair works accordingly. After completion of repair works, contractors can also use RMMS to report the work done and submit maintenance records. The adoption of RMMS can cut down on complicated paperwork and transmission time to enhance work efficiency, facilitating HyD’s staff to monitor the progress of maintenance. It resulted in better maintenance record keeping as well as reduction in the use of paper. In addition, the HyD is now developing the second phase of RMMS, which will incorporate more monitoring and management functions, such as automatic alerts or warnings to contractors with unsatisfactory maintenance progress, as well as digitalised checking procedures, etc.

    In terms of cost-effectiveness, with the full implementation of the first phase of the RMMS, the average time taken by the HyD’s staff to handle a case of damaged road facility (from the discovery of damage to road facility to the completion of the repair works) is about 20 per cent faster than before. Subsequently, upon completion and full adoption of the second phase of the RMMS, the HyD will then consider adjusting the manpower requirements of contractors for new road maintenance works. At that time, the HyD would re-assess the savings in manpower expenditure and works cost arising from the use of RMMS, as well as the cost-effectiveness of the system.

    (3) The Road Defect Detection System (RDDS) utilises high-definition cameras installed on inspection patrol vehicles to capture images of road conditions, and employs global satellite positioning technology to record the locations of such images. It then uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to automatically identify road surface cracks and discoloured road markings, instead of relying on the visual inspection by road inspectors as in the past to ensure that the detection results are objective and accurate (above 90 per cent accuracy). Contractors use inspection patrol vehicles equipped with RDDS to carry out comprehensive inspection of all roads in Hong Kong once every three months. The detection results of road defects will be displayed on a web-based maintenance platform equipped with geographic information system maps, to facilitate maintenance personnel to locate the defects and carry out repair works. Moreover, the RDDS can consolidate relevant information into defect reports for maintenance personnel to record and audit the maintenance status. With enhanced inspection accuracy and maintenance records, the required maintenance works can be completed more swiftly and efficiently. At present, the RDDS has been incorporated as a standard operating procedure for road inspection on a regular basis. With the full adoption of RDDS, the average time taken by the contractors from completion of road inspection work to submission of the relevant inspection report has been substantially reduced from 48 hours to within 24 hours. To further enhance the efficiency of road maintenance, the HyD would expand the analytical capability of the AI system of the RDDS to identify more different types of road defects, such as overgrown vegetation, as well as discoloured/obstructed/bent traffic signs on the road surface.

    The Road Condition Assessment System (RCAS), which scans three-dimensional images of road surfaces, uses patrol vehicles equipped with laser scanning equipment and global satellite positioning technology to drive on a carriageway at normal speed, and can automatically identify and accurately record various types of defects on the road surface such as potholes, rutting etc. It calculates a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for every 100 metres of the road for the reference of engineering personnel responsible for maintenance to determine whether the section of road should be prioritised for reconstruction or resurfacing works. Compared to the past when road inspectors had to conduct visual inspection and measurement on the road surface after making road closure arrangements, which only covered a few hundred meters of carriageways per day at most, RCAS enables the maintenance team to have a more comprehensive grasp of the latest conditions of all road surfaces without the need for road closures. This allows for more effective use of resources when planning road maintenance works, and also helps avoid disruption to traffic.

    The HyD expects that after using RCAS to inspect all major road sections in Hong Kong, it will be able to make more effective use of resources by prioritising sections with poorer conditions for road maintenance. RCAS is still in the trial stage and is capable of inspecting about 200 km of carriageways per day. It is expected that during the one year trial period, all major road sections in Hong Kong can be inspected and the data collected will be used for establishing a web-based maintenance platform for use by engineering staff.

    As RCAS is still at the trial stage, the cost-effectiveness of the technology is still being assessed. However, according to preliminary estimation, the introduction of RCAS can free up about one-fourth of the manpower of the contractors’ road inspection teams to cope with the increasing road maintenance work.

    (4) Since 2024, the HyD has engaged various service contractors through road maintenance contracts to participate in the development of RCAS which is used to accurately record the undulations of road surfaces and identify road defects such as potholes, to facilitate the planning of road maintenance work. The aforesaid development project is broadly divided into three stages: in the first stage, the service contractors are required to procure vehicles and install laser scanning equipment and positioning devices on the vehicles; in the second stage, the service contractors are required to develop an AI and geometric analysis algorithm system to automatically detect road defects, assess road conditions, and establish a Geographic Information System (GIS) web-based platform to disseminate the relevant information; and in the third stage, the service contractors are required to utilise this system to scan all road surfaces in Hong Kong and automatically assess road conditions, as well as upload the assessment results to the GIS web-based platform at the same time. The first and second stages have been completed, while work on the third stage has commenced and is anticipated to be completed within this year. The HyD is evaluating the effectiveness of the entire smart road conditions analysis system and would consider incorporating this technology into the standard operating procedures for future road inspections in due course.

    Currently, the RDDS is used for rapid identification of cracks on road surface and discoloured road markings which facilitates maintenance staff to locate road defects and expedite the completion of the required maintenance works, thereby enhancing maintenance efficiency. Meanwhile, RCAS focuses on accurately identifying and recording various types of defects on road surfaces and their degree of deterioration. It calculates the PCI for every 100m of carriageway which will help maintenance staff to determine whether a road section should be prioritised for resurfacing works. In view of the distinctive functions of RDDS and RCAS, as well as their differences in speed and accuracy in detecting road conditions, the positioning of their applications is thus different. These two systems will be implemented in parallel at this stage. However, the HyD will continue to develop the functions of RDDS and RCAS and will not rule out the possibility of merging them in the future when their functions, speed, and accuracy become comparable.

    (5) According to the requirements of the existing Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) Order, the “pilot” controlling a SUA is required to maintain visual-line-of-sight with SUA under standard operation. The HyD’s Regulatory Sandbox project utilises beyond visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) technology, coupled with 4G/5G command and control links, to enable SUA to operate beyond the pilot’s line-of-sight in a safer and more stable manner, up to a distance of several kilometres. This enables flexible deployment for surveying and inspecting road infrastructures and major trunk roads during emergencies, such as landslides, as well as routine operation.

    In emergency situations, with the adoption of BVLOS technology, SUA can swiftly reach a remote landslide site and calculate a three-dimensional model of the slope through aerial photographs taken, which facilitates engineers to accurately measure the area and volume of landslide debris in support of slope restoration work. In addition, under extreme weather condition, SUA can be operated to fly along designated pre-set routes to quickly see whether there are any flooding, fallen trees, or other obstructions on major highways. For routine surveys and inspections, BVLOS technology can assist in the inspections in places such as cross-sea bridges, confined spaces and elevated structures that are difficult for engineering personnel to access or visually inspect. Such technology can be regularly applied to routine operations, such as surface defect inspection of bridge structures and slope restoration works.

    The test flights of the Regulatory Sandbox project are conducted in stages under different scenarios, at locations including Tai Po Waterfront Pier to Sam Mun Tsai, Tseung Kwan O Tunnel Road, Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link, Tate’s Cairn Highway, and Ap Lei Chau Bridge. These simulated flights carry out BVLOS inspections of slopes along the roads at the above locations and the related major trunk roads, with flying distances ranging from 200m to 2 000m. Among them, the HyD has already completed the trial flights at the first two test sites, with the remaining three expected to be completed in phases by the end of September 2025.

    Ends/Wednesday, June 18, 2025
    Issued at HKT 12:50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Director General’s Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    (As prepared for delivery)

    As the armed conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the nuclear safety and security situation throughout the country continues to be highly precarious. The presence of the IAEA at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities has been and continues to be an invaluable asset to the international community and must be preserved.

    The IAEA remains present at Ukraine’s nuclear power plant facilities. Difficult conditions have in the past month complicated and delayed one rotation of experts, which was safely completed in recent days. Back in December, a drone hit and severely damaged an IAEA official vehicle during a rotation. As I reported to you in the special Board meeting shortly afterward, staff survived this unacceptable attack unharmed, but the rear of the vehicle was destroyed. Other episodes followed, confirming the dangerous situation.

    Around Ukraine, the Khmelnitsky NPP, the Rivne NPP and the South Ukraine NPP, continue to operate amid serious challenges, including on the electricity infrastructure, a major risk to the reliable and stable supply of power crucial for the safe operation of NPPs. The electrical grid’s ability to provide a reliable off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs was further reduced by damage sustained following military attacks in November and December 2024, a mission of IAEA experts that visited and assessed seven critical electrical substations concluded late last year. Considering the seriousness of the situation, I visited the Kyivska electrical substation last month to observe the damage sustained first hand. On what was my 11th visit to Ukraine since the start of the war, I also met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating the IAEA’s commitment to supporting nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and our readiness to support the country’s plans to expand nuclear power at Khmelnytskyy NPP. Consultations with Moscow have also taken place and will continue, in the interest of nuclear safety and security at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

    At Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where the 6 reactor units are in cold shutdown, the status of the off-site power supply remains extremely vulnerable. For about one week ZNPP had to rely on a single off-site power line following the loss of its only remaining back-up line, confirming the extremely fragile situation. 

    Last month at the Chornobyl site a drone caused significant damage to the structure built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor damaged in the 1986 accident and to protect it from external hazards. Although this attack did not result in any radioactive release, it nevertheless underlines the persistent risk to nuclear safety during this military conflict.

    Since the Board gathered for its last regular meeting in November 2024, the Agency has arranged 31 deliveries of nuclear safety, security and medical equipment and supplies to Ukraine, bringing the total so far to 108 deliveries valued at more than EUR 15.6 million. The Agency also has initiated the first phase of its support on safety and security of radioactive sources in Ukraine.

    We are grateful to all 30 donor states and the European Union for their extrabudgetary contributions, and I encourage those who can, to support the delivery of the comprehensive assistance programme, for which EUR 22 million are necessary.

    As reflected in my latest report to the Board on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine, I would like to reiterate that all the IAEA’s activities in Ukraine are being conducted in line with relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and of the IAEA policy-making organs.

    Madame Chairperson,

    In February, I travelled to Fukushima to participate in collecting water samples off the coast of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. I did this together with scientists from China, Korea and Switzerland as part of additional measures to promote transparency and build trust in the region during the ongoing release of ALPS-treated water from the plant. Additional measures focus on expanding international participation and transparency, allowing hands-on independent measurements of the concentration level of the water. This work is conducted within agreed parameters set by the IAEA in its role as an independent, impartial and technical organization.  IAEA officials and experts from laboratories from China, France, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland also sampled ALPS -treated water – prior to dilution – from measurement/confirmation tanks on the premises at the site. The IAEA has maintained its independent monitoring and analysis efforts, confirming that tritium concentrations in the discharged batches remain far below operational limits.

    In December 2024, an IAEA Task Force concluded that the approach TEPCO, and the Government of Japan are taking continues to align with international safety standards.

    While in Japan, I also visited facilities where soil removed after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident is safely stored, managed, and recycled, an effort the IAEA has been supporting by working to ensure it meets international safety standards.

    You have before you the Nuclear Safety Review 2025 and the Nuclear Security Review 2025. Both documents present, in their respective areas, an analytical overview, the global trends, and the Agency’s main activities in 2024. They also identify the top priorities for the years ahead.

    This month the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Security Working Group established under the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative’s Regulatory Track will identify nuclear security topics of common interest amongst participating States and share regulatory approaches, good practices and lessons learned in ensuring the security of SMRs.

    Our preparatory work in advance of the launch of Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) later this year is progressing. ATLAS will provide a framework to enable the peaceful maritime uses of nuclear technology, a prospect that is generating significant interest.

    Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (Joint Convention) later this month will participate in the 8th Review Meeting to study National Reports with the aim of improving safety in radioactive waste and spent fuel management.

    December saw the start of a new project supporting the establishment of sustainable regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety and the security of radioactive material in Central East Asia and the Pacific Islands.

    In June, Romania will host ConvEx-3, the IAEA’s highest level and most complex emergency exercise. In the event of an incident with transboundary implications, Member States will be called upon to implement a harmonized response and therefore this exercise will have a particular focus on regional collaboration.

    The International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response will be held in December in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Madame Chairperson,

    Today, 417 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries make up almost 377 gigawatts of installed capacity, providing just under 10 per cent of the world’s total electricity and a quarter of its low-carbon supply.

    It is clear that countries are turning more and more to nuclear energy. In the IAEA’s high case scenario, global nuclear electricity generating capacity is seen increasing two and a half times by 2050.  Delivering on that promise will require public support. That is why the first IAEA International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes will gather governments, industry and practitioners from around the world in the final week of May. Mayors of municipalities with nuclear power facilities from around the world will share their experiences. No one is better placed to assess the impact and contribution to the community of nuclear facilities than those living there.

    Following our first Nuclear Stakeholder Engagement School, hosted by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy last November, we are now planning two more later this year. In addition, we have also established a new Stakeholder Engagement Advisory Service, which will help countries assess and strengthen their stakeholder engagement programmes.

    The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving and growing in all spheres of life, including in nuclear science and technology. AI data centres require a lot of energy and nuclear reactors provide clean, reliable, and adaptable options, including in the form of SMRs and micro reactors.  Meanwhile, the integration of AI into the nuclear sector offers the chance to streamline operations across the nuclear power project life cycle. In this context the IAEA will host the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy this December. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to this important and first-of-a-kind event here at the Agency’s headquarters.

    Within the Secretariat we are also intent on making the most of AI while mitigating its risks, therefore we have established official guidelines, a portal and a community of practice.

    Our work on fusion continues apace with the publication of Experiences for Consideration in Fusion Plant Design Safety and Safety Assessment.

    Madame Chairperson,

    The Nuclear Technology Review before you highlights key advancements in nuclear applications that support Member States in addressing critical priorities. This year’s review places particular emphasis on innovations in food safety and authenticity, energy security, early disease detection and cancer treatment, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.

    In November, the IAEA hosted the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme. The Ministerial Declaration recognized both the critical role of nuclear science, technology, and applications in tackling global challenges, and the important role of the Technical Cooperation programme as a key mechanism in transferring, expanding and further accelerating Member State access to nuclear technology, materials, equipment and expertise for peaceful purposes.

    I am pleased to report the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme achieved an implementation rate of 86% in 2024. We provided our emergency assistance to Türkiye and Syria, assessing damage to civil structures following the earthquakes and building the capacities of Turkish and Syrian experts in non-destructive testing. We initiated procurement to reinstate X-ray and laboratory services in Grenada and Honduras in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Sara, and we aided oil-spill clean-up efforts in Trinidad and Tobago.

    In 2024, the Rate of Attainment for contributions to the TC Fund was 95%, underscoring Member States’ commitment to our work. To ensure resources for the TC programme are sufficient, assured and predicable, I urge Member States to contribute on time, and in full, to the TC Fund.

    Our flagship initiatives are making progress across the globe. Under Atoms4Food, about 27 countries from all regions have officially requested support. Member States have pledged almost EUR 9 million, two thirds of which was contributed by Japan to support livestock production in Côte d’Ivoire, food safety in Mauritania, and molecular laboratories in Vietnam, among other projects.

    Our network of international partnerships has grown with Memoranda of Understanding having been signed with Anglo American, CGIAR, and the Inter-American Institute of Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA). The partnership with Anglo American focuses on combating soil salinization through climate-smart agricultural practices.

    While I was in Japan last month, I signed a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world’s largest integrated trading companies, to cooperate particularly in the area of sustainable uses of nuclear related technologies for multiple areas, including healthcare, shipping, fusion and capacity building efforts.  

    Under Rays of Hope, the Anchor Centre in Argentina held its first capacity-building event to strengthen paediatric radiotherapy services in Latin America and the Caribbean, creating a regional network for knowledge exchange and support.

    In January 2025, the IAEA conducted its first national-level quality assurance audit in diagnostic radiology, reviewing 16 hospitals in Qatar.

    The International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO-4) will take place in the first week of June, focusing on emerging radiotherapy techniques to address global health challenges.

    Under the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), a novel surveillance technology for high-risk pathogens was transferred to the IAEA’s Animal Production and Health Laboratory in November and will soon be passed on to Member States. New funding pledges from the Republic of Korea, Portugal, and Japan are supporting ZODIAC’s coordinated research projects in Asia and Africa, as well as the development of AI-driven platforms for zoonotic disease monitoring.

    Under NUTEC Plastics 104 Member States are engaged in microplastic monitoring, with 42 developing recycling technologies. Four countries in Asia-Pacific and Latin America have validated radiation-based upcycling technology at lab scale, with private sector collaboration helping to build up operations. China is developing a pilot-scale facility, bringing the total number of countries promoting the technology to nine.

    In November this year, the International High-Level Forum on NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC-Plastics): Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact will take place in the Philippines. I thank the Philippines Government for hosting this important milestone.

    The Global Water Analysis Laboratory Network (GloWAL) baseline survey has received 85 responses from 65 countries, informing future activities. Its first coordination meeting for the Spanish-speaking Latin America and the Caribbean is underway.

    Under ReNuAL 2, the construction of new greenhouses in Seibersdorf is nearing completion and the modernized laboratories will be ready to welcome staff soon.  

    Madame Chairperson,

    Regarding the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, you have before you my latest report on verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).

    Following my last report, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U‑235 has increased to 275 kg, up from 182 kg in the past quarter. Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon State enriching to this level, causing me serious concern.

    It has been four years since Iran stopped implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including provisionally applying its Additional Protocol and therefore it is also four years since the Agency was able to conduct complementary access in Iran.

    You also have before you my report on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran says it has declared all nuclear material, activities and locations required under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. However, this statement is inconsistent with the Agency’s findings of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran. The Agency needs to know the current location(s) of the nuclear material and/or of contaminated equipment involved.

    There is also a discrepancy in the material balance of uranium involved in uranium metal production experiments conducted at Jaber Ibn Hayan Mutlipurpose Laboratory, for which Iran has not accounted.

    Having stated it had suspended such implementation, Iran still is not implementing modified Code 3.1, which is a legal obligation for Iran.

    I am seriously concerned that the outstanding safeguards issues remain unresolved. They stem from Iran’s obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and need to be resolved for the Agency to be in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

    I deeply regret that Iran, despite having indicated a willingness to consider accepting the designation of four additional experienced Agency inspectors, did not accept their designation.

    There has been no significant progress towards implementing the Joint Statement of 4 March 2023. I call upon Iran urgently to implement the Joint Statement through serious engagement.

    In response to the Board’s request in its resolution of November 2024, I will produce a comprehensive and updated assessment on the presence and use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

    High-level engagement is indispensable to making real progress. My visit to Tehran last November, and meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicate that there may be room for constructive compromises. I hope to see them again soon and pursue effective dialogue and tangible results.

    The Board has before it for approval a draft Additional Protocol for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    I have made it a priority to strengthen the legal framework for safeguards. Since the last Board meeting in November, Oman, Mongolia, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Zambia have amended their original Small Quantities Protocols and Saudi Arabia has rescinded its original SQP. The number of States with safeguards agreements in force remains 191, and 143 of these States have additional protocols in force. I call upon the remaining three States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons without comprehensive safeguards agreements to bring such agreements into force without delay. I also encourage States that have not yet concluded additional protocols to do so as soon as possible, and I reiterate my repeated calls for the remaining 14 States with SQPs based on the original standard text to amend or rescind them as soon as possible. Let me assure you that I will continue to use my good offices to strengthen the indispensable legal framework on which the continued peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology rest.

    The IAEA continues to monitor the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme.

    The Agency has observed that the 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon resumed operation in mid-October 2024, following a shutdown period of approximately 60 days. This shutdown is assessed to be of sufficient length to refuel the reactor and start its seventh operational cycle. Strong indicators of preparations for a new reprocessing campaign, including the operation of the steam plant serving the Radiochemical Laboratory, have been observed.

    In late-January 2025, the DPRK released photographs of General Secretary Kim Jong Un visiting “the nuclear material production base and the Nuclear Weapons Institute”. The depicted centrifuge cascades and infrastructure are consistent with the layout of a centrifuge enrichment facility and with the structure of the Yongbyon Uranium Enrichment Plant. This development follows the DPRK’s publication in September 2024 of photographs of an undeclared enrichment facility at the Kangson Complex. The undeclared enrichment facilities at both Kangson and Yongbyon, combined with General Secretary Kim’s call for “overfulfilling the plan for producing weapons-grade nuclear materials,” are of serious concern. There are indications that the uranium enrichment plants at Kangson and Yongbyon continue to operate, and there are indications that the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon continues to operate. Additions to the support infrastructure have been observed adjacent to the LWR.

    There were no indications of significant changes at the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.

    The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable. I call upon the DPRK to comply fully with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of its NPT Safeguards Agreement and to resolve all outstanding issues, especially those that have arisen during the absence of Agency inspectors from the country. The Agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme.

    Concerning the safety of the LWR, we lack the necessary information to make an assessment. Safety should always be a paramount consideration when operating a reactor. Nuclear safety is a sovereign responsibility of the State and the IAEA supports the States in this area.

    Following the change of Government in the Syrian Arab Republic towards the end of 2024, I have written to the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. I requested cooperation with the Agency to enable us to fulfill our obligation to verify nuclear material and facilities under Syria’s safeguards agreement. I conveyed the importance of continuing and reinforcing cooperation between Syria and the Agency to address unresolved issues. Clarifying these issues remains essential to Syria demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security.

    I hope to be able to engage with the new government soon. Bringing total clarity to the situation regarding past activities in this field in Syria is indispensable to the realization of current efforts to modernize the country and put it on a firm path to peace and development.

    In April and May, the IAEA will participate in the Third Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York.

    Madame Chairperson,

    The IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska‑Curie Fellowship Programme has been expanding the talent base for the nuclear field since 2020 with 760 female students and graduates from 121 Member States so far having been supported in studying in 72 countries. In the current, fifth cycle, we selected 200 candidates from 109 countries. I would like to thank Member States that have contributed so far. For this programme to continue accepting new fellowship candidates it urgently needs further support. I ask those who can, to support this endeavor. 

    This year, we have planned three Lise Meitner Programme cohorts, in Argentina, Canada and Japan. They are focused on nuclear power, advanced nuclear technologies and research reactors.

    I am happy to report that we have reached parity, women now make up half the staff in the professional and higher categories. This is up from about 30% when I took office in 2019.

    I thank Member States who have paid their regular budget contributions, including some who paid in advance. It is important that all Member States pay their contributions in a timely manner. This will ensure liquidity of the regular budget throughout the year, allowing the Agency to carry out its activities effectively.

    You recently received for your consideration my proposed programme and budget for the 2026-2027 biennium.

    It has been prepared with due consideration of the constraints of the prevailing financial environment. Despite increasing demands and higher operational costs, I have decided for the third time in a row to propose a zero real growth budget. The proposal maintains balance among the different programmes and emphasises my commitment to ensuring our resources are managed with discipline, efficiency and restraint so that we maximize the impact of the Agency’s work.

    This being our first Board meeting of 2025, I want to conclude by saying that I look forward to making 2025 a successful year in which the IAEA benefits all Member States as we advance our common goals of peace and development.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Led by IAEA, International Team Samples Treated Water under Additional Measures at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led a team of international experts to collect samples today of ALPS treated water stored at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) prior to the water’s dilution with seawater and its discharge to the sea.

    The sampling mission is the fourth under the additional measures, which focus on expanding international participation and transparency. These measures permit third parties to independently verify that water discharge which Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) – operator of the FDNPS – began in August 2023 continues to be consistent with international safety standards.

    International experts from Belgium, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Switzerland, along with IAEA staff, conducted hands-on sampling of the water stored in tanks designated for the 14th batch of ALPS-treated water to be discharged.

    The IAEA initiated the first practical steps of the additional measures in October last year. This fourth mission follows the mission in April which sampled diluted water just prior to its discharge into the sea, and a mission in February when IAEA Director General Grossi presided over the additional measures to  collect seawater samples in the vicinity of FDNPS.

    The samples collected in today’s mission will be analysed by the participating laboratories – the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, the China Institute of Atomic Energy, the Korean Institute for Nuclear Safety, the Institute for Problems of Environmental Monitoring of the Research and Production Association “Typhoon” in Russia and the Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland – as well as by the IAEA’s laboratory and TEPCO in Japan. All laboratories are members of the IAEA’s Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) network, which are selected for their high level of expertise and analytical proficiency.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Biggest-ever aid cut by G7 members a death sentence for millions of people, says Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    • Aid cuts could cost millions of lives and leave girls, boys, women and men without access to enough food, water, education, health treatment
    • G7 countries are making deliberate and deadly choices by cutting life-saving aid, enabling atrocities, and reneging on their international commitments
    • Low and middle-income countries face reduced aid, rising debt, and trade barriers — a perfect storm that threatens development and recovery.

    The Group of Seven (G7) countries, which together account for around three-quarters of all official development assistance (ODA), are set to slash their aid spending by 28 percent for 2026 compared to 2024 levels.  

    It would be the biggest cut in aid since the G7 was established in 1975, and indeed in aid records going back to 1960, reveals a new analysis by Oxfam ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

    “The G7’s retreat from the world is unprecedented and couldn’t come at a worse time, with hunger, poverty, and climate harm intensifying. The G7 cannot claim to build bridges on one hand while tearing them down with the other. It sends a shameful message to the Global South, that G7 ideals of collaboration mean nothing,” said Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar.

    2026 will mark the third consecutive year of decline in G7 aid spending – a trend not seen since the 1990s. If these cuts go ahead, G7 aid levels in 2026 will crash by $44 billion to just $112 billion. The cuts are being driven primarily by the US (down $33 billion), Germany (down $3.5 billion), the UK (down $5 billion) and France (down $3 billion).

    “Rather than breaking from the Trump administration’s cruel dismantling of USAID and other US foreign assistance, G7 countries like the UK, Germany, and France are instead following the same path, slashing aid with brutal measures that will cost millions of lives,” said Behar.

    “These cuts will starve the hungry, deny medicine to the sick, and block education for a generation of girls and boys. This is a catastrophic betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable and crippling to the G7’s credibility,” said Behar.

    Economic projections show that aid cuts will mean 5.7 million more people across Africa will fall below extreme poverty levels in the coming year, a number expected to rocket to 19 million by 2030.  

    Cuts to aid are putting vital public services at risk in some of the world’s poorest countries. In countries like Liberia, Haiti, Malawi, and South Sudan, US aid had made up over 40 percent of health and education budgets, leaving them especially exposed. Combined with a growing debt crisis, this is undermining governments’ ability to care for their people.

    Global aid for nutrition will fall by 44 percent in 2025 compared to 2022:

    • The end of just $128 million worth of US-funded child nutrition programs for a million children will result in an extra 163,500 child deaths a year.  
    • At the same time, 2.3 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the most lethal form of undernutrition – are now at risk of losing their life-saving treatments.
       

    One in five dollars of aid to poor countries’ health budgets are cut or under threat:  

    • WHO reports that in almost three-quarters of its country offices are seeing serious disruptions to health services, and in about a quarter of the countries where it operates some health facilities have already been forced to shut down completely.
    • US aid cuts could lead to up to 3 million preventable deaths every year, with 95 million people losing access to healthcare. This includes children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases, pregnant women losing access to care, and rising deaths from malaria, TB, and HIV.

    G7 countries are not just reneging on commitments to global aid and solidarity, they are fuelling conflicts by allowing grave violations of international law, like in Gaza where people are facing starvation. Whether in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or elsewhere, civilians must always be protected, and aid is often the first line of protection they get. G7 countries are illuminating a double standard that risks more global instability, conflict and atrocities.  

    While G7 countries cut aid, their citizen billionaires continue to see their wealth surge. Since the beginning of 2025, the G7 ultra-rich have made $126 billion, almost the same amount as the group’s 2025 aid commitment of $132 billion.  

    At this pace, it would take the world’s billionaires less than a month to generate the equivalent of the G7’s 2025 aid budget.

    By taxing the super-rich, the G7 could easily meet their financial commitments to end poverty and climate breakdown, whilst also having billions in new revenue to fight inequality in their own countries.  

    “The world is not short of money. The problem is that it is in the hands of the super-rich instead of the public. Rather than fairly taxing billionaires to feed the hungry, we see billionaires joining government to slash aid to the poorest in order to fund tax cuts for themselves,” said Behar.

    Oxfam is calling on the G7 to urgently reverse aid cuts and restore funding to address today’s global challenges. More than 50 years after the United Nations set the target of 0.7 percent for aid spending, most G7 countries remain well below this.  

    Oxfam is also urging the G7 to support global efforts led by Brazil and Spain to raise taxes on the super-rich, and to back the call from the African Union and The Vatican for a new UN body to help manage countries’ debt problems.
     

    According to OECD Data Explorer, the combined annual aid expenditure of the G7 in 2024 was $156.694 billion. Canada spent $7.323 billion, the United States $61.821 billion, Japan $17.583 billion, France $15.047 billion, Germany $31.382 billion, Italy $6.534 billion, and the United Kingdom $17.005 billion.

    Donor Tracker estimates that the decline in combined annual aid spending of the G7 countries for the period 2024 to 2026 will be -$44,488 billion.

    In 2024, aid from G7 countries declined by 8 percent, and projections for 2025 point to a sharper drop of 19 percent.

    Modelling using finds that 5.7 million more Africans would fall below the US$2.15 extreme poverty income level in the next year if Trump’s administration succeeds in its aid-reduction ambition. This assumes a 20 percent reduction of aid to Africa, considering that some US aid would be maintained as the US alone accounted for 26 percent of aid to Africa before the cuts.

    The dismantling of USAID and major aid reductions announced by Western donors threaten to undo decades of progress on malnutrition. A 44 percent drop in funding from 2022 levels could lead to widespread hardship and death.

    Up to 2.3 million children with severe acute malnutrition risk losing life-saving treatment, warns the Standing Together for Nutrition Consortium.

    There are 2,968 billionaires in the world, and 1,346 live in G7 countries (45 percent). 
     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How pterosaurs learned to fly: scientists have been looking in the wrong place to solve this mystery

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Davide Foffa, Research Fellow in Palaeobiology, University of Birmingham

    Ever since the first fragments of pterosaur bone surfaced nearly 250 years ago, palaeontologists have puzzled over one question: how did these close cousins of land-bound dinosaurs take to the air and evolve powered flight? The first flying vertebrates seemed to appear on the geological stage fully formed, leaving almost no trace of their first tentative steps into the air.

    Taken at face value, the fossil record implies that pterosaurs suddenly originated in the later part of the Triassic period (around 215 million years ago), close to the equator on the northern super-continent Pangaea. They then spread quickly between the Triassic and the Jurassic periods, about 10 million years later, in the wake of a mass extinction that was most likely caused by massive volcanic activity.

    Most of the handful of Triassic specimens come from narrow seams of dark shale in Italy and Austria, with other fragments discovered in Greenland, Argentina and the southwestern US. These skeletons appear fully adapted for flight, with a hyper-elongated fourth finger supporting membrane-wings. Yet older rocks show no trace of intermediate gliders or other transitional forms that you might expect as evidence of pterosaurs’ evolution over time.

    There are two classic competing explanations for this. The literal reading says pterosaurs evolved elsewhere and did not reach those regions where most have been discovered until very late in the Triassic period, by which time they were already adept flyers. The sceptical reading notes that pterosaurs’ wafer-thin, hollow bones could easily vanish from the fossil record, dissolve, get crushed or simply be overlooked, creating this false gap.

    Eudimorphodon ranzii fossil from Bergamo in 1973 is one of many pterosaur discoveries from southern Europe.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    For decades, the debate stalled as a result of too few fossils or too many missing rocks. This impasse began to change in 2020, when scientists identified the closest relatives of pterosaurs in a group of smallish upright reptiles called lagerpetids.

    From comparing many anatomical traits across different species, the researchers established that pterosaurs and lagerpetids shared many similarities including their skulls, skeletons and inner ears. While this discovery did not bring any “missing link” to the table, it showed what the ancestor of pterosaurs would have looked like: a rat-to-dog-sized creature that lived on land and in trees.

    This brought new evidence about when pterosaurs may have originated. Pterosaurs and lagerpetids like Scleromochlus, a small land-dwelling reptile, diverged at some point after the end-Permian mass extinction. It occurred some 250 million years ago, 35 million years before the first pterosaur appearance in the fossil record.

    Scleromochlus is one of the lagerpetids, the closest known relatives to the pterosaurs.
    Gabriel Ugueto

    Pterosaurs and their closest kin did not share the same habitats, however. Our new study, featuring new fossil maps, shows that soon after lagerpetids appeared (in southern Pangaea), they spread across wide areas, including harsh deserts, that many other groups were unable to get past. Lagerpetids lived both in these deserts and in humid floodplains.

    They tolerated hotter, drier settings better than any early pterosaur, implying that they had evolved to cope with extreme temperatures. Pterosaurs, by contrast, were more restricted. Their earliest fossils cluster in the river and lake beds of the Chinle and Dockum basins (southwest US) and in moist coastal belts fringing the northern arm of the Tethys Sea, a huge area that occupied today’s Alps.

    Scientists have inferred from analysing a combination of fossil distributions, rock features and climate simulations that pterosaurs lived in areas that were warm but not scorching. The rainfall would have been comparable to today’s tropical forests rather than inland deserts.

    This suggests that the earliest flying dinosaurs may have lived in tree canopies, using foliage both for take-off and to protect themselves from predators and heat. As a result of this confined habitat, the distances that they flew may have been quite limited.

    Changing climates

    We were then able to add a fresh dimension to the story using a method called ecological niche modelling. This is routinely used in modern conservation to project where endangered animals and plants might live as the climate gets hotter. By applying this approach to later Triassic temperatures, rainfall and coastlines, we asked where early pterosaurs lived, regardless of whether they’ve shown up there in the fossil record.

    Many celebrated fossil sites in Europe emerge as poor pterosaur habitat until very late in the Triassic period: they were simply too hot, too dry or otherwise inhospitable before the Carnian age, around 235 million years ago. The fact that no specimens have been discovered there that are more than about 215 million years old may be because the climate conditions were still unsuitable or simply because we don’t have the right type of rocks preserved of that age.

    In contrast, parts of the south-western US, Morocco, India, Brazil, Tanzania and southern China seem to have offered welcoming environments several million years earlier than the age of our oldest discoveries. This rewrites the search map. If pterosaurs could have thrived in those regions much more than 215 million years ago, but we have not found them there, the problem may again lie not with biology but with geology: the right rocks have not been explored, or they preserve fragile fossils only under exceptional conditions.

    Our study flags a dozen geological formations, from rivers with fine sediment deposits to lake beds, as potential prime targets for the next breakthrough discovery. They include the Timezgadiouine beds of Morocco, the Guanling Formation of south-west China and, in South America, several layers of rock from the Carnian age, such as the Santa Maria Formation, Chañares Formation and Ischigualasto Formation.

    Pterosaurs were initially confined to tropical treetops near the equator. When global climates shifted and forested corridors opened, pterosaurs’ wings catapulted them into every corner of the planet and ultimately carried them through one of Earth’s greatest extinctions. What began as a tale of missing fossils has become a textbook example of how climate, ecology and evolutionary science have come together to illuminate a fragmentary history that has intrigued paleontologists for over two centuries.

    Davide Foffa is funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Individual (Global) Fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020; No.101022550), and by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851–Science Fellowship

    Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza receives funding from The Royal Society (Newton International Fellowship NIFR1231802)

    Emma Dunne 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. How pterosaurs learned to fly: scientists have been looking in the wrong place to solve this mystery – https://theconversation.com/how-pterosaurs-learned-to-fly-scientists-have-been-looking-in-the-wrong-place-to-solve-this-mystery-259063

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government commits to supporting families who were affected by storms and strong winds

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting affected families, speeding up recovery efforts, and investing in long-term solutions to adapt to climate risks. 

    At the same time, citizens are encouraged to stay alert, follow official alerts, and promptly report any hazards to local authorities in case of bad weather.

    The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, along with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, conducted an oversight visit to the Impendle Local Municipality on Tuesday. 

    They assessed the damage caused by recent extreme weather conditions that left hundreds of residents displaced.

    The visit comes in the wake of a Level 5 weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) last week.

    Impendle was among the most severely affected areas in the province, following heavy windstorms that tore through homes and community infrastructure.

    According to the department, a total of 140 households were affected, with 58 homes destroyed and 137 others partially damaged. 

    Meanwhile, about 962 people were directly impacted, with 31 families currently displaced and relying on the support of relatives and neighbours for shelter.

    The hardest-hit communities are located across five wards, and the department said the disaster management teams from local, district, and provincial structures have been deployed to the area. 

    Meanwhile, relief efforts are underway, including the provision of temporary shelter, some of which is offered by community members, food parcels, and monetary vouchers for affected families.

    Hlabisa commended the swift coordination between the different spheres of government and called for long-term resilience measures. 

    “What we are seeing here must push us to improve our response systems and build safer communities. We must not only rebuild but rebuild better.”

    Ntuli echoed the importance of proactive planning and described this disaster as a “wake-up call”. 

    “Our systems must be more resilient to protect lives and livelihoods,” the Premier said. 

    The department said the leaders engaged with community members and disaster teams on the ground to ensure that immediate needs are met and that medium- to long-term recovery plans are well-informed.

    In addition to addressing the situation in Impendle, government leaders extended condolences to the families of two people who lost their lives in eThekwini due to recent storm-related incidents. 

    “Sympathies were also extended to the families of 12 people who tragically died in a road accident involving a bus and truck in KwaZulu-Natal during the same period.”

    According to the department, the incident comes as the province continues to experience more frequent and severe weather patterns, attributed to the growing impact of climate change. 

    As a result, the National Disaster Management Centre has been tasked with conducting thorough vulnerability assessments across the country to inform more targeted early warning systems, resilient infrastructure plans, and proactive community risk management.

    On Friday last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to offer support and assess the damage following the recent floods that killed about 90 people.

    The floods have caused widespread destruction to homes, government facilities, roads, hospitals, and schools, highlighting the urgent need to tackle climate change. 

    President Ramaphosa said that this is becoming a new reality for South Africa, with both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experiencing recurring annual disasters. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Iran will respond firmly if US becomes directly involved in Israeli strikes, says UN ambassador

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran has conveyed to Washington that it will respond firmly to the United States if it becomes directly involved in Israel’s military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said on Wednesday.

    Ali Bahreini told reporters that he saw the U.S. as “complicit in what Israel is doing”. Iran would set a red line, and respond if the United States crosses it, he said, without specifying what actions would provoke a response.

    Israel launched an air war on Friday after saying it had concluded Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. U.S. President Donald Trump called on Tuesday for Iran’s “unconditional surrender”.

    Bahreini called Trump’s remarks “completely unwarranted and very hostile. We cannot ignore them. We are vigilant about what Trump is saying. We will put it in our calculations and assessments.”

    The U.S. has so far taken only indirect actions, including helping to shoot down missiles fired toward Israel. It is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, three U.S. officials said.

    “I am confident that (Iran’s military) will react strongly, proportionally and appropriately. We are closely following the level of involvement in the U.S … We will react whenever it is needed,” he said.

    Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran and other major cities on Wednesday, Iranian media reported, as Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other.

    (Reuters)

  • Heavy rainfall to continue in Northeast; rain and thunderstorms predicted in Delhi: IMD

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over Northeast India for the next five days, with extremely heavy showers expected in Meghalaya on June 18. The department also confirmed the further advancement of the Southwest Monsoon over parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.

    On June 18, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely over isolated areas in Gujarat, north Konkan, and Madhya Maharashtra. Similar weather patterns are expected to affect Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha on June 18 and 19.

    The Delhi-NCR region is expected to experience active monsoon weather through June 21, with intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.

    On Wednesday, Delhi will see generally cloudy skies, light to moderate rain, and strong winds up to 60 kmph, with daytime temperatures 3 to 5°C below normal. On Thursday, partly cloudy skies and similar weather conditions will persist, with maximum temperatures slightly below normal and minimums near normal.

    Friday will bring light rain under partly cloudy skies, with temperatures marginally cooler than average. By Saturday, the city is likely to witness more rain and thunderstorms, with gusty winds and temperatures remaining slightly below seasonal norms.

    The IMD has advised residents in affected regions to remain cautious and stay updated on weather developments as monsoon activity continues to intensify.

  • Heavy rainfall to continue in Northeast; rain and thunderstorms predicted in Delhi: IMD

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall over Northeast India for the next five days, with extremely heavy showers expected in Meghalaya on June 18. The department also confirmed the further advancement of the Southwest Monsoon over parts of the North Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar.

    On June 18, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely over isolated areas in Gujarat, north Konkan, and Madhya Maharashtra. Similar weather patterns are expected to affect Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha on June 18 and 19.

    The Delhi-NCR region is expected to experience active monsoon weather through June 21, with intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.

    On Wednesday, Delhi will see generally cloudy skies, light to moderate rain, and strong winds up to 60 kmph, with daytime temperatures 3 to 5°C below normal. On Thursday, partly cloudy skies and similar weather conditions will persist, with maximum temperatures slightly below normal and minimums near normal.

    Friday will bring light rain under partly cloudy skies, with temperatures marginally cooler than average. By Saturday, the city is likely to witness more rain and thunderstorms, with gusty winds and temperatures remaining slightly below seasonal norms.

    The IMD has advised residents in affected regions to remain cautious and stay updated on weather developments as monsoon activity continues to intensify.

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Wanted man George Sneddon

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are asking for the public’s assistance to locate wanted man George Sneddon.

    George Sneddon, 26, is wanted for questioning in relation to two attempted arson incidents at Blackwood on the 17 and 18 June and he is believed to be in possession of a firearm.

    George Sneddon is of Aboriginal appearance, 175cm tall, heavy build with brown eyes and black hair.

    He should not be approached.

    If you see him or know of his whereabouts, please call the Police Assistance line on 131 444 immediately or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBB Governor Participates in HSBC GCC Exchanges 2025 Conference

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    Published on 18 June 2025

    Manama, Bahrain – 18 June 2025:  H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), recently participated in the opening session at the HSBC GCC Exchanges 2025 Conference in a fireside chat titled “Bahrain’s Financial Sector: Reform Momentum, Market Confidence and Talent-Led Growth”. Held from 16th to 19th June in London, United Kingdom, the event brings together representatives from GCC exchanges, alongside a number of international officials and investors.

    Moderated by Mr. Joseph Ghorayeb, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bahrain, the fireside chat with H.E. the Governor underscored the CBB’s pivotal role in developing a regulatory framework that fosters innovation and advances financial services in the Kingdom. Leading the conversation, H.E. the Governor highlighted CBB’s efforts to attract foreign investments, enhance market competitiveness, and support national economic growth through sound regulatory reforms. He also emphasized the importance of human capital development aligned with global standards as a pillar of long-term sectoral advancement.

    The Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation includes H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the CBB; Mr. Yousif Al Yousif, Chairman of Bahrain Bourse; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse; Mrs. Hesa Al Sada, Executive Director of Central Banking and Macro-Prudential Oversight at the CBB; and Mr. Mubarak Nabeel Matar, Assistant Undersecretary of Financial Operation at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.

    During the event, the Bahraini delegation attended a meeting with senior global fund and asset managers to strengthen cross-border investment relations and highlight Bahrain’s capital market offerings. The conference serves as a platform for GCC exchanges to convene and reaffirm their commitment to enhancing cooperation, fostering productive partnerships, and driving the growth of capital markets across the region. These engagements aim to contribute to opening broader investment horizons at the regional level.

    Share this

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBB Governor Participates in HSBC GCC Exchanges 2025 Conference

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    Published on 18 June 2025

    Manama, Bahrain – 18 June 2025:  H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), recently participated in the opening session at the HSBC GCC Exchanges 2025 Conference in a fireside chat titled “Bahrain’s Financial Sector: Reform Momentum, Market Confidence and Talent-Led Growth”. Held from 16th to 19th June in London, United Kingdom, the event brings together representatives from GCC exchanges, alongside a number of international officials and investors.

    Moderated by Mr. Joseph Ghorayeb, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bahrain, the fireside chat with H.E. the Governor underscored the CBB’s pivotal role in developing a regulatory framework that fosters innovation and advances financial services in the Kingdom. Leading the conversation, H.E. the Governor highlighted CBB’s efforts to attract foreign investments, enhance market competitiveness, and support national economic growth through sound regulatory reforms. He also emphasized the importance of human capital development aligned with global standards as a pillar of long-term sectoral advancement.

    The Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation includes H.E. Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the CBB; Mr. Yousif Al Yousif, Chairman of Bahrain Bourse; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse; Mrs. Hesa Al Sada, Executive Director of Central Banking and Macro-Prudential Oversight at the CBB; and Mr. Mubarak Nabeel Matar, Assistant Undersecretary of Financial Operation at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.

    During the event, the Bahraini delegation attended a meeting with senior global fund and asset managers to strengthen cross-border investment relations and highlight Bahrain’s capital market offerings. The conference serves as a platform for GCC exchanges to convene and reaffirm their commitment to enhancing cooperation, fostering productive partnerships, and driving the growth of capital markets across the region. These engagements aim to contribute to opening broader investment horizons at the regional level.

    Share this

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 18, 2025 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 180730

    Day 3 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0230 AM CDT Wed Jun 18 2025

    Valid 201200Z – 211200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PARTS OF THE
    NORTHERN PLAINS INTO THE UPPER MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES…

    …SUMMARY…
    Severe thunderstorms may develop Friday into Friday night across
    parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest.

    …Synopsis…
    An upper-level ridge is forecast to amplify on Friday from the
    southern Plains into parts of the MS/OH Valleys, as a seasonably
    deep mid/upper-level trough moves gradually eastward over the West.
    Rich low-level moisture will continue to stream northward to the
    east of a deepening lee surface cyclone across the northern High
    Plains. Multiple shortwaves may emanate out of the western trough
    and traverse the periphery of the building ridge from the northern
    Rockies/Plains into the Upper Midwest and parts of Great Lakes.

    …Northern Great Plains into the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes…
    Uncertainty remains high regarding the details of convective
    evolution Friday into Friday night, but potential for severe storm
    development within a relatively volatile environment remains
    evident.

    To the east of the High Plains cyclone and trailing surface trough,
    and along/south of an effective warm front, strong to extreme
    buoyancy will develop Friday afternoon across parts of the
    central/northern Plains into the Upper Midwest. Details of diurnal
    storm development (if any) within this regime remain unclear.
    Warming temperatures aloft may tend to suppress development across
    the warm sector, but shortwaves emanating out of the western
    mid/upper-level trough may aid in development of an isolated
    supercell or two near the surface trough/dryline and/or effective
    warm front. Any surface-based development within this regime could
    pose a threat for all severe hazards.

    A somewhat more likely scenario is for storms to expand in coverage
    near/north of the warm front during the evening, in response to a
    strengthening low-level jet and related warm-advection regime. Large
    to extreme buoyancy and favorable deep-layer shear will support
    organized convection, with upscale growth into a potentially intense
    MCS possible with time. At this time, the most likely MCS corridor
    appears to be somewhere from eastern ND into central/northern MN,
    northern WI, and upper MI, though uncertainty remains high due to
    varying guidance solutions regarding the location of the warm front
    and evolution of the low-level jet.

    Despite the remaining uncertainty, a Slight Risk has been added
    given the conditional potential for significant severe weather. Some
    adjustments to this area will likely be needed with time, along with
    possible upgrades.

    …Montana…
    Low-level easterly flow will transport modest moisture into parts of
    central/western MT during the day on Friday. Increasingly difluent
    upper-level flow associated with the deep western trough will
    support development of scattered to numerous thunderstorms through
    the day into Friday night. Elongated hodographs will support
    organized storms, with a threat of at least isolated hail and strong
    to severe gusts with initial convection over western MT. One or more
    clusters may move into central and northeast MT by evening, with a
    continued threat of severe gusts and hail. Depending on trends
    regarding destabilization, greater severe probabilities may
    eventually be needed.

    …Lower Great Lakes into the Northeast…
    Modest low-level moistening is possible during the day on Friday
    from the lower Great Lakes into the Northeast, within a developing
    northwesterly flow regime in the wake of a departing mid/upper-level
    trough. While wind profiles may become somewhat favorable for
    organized convection, relatively cool post-frontal conditions and
    generally weak midlevel lapse rates will tend to limit
    destabilization, and any foci for robust storm development are not
    clear at this time.

    ..Dean.. 06/18/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 3 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1930Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 180554

    Day 2 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1254 AM CDT Wed Jun 18 2025

    Valid 191200Z – 201200Z

    …THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM PARTS OF NEW
    ENGLAND INTO THE MID ATLANTIC AND NORTH CAROLINA…

    …SUMMARY…
    Strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are forecast on Thursday
    from parts of New England into the Mid Atlantic and Carolinas.

    …Synopsis…
    A seasonably deep mid/upper-level trough is forecast to move from
    the lower Great Lakes region into the Northeast and Mid Atlantic on
    Thursday. A surface low will move across parts of Quebec during the
    day and evening, as a trailing cold front moves across parts of New
    England, the Mid Atlantic, and Carolinas/Southeast.

    An upstream midlevel shortwave trough will move across parts of
    northern MN into WI and upper MI by evening. An amplified
    mid/upper-level trough will move gradually eastward across the
    western CONUS, as an upper-level ridge initially over the southern
    Rockies begins to break down and shift eastward. In response to this
    trough, a surface low will gradually deepen across the northern High
    Plains.

    …New England into the Mid Atlantic/Southeast…
    Relatively rich low-level moisture will stream northward ahead of
    the front approaching New England and the Mid Atlantic during the
    day on Thursday. Moderate buoyancy may develop as far north as
    northern NY/VT, with pockets of stronger heating/destabilization
    farther south into the Mid Atlantic and Carolinas/Southeast.

    The strongest deep-layer flow/shear is still expected from
    PA/northern NJ northward into New England, where wind profiles will
    be conditionally supportive of supercells and organized bowing
    segments. Damaging winds and perhaps a tornado could accompany the
    strongest storms in this area.

    Farther south into the southern Mid Atlantic and Carolinas,
    deep-layer flow will be somewhat unidirectional and weaker, but
    still sufficient for some organized convection. Clusters capable of
    producing scattered wind damage will be possible, especially in
    areas where stronger diurnal heating/destabilization occurs.

    Deep-layer flow will be rather weak into parts of MS/AL/GA/SC, but
    the glancing influence of the mid/upper-level trough and relatively
    large MLCAPE and PW will support storms capable of producing
    isolated strong/damaging gusts.

    …Southwest MT and vicinity…
    Weak midlevel height falls are still expected across parts of
    western MT Thursday afternoon/evening, in response to the
    approaching mid/upper-level trough. Low-level moisture will remain
    limited, but strong diurnal heating will support high-based storm
    development. Steep low-level lapse rates and relatively strong
    midlevel flow will result in potential for isolated severe gusts
    during the afternoon and evening as convection spreads eastward.

    …Upper Midwest…
    Low-level warm advection related to the southeastward-moving
    midlevel shortwave trough may aid in storm development on Thursday
    from northern MN into parts of WI and upper MI. Moderate instability
    and sufficient deep-layer shear will support potential for a few
    stronger cells/clusters capable of producing large hail and damaging
    wind. Additional strong to locally severe storms may redevelop later
    Thursday night across parts of this region, in response to a
    nocturnally strengthening low-level jet.

    …Northern Plains…
    Diurnal heating of an increasingly moist airmass will result in
    moderate to strong buoyancy across parts of the northern Plains by
    Thursday afternoon. Deep-layer shear will be sufficient for
    organized storms, but diurnal storm development remains highly
    uncertain amid background midlevel height rises associated with a
    building ridge. Development of a storm or two cannot be ruled out
    through evening near a surface trough/weak dryline. Elevated storm
    coverage may increase somewhat Thursday night in response to a
    strengthening low-level jet, which could pose a threat of hail and
    localized strong gusts.

    ..Dean.. 06/18/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jun 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jun 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Click to see valid 1Z – 12Z Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Updated: Wed Jun 18 05:28:12 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 180528

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1228 AM CDT Wed Jun 18 2025

    Valid 181200Z – 191200Z

    …THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM SOUTHEAST
    MISSOURI INTO SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN AND WESTERN OHIO…

    …SUMMARY…
    Strong to severe storms are expected today from parts of southern
    Missouri northeastward into southern lower Michigan and western
    Ohio. Damaging winds, isolated hail, and a few tornadoes will be
    possible. More isolated severe storms may develop across the
    southern Plains.

    …Midwest/Southern Great Lakes…

    A shortwave upper trough is forecast to move across the Mid-MS
    Valley and Midwest today. A swath of enhanced deep-layer
    southwesterly flow ahead of this feature will overspread portions of
    the Ozarks to the Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes ahead of a
    surface front. A seasonally warm and moist airmass ahead of the
    front/composite outflow will support moderate destabilization. A
    surface low/MCV will develop northeast across central/northern IL to
    southern Lower MI during the afternoon into early evening. The
    current expectation is that thunderstorms will develop ahead of the
    surface low and front, with a mix of clusters and line segments.
    Midlevel lapse rates will remain modest, but isolated large hail is
    possible. More likely, damaging gusts will be the main hazard as
    linear convection develops ahead of the front. Tornado potential is
    possible near the surface low from portions of northeast IL into
    northern IN/southern Lower MI where low-level shear may be
    maximized. However, forecast guidance varies considerable regarding
    this scenario, so will maintain 5 percent tornado probabilities at
    this time.

    …TX/OK to the Mid-South…

    A very moist and unstable airmass will be in place across the
    region. A northeast to southwest oriented outflow boundary related
    to an MCS that is currently ongoing across northern OK as of 06z
    this morning will be draped across the Red River/southern OK
    vicinity into the Ozarks. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are
    expected to develop diurnally. Large-scale ascent will be nebulous,
    but supercell wind profiles and strong instability/steep lapse rates
    will support isolated damaging wind and hail potential.

    …Northern Plains…

    Modest boundary layer moisture beneath steep midlevel lapse rates
    will support weak diurnal destabilization. Increasing
    west/northwesterly flow with height will provide sufficient shear
    for some storm organization and elongated/straight hodographs are
    indicated in forecast soundings. Furthermore, a deeply mixed
    boundary layer is evident. This should support isolated hail and
    strong gusts during the afternoon/early evening.

    …Mid-Atlantic…

    Strong heating of a very moist airmass will support moderate
    destabilization. Deep-layer westerly flow will remain somewhat weak,
    but sufficient for multicell clusters. Strong gusts may accompany
    this activity.

    ..Leitman/Weinman.. 06/18/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

    United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

    If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

    In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

    Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

    As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

    The overthrow of the shah

    The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

    Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

    In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

    Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

    The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

    The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

    When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

    Birth of the Islamic Republic

    In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

    Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

    Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

    Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

    A new supreme leader takes power

    Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

    Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

    Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

    He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

    The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

    Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

    However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

    The return of the shah?

    Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

    The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

    The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

    Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

    If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

    What does the future hold?

    Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

    Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

    The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

    Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

    Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

    At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

    They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

    Amin Saikal 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. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future is so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-is-so-uncertain-259270

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The municipal fleet has collected over 100 tons of garbage from the waters of Moscow since the start of navigation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The municipal fleet has collected more than 100 tons of garbage from the capital’s waters since the start of navigation in 2025. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Communal vessels collect garbage from the water surface of the Moscow River and the navigable part of the Yauza on a daily basis, eliminate pollution, and remove silt sediment. In total, they have already collected over 100 tons of various garbage, most of which is sediment from the spring flood, including the remains of fallen trees and dead wood,” said Pyotr Biryukov.

    Since the opening of river navigation, the bulk of garbage collection vessels have been on duty in the upper reaches of the Moscow River near the locks to promptly remove the garbage that had accumulated over the winter. This has prevented it from getting into the central part of the city with intensive shipping.

    Thanks to the competent deployment of the fleet, the entire water area of the Moscow River and the navigable section of the Yauza within the Moscow Ring Road are under 24-hour control. Garbage collection vessels are engaged in cleaning, and small vessels are working in shallow waters. Floating cranes and non-self-propelled barges with tugs are engaged in extracting bottom sediments of sand and soil.

    The head of the city economy complex emphasized that the capital’s municipal fleet operates all year round, and includes 30 vessels: 18 self-propelled and 12 non-self-propelled. Last year, they collected about 600 tons of various garbage, eliminated almost 140 different types of pollution, and removed about 6.5 thousand tons of sand and soil from the seabed.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155409073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full text of Xi’s keynote speech at second China-Central Asia Summit 2025-06-18 15:11:20 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech Tuesday at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. The following is the full text of the speech:

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    ASTANA, June 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech Tuesday at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

    The following is the full text of the speech:

    Championing the China-Central Asia Spirit For High-Quality Cooperation in the Region

    Keynote Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping

    President of the People’s Republic of China

    At the Second China-Central Asia Summit

    Astana, June 17, 2025

    Your Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,

    Distinguished Colleagues,

    Friends,

    I am delighted to join you at the second China-Central Asia Summit in the beautiful city of Astana. I’d like to thank President Tokayev and the government of Kazakhstan for the gracious hospitality and thoughtful arrangement.

    During our meeting in Xi’an two years ago, we jointly outlined the Xi’an Vision for China-Central Asia cooperation. The six pomegranate trees we planted together are in full bloom today, auguring the vitality of the cooperation among the six nations.

    Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have further deepened and substantiated Belt and Road cooperation. Our trade has grown by 35 percent, and we have made important progress in industrial investment, green mining, technological innovation, and other fields of cooperation. The package of projects with Chinese financial support are well underway. While more and more Chinese new energy vehicles and photovoltaic products are entering Central Asian markets, Central Asian agricultural products, including honey, fruits, wheat and poultry, are diversifying the dinner tables of Chinese families.

    Two years on, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has been officially launched. We are making steady progress in planning for the third railway link between China and Kazakhstan, in phase-II restoration of the China-Tajikistan highway, and in China-Turkmenistan energy cooperation. Freight train services are connecting more and more Chinese cities to Central Asia. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route has been upgraded and expanded. Green industries, digital economy, artificial intelligence, aviation and space are becoming new drivers of our cooperation. Cross-border e-commerce, online education, and other new business models are benefiting more and more people in China and Central Asia.

    Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have made progress in establishing cultural centers in each other as well as in opening branches of Chinese universities and Luban Workshops. China has made mutual visa-free arrangements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, facilitating more than 1.2 million travels between China and Kazakhstan alone in 2024. Tourism and culture years and art festivals of Central Asian countries are very popular in China. Chinese films and TV dramas, such as Min-Ning Town and To the Wonder, have become great hits in Central Asia. The China-Central Asia train services for cultural tourism have been successfully inaugurated. And today, we will witness the number of sister cities between China and Central Asia reach the milestone of 100 pairs.

    Two years on, we have launched 13 ministerial cooperation platforms under the China-Central Asia mechanism. The Secretariat is fully functioning, and the core framework of the mechanism is largely in place.

    I am pleased to see that our consensus at the first Summit has been implemented across the board — from the millennium-old Xi’an to Astana “the pearl of the steppe,” from the coast of the Yellow Sea to the shores of the Caspian Sea, from the Tianshan Mountain Range to the Pamir Plateau. The path of our cooperation is steadily widening, and our friendship is blooming ever more brightly.

    Distinguished Colleagues,

    Friends,

    Our cooperation is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward via openness and win-win cooperation of the new era. Building on our collective efforts over the years, we have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.”

    — We practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals. All countries, big or small, are equal. We handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.

    — We seek to deepen mutual trust and enhance mutual support. We firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity. We do not do anything harmful to the core interests of any party.

    — We pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and strive for common development. We view each other as priority partners, and share development opportunities together. We accommodate each other’s interests, and work to build a win-win and symbiotic relationship.

    — We help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin. We support each other in choosing development paths suitable to our respective national conditions and in taking domestic matters into our own hands. We work together to address various risks and challenges, and uphold regional security and stability.

    This China-Central Asia Spirit is an important guideline for our endeavor to carry forward friendship and cooperation from generation to generation. We should always uphold it and let it shine forever.

    Distinguished Colleagues,

    Friends,

    Today, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace across the globe, thrusting the world into a new state of heightened turbulence and volatility. A strong belief in fairness and justice and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only way to maintain world peace and achieve common development. There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others.

    I always maintain that history should move forward, not backward; and the world should be united, not divided. Humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle. Instead, we should build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    Three years ago, we announced together that we would build a China-Central Asia community with a shared future, setting out the goal and direction of our six nations in building consensus, overcoming challenges and pursuing development. We should act on the China-Central Asia Spirit, enhance cooperation with renewed vigor and more practical measures, promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and forge ahead toward our goal of a community with a shared future for the region.

    First, we should stay committed to our fundamental goal of unity, and always trust and support each other. China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. With a firm belief in an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood as well as a strong dedication to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China interacts with Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and sincerity. We always wish our neighbors well.

    Today, we will sign together a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law. This is a new landmark in the history of the relations between our six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors. It is a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.

    Second, we should optimize our cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient, and more deeply integrated. We have agreed to designate 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation. We should focus our cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges, and roll out more projects on the ground. We should do our best to get early harvests as soon as possible.

    China is ready to share with Central Asian countries development experience and latest technological advances, promote connectivity in digital infrastructure, enhance cooperation on artificial intelligence, and foster new quality productive forces.

    In order to promote relevant cooperation, China has decided to establish three cooperation centers, i.e. on poverty reduction, on education exchange, and on desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework. China will provide a grant of RMB 1.5 billion yuan to Central Asian countries this year to be used in livelihood and development projects high on their agenda. China will also provide 3,000 training opportunities to Central Asian countries in the next two years.

    Third, we should develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity. We should step up regional security governance, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly prevent and thwart extreme ideologies, and resolutely fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to maintain peace and stability in our region.

    China supports Central Asian countries in modernizing their national defense, law enforcement and security capacities. We will do our best to help Central Asian countries combat terrorism and transnational organized crime and safeguard cybersecurity and biosecurity. We will launch more Safe City projects, and conduct more joint exercises and joint training cooperation.

    Afghanistan is our close neighbor. We should strengthen coordination to help the country boost its development capacity and achieve peace, stability, reconstruction and development at an early date.

    Fourth, we should cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between our peoples. China will enhance cooperation between legislatures, political parties, women, youth, media and think tanks with Central Asian countries, conduct in-depth exchange of governance experience, and share experience in green development, poverty reduction and anti-corruption.

    China is ready to set up more cultural centers, university branches and Luban Workshops in Central Asia, and launch new majors in Central Asian languages in Chinese universities. We will continue to carry out effectively the “China-Central Asia technology and skills improvement scheme” to train more high-caliber talent for Central Asian countries.

    China supports deepening subnational cooperation with Central Asia. We will make good use of sister-city relations and people-to-people exchanges to nurture heart-to-heart connections at central and subnational levels, between official and non-governmental actors, and from adjacent to broader areas.

    I hope that the travel-facilitation measures we adopt today will be implemented as soon as possible to help our people visit each other more conveniently, efficiently and frequently like relatives, and in the course help them become ever closer to each other.

    Fifth, we should uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure. China supports Central Asian countries in playing a bigger role in international affairs. We stand ready to work with all parties to defend international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In the strenuous times of war, Chinese and Central Asian peoples supported each other through adversity, and jointly made important contributions to the cause of justice of humanity. We should promote the correct view of history, defend the fruits of the victory of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and provide more stability and certainty for world peace and development.

    Distinguished Colleagues,

    Friends,

    China is building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world, and embrace higher-quality cooperation with Central Asian countries to deepen the integration of interests and achieve common development.

    Distinguished Colleagues,

    Friends,

    Ancient Chinese philosophy advocates “mutual care and mutual benefit.” Similarly, a Central Asian proverb compares harmony and unity to happiness and wealth. China is ready to work with all parties to carry forward the China-Central Asia Spirit, pursue the goal of a community with a shared future, and strive for new progress in China-Central Asia cooperation.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi urges China, Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation 2025-06-18 15:08:08 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and forge ahead toward the goal of building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future under the guidance of the China-Central Asia Spirit.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

    Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech during the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

    ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and forge ahead toward the goal of building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future under the guidance of the China-Central Asia Spirit.

    Xi made the remarks in his keynote speech at the second China-Central Asia Summit hosted by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also attended the summit.

    Xi pointed out that during their meeting in Xi’an two years ago, they jointly outlined the Xi’an Vision for China-Central Asia cooperation. Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have further deepened and substantiated Belt and Road cooperation, he said, recalling advanced cooperation in various fields.

    The core framework of the China-Central Asia mechanism is largely in place, and the consensus at the first Summit has been implemented across the board, Xi said, adding that the path of cooperation among the countries is steadily widening, and their friendship is blooming ever more brightly.

    Xi stressed that the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward via openness and win-win cooperation of the new era.

    Xi said building on their collective efforts over the years, the six countries have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.”

    The spirit connotes four aspects of practices. First, Xi said that China and Central Asian countries practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals, and all countries, big or small, are equal, adding that the six countries handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.

    Second, he said that China and Central Asian countries seek to deepen mutual trust and enhance mutual support, firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and do not do anything harmful to the core interests of any party.

    Third, Xi said China and Central Asian countries pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and strive for common development, view each other as priority partners, and share development opportunities together, adding that they accommodate each other’s interests, and work to build a win-win and symbiotic relationship.

    Fourth, he said China and Central Asian countries help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin, supporting each other in choosing development paths suitable to respective national conditions and in taking domestic matters into their own hands, adding that the countries work together to address various risks and challenges, and uphold regional security and stability.

    This China-Central Asia Spirit is an important guideline for their endeavor to carry forward friendship and cooperation from generation to generation, and the six countries should always uphold it and let it shine forever, Xi noted.

    Today, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace across the globe, thrusting the world into a new state of heightened turbulence and volatility, Xi pointed out, noting that a strong belief in fairness and justice, and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only way to maintain world peace and achieve common development.

    There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars, and unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others, he noted.

    Maintaining that history should move forward, not backward, and the world should be united, not divided, Xi said humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle, but should instead build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    Xi called on the six countries to act on the China-Central Asia Spirit, and enhance cooperation with renewed vigor and more practical measures.

    To achieve this, he made five points.

    First, China and Central Asian countries should stay committed to the fundamental goal of unity, and always trust and support each other, he said.

    China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi noted, adding that with a firm belief in an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood as well as a strong dedication to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China interacts with Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and sincerity, and the six countries always wish their neighbors well.

    The six countries will sign together a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law, he said, deeming it as a new landmark in the history of the relations of the six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors, which constitutes a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.

    Second, China and Central Asian countries should optimize the cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient and more deeply integrated, Xi said.

    Recalling that the six countries have agreed to designate 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation, he said that all sides should focus the cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges, roll out more projects on the ground and foster new quality productive forces.

    He said China has decided to establish three cooperation centers, i.e. on poverty reduction, on education exchange, and on desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework.

    China supports Central Asian countries in developing livelihood and development projects, Xi said, adding that China will provide 3,000 training opportunities to Central Asian countries in the next two years.

    Third, China and Central Asian countries should develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity, step up regional security governance, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly prevent and thwart extreme ideologies, and resolutely fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to maintain peace and stability in the region, Xi said.

    China will do its best to help Central Asian countries combat terrorism and transnational organized crime and safeguard cybersecurity and biosecurity, he said.

    Fourth, China and Central Asian countries should cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between peoples, he noted, saying that China will enhance cooperation between legislatures, political parties, women, youth, media and think tanks with Central Asian countries, conduct in-depth exchange of governance experience, and is ready to set up more cultural centers, university branches and Luban Workshops in Central Asia to train more high-caliber talent for Central Asian countries.

    China supports deepening subnational cooperation with Central Asia, Xi said, adding that China and Central Asian countries should nurture heart-to-heart connections at central and subnational levels, between official and non-governmental actors, and from adjacent to broader areas.

    Fifth, China and Central Asian countries should uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure, stand ready to work with all parties to defend international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, he said, recalling that in the strenuous times of war, Chinese and Central Asian peoples supported each other through adversity, and jointly made important contributions to the cause of justice of humanity.

    He also noted the need to promote the correct view of history, defend the fruits of the victory of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and provide more stability and certainty for world peace and development.

    Xi pointed out that China is building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

    No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world, he said, noting that China is ready to embrace higher-quality cooperation and deepen the integration of interests with Central Asian countries, so as to achieve common development and strive for new progress in China-Central Asia cooperation.

    Tokayev and the other four Central Asian leaders unanimously stated that the China-Central Asia mechanism has become an important platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation, as well as for advancing the economic and social development of Central Asian countries.

    In a world full of uncertainties, the strategic significance of the mechanism has become increasingly prominent, and China’s growing prosperity and strength are benefiting its neighboring countries, they said, noting that China is a strategic partner and a true friend that Central Asian countries can always count on.

    The Central Asian countries highly value the model of cooperation with China based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and look forward to deepening all-round cooperation with China and expanding trade and investment, the five leaders added.

    They also expressed the hope to jointly pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote cooperation in such fields as industry, agriculture, science and technology, infrastructure, new energy and connectivity, strengthen regional security collaboration, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges in fields like culture, education and tourism.

    The leaders of the five Central Asian countries expressed their intention to build the China-Central Asia mechanism into a model of regional cooperation, share development and prosperity, jointly promote peace and stability, and build a closer community with a shared future.

    The five parties highly appreciate China’s constructive role in international and regional affairs, and actively support the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi.

    They also expressed the willingness to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to firmly safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, and jointly defend international equity and justice.

    During the summit, Xi and the heads of state of the Central Asian nations signed the Astana Declaration of the second China-Central Asia Summit, and a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

    The meeting also announced the signing of 12 cooperation agreements regarding the Belt and Road cooperation, facilitation of personnel exchanges, green mining, trade, connectivity, industry and customs.

    At the summit, China signed multiple sister city agreements with the five Central Asian countries, thus the pairs of sister cities between the two sides have exceeded 100.

    Xi and other leaders also witnessed the inauguration of three China-Central Asia cooperation centers and a trade platform, namely the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification prevention and control cooperation center, as well as the China-Central Asia smooth trade cooperation platform.

    All parties also agreed that China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pose for a group photo in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Japarov, Rahmon, Berdimuhamedov and Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech during the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev witness inauguration of the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center and the China-Central Asia trade facilitation cooperation platform in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Japarov, Rahmon, Berdimuhamedov and Mirziyoyev attended the summit. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Zelenskiy leaves G7 with no Trump meeting or fresh arms support from US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy left the Group of Seven summit on Tuesday with new aid from host Canada for its war against Russia but said diplomacy is in “crisis” having missed the chance to press U.S. President Donald Trump for more weapons.

    The G7 wealthy nations struggled to find unity over the conflict in Ukraine after Trump expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and left a day early to address the Israel-Iran conflict from Washington.

    A Canadian official initially said Ottawa had dropped plans for the G7 to issue a strong statement on the war in Ukraine after resistance from the United States.

    Emily Williams, director of media relations for Prime Minister Mark Carney, later said no proposed statement on Ukraine had ever been planned.

    Carney had started the day by announcing Ottawa would provide C$2 billion ($1.47 billion) in new military assistance for Kyiv as well as impose new financial sanctions.

    Zelenskiy said he had told the G7 leaders that “diplomacy is now in a state of crisis” and said they need to continue calling on Trump “to use his real influence” to force an end to the war, in a post on his Telegram account.

    Although Canada is one of Ukraine’s most vocal defenders, its ability to help it is far outweighed by the United States, the largest arms supplier to Kyiv. Zelenskiy had said he hoped to talk to Trump about acquiring more weapons.

    After the summit in the Rocky Mountain resort area of Kananaskis concluded, Carney issued a chair statement summarizing deliberations.

    “G7 leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” it said.

    “They recognized that Ukraine has committed to an unconditional ceasefire, and they agreed that Russia must do the same. G7 leaders are resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.”

    Canada holds the rotating G7 presidency this year. Other leaders do not need to sign off on G7 chair statements.

    Trump did agree to a group statement published on Monday calling for a resolution of the Israel-Iran conflict.

    “We had a declaration given the exceptional, fast moving situation in Iran,” Carney told a closing news conference.

    A European official said leaders had stressed to Trump their plans to be hard on Russia and Trump seemed impressed, though he does not like sanctions in principle.

    Three European diplomats said they had heard signals from Trump that he wanted to raise pressure on Putin and consider a U.S. Senate bill drafted by Senator Lindsey Graham, but that he had not committed to anything.

    “I am returning to Germany with cautious optimism that decisions will also be made in America in the coming days to impose further sanctions against Russia,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

    G7 leaders agreed on six other statements, about migrant smuggling, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, wildfires, transnational repression and quantum computing.

    KREMLIN SAYS G7 LOOKS ‘RATHER USELESS’

    Trump said on Monday he needed to be back in Washington as soon as possible due to the situation in the Middle East, where escalating attacks between Iran and Israel have raised risks of a broader regional conflict.

    A White House official on Tuesday said Trump explained that he returned to the U.S. because it is better to hold high-level National Security Council meetings in person, rather than over the phone.

    Upon arriving at the summit, Trump said that the then-Group of Eight had been wrong to expel Russia after Putin ordered the occupation of Crimea in 2014.

    The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Trump was right and said the G7 was no longer significant for Russia and looked “rather useless.”

    Many leaders had hoped to negotiate trade deals with Trump, but the only deal signed was the finalization of the U.S.-UK deal announced last month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained at the summit after Trump left.

    Carney also invited non-G7 members Mexico, India, Australia, South Africa, South Korea and Brazil, as he tries to shore up alliances elsewhere and diversify Canada’s exports away from the United States.

    Carney warmly welcomed Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday, after two years of tense relations between Canada and India.

    (Reuters)