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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 concludes with the participation of global leaders, including World Bank and experts

    Source: Government of India

    First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 concludes with the participation of global leaders, including World Bank and experts

    Pension for All must become a national priority: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary

    Through the launch of the Unified Pension System, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement: Secretary, DFS

    National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions: Dr. Deepak Mohanty

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 11:17AM by PIB Delhi

    The First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 held in New Delhi concluded yesterday. It   was inaugurated on 3rd April at Bharat Mandapam by Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India. The two-day event was organized by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), to mark a historic milestone in India’s journey toward robust old-age income security.

    This platform brought together policymakers, scholars, industry leaders, and international experts to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of pension reforms, financial preparedness for retirement, and innovative strategies to secure the future of aging populations.

     

    Highlighting a big change in India’s demographic landscape, necessitating urgent and inclusive pension reforms to secure a dignified future for its aging population, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary,  Minister of State for Finance in his key note stated that India’s demographic landscape is on the profound shift in the coming decades. By 2050, one in five Indians will be over 60, and by 2047, the elderly will outnumber children. With 19 percent of the population projected to be elderly by mid-century—predominantly women—securing financial independence through inclusive pension schemes is not merely a goal, but a vital need for the country. ‘Pension for All’ must become a national priority, requiring policy action to ensure a dignified and secure future for our aging population.

    In his address, Shri Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary, Department of Financial Services highlighted that India’s pension framework stands at a pivotal moment of transformation and through the launch of the Unified Pension System and efforts to broaden coverage, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement. UPS provides an assured pension of 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation. India’s pension assets, constituting roughly 17 percent of GDP, fall far short of the OECD average, where they typically exceed 80 percent, revealing a stark disparity in retirement readiness.

    Welcoming distinguished guests, global thought leaders, and industry stakeholder, Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson of PFRDA in his address stated that the National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions, with an accumulated corpus of Rs 14.4 Lakh Cr and 8.4 crore subscribers under NPS and APY. As we embrace technology-driven initiatives and innovative policy solutions, our focus remains on expanding coverage, ensuring financial sustainability, and building a pension-inclusive society for future generations.

    The opening day of the First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam was a resounding success, featuring three dynamic panel discussions that captivated attendees with their depth and diversity.

    The first session, titled “Pension for Future: Building Resilient Old Age Income Security,” saw experts explore strategies adopted by various countries for enhanced pension coverage, building a sustainable pension system and challenges faced in inclusion of informal sector and gig economy workers. The panel was moderated by Somya Kanti Gosh, Member-16thFinance Commission and was addressed by Dr Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, PFRDA, Ms. Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner, FSCA, South Africa,  Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, Director General, PENCOM, Nigeria and Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global.

    This was followed by “Global Lessons on New and Innovative Investment Practices in the Pension Industry,” which showcased innovative investment methods, approaches for the product design and sharing of international success stories to inspire India’s pension sector. The session was moderated by Prof. Abhiman Das, Director , IIM Ahmedabad  and co-moderated by Mr. Tushar Arora, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank and was addressed by Mr. Brian M. Miller, Vanguard, Dr. Paul Yu, Director, MPFSA, Hong Kong, China, Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global, Prof. Prachi Mishra, Director and Head, Ashoka Isaac Center for Public Policy and Mr. R. Mark Davis, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank.

    The first day concluded with the “Pension Forum for Regulatory Coordination and Development of Pension Products,” where a panel of regulators and government debated harmonizing policies for pension products across regulators and innovative strategies to drive the growth and accessibility of pension products in India. The session was moderated by Dr M S Sahoo, ex-Chairperson, IBBI and was addressed by Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, DFS, Mr. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, CEO, EPFO, Mr. Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI, Mr. Rajay Kumar Sinha, Whole Time Member, IRDAI, Dr. Manoj Anand, Whole Time Member (Finance), PFRDA, and other esteemed organizations enriched the discussions with their expertise, making Day 1 a true melting pot of global insights on pension sector.

    The second day, scheduled for April 4, 2025, witnessed elevated discourse with a series of Research Paper Presentations showcasing innovative studies on pension systems. The concluding day featured two additional panel discussions.

    The first panel discussion was focussed on “Promoting Financial Literacy for Sustainable Retirement Planning” by the esteemed scholars from leading educational institutions. The key topics explored included strategies to enhance coverage while ensuring persistency, changing demographic trends, social pressures and gender biases, integrating financial literacy courses into school curricula under the National Education Policy (NEP), adopting a targeted approach for various population segments, and leveraging influencer marketing strategies. The session was moderated by Ms Mamta Shankar, WTM, PFRDA and addressed by Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, SRCC, Dr. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI, Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director, IIM Tiruchirappalli, Dr. Ashok Banerjee, Director, IIM Udaipur, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, Sh. S Karthikeyan, Director, DFS, Ministry of Finance.

    The second session was aimed to discuss ‘Pension Fund Investments with a Focus on Risk and Return’ focused on identifying strategies by the Pension Funds to address long-term pension obligations while maintaining the portfolio’s risk-return balance. Key considerations included optimizing asset allocation, diversifying investments, stress-testing, potential impact of AI/ML in investment decision making and incorporating liability-driven investing approaches to align cash flows with future pay-outs without compromising growth potential. The session was moderated by Prof. V Ravi Anshuman, IIM Bangalore and addressed by Prof. S.V.D. Nageswara Rao, Head, SOM, IIT Bombay, Prof. Rupamanjari Sinha Ray, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon and Mr. Vivek Iyer, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP

    The panel discussion was followed by the award ceremony and Mr Rajan Raju, Invespar Pted Limited and Mr Ravi Saraogi, Samasthiti Advisors India and Ms. Pankhuri Sinha  and Lokanandha Reddy Irala, University of Hyderabad were honored as top honorees for best research papers. The event concluded on a commemorative note, highlighting the insightful discussions and learnings from the Conference by Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive Director, PFRDA. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. P Arumugarangarajan, Chief General Manager, PFRDA, who expressed gratitude to the esteemed speakers, panelists, researchers and participants for their valuable insights and contributions, marking a successful conclusion to the event.

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    NB/AD

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Myths and Facts

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

    Myth 1: Will Waqf properties be revoked?

    • Fact: No property that is registered under Waqf Act, 1995, prior to commencement of Waqf Act, 1995, as waqf will be revoked.
    • Explanation:

    – Once a property is declared waqf, it is meant to stay that way permanently.

    – The bill only clarifies rules for better management and transparency.

    – It allows the District Collector to review properties that might be misclassified as waqf, especially if they are actually government property.

    – Legitimate waqf properties remain protected.

     

    Myth 2: Will there be no survey of Waqf properties?

    • Fact: There will be a survey.
    • Explanation:

    – The Bill replaces the old role of the Survey Commissioner with the District Collector.

    – The District Collector will conduct surveys using existing revenue procedures.

    – This change aims to improve the accuracy of records without stopping the survey process.

     

    Myth 3: Will non-Muslims become the majority on Waqf Boards?

    • Fact: No, the boards will include non-Muslims, but they will not form a majority.
    • Explanation:

    – The Bill requires inclusion of 2 non-Muslims excluding ex-officio members as members in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, allowing for a maximum of 4 non-Muslim members in the Council and maximum of 3 in the Waqf Board that at least two members on the Central Waqf Council and state boards be non-Muslim.

    – The majority of members will still be from the Muslim community.

    – This change is meant to add expertise and promote transparency without undermining community representation.

     

    Myth 4: Will Muslims’ personal land be acquired under the new amendment?

    • Fact: No personal land will be acquired.
    • Explanation:

    – The Bill applies only to properties that are declared waqf.

    – It does not affect private or personal property that has not been donated as waqf.

    – Only assets voluntarily and legally dedicated as waqf are covered by the new rules.

     

    Myth 5: Will the government use this bill to take over waqf properties?

    • Fact: The Bill empowers an officer above the rank of District Collector the District Collector to review and verify if a government property has been wrongly classified as waqf—especially if it might actually be government property—but it does not authorize the seizure of legitimately declared waqf properties.

     

    Myth 6: Does the bill allow non-Muslims to control or manage the wealth of the Muslim community?

    • Fact: While the amendment mandates that two members on the Central Waqf Council and State Boards shall be non-Muslim excluding ex-officio members allowing for a maximum of 4 non-Muslim members in the Council and maximum of 3 in the Waqf Board.

    These members are added to bring in additional expertise and oversight. The majority of members remain from the Muslim community, thereby preserving community control over religious affairs.

     

    Myth 7: Will the traditional status of historic waqf sites (such as mosques, dargahs, and graveyards) be affected?

    • Fact: The Bill does not interfere with the religious or historical character of waqf properties. Its aim is to enhance administrative transparency and curb fraudulent claims—not to alter the sacred nature of these sites.

     

    Myth 8: Does the removal of the ‘waqf by user’ provision mean that long- established traditions will be lost?

    • Fact: The removal of this provision is designed to prevent unauthorized or erroneous claims over property. However, protection has been given to such Waqf by user properties (such as mosques, dargahs, and graveyards) which will remain as waqf properties except that the properties, wholly or in part, is in dispute or is a government property. It streamlines the registration process by ensuring that only properties formally declared as waqf are recognized—thereby reducing disputes while still respecting traditional waqf declarations.

    “Waqf by user” refers to a situation where a property is treated as a waqf simply because it has been used for religious or charitable purposes over a long period—even if there hasn’t been a formal, legal declaration by the owner.

     

    Myth 9: Is the bill intended to interfere with the community’s right to manage its own religious affairs?

    Fact: The primary goal of the bill is to improve record-keeping, reduce mismanagement, and ensure accountability. It does not take away the Muslim community’s right to administer its own religious endowments; rather, it introduces a framework to ensure these properties are managed transparently and efficiently.

    Click here to download PDF

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kritika Rane

    (Release ID: 2119208) Visitor Counter : 97

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government and Poultry Industry Collaborate to Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

    Source: Government of India

    Government and Poultry Industry Collaborate to Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

    Implements Three-Pronged Strategy of  Biosecurity Measures, Strengthened Surveillance and Mandatory Registration of Poultry Farms

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying held a high level meeting on 4th April 2025 in New Delhi to discuss the recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the  country. Chaired by Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary DAHD, the meeting brought together scientific experts, poultry industry representatives and policymakers to review the current situation of avian influenza and explore strategies to contain the disease and prevent its spread.

    A three-pronged strategy to prevent and control Bird Flu has been decided by DAHD in consultation with the stakeholders. It encompasses Stricter

    Biosecurity Measures wherein poultry farms must enhance hygiene practices, control farm access and follow stringent biosecurity protocols to minimize the risk of infection, Strengthened Surveillance and Mandatory Registration of Poultry Farms to enhance disease tracking and control (All poultry farms must register with state animal husbandry departments within a month. The government has urged poultry industry stakeholders to ensure 100% compliance with this directive).

     

    Speaking at the meeting, Smt. Alka Upadhyaya emphasized, “Protecting our poultry sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices are essential in our fight against Bird Flu.” Additionally, Secretary DAHD stated the need for developing a predictive modelling system for early warning and environmental surveillance which would enable proactive disease detection and response, minimizing the risk of outbreaks and protecting the poultry industry. DAHD has permitted the use of the H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, which is now available commercially.  A national study will evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness of LPAI vaccination. The meeting also extensively discussed the possibility of allowing the use of a vaccine against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India.  Representatives from the poultry industry urged the government to explore vaccination as a strategy to prevent further economic losses in the sector. Scientific experts highlighted that currently available HPAI vaccines do not provide sterile immunity but only reduce virus shedding. Given these complexities, it was agreed that further scientific evaluation is needed before making a policy decision. The meeting recommended conducting detailed science-based assessments to determine the feasibility of HPAI vaccination in India. Research efforts have also been initiated to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine following global best practices.

     

    The meeting saw participation from top animal health experts and leading poultry industry players including poultry vaccine manufacturers, poultry associations and government & research institutions like ICAR-NIHSAD, ICAR-IVRI, ICAR-CARI, ICAR-NIVEDI, and ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research.

     

    About Avian Influenza and Current Status in India

     

    Avian Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease affecting birds, with occasional transmission to mammals. Since its first detection in India in 2006, outbreaks have been reported annually across multiple states. This year, the virus has shown cross-species transmission, impacting not just poultry but also wild birds and even big cats in some areas. Currently, six active outbreak zones remain in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh in the country.

     

    Present situation on HPAI (From 1st January-4th April 2025)

     

    Domestic Poultry

     

    Parameter

    Details

    States Affected

    Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar (Total: 8 states)

    Total Number of Epicentres

    34

    Active Epicentres

    6 (3 States – Jharkhand (Bokaro and Pakur), Telangana (Ranga Reddy, Nalagonda  and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri & Chhattisgarh (Baikunthpur, Korea)

     

    Non Poultry Species Affected (From 1st January-4th April 2025)

    Name of the State

    Species affected

    Maharashtra

    Tiger, Leopard, Vulture, Crow, Hawk and Egret

    Madhya Pradesh

    Pet Cat

    Rajasthan

    Demoiselle crane, Painted Stork

    Bihar

    Crow

    Goa

    Jungle Cat

    Comprehensive Approach to Controlling Avian Influenza

    The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has implemented a series of initiatives to control and prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India. The country follows a strict “detect and culling” policy, which involves culling infected birds, restricting movement, and disinfecting areas within a 1 km radius of outbreaks. States have been instructed to report daily on control measures, with increased surveillance and preparedness, especially during winter when migratory birds pose a higher risk. Surveillance for HPAI has also been expanded to non-poultry species, with negative results from tested cattle, goats, and pigs. In the global effort to combat potential pandemics, India has shared sequencing data of H5N1 isolates and related samples with international networks. Central teams, along with the National Joint Outbreak Response Team, are being deployed to manage outbreaks, and regular coordination meetings are being held with State Animal Husbandry Departments and other relevant authorities, including the Health and Wildlife Departments. India follows a test-and-cull policy to contain Avian Influenza outbreaks. Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme, the government compensates affected farmers for culled birds, destroyed eggs, and feed, with costs shared 50:50 between the Centre and States.

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    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2119198) Visitor Counter : 22

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWMD Meets with Chicago Area BioWatch and STC Partners

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: CWMD Meets with Chicago Area BioWatch and STC Partners

    ASHINGTON – On March 27 – 28, the Assistant Secretary for the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), David Richardson, traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to meet with state and local representatives for the BioWatch and Securing the Cities (STC) programs

     
    During the March 27 BioWatch meeting, A/S Richardson met with the Chicago area BioWatch program representatives to discuss the future of the program, its value, and what actions CWMD could take to strengthen this valuable program further

     
    The BioWatch program operates 24/7/365 in over 30 major metropolitan areas to provide an early indication of any potential airborne biological attack

    DHS CWMD manages the program, supported by other federal agencies

    The program is operated by a network of scientists and laboratory technicians, along with emergency managers, law enforcement officers, and public health officials across federal, state, and local levels of government

    On March 28, A/S Richardson met with the Chicago STC program leadership

    The purpose of the meeting was to discuss detection equipment needs, the program’s status, and to see if there are any areas CWMD can improve upon in supporting the state and local team

    The STC Program was established in 2007 and included in the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 2018

    STC’s mission is to prevent the illicit possession, movement, and use of radiological or nuclear materials and weapons in the United States by enhancing the nuclear detection capabilities of state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies

     
    Through STC’s coordinated planning and operations, federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners work together in the STC regions to defend against the threat of radiological or nuclear terrorism

    CWMD provides radiological and nuclear detection equipment, training, exercise support, and operational and technical subject matter expertise to the STC regions through cooperative agreement grants

    CWMD supports STC implementations in broad areas centered on high-risk urban areas across the Nation

    Urban areas include New York City/Newark, Los Angeles/Long Beach, National Capital Region, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Phoenix/Maricopa County, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and New Orleans

    CWMD serves as the Department of Homeland Security’s focal point for countering weapons of mass destruction efforts

    By supporting operational partners across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial levels, CWMD coordinates DHS efforts to safeguard the United States against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Ends Wasteful, Politicized Grant Program, Returning Agency to Core Mission of Helping Americans Recovering from Natural Disasters

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Ends Wasteful, Politicized Grant Program, Returning Agency to Core Mission of Helping Americans Recovering from Natural Disasters

    FEMA Ends Wasteful, Politicized Grant Program, Returning Agency to Core Mission of Helping Americans Recovering from Natural Disasters

    Under Secretary Noem, DHS is eliminating waste, fraud and abuseWASHINGTON — FEMA is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and canceling all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023

    If grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be immediately returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U

    S

    Treasury

    Statement Attributable to a FEMA Spokesperson: “The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program

    It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters

    Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need

    ”Approximately $882 million of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be returned to the U

    S

    Treasury or reapportioned by Congress in the next fiscal year

    The 2021 law made $1 billion available for BRIC over five years, $133 million to date has been provided for about 450 applications

    FEMA estimates more than $3

    6 billion will remain in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist with disaster response and recovery for communities and survivors

    Ending this program will help ensure that grant funding aligns with the President’s Executive Orders and Secretary Noem’s direction and best support states and local communities in disaster planning, response and recovery

     
    amy

    ashbridge
    Fri, 04/04/2025 – 20:03

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the annulment of the elections in Romania – B10-0172/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    B10‑0172/2025

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the annulment of the elections in Romania

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to Articles 2 and 10 of the Treaty on European Union,

    – having regard to Article 3 of the Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights,

    – having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. having regard to the right to free elections in Europe;

    B. whereas on 6 December 2024, the Constitutional Court of Romania cancelled the results of the first round of the presidential elections, triggering mass protests and the resignation of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on 10 February 2025;

    C. whereas the Venice Commission has established that the cancellation of election results due to minor misconduct which has not affected the outcome could make the electoral process more vulnerable or would lead to mistrust or lack of interest on the part of citizens[1];

    D. whereas, on 26 February 2025, Călin Georgescu, the winner of the first round, was temporarily detained ahead of the fresh elections scheduled for May 2025;

    E. whereas many Romanian citizens accuse the Commission of seeking to impose Europhile leaders on the country and to influence the outcome of the elections;

    1. Expresses concern at the deterioration of democracy in Romania;

    2. Calls on the Commission not to interfere in national elections;

    3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper

    Consultation aims to cut costs of UK staycations for families and small businesses

    •  New plans to help UK tourism businesses offer better deals and value-for-money packages
    • Plan for Change to cut outdated regulations will allow hotels, attractions, and restaurants to collaborate more easily
    • Families planning their summer holidays will have more choice, better prices, and greater convenience

     The UK’s travel industry is set for a boost as the Government unveils plans to cut red tape as part of its Plan for Change, and make it easier for businesses to offer package deals, giving consumers better value and supporting growth across the tourism sector.

     The measures being looked at in a consultation, could remove barriers that currently prevent small businesses including B&Bs and restaurants from working together to create tailored UK holiday experiences. The measures if implemented, could boost the travel sector and help grow the staycation economy right across the country.

     The proposals will support the domestic travel market to go for growth by giving families and travellers more affordable, flexible, and convenient options for their staycations.

     The proposed measures will make it easier for businesses to bundle offers together, helping hotels, attractions, and restaurants team up to provide exclusive deals.

    • For example, a B&B in the Lake District that may not be able to offer dinner, could team up with a nearby restaurant or pub to offer a discount on an evening meal when purchased together with the room booking.
    • Or a campsite in Cornwall could be able to offer discounts and deals for the local surf school.
    • But it could also apply to trips in towns and cities too, with tourists staying in a London-based hotel could offer discounted show tickets when they refer a consumer who has booked a room with them.

    It will aim to support businesses through measures like setting a time limit for third parties to provide redress to organisers and improving the flexibility of insolvency protection provisions for non-flight packages.

    For UK holidaymakers, these changes will give families better staycation options to help them plan summer holidays. Instead of booking everything separately, these measures would make it easier for consumers to access tailored packages that combine great accommodation with exciting local experiences.

    Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders, said:

    “Right now, a British hotel, local attraction, and restaurant can’t offer a joint deal without jumping through regulatory hoops – and that’s frankly ridiculous. As part of our Plan for Change, we’re fixing that.

     “These common-sense changes will help small businesses, boost British tourism, and give families more choice when booking a staycation. More options, better value, and a stronger UK economy.”

     The 12 week consultation will seek input from businesses and industry leaders on how best to implement these reforms.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing Bill amendments lodged to strengthen tenants’ rights

    Source: Scottish Government

    Providing fairness for tenants.

    Amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill have been lodged by the Scottish Government setting out how rents will be capped in rent control areas.

    The proposed measures will help protect tenants facing cost of living pressures and rising energy prices, whilst providing appropriate protection for the property rights of landlords and supporting investment.

    Rent increases in control areas would be limited to the CPI annual rate of inflation plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6%. If approved, the rent cap will apply both to rent increases during the term of a tenancy, and in between tenancies, in areas where rent control is applied.

    Ministers will determine which areas should be subject to rent control in order to protect tenants. The amendments build on a package of renters’ rights already in the Bill including the right to keep pets and to decorate rented properties without having those unreasonably refused.

    Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

    “Eradicating child poverty remains this government’s top priority and having a home can make a direct contribution to achieving this.

    “Ensuring families can have secure and affordable homes that meet their needs is part of our approach to tackling the housing emergency. These measures will also help protect tenants against a backdrop of a continuing cost of living crisis and rising energy costs. We are doing what we can with the powers that we have as we know our policies are working to improve the lives of families in Scotland.

    “Scotland already has some of the strongest rights in the UK for tenants, but we want to improve the renting experience even more to create an affordable, high-quality and fair rented sector.

    “We have been working closely with tenants’ organisations to develop provisions in the Housing Bill to improve renters’ rights, including a system of long-term rent controls that is fair for tenants and encourages investment in the sector.

    “Our rented sector is a crucial part of tackling the housing emergency and these measures provide important certainty for tenants.”

    Background

    Housing (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

    Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation is a way of measuring monthly changes in the price of goods and services.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to embark on an official visit to United Kingdom and Austria today

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to embark on an official visit to United Kingdom and Austria today

    Union Finance Minister will participate in 13th Ministerial round of India-UK Economic & Financial Dialogue (13th EFD), besides bilateral meetings, engagement with think tanks, investors, business leaders in both United Kingdom and Austria

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 1:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Austria from 8th to 13th April 2025, today. Smt. Sitharaman is also scheduled to attend Ministerial Level Bilateral meetings in both countries.

    During the course of the visit, the Union Finance Minister will participate in the 13th Ministerial round of India – UK Economic & Financial Dialogue and engagements with think tanks, investors, business leaders in United Kingdom and Austria.

    The 13th round of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (13th EFD) is scheduled to be held in London, United Kingdom on 9th of April 2025. The 13th EFD dialogue will be co-chaired by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs and the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    The 13th EFD is a significant bilateral platform between the two countries that offers opportunities for candid engagement at Minister level, officer-level, working groups and between the respective regulatory bodies in various aspects of financial collaboration, including investment matters, financial services, financial regulations, UPI interlinkages, taxation matters and illicit financial flows.

    The key priorities of the 13th EFD dialogue for Indian side include cooperation in IFSC GIFT City, investment, insurance and pension sectors, FinTech and Digital economy, and mobilising affordable and sustainable climate finance.

    The Union Finance Minister and the Rt. Hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer are also set to announce and launch various reports and new initiatives for further collaborations.

    On the sidelines of India-UK 13th EFD, Smt. Sitharaman will engage in bilateral meetings with key dignitaries, participate in investor roundtables and other meetings with heads of key financial institutions and companies.

    During the United Kingdom leg of the official visit, the Union Finance Minister will deliver the keynote address at the India-UK Investor Roundtable in presence of Chief Executive Officers of international organisations, including key management personnel from across the UK financial ecosystem covering pension funds, insurance companies, banks, and financial services institutions among others.

    Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman along with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds will co-host the Roundtable in partnership with City of London, with top CEOs and senior management of prominent pension funds and asset managers in UK as participants.

    During the Austrian leg of the official visit, the Union Finance Minister will hold bilateral meetings with senior Austrian government leaders, including with Mr Markus Marterbauer, Finance Minister, Austria; and H.E. Mr. Christian Stocker, the Federal Chancellor, Austria.

    Smt. Sitharaman and Mr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austrian Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, will co-chair a session with key Austrian CEOs to apprise them of existing and upcoming opportunities in India for deeper investment collaboration between the two countries.

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    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2119693) Visitor Counter : 172

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SPIRIT OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION IS TO TREAT ALL CITIZENS EQUALLY, PROVIDE THEM WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND INTEGRATE MARGINALIZED AND BACKWARD SECTIONS OF SOCIETY INTO ‘MAINSTREAM OF PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT’: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India

    SPIRIT OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION IS TO TREAT ALL CITIZENS EQUALLY, PROVIDE THEM WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND INTEGRATE MARGINALIZED AND BACKWARD SECTIONS OF SOCIETY INTO ‘MAINSTREAM OF PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT’: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    IN RECENT YEARS, PARLIAMENT OF INDIA HAS PASSED SEVERAL LEGISLATIONS THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SECURITY AND ENCOURAGE INCLUSION OF ALL SECTIONS OF SOCIETY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIA HAS ESTABLISHED PRIMACY OF JUSTICE BY REPLACING ‘INDIAN PENAL CODE’ WITH THE ‘BHARATIYA NYAY SANHITA’: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT 150th ASSEMBLY OF INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU) IN TASHKENT

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER WISHES THE GATHERING AT 150TH IPU ON THE OCCASION OF RAM NAVAMI

    Posted On: 06 APR 2025 8:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today highlighted the inclusive and welfarist nature of Constitution of India, mentioning that “the spirit of the Indian Constitution is to treat all citizens equally, provide them with equal opportunities, and integrate the marginalized and backward sections of society into the ‘mainstream of progress.”

    Delivering the Keynote Address on the theme “Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice” at the historic 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at Tashkent, Uzbekistan,Shri Birla observed that “In recent years, the Indian Parliament has passed several legislations that promote social justice and security and encourage the inclusion of all sections of society.”On the occasion, he also extended Ram Navami greetings to the gathering at the 150thassembly of IPU.

    Referring to the Parliament’s perennial concern for safeguarding the interests of the vulnerable segments of society, he added that “Bills like the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act-2016’, the ‘Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019’, and the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam-2023’ safeguard the interests of all sections of society.”  in this context, he also referred to new Labor laws and codes passed by Parliament for the welfare and social security of workers in the unorganized sector.

    Stressing that Indian Parliament has taken several measures prioritising justice and rule of law, Shri Birla mentioned that “By replacing the ‘Indian Penal Code’ with the ‘BharatiyaNyay Sanhita’, India has established the primacy of justice”. Referring to functioning of Parliamentary Committees in achieving the goals of development and social justice, Shri Birla noted that the various Parliamentary Committees, often referred to as Mini Parliaments, perform a complimentary function to the efforts of Parliament and the government. He highlighted that the Committees on Social Justice and Empowerment; Committee on Women Empowerment; Committee on Labour and Skill Development, and other diverse committees monitor welfare programmes leading to implementation of schemes with effectiveness and accountability. 

    Shri Birla stressed that Government of India works with a mission to achieve targets set for key human development indicators. In this regard, he specifically mentioned that “Under the world’s largest health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), free health insurance is being provided to the bottom 40% of India’s population”.

    Praising the strong and visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Birla said “Under Prime Minister Shri Modi’s leadership, India has achieved the distinction of being the world’s fastest-growing major economy with a 105% GDP growth over the past decade and is rapidly progressing towards its goal of Viksit Bharat in 2047.” Noting that India is the fifth-largest economy in the world and is on its way toward becoming the third-largest economy, Shri Birla said that India is playing a leading role in the world in fields like Innovation, AI, Startups, Space and Defense Technology, IT, Fintech, Pharma, and others.

    He hoped that the discussions at the IPU Assembly would provide all delegations with new perspectives and will allow Parliaments around the world to be able to take concrete steps toward building a just, inclusive, and prosperous society.

    Speaking on the role of IPU in the present world order, Shri Birla mentioned that the IPU continues to add new dimensions to global parliamentary cooperation. He underlined that the theme chosen for the 150th IPU Assembly reflects the expansion of the spirit of ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam,’ which is deeply rooted in Indian culture, tradition, and philosophy.

    INDIA AND VIETNAM ARE PROGRESSING TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, DRIVEN BY THEIR RESPECTIVE VISIONS AND SHARED GOALS OF DEVELOPMENT

    On the sidelines of the 150th IPU Summit, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla met HE. Mr. Tran Thanh Man, President, the National Assembly of Vietnam. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Birla fondly recalled his visit to Vietnam in April 2022, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. He also emphasized the close cultural and historical ties between the two countries, which have strengthened through high-level discussions in recent years. Shri Birla expressed satisfaction that both countries are progressing toward sustainable development, driven by their respective visions for 2047 (India) and 2045 (Vietnam).

    Shri Birla emphasized that cooperation in various sectors such as defense, technology, infrastructure, and nuclear energy has helped shape their future frameworks. Shri Birla noted that both countries’ parliamentary institutions play a key role in meeting people’s expectations and promoting public welfare, with India utilizing emerging technologies to enhance parliamentary processes and citizen participation. He also informed that the “Digital Parliament” initiative in India has improved efficiency, transparency, and productivity in parliamentary operations. He also highlighted the significant number of Vietnamese students benefiting from educational and training scholarships in India.

    President of the National Assembly of Vietnam emphasized the cultural ties between the two countries. The President also underlined the need for strengthening the close defence and technology ties between India and Vietnam. He extended an invitation to Shri Birla to visit Vietnam. Formation of friendship group between India and Vietnam were also discussed.

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    AM

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NSO, India Unveils Digital Innovations to Strengthen Statistical System

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:13AM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) launched a revamped Microdata Portal during the recently held Conference of State Government Ministers, marking a significant step in enhancing data accessibility, user experience, and the integration of advanced technologies in the Official Statistical System. The new portal, which serves as a centralized repository for extensive statistical data collected from national surveys and economic census overcomes technological limitations faced by the previous portal. In collaboration with the World Bank Technology Team, MOSPI has adopted a modern, scalable technology stack that not only ensures compliance with the latest security standards but also supports a responsive design and data access mechanism. The portal can be accessed at https://microdata.gov.in/.

    On this occasion the web site of National Statistical System Training Academy was also launched. It will facilitate ease of access of information regarding capacity building initiative of the ministry by making them available at one place. The website can be accessed at www.nssta.gov.in.The portal & the website have been developed in-house by Data Informatics & Innovation Division of the ministry.

    MoSPI also presented a Proof of Concept (PoC) for an AI/ML-based classification tool designed to ease the use of the National Industrial Classification (NIC) in production of official statistics. The tool leverages natural language processing to allow stakeholders to enter text queries, subsequently suggesting the top five relevant NIC codes. This innovation not only reduces manual effort but also increases the productivity of enumerators, leading to more accurate data collection and ultimately better planning and policy-making. This has been the outcome of the recently concluded Hackathon organized by the ministry.

    The launch of these portals and website along with innovative AI-driven tools underscores commitment of the ministry to leverage the latest technological advancements for data management leading to strengthening of the statistical system. These initiatives are set to foster a more data-driven approach to policymaking, ensuring that government interventions are both precise and context-specific, ultimately contributing to goal of Viksit Bharat.

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    Samrat/Allen

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 18th National Seminar on National Sample Surveys: “Critical Insights through Research and Emerging Trends in latest Survey Findings”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:12AM by PIB Delhi

    The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) organizes National Seminars at regular intervals following the release of survey reports based on data collected in the National Sample Surveys. The seminar serves as an academic platform where experts, researchers, academia, and government officials from various institutions present and discuss research papers based on the survey findings. So far, seventeen (17) National Seminars have been organized in reputed institutes and universities across the country.

    Continuing this tradition, the 18th National Seminar on survey results of  NSS 78th  Round: Multiple indicator Survey, 79th Round: Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) and Survey on Ayush, Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is being organized by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India at Goa University, Panaji, Goa, on the 8th and 9th  of April 2025.

    The seminar will be inaugurated by Director General (NSS) and the Vice-Chancellor of Goa University will grace the occasion. Distinguished members of various expert Committees under whose guidance the survey instruments were finalised will also honour the event with their presence and participation in the discussions.

    The event will host 225 participants, including researchers, academicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The event will also be attended by the experts from international organizations, experts from private survey agencies and professors/scholars from renowned institutions.

    For the 18th National Seminar around 40 research papers were received from Assistant Professors, Research scholars & students of various universities/colleges of across India, in-service and retired officers of Indian Statistical Service, other Government officers of different State /Central Govt. departments, researchers, data users etc.. Following a thorough evaluation by the Paper Selection Committee, 14 papers have been shortlisted for presentation. The seminar will comprise five technical sessions, during which these selected papers will be presented. The presentations will be based on survey findings related to the aforementioned key thematic areas of the seminar.

    The seminar will present research papers which broadly cover emerging topics of current importance, including ICT skills inequality, financial inclusion, the impact of health insurance, digital competency among youth, and insights into the platform economy, particularly app-based cab services and delivery services, all based on NSS survey data. Topics related to consumption patterns across household types, and AYUSH utilization, productivity in informal economies related to the unincorporated sector and industries will also be covered.

    The papers titled “Predicting an NSS Indicator Value: A Machine Learning Approach” , “A neural network approach to identify features associated with multidimensional poverty in rural India”, utilise advanced computational techniques to analyze large datasets, uncover patterns, and make predictions or classifications across various fields.

    Apart from the research papers, a session on presentations by the Stakeholder Ministries/Private survey agencies on utility of National Sample Survey data is also included in the proceedings of the seminar. The seminar aims to facilitate informed discussions, policy recommendations, and data-driven insights on these critical topics, contributing to evidence-based policymaking and governance.

    Participants are encouraged to join this significant event through open registration. The registration link is provided below:

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea7ooVF5HGOs0__FRZ6KmPE1wcMCIgWAu2EDtcIbALXPomvQ/viewform?usp=header

    For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on YouTube. Watch it on the official MoSPI YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@GoIStats.

    For more information about National Sample Surveys and Reports, please visit the MoSPI website at www.mospi.gov.in.

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    Samrat/ Allen

    (Release ID: 2119640) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to build a healthier world on World Health Day

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:07AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has reaffirmed commitment to build a healthier world on World Health Day. Shri Modi said that government will keep focusing on healthcare and invest in different aspects of people’s well-being. Good health is the foundation of every thriving society.

    The Prime Minister wrote on X;

    “On World Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier world. Our Government will keep focusing on healthcare and invest in different aspects of people’s well-being. Good health is the foundation of every thriving society!”

     

     

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    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2119639) Visitor Counter : 89

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – New pact for the Mediterranean – E-003050/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The New Pact for the Mediterranean is one of the priorities for the Commission. The Pact is expected to offer a common political commitment across the Mediterranean with a focused and integrated approach on joint priorities.

    It will allow to deepen EU partnership with the Mediterranean through practical cooperation and have a stronger impact on areas of mutual interest such as trade, investment, economic stability, environment, energy, clean technology, climate mitigation and adaptation, digital and transport connectivity, security, migration and more.

    The Commission intends to conduct thorough consultations with all relevant actors during the first half of 2025. Visits to the region will be organised to consult partner countries and engage with stakeholders, in particular the private sector and civil society, on how best to address shared challenges, invest in a common future and enable sustainable development and enhanced security.

    Discussions will also take place with Member States, the European Parliament, civil society organisations, academic and research and business sectors, local and regional authorities.

    The outcome of these consultations will be reflected in the New Pact for the Mediterranean.

    The consultations will determine the thematic orientations of the Pact that may include exploring further avenues for cooperation on environment protection.

    The EU, represented by the Commission, already takes active action in the protection of the marine environment, notably through the Barcelona Convention[1], of which it is a contracting party.

    • [1] https://www.unep.org/unepmap/who-we-are/contracting-parties/barcelona-convention-and-amendments

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Trade and defence relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom – E-000152/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As indicated by the Honourable Member, trade relations between the EU and the United Kingdom (UK) pose different challenges following the latter’s withdrawal from the EU.

    The trade relations between the EU and the UK are ruled by the provisions of the trade part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement[1].

    The Commission continuously monitors the correct application of the provisions of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure that the UK complies with its obligations under it, and regularly engages with the UK Government in the context of the institutional framework created by the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement to discuss any issue that may arise.

    As stated in the EU’s Strategic Compass[2], cooperating with like-minded partners around the world, on a reciprocal basis, is essential for enhancing the EU’s resilience.

    The President of the Commission, in her political guidelines[3], committed to strengthening cooperation with the UK on security issues. This matter will be discussed at an EU-UK summit, scheduled to take place on 19 May 2025.

    The Trade and Cooperation Agreement, in its Part Six already provides for an efficient dispute settlement mechanism concerning the interpretation and application of the provisions of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

    In relation to cooperation in defence, each additional legally binding instrument would need to also address the issue of possible dispute resolution.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/689(1)/oj
    • [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/strategic-compass-security-and-defence-1_en
    • [3] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en
    Last updated: 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – New European Democracy Shield – E-000752/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As part of the Defence of Democracy Package[1], the Commission presented a proposal for a directive on transparency of third country interest representation[2], which is being discussed by the co-legislators.

    The package also includes a recommendation on promoting civic engagement[3] and a recommendation on inclusive and resilient elections[4].

    The Commission is preparing a report on the elections to the European Parliament assessing, among others, the follow-up to the latter Recommendation.

    Recent elections in the EU show that the threat landscape is increasingly complex, notably marked by foreign interference, information manipulation and disinformation, covert political campaign financing, and direct attacks on electoral processes and institutions, including cyber-attacks, attempting to lower trust in democratic processes.

    The Commission is preparing the European Democracy Shield, as announced in the Political Guidelines[5]. It will better protect and promote democracy, addressing the most severe risks to democracy in the EU, building on the Democracy Action Plan[6] and the Defence of Democracy Package.

    The Shield will take a whole of society approach and address several issues, including foreign information manipulation and interference and disinformation, the fairness and integrity of elections and the strengthening of democratic checks and balances, including the role of civil society and free, independent and pluralistic media, societal resilience and preparedness and citizens’ participation and engagement.

    Putting citizens at the heart of democracy is outlined in the Political Guidelines.

    • [1] COM(2023) 630 final.
    • [2] COM/2023/637 final.
    • [3] C(2023) 8627 final.
    • [4] C(2023) 8626 final.
    • [5] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
    • [6] COM/2020/790 final.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Beneficient Enters into $9.6 Million GP Primary Capital Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled platform providing exit opportunities and primary capital solutions and related trust and custody services to holders of alternative assets through its proprietary online platform AltAccess, today announced it has closed on the financing of a $9.6 million primary capital commitment for Pulse Pioneer Fund, LP (“Fund”), a fund managed by Pulse Pioneer GP, LLC, an asset manager that manages venture capital funds that invest in scalable climate companies within its target interdependent investment verticals. The transaction represents Ben’s first GP Primary transaction of the fiscal year. In exchange for an interest in the Fund, the Fund received approximately $9.6 million in stated value of shares of the Company’s Resettable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), which is convertible at the election of the holder into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the transaction documents. As a result of the transaction, the collateral for Company’s ExAlt loan portfolio is expected to increase by approximately $9.6 million of interests in alternative assets.

    “Successfully completing another GP primary capital transaction reinforces our ability to execute on our core liquidity and primary capital strategy by delivering innovative financing solutions for alternative asset holders and managers,” said Beneficient management. “We believe this financing reflects our ability to drive shareholder value while supporting impactful, vertically integrated investment strategies that enhance the value of the collateral backing our ExAlt loan portfolio. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we enter the new fiscal year and we continue to pursue additional opportunities that align with our strategic vision and growth objectives.”

    Upon closing of the previously announced Public Stockholder Enhancement Transactions (the “Transactions”), the Company believes this transaction will result in the addition of approximately $1.28 million (and an aggregate of approximately $10.46 million) of tangible book value attributable to the Company’s stockholders.

    Beneficient’s GP Primary Commitment Program is focused on providing primary capital solutions and financing anchor commitments to general partners during their fundraising efforts while immediately deploying capital into our equity. Through the program, Beneficient seeks to help satisfy the up to $330 billion of potential demand for primary commitments to meet fundraising needs.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures            
         
    The following tables reconciles these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures as of December 31, 2024, on an actual basis and pro forma assuming the Transactions occurred on December 31, 2024.    
    (dollars in thousands)   Actual   Pro forma –
    Transactions     (1)    		   Pro forma –
    Transactions
    and GP
    Primary     (3)
    Tangible Book Value            
    Total equity (deficit)     14,260     14,260     23,680  
    Less: Goodwill and intangible assets     (13,014 )   (13,014 )   (13,014 )
    Plus: Total temporary equity     90,526     90,526     90,526  
    Tangible book value     91, 772     91,772     101,372  
                 
        Actual   Pro forma –
    Transactions     (1)    		   Pro forma –
    Transactions
    and GP
    Primary     (3)
    Tangible book value attributable to Ben public company stockholders            
    Tangible book value     91,772     91,772     101,371  
    Less: Tangible book value attributable to Beneficient Holdings noncontrolling interest holders     (91,772 )   (82,595 )   (90,915 )
    Tangible book value attributable to Ben’s public company stockholders     –     9,177(2)   10,457(4)
                 
    Market Capitalization of Ben’s Class A and Class B common stock as of April 4, 2025 (5)   $ 2,728          
    (1)   Assumes the Transactions closed on December 31, 2024 including that the Beneficient Holdings limited partnership agreement was amended to provide that Ben, as the indirect holder of the Class A Units and certain Designated Class S Ordinary Units of Beneficient Holdings, would receive in the event of a liquidation of Beneficient Holdings 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of Beneficient Holdings following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities of Beneficient Holdings on a consolidated basis.
    (2)   Pro forma for the Transactions, represents 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of Beneficient Holdings in the event of the liquidation of Beneficient Holdings following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities Beneficient Holdings on a consolidated basis.
    (3)   Assumes the Transactions closed on December 31, 2024 including that the Beneficient Holdings limited partnership agreement was amended to provide that Ben, as the indirect holder of the Class A Units and certain Designated Class S Ordinary Units of Beneficient Holdings, would receive in the event of a liquidation of Beneficient Holdings (i) 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of Beneficient Holdings following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities of Beneficient Holdings on a consolidated basis and (ii) 33.3333% of the net asset value of the added alternative assets of up to $5 billion in connection with ExAlt Plan liquidity and primary capital transactions entered after December 22, 2024.
    (4)   Pro forma for the Transactions, represents (i) 10% of the first $100 million of distributions of Beneficient Holdings in the event of the liquidation of Beneficient Holdings following the satisfaction of the debts and liabilities Beneficient Holdings on a consolidated basis and (ii) 33.3333% of the net asset value of the added alternative assets of up to $5 billion in connection with ExAlt Plan liquidity and primary capital transactions entered after December 22, 2024.
    (5)   Based upon the closing price of the Class A common stock as reported by Nasdaq as of market close on April 4, 2025.
         

    About Beneficient 
    Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds− with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote® tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.
    Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner. 

    For more information, visit www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn. 

    Contacts
    Matt Kreps: 214-597-8200, mkreps@darrowir.com
    Michael Wetherington: 214-284-1199, mwetherington@darrowir.com
    Investor Relations: investors@beneficient.com

    Important Information and Where You Can Find It

    This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of a vote of stockholders to approve an amendment to approve the issuance of the Company’s Class A common stock upon conversion of the Series B-6 Preferred Stock pursuant to the transaction. In connection with the requisite stockholder approval, Ben will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a preliminary proxy statement and a definitive proxy statement, which will be sent to the stockholders of Ben, seeking such approvals related to the transaction.

    INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BEN AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BEN AND THE TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other relevant documents filed with the SEC containing information about Ben, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Ben can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Investor Relations, Beneficient, 325 North St. Paul Street, Suite 4850, Dallas, Texas 75201, or email investors@beneficient.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation of Proxies in Connection with Transaction

    Ben and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the requisite stockholder approvals under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Ben’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on July 9, 2024 and certain current reports on Form 8-K filed by Ben. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

    Not an Offer of Securities

    The information in this communication is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The securities that are the subject of the transaction have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Transactions, including receipt of required approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and excepted timing of closing of the Transactions, and expectations of future plans, strategies, and benefits of the Transactions. The words ”anticipate,” “believe,” ”continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” ”plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected.

    Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others: the ultimate outcome of the transaction, including obtaining the requisite vote of securityholders; the Company’s ability to meet expectations regarding the timing and completion of the transaction; and the risks, uncertainties, and factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events, or circumstances or other changes affecting such statements except to the extent required by applicable law.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Protecting children online: Selected EU, national and regional laws and initiatives – 07-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The internet has become an integral part of children’s lives, offering a wide range of opportunities for learning, exploring, informing and interacting with others. However, this increased online presence also exposes children to numerous risks, including cyberbullying, fraudulent marketing practices, and sexual abuse and exploitation. The scale of these problems is alarming, with a significant proportion of children experiencing online harm every month. Furthermore, the rise of generative artificial intelligence is facilitating some risks, such as the creation and dissemination of convincing but false information. To address these challenges, the EU has implemented a range of laws and initiatives aimed at protecting children online, while enabling them to explore the digital space and fulfil their potential. These measures include regulations on digital services, audiovisual media services, data protection, and practical tools such as helplines and hotlines to report harmful or illegal content online. In addition, the EU has introduced a digital identity framework, which aims to offer a secure and reliable way to verify age, to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content. National and regional governments are also taking steps to protect children online, with many countries introducing age limits and age verification systems. Some countries or regions have banned smartphones in schools, while others are promoting awareness-raising campaigns and educational programmes to teach children and parents about online safety. Civil society organisations and international bodies are also promoting child online safety, through initiatives such as research, awareness-raising campaigns, and support services.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 – Section I – European Parliament – P10_TA(2025)0060 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    –  having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027(1) and to the joint declaration agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context(2) and the related unilateral declarations(3),

    –  having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2022/2496 of 15 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(4),

    –  having regard to the Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765 amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(5) (”MFF revision”),

    –  having regard to its legislative resolution of 16 December 2020 on the draft Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(6),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges(7),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2023 on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027(8),

    –  having regard to its resolution of 27 February 2024 on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027(9),

    –  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast)(10) (the “Financial Regulation”),

    –  having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources(11),

    –  having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025(12) and the joint statements agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed hereto,

    –  having regard to the Secretary-General’s report to the Bureau on drawing up Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for the financial year 2026,

    –  having regard to the preliminary draft estimates drawn up by the Bureau on 10 March 2025 pursuant to Rules 25(7) and 104(1) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the draft estimates drawn up by the Committee on Budgets pursuant to Rule 104(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to Rule 104 of its Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0048/2025),

    A.  whereas the budget proposed on 10 February 2025 by the Secretary-General for the Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for 2026 amounts to EUR 2 641 609 620 and represents an increase of 4,30 % or EUR 108 914 512 compared to 2025 budget;

    B.  whereas the Union annual inflation was 2,8 % in January 2025 according to Eurostat, up from 2,7 % in December 2024; whereas the level of expenditure in Heading 7 of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027 is based on a 2 % yearly increase;

    C.  whereas the credibility of the Parliament depends on its ability to deliver on its core budgetary, legislative and scrutiny work to the highest standard, while setting an example vis-à-vis other Union institutions to plan and conduct its spending prudently and efficiently and to reflect the prevalent economic realities;

    General framework

    1.  Is concerned with the situation of Heading 7 in the current MFF; recalls that the constraints are the results of the cuts applied by the Council to the Commission’s already very low initial proposal when agreeing on the current MFF 2021-2027; regrets the Council’s opposition to the Commission’s proposal to increase the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision as from 2024; points out the failure to address the issue of the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision; highlights that the forecasted negative margin for 2026 presupposes the use of special instruments in Heading 7 for that purpose;

    2.  Endorses the agreement reached in the Conciliation between the Bureau and the Committee on Budgets on 18 March 2025 to set the increase over the 2025 budget at 4,09 %, corresponding to an overall of estimates of EUR 2 636 241 620 for 2026, and to reduce accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines for a total of EUR 12 378 000:

    1 0 0 6 — General expenditure allowance, 1 4 2 — External translation services, 2 0 0 0 — Rent, 2 0 0 7 — Construction of buildings and fitting-out of premises, 2 0 2 4 — Energy consumption, 2 1 0 1 — Business applications management, 3 2 0 — Acquisition of expertise, 3 2 4 3 — European Parliament visitors’ centres, 3 2 4 8 — Expenditure on audiovisual information, 4 4 — Meetings and other activities of current and former Members;

    furthermore, it was decided to increase the level of expenditure of the preliminary draft estimates approved by the Bureau on 10 March 2025 by EUR 7 010 000 and to increase accordingly the appropriations proposed on the following budget lines:

    1 2 0 0 — Remuneration and allowances, 1 6 3 0 — Social welfare: welfare expenditure, 4 0 0 — Current administrative expenditure and expenditure relating to the political and information activities of the political groups and non-attached Members, and 4 0 3 — Funding of European political foundations;

    finally, it was agreed to modify the budgetary remarks of item 1 6 3 0 — Social welfare: welfare expenditure to include the reference to the APA Committee;

    3.  Recalls that almost two-thirds of the budget is fixed by statutory obligations; notes that out of the increase of EUR 103,5 million compared to the 2025 budget an increase of EUR 85,3 million is due to statutory financial obligations, mainly for salary updates of officials and temporary staff (EUR 52,7 million), of contract agents (EUR 9,2 million) and of accredited parliamentary assistants (EUR 15,1 million); recalls that the salary indexation, in line with the Staff Regulations and Statute for Members of the European Parliament, is currently forecasted by the Commission for April 2025, July 2025, April 2026 and July 2026 at 1,2 %, 4,6 %, 0,6 % and 3,4 % respectively;

    4.  Notes that the Parliament does not request any additional posts for 2026, the third year in a row;

    5.  Notes that the increase for non-statutory expenditures between 2025 and 2026 is 1,96 %;

    6.  Welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to conduct a major screening exercise aimed at identifying opportunities for administrative simplification, eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring tangible cost reductions, thereby increasing efficiency and ensuring a smart use of resources; asks the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with semestrial updates on the actions taken and on the Action Plan on Simplification as well as their impact in terms of budget and staff; underlines that administrative procedures and human resources management represent a heavy burden for Members, in particular when hiring local assistants, and calls for simplification in that regard;

    7.  Notes that Parliament’s budget should be established on a realistic basis, in compliance with the principles of budgetary discipline and sound financial management; highlights that it is essential to ensure that financial prudence and security remain key priorities while guaranteeing that these measures do not impede the efficiency, effectiveness and operational capacity of the institution and its essential staff in carrying out their duties successfully; stresses that, given the geopolitical context and the investments that the Union will have to make for its strategic autonomy, the Parliament must set an example in the management of its budget;

    8.  Highlights Parliament’s role in building European political awareness and promoting Union values and policies such as the digital and green transition; stresses that transparency, accountability, gender equality and integrity are essential principles within the Union institutions and particularly Parliament as a house of European democracy;

    Strengthening Parliament’s core functions

    9.  Takes note of the four new thematic Directorates-General (DGs) created in September 2024, responsible for legislative, budgetary and scrutiny activities, from the previous Directorate-General for Internal Policies, in order to improve the functioning of Parliament as a co-legislator, as one arm of the budgetary authority, and as discharge authority; requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with regular updates on the evolution of work and staff in these DGs;

    10.  Recognises the need for more political decision-making based on evidence and facts; takes note of the budget of EUR 16,75 million to strengthen Parliament’s administrative capacity in supporting Members in their parliamentary work and reinforcing its capacity to navigate complexity and uncertainty;

    11.  Stresses the crucial role of political groups in providing expertise and political support to Members in their legislative and parliamentary work; underlines the need to ensure the important objective of strengthening Parliament’s capacity to support the work of Members;

    Digital transition

    12.  Underlines that Parliament’s cybersecurity is a key priority; notes that the overall IT budget represents 7,40 % of the total budget in the 2026 estimates; stresses the importance of a sound cybersecurity infrastructure in geopolitically turbulent times and welcomes the increase in the appropriations dedicated to cybersecurity; supports the planned gradual increase of the cybersecurity financial appropriations to 10 % of Parliament’s ICT budget by 2027;

    13.  Welcomes the adoption by the Bureau on 10 February 2025 of the Framework on an internal cybersecurity risk management, governance and control framework; recalls that investments in cybersecurity are key to protect the democratic voice of the Parliament and the Union;

    14.  Welcomes investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) amounting to EUR 1 million; calls for the use of AI to be increased in order to gain efficiencies, while keeping in mind the related risks, including ethics and data protection; highlights the potential of AI to streamline administrative processes; stresses that AI deployment must balance innovation with necessary safeguards; notes that the development of AI will be closely monitored in line with the principles established by the Bureau, which include among others a thorough risk assessment with the use of new technologies; calls the Secretariat to provide solutions, such as applications and tools, to be made available to Members and staff as soon as possible;

    Green transition

    15.  Welcomes Parliament’s environmental management system (EMAS) targets for 2025-2029; recalls that energy efficiency investments are a good method of achieving value for money; takes note of the budget of EUR 8,45 million for investments on energy efficiency and environment in the 2026 estimates to further improve the environmental performance of its buildings; notes that this corresponds to an increase of 74 % compared to 2025 budget; acknowledges however, that these environmental actions are part of the 2007 ‘Construction of building and fitting out of premises’ budget line whose grand total has decreased by EUR 3,7 million in 2026 vs 2025;

    16.  Recalls that nearly two-thirds of Parliament’s carbon footprint originate from the transportation of people; calls for a reasonable decrease of travel for meetings that can be effectively conducted remotely or in hybrid mode and to promote a shift to low carbon alternatives for all remaining travel, in so far as this does not affect the quality of legislative and political work;

    17.  Takes note of the projected increase in carbon credits prices, that with the current emissions levels would need an estimated EUR 900 000 for 2026; calls the administration to continue decreasing, in line with sound financial management, Parliament’s emissions over buying carbon credits; welcomes the introduction of an enhanced train offer for missions to Strasbourg as of July 2025, as a positive step towards reducing CO2 emissions;

    18.  Notes that Parliament has installed and is continuing to install photovoltaic solar panels to further increase the share of renewable energy produced on-site to reach the target of 25 %; takes note of the answers provided by the Secretary-General to Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2024 pointing out that a study on the use of photovoltaic panels for Strasbourg buildings was carried out in 2022 and was completed in 2023 and that further studies were to be conducted in 2024 for viable solutions, in particular for the WEISS building;

    Multilingualism, communication and disinformation

    19.  Highlights that multilingualism is a key principle on which Parliament’s work is based; takes note of the revision of the Code of Conduct on Multilingualism planned for spring 2025; asks that, where appropriate, Parliament capitalise on major technological evolutions in multilingualism-related services, including the development and use of AI; asks the Secretary-General to timely inform the Committee on Budgets on any budgetary impacts following this revision;

    20.  Highlights the role played by European Parliament Liaison Offices (EPLOs) in countering foreign interference and disinformation; takes note in that regard of the work of EPLOs proactively promoting the work of Parliament in their local languages across multiple channels; highlights EPLOs’ role in the UK as the main contact point for Union nationals resident in the UK, providing them with information about the Parliament and encouraging them to vote in the European elections; requests the Bureau to expand the production and dissemination of communication materials in an accessible and inclusive manner;

    21.  Highlights the low participation rate of young people in the recent European elections in some regions of the Union and Parliament’s role in strengthening EU citizenship education;

    22.  Recalls the importance of the European Parliament Ambassador School programme to promote active engagement among young Europeans and of the training programme for young journalists named in honour of David Sassoli to strengthen the understanding of the Union and its functioning amongst journalists, as the best antidote against disinformation, in light of recent trends demonstrating a worrying decline in media freedom and independence across the Union;

    23.  Recognises the importance of visitors groups as an important tool to connect citizens with the work of Members; welcomes in that regard the increase of the ceilings and cost factors for the calculation of the financial contribution to sponsored visitors as from 1 January 2025; requests the Bureau to assess the impact of the revised rules related to visitors groups in relation to travel costs taking into account market fluctuation and to avoid indirect geographical discrimination for visitors; notes that about 15 % of the quota for visitors is historically not being used by Members; calls the Secretary-General to propose to the Bureau to make the unused quota available to interested Members; notes that the budget for visitors groups represents 22 % of the overall budget of the Directorate-General for Communication;

    24.  Notes with concern the internal rules governing Members’ visitor groups, which result in 30 % of the up-front costs having to be incurred by Accredited Parliamentary Assistants (APAs) in some circumstances; stresses the impracticability of these rules and the financial burden this places on APAs; takes note of the answers provided by the Secretary-General to Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2024 in regard to the rationale of the two-step approach; understands the rationale but emphasises the growing challenges this presents for APAs, particularly with the continuous shift towards more stringent rules;

    25.  Stresses the increasingly challenging communication landscape and the multiple ways in which political communication should be performed, including through engaging in various social media platforms and other media; underlines the need for the political groups to convey and communicate their message across all Member States as a key principle of a well-functioning European democracy;

    Infrastructure

    26.  Acknowledges the new approach related to buildings, where, after a period of acquisition, Parliament has entered an era of consolidation of buildings, taking into account sustainability, accessibility and mobility of Members and staff;

    27.  Takes note that EUR 4 million are included in the 2026 estimates for studies and the contractor’s preparatory works related to the SPAAK building renovation while the overall costs are estimated at EUR 36 million; notes therefore that EUR 32 million of costs related to the SPAAK building renovation are not included in the 2026 estimates; notes that the Secretary-General intends to cover these costs by a mopping-up transfer or the use of a loan; requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgets with detailed information on a possible loan to cover these costs, in accordance with Article 272 (6) of the Financial Regulation, as soon as possible as well as the full planning of the works including the planning of the costs; insists that costs not directly linked to the renovation works should also be clearly listed and budgeted; notes that as of December 2024, the direct costs of the SPAAK project amount to EUR 14,12 million;

    28.  Welcomes the pilot project of DG INLO aimed at removing legionella from the pipeline sanitary system of the Parliament and highlights that the only effective way to fight the further spreading of legionella is to bring the water temperature inside the pipelines to 55 degrees Celsius for a limited time;

    29.  Notes that it is planned to invest EUR 11,45 million in Europa Experiences in 2026; takes note of the decision by the Bureau in November 2024 to revise the concept of Europa Experience and expects the revised concept to be more cost-efficient and more attractive to visitors; regrets that there are still no Europa Experiences in Bucharest, Riga, Madrid, Lisbon, Nicosia, Valletta or Vilnius; calls for the establishment of Europa Experiences in all Member States as soon as a revised concept has been established; recalls that Europa Experiences should allow citizens to have a better understanding of the functioning of the Union and learn about our shared values; reiterates therefore that Europa Experiences are an integral part of Parliament’s ongoing engagement with Union citizens;

    30.  Takes note that no additional financing is needed for the opening of Parliament offices in Moldova and the Western Balkans, as these would be set up within EEAS premises; stresses the importance of Parliament’s presence in these countries as a sign of European solidarity and a sign of Parliament’s commitment to the accession process;

    31.  Takes note of the early termination of the contract with the previous provider of the Crèche Wayenberg after a number of serious allegations against the contractor; welcomes the agreement with a new provider that foresees better working conditions of the nursery staff and better quality of the service for the children; acknowledges, however, that this results in an increase of the budget necessary for this purpose, but emphasises that decent working conditions for external staff should, where relevant, be a priority consideration in public procurement of Parliament as a matter of principle;

    32.  Reiterates the need for high quality nursing rooms in Parliament’s premises and calls on the competent services to upgrade the current facilities in terms of equipment, space and accessibility in order to make them child-friendly; calls for an impact assessment on the need for a family room within the premises of the Brussels seat of the Parliament, for children of Members without permanent residence in Brussels, mirroring the arrangements in Strasbourg;

    Others

    33.  Reiterates its request, adopted at Plenary level at several occasions, for the relevant bodies to reflect on a solution enabling Members to exercise their right to vote remotely, during benefiting from maternity or paternity leave, during a certified long-term illness, taking advantage of the lessons learnt during the pandemic on the technical aspects of this voting method;

    34.  Reaffirms its call for the Secretary-General to emphasise the fundamental principle that all recruitment should be based on competency while also ensuring geographical balance among all Member States at every staff level; calls on Parliament to build its own outreach capacity, with the goal of attracting to competitions quality candidates that Parliament needs, in terms of profile, age, gender and nationality and especially from under-represented countries; underscores that achieving fair geographical representation is essential to fostering a genuinely European public service; notes that Parliament has consistently taken measures to support this objective, including the organisation of nationality-specific competitions while maintaining a strict merit-based selection approach;

    35.  Believes that Parliament should lead by example concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, both as an employer and as a public institution; welcomes Parliament’s policy aiming to ensure the fully independent use of Parliament buildings by persons with disabilities and supports further measures and adaptations that will be necessary in this regard; notes that the budget foresees EUR 3,7 million for this purpose;

    36.  Stresses the fact that Parliament having a single seat could reduce the financial and environmental costs; recalls that, according to the Treaty on European Union, Parliament is to have its seat in Strasbourg; notes that permanent changes would require a Treaty change for which unanimity is needed;

    37.  Notes that mission expenses of Members and staff amount to EUR 116 million in Parliament’s budget; calls for Parliament’s bodies to reflect on mission practices and a revision of mission rules and practices with the overall aim of continuing to improve the nature of missions and further diminishing the associated financial and environmental costs; encourages Members to use low-carbon transport alternatives and advocates for responsible and measured use of best-value flights options, and the preference for train travel where it is a viable option;

    38.  Takes note that Article 46(2) of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament provides for the possibility to finance extra costs linked to the parliamentary assistance budgets with appropriations from their General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); calls on Parliament’s administration to take the necessary measures to enable Members who wish to do so to use their GEA to cover the cost of APA missions; highlights that such a measure would address increasing costs in Members’ offices while being budgetary neutral;

    39.  Calls on the Bureau not to index the GEA and not to grant GEA to former Members, thus allowing for significant savings in the statutory costs;

    40.  Calls on the Bureau to revise the rules and to introduce a cooling-off period for former Members during which they cannot engage in lobbying or representational activities with the Parliament equal to the time during which Members receive a transitional allowance;

    41.  Recalls that Parliament has consistently voted in Plenary since 2018 to consider lifting the overall ban on APAs participating in official delegations and missions; regrets that the Conference of Presidents’ decisions of March 2025 on the Implementing provisions governing the missions outside the three places of work of the European Parliament did not align with Plenary’s call; maintains its position that APAs should be allowed, under certain conditions, to accompany Members on official delegations and missions; calls on its relevant bodies to amend the relevant articles of its internal rules to allow the participation of APAs in official missions and delegations outside Parliament’s three places of work without further delay;

    42.  Welcomes the work of the APA Committee which represents around 2 000 APAs, whose work is crucial to the smooth operation of the MEP’s daily activities; notes the earmarking of EUR 10 000 in order for the APA Committee to fulfil its role and ensure sufficient resources to effectively support and properly represent the APAs;

    43.  Welcomes the exceptional 10 % increase in scholarships for each trainee in 2026, budgeted for EUR 1 million in 2026 to help them cope with growing housing costs in Brussels and Luxembourg;

    44.  Expects that requests voted by the Plenary should be treated by the responsible bodies as a matter of high priority;

    o
    o   o

    45.  Adopts the estimates for the financial year 2026;

    46.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the estimates to the Council and the Commission.

    (1) OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 11, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2093/oj.
    (2) OJ C 444 I, 22.12.2020, p. 4.
    (3) OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 252.
    (4) OJ L 325, 20.12.2022, p. 11, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2496/oj.
    (5) OJ L, 2024/765, 29.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/765/oj.
    (6) OJ C 445, 29.10.2021, p. 240.
    (7) OJ C 177, 17.5.2023, p. 115.
    (8) OJ C, C/2024/1195, 23.02.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/1195/oj.
    (9) OJ C, C/2024/6751, 26.11.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/6751/oj.
    (10) OJ L 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj.
    (11) OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2020/1222/oj.
    (12) OJ L, 2025/31, 27.2.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/budget/2025/31/oj.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security – P10_TA(2025)0066 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

    –  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

    –  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

    –  having regard to the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which guarantees the right to freedom of conscience and the free exercise of religious worship for all citizens,

    –  having regard to the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 November 1981,

    –  having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights,

    –  having regard to Rules 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas the eastern DRC has endured decades of widespread violence and instability; whereas the situation continues to deteriorate significantly, with persistent human rights violations by armed groups, mass displacement, attacks on civilians and alarming humanitarian conditions further exacerbated by armed conflicts, such as the conflict between the DRC Government, the Rwanda-backed armed rebel group March 23 Movement (M23) and other militias, which has already resulted in the forceful internal displacement of 4,6 million people in the eastern DRC; whereas around 100 separate armed groups are estimated to be operating in the eastern DRC; whereas a series of overlapping issues are driving destabilisation in the country;

    B.  whereas M23 has intensified attacks in North Kivu and on 19 March 2025, it seized the mineral-rich town of Walikale, defying the ceasefire;

    C.  whereas the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is one of the most prominent extremist groups with explicitly religious objectives, especially since its leader pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2019, becoming its Central Africa Province branch (ISCAP); whereas the ADF’s attacks need to be seen in the wider African context of a rise in the number of Islamist groups, in particular those affiliated to ISIS, in the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and the DRC; whereas the ADF has been designated a terrorist group by Uganda and the United States;

    D.  whereas in May 2024, the UN Group of Experts on the DRC warned that the ‘armed group established strong networks in prisons, particularly in Kinshasa where ADF detainees were active in recruiting and mobilising combatants and collaborators’, using not only ideological means, but also coercion, deception, abduction and financial incentives to attract members and collaborators;

    E.  whereas the ADF has a long history of committing terrorist attacks in the eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri provinces; whereas North Kivu is a resource-rich region, with vast supplies of critical raw materials including cobalt, gold and tin, which are necessary for the global digital and energy transitions; whereas it is known that the ADF and other armed groups, including M23, have been relying on, among other sources of financing, the illegal exploitation of these resources to fund their activities; whereas the Congolese Catholic Church claims that the ADF is responsible for the deaths of around 6 000 civilians in Beni between 2013 and 2021 and more than 2 000 in Bunia in 2020 alone; whereas in 2024, a large number of Christians were killed in the DRC by jihadists; whereas civilians in the DRC’s eastern provinces are facing an increasing number of attacks, killings and abductions, as well as church bombings and the destruction of (religious) property, perpetrated by armed groups with extremist and jihadist ideologies; whereas most victims of ADF attacks have been Christian; whereas these attacks undermine religious freedom and exacerbate intercommunal tensions; whereas the Catholic bishops of the DRC spoke out in an April 2021 statement about the threat of the ‘Islamization of the region [North Kivu] as a sort of deeper strategy for a long-term negative influence on the general political situation of the country’;

    F.  whereas in 2021, a prominent local Muslim leader received death threats from the ADF, and he was later gunned down; whereas in 2023, the ADF bombed services at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, killing 14 people; whereas the ADF has been linked to an attack on the village of Mukondi in 2023, in which at least 44 civilians were killed, according to local authorities; whereas the group claimed 48 attacks in December 2024 alone, killing over 200 people; whereas in January 2024, the ADF killed eight people in Beni during an attack on a Pentecostal church and, in May 2024, ADF assailants reportedly killed 14 Catholics in the North Kivu province for refusing to convert to Islam; whereas the ADF also reportedly executed 11 Christians in the village of Ndimo in Ituri province and kidnapped several others;

    G.  whereas local and international human rights organisations have documented numerous instances of religious violence in the DRC, while stressing the urgent need for the state to provide adequate protection; whereas, while the DRC Government has demonstrated a strong intention to address the impacts of armed group violence in the eastern DRC, other recent developments call into question the government’s commitment to safeguarding religious freedom specifically; whereas women and children are particularly vulnerable to rape as weapon of war, human trafficking and sexual slavery;

    H.  whereas the Armed Forces of the DRC have been conducting a joint military offensive, Operation Shujaa, with the Ugandan People’s Defence Force against the ADF and other insurgent forces in the eastern DRC since November 2021; whereas the conflict between the DRC Government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has led to a decrease in the funds, personnel and equipment being allocated to this counterterrorism operation;

    I.  whereas the right to freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right and must be protected given the high level of violence and persecution; whereas the Constitution of the DRC provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious belief;

    J.  whereas over 7 million people in the DRC are currently displaced because of the wider ongoing conflicts, with limited access to food, water, healthcare and essential services; whereas state authorities and rebel groups have obligations to civilians under international humanitarian law, including protecting and facilitating access to humanitarian assistance, and permitting freedom of movement;

    K.  whereas women and children in the DRC face increased levels of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape as a weapon of war, resulting in there being one victim of rape every four minutes;

    L.  whereas the illegal exploitation of mineral resources continues to fuel conflict in the region, necessitating stronger international oversight and responsible sourcing policies;

    M.  whereas in March 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda issued a joint statement announcing a ceasefire; whereas despite this, the violence perpetrated by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continues;

    N.  whereas the DRC has one of the highest rates of internal displacement in the world; whereas many women and children live in precarious conditions and are being exposed to the risk of harassment, assault, sexual exploitation and forced military recruitment; whereas displaced populations often receive no basic life-saving services and are at risk of malnutrition and disease; whereas cities that host internally displaced people in precarious circumstances are also targets of attacks by different militias, causing great distress to the displaced communities and to the local population;

    O.  whereas the EU has committed to supporting stability in the DRC through diplomatic engagement, financial assistance and targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for violence and human rights abuses; whereas on 17 March 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses or that sustain the conflict in the DRC, including through the illegal exploitation of resources, but further diplomatic and economic measures may be necessary;

    P.  whereas the Council has renewed the EU’s financial support for the deployment of Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) troops in Mozambique under the European Peace Facility (EPF); whereas the head of these forces was previously deployed in the eastern DRC to support abuses committed by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, giving rise to serious doubt as to whether there are sufficient safeguards attached to EPF support, including effective vetting and other human rights requirements;

    Q.  whereas the EU has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the promotion and protection of religious freedom globally, and has taken steps to combat religious persecution and intolerance in various parts of the world; whereas Christians are the largest persecuted religious group in the world;

    R.  whereas Parliament has consistently called for the strengthening of international efforts to combat religious persecution and to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on minority communities;

    1.  Strongly condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories in the eastern DRC by M23 and the RDF as an unacceptable breach of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; urges the Rwandan Government to withdraw its troops from DRC territory, the presence of whom is a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, and cease cooperation with the M23 rebels; demands that Rwanda and all other potential state actors in the region cease their support for M23;

    2.  Expresses deep concern at the alarming continuation of violence; deplores the loss of life and the attacks, both indiscriminate and targeted, against civilians; expresses deep concern over the worsening security and humanitarian crises in the eastern DRC as a whole; calls for the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and for the commitment of all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC to respect international humanitarian law;

    3.  Strongly condemns the targeted terrorist attacks carried out by the ADF against Christian communities in the eastern DRC, including killings, abductions and the destruction of religious property, and calls for an immediate halt to such acts of violence; expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and with Christian communities;

    4.  Strongly condemns the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and the ADF, as well as other rebel groups, and their egregious human rights abuses that amount to crimes against humanity in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); underlines that there must be no impunity for the perpetrators of these acts and that those responsible should be referred to the ICC; encourages the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to examine the human rights violations committed in the DRC, renewed investigations in North Kivu by the ICC Prosecutors Office and the creation of a special tribunal for atrocity crimes in the DRC, including crimes committed against Christian communities; backs the efforts by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo and the Church of Christ in Congo, which launched the ‘Social pact for peace and coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region’, with the aim of restoring peace in the country’s eastern provinces;

    5.  Supports the international efforts against the ADF, including the Shujaa counterterrorism operation carried out jointly by the DRC and Ugandan armed forces; encourages the EU Member States to consider ways of contributing to these efforts, including increased efforts to trace and interdict ISIS secret funds held overseas and to trace any raw materials stemming from their illegal exploitation by the ADF; calls for the EU to support the necessary capacity-building and expertise to combat ADF ideology and rhetoric, particularly within the Muslim communities of both Uganda and the DRC, to prevent recruitment among those communities; requests the application of the EU global human rights sanctions regime to those responsible for planning, ordering or participating in the killing of Christians in the DRC;

    6.  Calls for an immediate and effective ceasefire, and for the full implementation of diplomatic agreements, including the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes; underlines the urgent need for the stabilisation of the country and reiterates its call on M23 to halt its territorial advances and withdraw from the territory of the DRC;

    7.  Reiterates its full support for the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in protecting civilians and stabilising the region; urges the EU to cooperate with all actors on the ground, in particular MONUSCO, to ensure the protection of civilians in the eastern DRC; calls on the UN to work towards a stronger mandate for MONUSCO in order to enable peacemaking; calls on the UN to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law;

    8.  Urges the international community to increase support for services in the eastern DRC so that civilians who have been targeted can have access to legal services and psychological support; calls on the DRC Government to counter extremist propaganda; calls for the establishment of early warning mechanisms to more effectively prevent and respond to attacks by the ADF and other armed groups against civilians;

    9.  Reiterates its call for all parties, including armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate humanitarian access to address the urgent need for essential services in the eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, notably Burundi; emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account; calls on all parties to provide a safe environment for civil society organisations;

    10.  Is appalled by the shocking use of sexual violence against women and children as a tool of repression and weapon of war in the eastern DRC, and by the unacceptable recruitment of child soldiers by the various rebel groups; demands that these matters be addressed by the international community without delay;

    11.  Calls for stricter enforcement of the EU regulation on conflict minerals(1) to prevent illicit trade from fuelling armed groups in the DRC; reiterates its previous call on the Commission to suspend the EU’s Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda; requests that the Commission share detailed mapping of current projects with Rwandan authorities and its assessment of whether they may contribute to addressing or may fail to address human rights violations either inside Rwanda or in the DRC;

    12.  Calls for the EU and its Member States to support the DRC in implementing the recommendations of the 2010 mapping report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including reforming the security sector, strengthening its efforts to prevent further atrocities against civilians, and ending support for or collaboration with abusive armed groups; urges the DRC Government to ensure accountability for human rights violations and prosecute those responsible for attacks; calls for the EU and its Member States to support the DRC in fighting corruption, strengthening governance and the rule of law, improving security and ensuring the lasting protection of communities at risk, including religious communities, and to ensure that perpetrators of attacks are brought to justice;

    13.  Underlines the role of communities, including religious communities and faith-based organisations in the DRC, in promoting peace, social cohesion and the well-being of local communities;

    14.  Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to intensify diplomatic efforts by working closely with regional partners, including the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations, in order to step up diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict and prevent extremist groups from using religion as a tool for violence and division;

    15.  Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of displaced persons and vulnerable communities in the DRC, ensuring safe access to food, medical care and shelter;

    16.  Supports the imposition of further targeted EU sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for financing or engaging in violence, human rights abuses and resource exploitation; calls for the implementation of the sanctions outlined in the OHCHR mapping report;

    17.  Confirms its commitment to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as a fundamental human right guaranteed by international legal instruments recognised as holding universal value, and to which most countries in the world have committed, and which is enshrined in the Constitution of the DRC;

    18.  Echoes the calls for international solidarity in defending religious freedom and the protection of religious minorities in conflict zones, particularly in the DRC, while addressing the root causes of violent extremism in the DRC and its neighbourhood;

    19.  Urges the EU to uphold its commitment to the promotion of religious freedom and the protection of communities, including religious communities, ensuring that the rights of these groups are prioritised in the EU’s external policies;

    20.  Notes, with concern, the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa, which is a staunch supporter of the Putin regime and its violent, unlawful war in Ukraine; underlines that this development raises significant questions regarding the broader geopolitical and ideological objectives of the Russian Federation in Africa;

    21.  Deplores the fact that Rwanda announced the termination of its diplomatic relations with Belgium, and expresses its solidarity with Belgium;

    22.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the African Union, the secretariats of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, and other relevant international bodies.

    (1) Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (OJ L 130, 19.5.2017, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/821/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Energy-intensive industries – P10_TA(2025)0065 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to the report of September 2024 by Mario Draghi entitled ‘On the future of European competitiveness’,

    –  having regard to the report of April 2024 by Enrico Letta entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

    –  having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘Action Plan for Affordable Energy’ (COM(2025)0079),

    –  having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    –  having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy,

    A.  whereas energy-intensive industries (EIIs) account for a significant share of the EU’s economy and play a key role in job creation, especially in areas and regions where they are concentrated; whereas EIIs are crucial for the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness, as well as for decarbonisation, taking into account their energy footprint;

    B.  whereas the transition to a decarbonised economy and a clean energy system must lead to reducing energy prices and must take into account all available technologies that contribute to reaching the EU’s net zero goal for 2050 in the most cost-efficient way, avoiding lock-in effects and taking into account the different energy mix across Member States, including with regard to renewables and nuclear;

    C.  whereas technological neutrality is crucial for European industry as it ensures fair competition, fosters innovation and supports the clean transition without favouring specific technologies; whereas maintaining a neutral regulatory framework allows companies to choose the most efficient and sustainable solutions based on market needs rather than top-down preferences set by policymakers; whereas this approach encourages investment, boosts competitiveness and allows industry to adapt to new technologies;

    D.  whereas electrification is at the centre of the decarbonisation of EIIs; whereas EIIs include sectors that use fossil resources to meet temperature, pressure or reaction requirements, such as chemicals, steel, paper, plastics, mining, refineries, cement, lime, non-ferrous metals, glass, ceramics and fertilisers, for which greenhouse gas emissions are hard to reduce because they are intrinsic to the process or because of high capital or operating expenditure costs or low technological maturity;

    E.  whereas the energy price gap between the EU and the US and China undermines the competitiveness of the EU’s industries; whereas elevated and volatile fossil fuel prices heavily affect electricity prices and the affordable cost of renewable energy sources is not transferred to energy bills;

    F.  whereas an insufficiently integrated energy union poses further challenges to EIIs, in particular in relation to the lack of cross-border interconnections and the limited availability of clean energy, owing to lengthy permitting procedures or high capital or operating expenditures, as well as grid congestion;

    G.  whereas the emissions trading system (ETS) provided long-term investment signals and helped bring down the emissions of ETS sectors by 47 %; whereas the energy market has profoundly changed since the introduction of the ETS, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the shift from pipeline gas to liquid natural gas (LNG); whereas a lack of carbon market transparency risks hampering EIIs’ competitiveness; whereas ETS revenues are used unevenly across Member States, failing to adequately support EIIs’ decarbonisation;

    H.  whereas unnecessary regulatory burdens and lengthy permitting procedures undermine the business case for investing in decarbonisation in Europe; whereas the concept of overriding public interest is provided for in EU legislation; whereas complex and fragmented EU funding impedes timely investment in net-zero technologies and digitalisation, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);

    I.  whereas the lack of necessary private investment risks hindering EIIs’ decarbonisation; whereas relying excessively on State aid can have the unwanted consequences of exacerbating disparities and distorting competition across the EU;

    J.  whereas the EU’s dependencies and limited access, both in quantity and quality, to primary and secondary raw materials pose significant challenges to EIIs; whereas circularity and efficiency can help reduce the annual investment needs in industry and in energy supply; whereas currently, ferrous metals exported to non-EU countries account for more than half of all EU waste exports, raising concerns about their sound treatment;

    K.  whereas unfair competition from non-EU countries, including subsidised overcapacity, poses a great challenge to EU companies; whereas many regions around the world do not currently have ambitious decarbonisation targets, thus increasing the risk of carbon leakage;

    L.  whereas a profound transformation of EIIs cannot succeed without the involvement of local and regional communities, workers and social partners, which are heavily affected by the transition;

    1.  Reiterates its commitment to the EU’s decarbonisation objectives and to stable and predictable climate and industrial policies;

    2.  Calls on the Member States to accelerate permitting and licensing processes for clean energy projects, ensuring administrative capacity, and to facilitate grid connections to enable clean, on-site energy generation, especially in remote areas; stresses that the growth of renewables and electrification will require massive investment in grids and in flexibility, storage and distribution networks; calls on the Commission to develop, beyond the concept of overriding public interest, solutions for speeding up decarbonisation projects;

    3.  Believes that further action is needed to implement the electricity market design (EMD) rules, especially to promote power purchase agreements (PPAs) and two-way contracts for difference (CfDs) to reduce volatility and energy costs for EIIs; calls on the Commission to propose urgent measures to address current barriers to the signing of long-term agreements, especially for SMEs, using risk reduction instruments and guarantees, including public guarantee such as by the European Investment Bank (EIB); suggests that additional ways to decouple fossil fuel prices from electricity prices be explored, in the framework of the EMD, including with the aim of boosting long-term contracts in line with the affordable energy action plan, and by advancing the analysis of short-term markets to 2025 with a view to considering alternative market design options;

    4.  Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of scaling up best practice for EIIs from Member States, such as Italy’s energy release; calls on the Commission to develop recommendations for reducing the exposure of consumers, and especially EIIs, to rising energy costs, such as by reducing taxes and levies and harmonising network charges, while ensuring public investment in grids;

    5.  Calls for the enhancement of energy system integration, in particular in relation to cross-border interconnections, to ensure clean and resilient energy supply; asks for increased investment in flexibility, such as storage, including pumped storage hydropower and heat and waste heat storage, and demand response, to optimise grid stability; recalls the importance of energy efficiency in bringing costs down;

    6.  Underlines the need to phase out natural gas as soon as possible; stresses that some sectors cannot rely substantially on electrification in the short to medium term; underlines that carbon capture, utilisation and storage plays a key role in the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors and the production of low-carbon products, including low-carbon hydrogen; calls on the Member States – over the same time span and for these limited sectors – to develop measures to address gas price spikes in duly justified cases; calls on the Commission to develop tools to ensure gas supply at a mitigated cost, by enabling demand aggregation, building on AggregateEU, and joint gas purchasing, while keeping decarbonisation objectives; highlights the importance of encouraging stable contracts with gas suppliers, diversifying supply routes and improving market transparency and stability, in line with current legislation; calls for an impact assessment in the upcoming ETS review to analyse the relationship between the gas market and CO2 prices and the role of the market stability reserve and its parameters;

    7.  Calls on the Commission to support EIIs in adopting clean and net-zero technologies, including carbon capture and storage and low-carbon hydrogen, and energy-efficient production methods by strengthening funding mechanisms and ensuring that ETS revenue is used effectively by Member States; calls for EU-level support to be complemented by State aid that allows for targeted technology neutral support to EIIs, while preserving a level playing field within the single market;

    8.  Calls for InvestEU to be topped up before the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and for leftover Resilience and Recovery Facility loans to support investment in EII decarbonisation; notes that the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform already allows for flexibility within current programmes but that this is insufficient; insists that the upcoming MFF increase funding to support EIIs, building on the Innovation Fund and the Connecting Europe Facility – Energy or through the competitiveness fund; stresses that the European Hydrogen Bank and the carbon contracts for difference programme need to be scaled up; calls on the Commission to build on the Net-Zero Industry Act(1) in the upcoming decarbonisation accelerator act, to streamline the processes for granting permits and strategic project status;

    9.  Stresses the need to simplify bureaucratic procedures to enhance the attractiveness of private investment and support EIIs’ transition; believes that both InvestEU and the EIB are pivotal in catalysing private financing, especially through de-risking measures;

    10.  Emphasises the need to secure access to critical raw materials; stresses that the upcoming circular economy act should improve resource efficiency, including through better waste management of products containing critical raw materials, as well as fostering the demand and availability of secondary raw materials; stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation(2);

    11.  Calls on the Commission to make full and efficient use of trade defence instruments; calls on the Commission to find a permanent solution to address unfair competition and structural overcapacity, before the expiry of current steel safeguard measures in 2026; calls on the Commission to engage with the US in relation to the announced tariffs on EU imports and avoid any harmful escalation;

    12.  Stresses that an effective implementation of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is essential to ensure a level playing field for EU industries and prevent carbon leakage, taking into account the impact of the parallel phasing out of the ETS free allowances and the risk of increased production costs; calls on the Commission to address the risks of resource shuffling and circumvention of the CBAM; asks, furthermore, for the implementation of an effective solution for EU exporters and an analysis of the possible extension to further sectors and downstream products, preceded by an impact assessment;

    13.  Calls for the creation of lead markets for clean and circular European products, via non-price criteria in EU public procurement, such as sustainability and resilience and a European preference for strategic sectors, as well as by creating voluntary labelling schemes and minimum EU content requirements in a cost-effective way;

    14.  Highlights the importance of a just transition to assist areas heavily reliant on EIIs, by keeping and creating quality jobs through upskilling and reskilling programmes for workers and through the effective use of regional support mechanisms, such as the Just Transition Fund and the Cohesion Fund; stresses that public support will be pivotal for the transition of EIIs and that this support should be tied to their commitment to safeguarding employment and working conditions and preventing off-shoring; welcomes the Union of Skills initiative to ensure a good match between skills and labour market demands;

    15.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

    (1) Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj).
    (2) Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (OJ L, 2024/1157, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1157/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Prosecution of journalists in Cameroon, notably the cases of Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior, Tsi Conrad – P10_TA(2025)0061 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas press freedom in Cameroon is deteriorating; whereas the Cameroonian Constitution recognises freedom of expression and fundamental rights; whereas journalists are routinely detained, attacked, censored, and imprisoned on anti-state, criminal defamation, ‘fake news’, and retaliatory charges while reporting on the crisis in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions;

    B.  whereas Cameroon uses lengthy pre-trial and arbitrary detention; whereas journalists have been held incommunicado and convictions are handed down by military courts, among other serious violations of fair trial and due process rights;

    C.  whereas the UN Committee against Torture, Freedom House and the Committee to Protect Journalists recently reported that Cameroon’s police, gendarmes and other government agents have arrested, detained, physically attacked and intimidated journalists and that, once detained, journalists are often ill-treated, tortured and killed;

    D.  whereas Tsi Conrad, Mancho Bibixy, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka and Thomas Awah Junior are journalists who reported on the situation in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, including on abuses perpetrated during the armed conflict and ongoing civil unrest; whereas Amadou Vamoulké, a journalist in poor health, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for his independent management of the state broadcaster;

    E.  whereas the journalists Martinez Zogo, Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe, Samuel Wazizi and Anye Nde Nsoh were killed between August 2019 and May 2023, and serious questions about accountability remain unanswered;

    F.  whereas the EU is Cameroon’s leading trade partner;

    1.  Condemns the structural violations of journalists’ human rights by the Cameroonian authorities, calls on those authorities to ensure that press freedom is respected, particularly in the run-up to Cameroon’s 2025 presidential elections, and urges them to immediately and unconditionally release Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior and Tsi Conrad and ensure, in the meantime, that their basic rights are upheld and that they have access to medical treatment;

    2.  Calls for the EU and the Member States to raise cases of detained journalists with the Cameroonian authorities; calls for the EU to use its diplomatic and economic leverage to achieve tangible improvements in human rights in Cameroon;

    3.  Urges the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States’ diplomatic missions to actively respond to restrictions against journalists, including by ensuring comprehensive observation of trials, visiting journalists in detention and maintaining active contact with marginalised or at-risk journalists and with their families and colleagues;

    4.  Urges the Cameroonian authorities to end their practice of trying civilians in military courts, which does not comply with international law, and to stop abusively invoking terrorism, anti-state and ‘fake news’ charges in cases against journalists;

    5.  Reiterates its call on the Member States to support a UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission to Cameroon, particularly in light of the conflict in the North-West and South-West Regions;

    6.  Calls on the Member States to facilitate humanitarian visa applications for Cameroonian journalists at risk of persecution;

    7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR and the President, Government and Parliament of Cameroon.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus – threats from the Investigative Committee – P10_TA(2025)0063 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,

    –  having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas the Lukashenka regime has been escalating internal and transnational repression to dismantle the structures representing the democratic forces of Belarus;

    B.  whereas UN experts recently confirmed arbitrary arrests and detentions, accompanied by torture or ill treatment and even reported evidence for crimes against humanity; whereas more than 1 200 political prisoners, including Viktoryia Kulsha, Volha Mayorava, Alena Hnauk and Andrzej Poczobut, are still jailed;

    C.  whereas the Belarusian Investigative Committee has opened ‘special proceedings’ against hundreds of Belarusians who joined rallies in various European cities or ran in the Coordination Council’s elections; whereas the families of the Belarusian diaspora were threatened with imprisonment and asset confiscation if they participated in Freedom Day protests;

    D.  whereas Lukashenka’s regime is exploiting the expiry of many Belarusian passports to force the diaspora to return to Belarus;

    E.  whereas the Belarusian regime’s increasing cooperation with Russian security services heightens the risk of coordinated repression, surveillance and hybrid threats in EU territory;

    F.  whereas Belarusian state media dominates the information landscape;

    1.  Demands that Lukashenka’s regime immediately cease its repression, including the surveillance of exiles and demonstrators, and release and rehabilitate all political prisoners;

    2.  Strongly condemns the continued expansion of repression by the Lukashenka regime, which now targets Belarusians abroad with criminal prosecution, asset seizures and other measures designed to silence dissent;

    3.  Calls for EU-wide legal support and protection for exiled Belarusians by simplifying procedures for obtaining visas, resident permits and provisional IDs for individuals made stateless by extraterritorial persecution;

    4.  Reiterates its non-recognition of Lukashenka and considers the persecution of Belarusian citizens for peaceful democratic activities abroad via Investigative Committee ‘special proceedings’ to be a direct violation of the Member States’ territorial sovereignty; urges, therefore, the countries concerned to disregard Interpol arrest warrants for the extradition of Lukashenka’s political opponents;

    5.  Welcomes the sanctions on the President Property Management Directorate and the Central Election Commission, which issued politically motivated judgments; urges the immediate imposition of personal sanctions on all members of the Belarusian Investigative Committee and officials from other state institutions complicit in the transnational persecution and intimidation of Belarusian citizens;

    6.  Strongly advocates the swift development and enforcement of a legal mechanism to identify, freeze and confiscate all assets and property outside Belarus owned by Lukashenka and his inner circle, with a view to reallocating them to a fund supporting victims of repression;

    7.  Urges the Member States to impose further sanctions equal to those imposed on Russia, particularly on officials responsible for transnational repression;

    8.  Urges the EU and its Member States to increase political, financial and technical support for the independent media, human rights defenders, trade unions and civil society initiatives operating within and outside Belarus, including monitoring trials and increasing the visibility of political prisoners;

    9.  Calls on the VP/HR to use INTCEN and EDMO to counteract Belarusian intelligence operations and disinformation;

    10.  Urges the International Criminal Court to expedite proceedings on crimes against humanity by Lukashenka’s regime and demands that Member States pursue accountability through national proceedings, based on the principle of universal jurisdiction;

    11.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and the Belarusian de facto authorities.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Execution spree in Iran and the confirmation of the death sentences of activists Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani – P10_TA(2025)0062 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

    –  having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas Iran has the highest death sentence rate per capita in the world; whereas since the Women, Life, Freedom uprising in 2022, the Iranian authorities have embarked on an execution spree, including against dissidents, women, journalists and minorities;

    B.  whereas the human rights situation in Iran is worsening, including the systemic targeting of women, children and ethnic and religious minorities, such as Christians, Baha’is, Kurds and Baluchis;

    C.  whereas following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in custody, the Iranian authorities have intensified efforts to suppress the Women, Life, Freedom movement;

    D.  whereas according to Iran Human Rights, at least 975 people were executed in Iran in 2024, the highest number in more than two decades; whereas this includes individuals arrested as minors, as well as European citizens;

    E.  whereas the regime in Tehran targets its vocal critics by orchestrating assassinations of politicians, journalists and dissidents abroad, including on European and North American soil, such as the attempted killing of former Vice-President of the European Parliament Alejo Vidal-Quadras;

    F.  whereas political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani were arrested in November 2022 and subjected to torture and prolonged solitary confinement, denied their basic rights during their incarceration and sentenced to death on charges of ‘armed rebellion against the state’, ‘enmity against God’ and ‘corruption on earth’;

    G.  whereas several human rights defenders, including Pakhshan Azizi, Wirishe Moradi, Mahvash Sabet and Sharifeh Mohammadi, face severe persecution in Iran, with some sentenced to death and others imprisoned;

    1.  Reiterates its strong opposition to the death penalty; urges the Iranian Government to introduce an immediate moratorium leading to its abolition;

    2.  Condemns the decision by Iran’s Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence against Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, detained under inhumane conditions and subjected to unfair trials;

    3.  Calls for their release, together with all prisoners currently on death row for political activism; recalls, in particular, the urgent cases of Pakhshan Azizi, Wirishe Moradi, Sharifeh Mohammadi and Mahvash Sabet;

    4.  Condemns the unprecedented rise in executions and the systematic targeting of human rights activists and minorities through the death penalty and persecutions, in particular Christians, Baha’is, Kurds and Baluchis; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals detained on account of their religion or belief;

    5.  Demands the immediate release and repatriation of and dropping of all charges against condemned EU nationals, including Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris and Ahmadreza Djalali; condemns Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy;

    6.  Calls on the Council and Member States to make the abolition of the death sentence and the release of political prisoners and EU nationals a condition for improving relations with Iran;

    7.  Reiterates its call on Iran to give the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and the UN Fact-Finding Mission unimpeded access to the country;

    8.  Reiterates its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation and continue identifying and sanctioning Iranian officials responsible for human rights violations; calls on the international community to fiercely respond to Tehran’s orchestrated assassination attempts worldwide targeting critics and opponents of the Mullah regime;

    9.  Encourages the Commission and Member States to expand technical and financial assistance for Iranian civil society;

    10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements – P10_TA(2025)0064 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

    Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 50 and 114 thereof,

    Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

    After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

    Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(1),

    Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(2),

    Whereas:

    (1)  In its communication of 11 February 2025 entitled ‘A simpler and faster Europe: Communication on implementation and simplification’, the Commission set out a vision for an implementation and simplification agenda that delivers fast and visible improvements for people and business on the ground. That requires more than an incremental approach and the Union is to take bold action to achieve that goal. The European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the authorities of the Member States at all levels and stakeholders need to work together to streamline and simplify Union, national and regional rules and to implement policies more effectively.

    (2)  In the context of the Commission’s commitment to reducing reporting burdens and to enhancing competitiveness, it is necessary to introduce targeted amendments to Directives (EU) 2022/2464(3) and (EU) 2024/1760(4) of the European Parliament and of the Council in order to achieve those objectives, whilst maintaining the policy objectives of the Green Deal as set out in the Commission’s communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ and the Sustainable Finance Action Plan as set out in the Commission’s communication of 8 March 2018 entitled ‘Action Plan: Financing Sustainable Growth’.

    (3)  Directive (EU) 2022/2464 specifies the dates from which Member States are to apply the sustainability reporting requirements set out in Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council(5), with different dates depending on the size of the undertaking concerned. Large undertakings that are public-interest entities with more than 500 employees on average during the financial year and public-interest entities that are parent undertakings of a large group with more than 500 employees on average on its balance sheet dates, on a consolidated basis, during the financial year are to report in 2025 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024. Other large undertakings and other parent undertakings of a large group are to report in 2026 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025. Small and medium-sized undertakings, except micro-undertakings, small and non-complex institutions, captive insurance undertakings and captive reinsurance undertakings are to report in 2027 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Considering the ongoing Commission initiatives which aim to simplify certain existing sustainability reporting obligations and to reduce the related administrative burden on undertakings, and in order to provide for legal clarity and to avoid the undertakings currently required to report for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and on or after 1 January 2026 incurring unnecessary and avoidable costs, the sustainability reporting requirements for those undertakings should be postponed by two years.

    (4)  Directive (EU) 2022/2464 specifies the dates from which Member States are to apply the sustainability reporting requirements set out in Directive 2004/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(6), with different dates depending on the size of the issuer concerned. Issuers that are large undertakings with more than 500 employees on average during the financial year and issuers that are parent undertakings of a large group with more than 500 employees on average on its balance sheet dates, on a consolidated basis, during the financial year are to report in 2025 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024. Other issuers that are large undertakings and other issuers that are parent undertakings of a large group are to report in 2026 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025. Issuers that are small and medium-sized undertakings, except micro-undertakings, small and non-complex institutions, captive insurance undertakings and captive reinsurance undertakings are to report in 2027 for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Considering the ongoing Commission initiatives which aim to simplify certain existing sustainability reporting obligations and to reduce the related administrative burden on undertakings, and in order to provide for legal clarity and to avoid the issuers currently required to report for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025 and on or after 1 January 2026 incurring unnecessary and avoidable costs, the sustainability reporting requirements for those issuers should be postponed by two years.

    (5)  The date from which Member States are to apply Directive (EU) 2024/1760 should be postponed by one year for the first set of companies that fall within the scope of that Directive in order to give companies more time to prepare for the requirements of that Directive and to provide them with the opportunity to take into account the guidelines to be issued by the Commission on how they should fulfil their due diligence obligations in a practical manner. Furthermore, the application date of 1 January 2029 for the measures necessary to comply with the reporting obligation pursuant to Article 16 of Directive (EU) 2024/1760 regarding the third set of companies that fall within the scope of that Directive should be amended in order to ensure coherence with the respective application dates for the other sets of companies.

    (6)  Moreover, in the light of a parallel legislative proposal which aims to simplify the sustainability framework and reduce the burden on companies, the deadline for the Member States to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1760 should be extended by one year in order to take into account possible delays in their ongoing transposition efforts due to possible amendments to that Directive.

    (7)  Since the objectives of this Directive cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

    (8)  Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 should therefore be amended accordingly. Since the amendment to Directive (EU) 2024/1760 alters the transposition deadline and certain dates of application, all of which fall in the future, Member States would only need to postpone the application dates pursuant to Article 2 of this Directive in the event that they have already transposed Directive (EU) 2024/1760.

    (9)  In view of the urgency of the matter and to provide legal certainty as soon as possible, it is considered to be appropriate to invoke the exception to the eight-week period provided for in Article 4 of Protocol No 1 on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union, to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

    (10)  For reasons of urgency and to provide legal certainty as soon as possible, this Directive should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

    HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

    Article 1

    Amendments to Directive (EU) 2022/2464

    Article 5(2) of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 is amended as follows:

    (a)  the first subparagraph is amended as follows:

    (i)  in point (b), the introductory wording is replaced by the following:”

    ‘for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2027:’;

    ”

    (ii)  in point (c), the introductory wording is replaced by the following:”

    ‘for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2028:’;

    ”

    (b)  the third subparagraph is amended as follows:

    (i)  in point (b), the introductory wording is replaced by the following:”

    ‘for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2027:’;

    ”

    (ii)  in point (c), the introductory wording is replaced by the following:”

    ‘for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2028:’.

    ”

    Article 2

    Amendment to Directive (EU) 2024/1760

    In Article 37(1) of Directive (EU) 2024/1760, the first and second subparagraphs are replaced by the following:”

    ‘Member States shall adopt and publish, by 26 July 2027, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate the text of those measures to the Commission.

    They shall apply those measures:
       (a) from 26 July 2028 as regards companies referred to in Article 2(1), points (a) and (b), which are formed in accordance with the legislation of the Member State and that had more than 3 000 employees on average and generated a net worldwide turnover of more than EUR 900 000 000 in the last financial year preceding 26 July 2028 for which annual financial statements have been or should have been adopted, with the exception of the measures necessary to comply with Article 16, which Member States shall apply to those companies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2029;
       (b) from 26 July 2028 as regards companies referred to in Article 2(2), points (a) and (b), which are formed in accordance with the legislation of a third country and that generated a net turnover of more than EUR 900 000 000 in the Union, in the financial year preceding the last financial year preceding 26 July 2028, with the exception of the measures necessary to comply with Article 16, which Member States shall apply to those companies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2029;
       (c) from 26 July 2029 as regards all other companies referred to in Article 2(1), points (a) and (b), and Article 2(2), points (a) and (b), and companies referred to in Article 2(1), point (c), and Article 2(2), point (c), with the exception of the measures necessary to comply with Article 16, which Member States shall apply to those companies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2030.’.

    ”

    Article 3

    Transposition

    1.  Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 2025. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

    When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

    2.  Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main measures of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

    Article 4

    Entry into force

    This Directive shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    Article 5

    Addressees

    This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

    Done at …,

    For the European Parliament For the Council

    The President The President

    (1) Opinion of 26 March 2025 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
    (2) Position of the European Parliament of 3 April 2025.
    (3) Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 537/2014, Directive 2004/109/EC, Directive 2006/43/EC and Directive 2013/34/EU, as regards corporate sustainability reporting (OJ L 322, 16.12.2022, p. 15, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2464/oj).
    (4) Directive (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on corporate sustainability due diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 (OJ L, 2024/1760, 5.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj).
    (5) Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/34/oj).
    (6) Directive 2004/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 on the harmonisation of transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and amending Directive 2001/34/EC (OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 38, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2004/109/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crane back in business – with a little help from Spot the robot

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Crane back in business – with a little help from Spot the robot

    Spot, the robot “dog,” recently assisted colleagues in Dounreay’s Fuel Cycle Area by reactivating a crucial building crane in a reprocessing plant.

    The crane had been deactivated at the switchboard in 2023 due to concerns about the ageing asset. Safety restrictions prohibited human interaction with the switchboard, which further delayed its reactivation. However, the facility required the crane for waste shipment and for ongoing decommissioning efforts.

    Following consultations with the innovation team, it was decided to use Spot for the task. As the site’s Spot was not equipped with an “arm” handling device, the team asked the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) for support. RAICo — a collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd, and the University of Manchester —specialises in solving shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion energy challenges by accelerating the use of robotics and AI in the industry, and has previously worked successfully with Dounreay on various projects.

    Robotics experts from RAICo brought Spot to the site and worked with the Dounreay team to devise the best approach. After conducting a week of trials on a non-live switch mock-up in a nearby substation storeroom, the team confirmed that Spot could push the switch into the “on” position.

    In an unprecedented manoeuvre, Spot used a gripped pole to flip the switch, successfully restoring power to the crane. A loud “clunk” marked the operation’s success.

    Senior Facility Manager Suzy Nellies said:

    Thanks to outstanding teamwork between the decommissioning team, RAICo, our colleagues in Works Control, and the electrical team, we have achieved an excellent outcome. We can now proceed with modernising the crane to bring it back into full service.

    Kate Canning, NDA’s Head of R&D added:

    This is a fantastic example of collaboration through RAICo leading to acceleration of deployment of robotic technology to unlock a real-world challenge in an efficient and safe way. It’s supporting us to keep our people out of harm while developing them, transferring specialist knowledge and skills across our group.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, the main spring festival of indigenous peoples was held in Yugra and Tyumen

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft enterprises in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra and in the Tyumen Region, the indigenous people of the Khanty and Mansi celebrated the most revered national holiday of the arrival of spring – Raven Day (“Vorna Khatl”).

    Samotlorneftegaz, one of Rosneft’s largest production assets, organized a celebration in the “capital of Samotlor” – Nizhnevartovsk. About three thousand people from different regions of Yugra came to the Ecoethnopark tourist center for a symbolic meeting of spring. Five thematic areas were open for guests.

    A camp with a tent, a storage shed, a sledge stand, fishing equipment and rowboats – oblas – was set up in the ethnopark. In an authentic setting, folk craftsmen held master classes for everyone interested in making amulet dolls and souvenirs dedicated to the holiday.

    Experienced mushers took guests for a ride on reindeer sleds along specially laid tracks. Fans of active recreation competed in games of the peoples of the North – jumping over sleds, archery, pulling a stick on reindeer skins. The festive atmosphere was supported by performances by folk groups. Guests were treated to northern delicacies, an exhibition-fair of wild plants, exclusive fur products and handmade souvenirs was held.

    In Tyumen, the traditional venue for the celebration was the ethnocultural center “House of Northern People” (“Uvas Mir Hot”), which was created and is being developed with the support of Rosneft’s enterprise – “RN-Uvatneftegaz”. The celebration began with the performance of traditional rituals of welcoming spring – tying multi-colored ribbons on birch branches and fumigating guests with smoke. The rich concert program consisted of vocal and choreographic numbers, playing national musical instruments – flute, tambourines. In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, most of the concert was dedicated to patriotic works.

    Competitions in national sports were organized for adult guests. Craftswomen of traditional crafts presented decorative and applied arts products made of beads and fur at the exhibition-fair. The culmination of the “Raven Day” was the tasting of national cuisine dishes – fish soup from northern fish, porridge, tea on taiga herbs, berries and nuts.

    Preservation of the national culture of the indigenous peoples of the North and their traditional way of life is one of the significant areas of Rosneft’s social policy. The Company’s enterprises implement many projects in the regions of their operations, develop the infrastructure of northern villages, improve the material and technical base of educational institutions and social facilities in the areas of original residence of indigenous peoples.

    Samotlorneftegaz, within the framework of the agreement between Rosneft and the regional government, is implementing projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the indigenous peoples of the North. Since 2020, the company has been supporting a unique program to equip national camps with modern information and communication technologies. Currently, the project covers more than 3.6 thousand people – more than 70% of the indigenous people of Yugra leading a traditional way of life. With the support of the company, a reindeer herding skills competition is organized annually in Yugra. This year, more than 1.5 thousand people attended the large-scale event in the district capital.

    RN-Uvatneftegaz supports representatives of the Khanty, Mansi and Evenki of the Tyumen Region, provides comprehensive assistance in preserving their unique culture and way of life. In recent years, RN-Uvatneftegaz has transferred more than 160 units of equipment to Khanty families – snowmobiles, boat motors, gasoline generators.

    To preserve the culture and traditions of the northern peoples, the festival “Wealth of the Uvat Taiga” is held with the support of the enterprise. The winter festival originated as a fair of folk crafts, but thanks to the support of oil workers, it acquired the format of an ethnocultural festival. This year it became the most numerous – about 1.5 thousand guests from all taiga settlements of the Uvatsky district visited it.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 7, 2025

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    UK Closing Statement for the 58th HRC. Delivered in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. In respect of the resolution L.7 on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, the UK notes that States take different approaches, appropriate to the constitutions of their country, to implement the Covenant. The Covenant binds the UK in international law but is unincorporated. Unincorporated treaties are not justiciable domestically so UK courts would not normally contribute to identifying gaps in legislation in respect of Covenant rights. The UK continues to progressively realise the rights recognised in the Covenant through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, in accordance with Article 2 (1) of the Covenant.

    The UK also notes that Article 2 (1) of the Covenant accommodates different States’ resources through the progressive realisation of Covenant rights. International human rights law does not, however, accommodate the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is a concept set out in certain international environmental treaties. Any attempt to imply that concept forms part of international human rights law, in resolution L.26 Rev.1 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, is a mischaracterisation of the law. The UK recognises that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The UK remains committed to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the Paris Agreement, and to accelerating action in this critical decade on the basis of the best available science, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

    The UK thanks for the core groups for their constructive engagement on both resolutions.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council seeks views on waste and recycling services

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER City Council has launched a survey to ask residents how they currently manage their bins and recycling.

    The council says it wants people’s views on recycling and bin collections as it prepares for changes to national legislation that come into effect next year.

    The Government has introduced new regulations – called Simpler Recycling – which aim to reduce waste and increase recycling and re-use rates across the country.

    As part of this, all councils in England are being asked to introduce a separate weekly collection for food waste from next year.

     In Leicester, this will mean all homes will be provided with an indoor kitchen caddy to collect food waste, and a separate outdoor bin for just food waste. This will be smaller than the current black bins and is intended to be put out for collection every week.

    On average, food waste accounts for around 40 per cent of black bin waste in Leicester.

    The city council’s waste and recycling contract with Biffa is also due to come to an end in May 2028 and new service arrangements will need to be put in place.

    Deputy city mayor Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, who leads on housing, economy and neighbourhoods, said: “It’s important that we start to think about how our waste and recycling services should work in future as we respond to big changes that will be happening in the coming years.

    “The Government has introduced new rules designed to increase national recycling rates. Initially, this will mean the introduction of a new weekly food waste collection service from next year. This will require new bins for households to separate their food waste and will significantly reduce the amount of food waste going into black bins. – by almost half.

    “With changes to national legislation, we need to consider how we keep bin collections and recycling services simple to use, reliable and cost effective while ensuring that we all do our bit to recycle more and protect the environment.

    “Nothing is going to change for a while, and we are very much in listening mode. We really want to hear people’s views, and answers to our online survey will help inform how we shape waste and recycling services in the future.”

    The survey – which launched today (7 Apr) – is available online at www.leicester.gov.uk/consultations

    Closing date for responses is Monday 19 May.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Trident Deepens Partnership with Democratic Republic of Congo for Digital Identity System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: TDTH) (“Trident” or the “Company”), a Singapore-based leader in digital transformation, technology optimization, and Web 3.0 activation, today announced progress in its pioneering public-private partnership (PPP) with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This follows a series of engagements in the country during a recent delegation led by Soon Huat Lim, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Trident, showcasing the transformative potential of the Company’s digital identification technology.

    On March 15th, 2025, a significant moment took place in Kinshasa as H.E. Augustin Kibassa Maliba, DRC Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Technology, initiated the validation phase of the collaboration. At the event, Minister Kibassa detailed the government’s commitment to driving the initiative forward, including embedding the technology into public and private services, launching a nationwide awareness and training program, enhancing technological infrastructure with sovereign cloud systems and secure data centers, and promoting local innovation by empowering startups and digital stakeholders to strengthen the digital ecosystem.

    Caption: Trident CEO Soon Huat Lim at the project validation work launch in Kinshasa, DRC, on March 15, 2025.

    Mr. Lim joined the event and highlighted the transformative power of this secure digital identity solution: “This initiative will transform all sectors of our economy by reducing identity fraud and cybercrime to protect our digital future, revolutionizing public administration through less bureaucracy and greater transparency, accelerating financial inclusion by providing millions of unbanked citizens access to banking services and digital payments, facilitating student identification, online learning, and academic verification in education, and enabling better healthcare access with secure medical records.”

    With validation efforts underway, Trident and the DRC government are set to deploy a secure, inclusive digital identity system that promises transformative opportunities for Congolese citizens, delivering significant impact such as the creation of over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in digital technology, cybersecurity, administration, and services; a 40% increase in financial inclusion, enabling millions to access banking and digital services; a 50% reduction in administrative delays to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of public services; stimulation of economic growth through facilitated cross-border trade and investment; and, improved social protection and public services via secure digital identification for healthcare, education, and social assistance.

    Minister Kibassa reinforced this outlook, emphasizing the project’s profound significance. He noted that this stands as a revolutionary step toward enhancing governance, inclusion, and transparency, serving as a vital foundation for economic transformation under the leadership of His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi and Her Excellency Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, according to Minister Kibassa’s remarks.

    “Thanks to the cutting-edge technologies such as Web 3.0 blockchain, artificial intelligence, biometrics, and zero-knowledge proofs, Trident will redefine trust in digital interactions. This is more than a tool—it’s a catalyst for transformation across the nation and the continent,” adds Lim.

    Throughout his visit in the DRC, Lim also met with government officials, local innovators, and business leaders to foster collaboration and cultivate the digital ecosystem. He reaffirmed Trident’s commitment to empowering Congolese startups and digital enterprises, ensuring the project drives local economic growth while establishing the DRC as a leader in Africa’s digital revolution.

    About Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd
    Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: TDTH), headquartered in Singapore, is a global leader in digital optimization, technology services, and Web 3.0 activation. The Company delivers cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance client experiences and promote digital adoption. Its flagship product, Tridentity, is a blockchain-based identity platform offering secure single sign-on authentication for integrated third-party systems across industries. Designed with unparalleled security features, Tridentity protects sensitive data and mitigates threats, heralding a new era of trust in the global digital landscape. Beyond Tridentity, Trident aims to lead Web 3.0 activation worldwide, connecting businesses to reliable, tailored, and optimized technological platforms.

    Media Relations

    Brad Burgess, SVP
    ICR, LLC
    Email: Brad.Burgess@icrinc.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f9be26d-abe5-42cf-8cd9-51768931bbe8

    The MIL Network –