NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Gaza – “We are horrified by the attacks launched by Israel today on the people of Gaza, shattering the nearly two-month-old ceasefire.” – MSF

    Source: Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    “We are horrified by the attacks launched by Israel today on the people of Gaza, shattering the nearly two-month-old ceasefire.”

    Claire Magone, General Director France, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Border.

    “We are horrified by the attacks launched by Israel today on the people of Gaza, shattering the nearly two-month-old ceasefire. Out of the hundreds killed, according to the Ministry of Health, MSF received 75 dead on arrival and scores of wounded in just three of the facilities we support.

    Our staff were completely taken by surprise and found themselves once again having to deal with influxes of mass casualties, many of whom were children.

    In line with the tactics that the Israeli authorities have applied since October 2023, they have once again chosen to collectively punish the people of Gaza – with the explicit approval of their closest ally, the United States – striking with an intensity not seen since the early stages of the war. For over 15 months, before the ceasefire, people in Gaza were indiscriminately killed, mutilated, wounded, and displaced.

    Israeli forces undertaking these latest ruthless attacks and evacuation orders make us fear that a new phase of military operations in Gaza is about to begin. Palestinians in Gaza will simply not be able to withstand this, neither physically nor mentally. Their hopes of recovering at least part of their previous lives are being shattered.

    Since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January, people have been struggling to restore the basics of their day to day lives after a drawn out, devastating military campaign, which has annihilated the very fabric of society in Gaza. Israel has once again cut access to humanitarian aid and basic goods.

    MSF calls for the ceasefire to be immediately restored and for Israel to not restart its campaign of destruction and the nightmarish, massive bombing on the people of Gaza. MSF also calls for the blockade to be lifted, and for people to regain unrestricted access to basic supplies and aid. Injured people and patients requiring urgent medical care should be allowed to seek care outside of Gaza, provided their right to a safe and dignified return is granted.”

    Claire Nicolet, MSF head of emergencies, currently in Gaza

    “This night at 2 a.m. we have been awoken by the sounds of bombing, heavy bombing. It was absolutely terrifying for 20 minutes with bombs all over the place and when we started looking at what is the situation for the whole Gaza Strip, we understood that the massive attack with airstrike, heavy artillery, quadcopters was for the whole Gaza Strip. After these 20 minutes we continued to hear all night long some heavy bombing, some airstrikes, some artillery in Rafah, in Khan Younis, in almost all parts of Gaza.

    We heard as soon as it started the sounds of ambulances because obviously there was a huge number of patients, of wounded, of dead. So lots of patients arrived to the different hospitals.

    Hospitals were very overwhelmed and also at the moment it’s quite difficult because it means that the patient cannot really move, they don’t know if it’s safe and even our teams, we don’t know if we can move around the Gaza Strip because as it was an ongoing truce there was no more notification system or any system to be sure that we will be safe by moving.  Now it means as well that the MSF teams in the north and the team in the south are again split. It means as well the population cannot move freely from one place to another and in reality, there is very poor access to health care, very poor access to shelter as everything is destroyed.

    This is the current situation we are facing and unfortunately there is a lot of needs but also a lot of uncertainty on what’s next.

    The population here is completely afraid. Of course, they see this is a full restart of the fighting and they are very scared of what’s next.”

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: China: Authorities must ensure labour activist’s full freedom after unjust imprisonment – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Responding to today’s release of Chinese labour activist Wang Jianbing after he served a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

    “Wang Jianbing, alongside his co-defendant, the #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin, was convicted in an unfair trial following extended pre-trial detention. His release today should mark the end of his unjust treatment and deprivation of liberty.

    “However, we remain concerned that, despite having completed his prison sentence, Wang may face continued unlawful restrictions on his freedoms and the risk of re-detention. Upon his release from jail this morning, Wang was not permitted to return to his residence in Guangzhou, but was escorted by police more than 2000km to his parents’ home in remote northwestern Gansu province.

    “Amnesty has for years documented instances of Chinese authorities targeting activists with surveillance and harassment even after they have been convicted in courts and served out their sentences. For example, in the months following her release from prison in May 2024, citizen journalist Zhang Zhan faced harassment from local police, and was ultimately re-detained on trumped up charges.

    “The Chinese authorities must ensure all arbitrary restrictions on Wang Jianbing are immediately lifted and guarantee the full enjoyment of his human rights, including to freedom of expression and association.”

    Background

    Labour activist Wang Jianbing was released today after completing a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”. The so-called evidence used to convict him included his role in co-organizing weekly gatherings with fellow activists, as well as his participation in an online course on non-violence and online posts on issues deemed “sensitive” by the Chinese government.

    His friend, the journalist and #MeToo advocate Sophia Huang Xueqin, was arrested alongside him; she is still serving her five-year prison sentence on the same charge.

    The pair were arrested in Guangzhou, in southern China, on 19 September 2021, and detained incommunicado for more than five months. In the weeks following their arrest, dozens of their friends were summoned by the police and had their homes searched and electronic devices confiscated.

    Guangzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Wang to three years and six months in prison and Huang to five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” on 14 June 2024. Both are subject to “deprivation of political liberties” following their release, for three and four years respectively.

    Both formally appealed to the Guangdong High Court, but their appeals were dismissed without proper notification or documentation.

    Both Huang and Wang have reportedly been subjected to ill-treatment in detention, leading to the serious deterioration of their health.

    Amnesty International understands that Wang’s health issues, which developed during his early solitary confinement and were exacerbated by fatigue from interrogations, have recently worsened. However, the detention centre has taken no action to help treat his condition and has denied Wang access to medicine that his family and friends have sent to him.

    The Chinese authorities systematically use the vague and overly broad provisions of its criminal laws, including on “inciting subversion of state power” and the more serious “subverting state power”, to prosecute lawyers, scholars, journalists, activists, NGO workers and others.

    Chinese law also states that individuals convicted of “endangering national security” “shall” be sentenced to deprivation of political rights as a “supplemental punishment”; as defined in China’s Criminal Law, this includes the deprivation of “rights of freedom of speech, or the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration” (Art. 54(2)). Last year, the UN Special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers wrote to the Chinese authorities raising concerns, inter alia, that this so-called supplemental punishment was not in line with international human rights standards.

    Amnesty International published a joint statement with other organizations in September 2023 on the second anniversary of Wang and Huang’s detention. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined in 2022 that Wang was being arbitrarily detained and has repeatedly called on China to repeal the crime of “inciting subversion” or bring it into line with international standards.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Beyond the belt: New hotspots emerge as movers migrate past commuter communities – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Regional living prevails as CommBank and the Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index reveals Australians are migrating further afield. 

    The latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) report reveals the emergence of several new regional destinations, as communities beyond the traditional ‘commuter belt’ surge in popularity for newcomers. 

    The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) CEO Liz Ritchie said the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Gympie in Queensland, Richmond Valley and Wingecarribee in New South Wales, and East Gippsland in Victoria have made their debut as hotspots in the December 2024 quarter RMI report, highlighting relocators’ appetites for destinations further afield. 

    “The desire for regional living remains strong, with 32 per cent more people moving from big cities to regions than in the opposite direction, building on pre-existing data which shows the nation’s migration patterns are changing,” Ms Ritchie said.  

     “Regional Australia is the new frontier, and people are enthusiastic about the career opportunities and lifestyle benefits it offers. The RMI’s net migration index, which measures net population flow into regional Australia, is now sitting 51 per cent above the pre-Covid average.  

     “The emergence of new mover hotspots further out shows this increase of population into Australia’s regions is not isolated to a couple of places, rather that it’s happening all over the country. It’s why we must ensure communities have the infrastructure, funding and support they need to ensure they can continue to welcome new residents.”  

    The RMI is a partnership between the RAI and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), which analyses quarterly and annual trends in people moving to and from Australia’s regional areas.  

    This latest report signifies a change in mover preferences, with communities such as Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, which has been the nation’s most popular regional mover destination for nine consecutive quarters, gradually reducing its share of net internal migration.   

     CBA’s Acting Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking, Josh Foster, said while the Sunshine Coast remains a firm favourite, other communities in the Sunshine State are gaining movers like nearby Gladstone, Toowoomba, Fraser Coast, Mackay and Gympie.  

    “The lure of the Sunshine State has long attracted both city and regional movers, with the latest RMI proving the appeal of a scenic and often more balanced lifestyle extends beyond metropolitan areas, bringing renewed economic and social benefits to other areas of the state.    

     “This quarter saw the rise in popularity of several new growth hotspots within regional Queensland, demonstrating the diversification of the state’s economy. Fraser Coast’s deep roots in agriculture and Gladstone’s mining and green energy boom are just some of the sectors helping drive increased employment opportunities to these regions. With lower-than-average employment rates and limited housing supply, more investment is needed in construction, manufacturing and property development to support these growing communities.”  

    Mr Foster added: “Continued development in roads and transport infrastructure like the Gympie bypass are also integral to improving accessibility to these thriving regions and offer businesses a commercial opportunity to expand or relocate beyond major metro areas. CBA is working closely with local government, key industries and business customers to unlock new areas of investment across the state.” 

     Regional New South Wales and Victoria accounted for 71 per cent of all net regional inflows in the December 2024 quarter, while Queensland’s share stood at 19 per cent and there were small gains made in regional South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.   

     Sydneysiders continue to lead the charge into the regions, accounting for 59 per cent of net city outflows, down from 65 per cent in the 2023 December quarter. Whilst Melbournians now account for 40 per cent of net city outflows, up from 35 per cent a year ago.  

     Ms Ritchie said this quarter’s report also highlighted city-dwellers are increasingly relocating to areas which have previously been more popular with regional movers, like Greater Bendigo and Maitland.  

     “It’s critical that decision-makers note this important, contemporaneous data to ensure plans can be made, both now and into the future for these growing communities. The better we are able to project Australia’s population movements, the better we can prepare for them, ensuring the needed skills and services are in the right place, at the right time,” Ms Ritchie said.  

    Mr Foster said regional Western Australia also continues to exhibit a strong lure for movers, including Albany, Bunbury, Harvey, Capel and York.  

    “Of note, Bunbury in the southwest corner of Western Australia has retained its position as the nation’s fastest growing hotspot for capital movers over the 12 month period to December 2024. The area’s appeal has been supercharged by major infrastructure developments such as the completion of the Wilman Wadandi Highway, helping ease travel times between city-to-region.  

     “The RMI has also shown that in this past quarter, people are willing to go further afield with the south coast LGA of Albany recording the third highest growth in net internal migration. Located almost five hours drive from Perth, Albany offers an idyllic lifestyle, reliable healthcare and education services, as well as strong employment opportunities across several sectors including agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy and tourism.”  

    Mr Foster concluded: “This latest RMI proves that the great regional migration is being felt deep within our regions, with the economic and lifestyle gains no longer contained to areas within commuting distance. With the right commercial and industry investments, this offers a win-win for consumers as well as businesses.”    

    The December 2024 quarter saw a seasonal reduction in internal migration across all mover types, as people tend to stay put in the last three months of the year, with capital-to-regional migration as measured by the RMI down by 11 per cent.   

    Despite lower mobility across the country, capital-to-regional relocations remain 8 per cent higher than the pre-Covid average and 3 per cent higher than a year ago.  

    The reduction also of regional-to-regional and regional-to-capital relocations, suggests more regional movers are choosing to settle where they are, rather than relocate elsewhere.

    The Regional Movers Index, launched in 2021, tracks movements between Australia’s regions and capital cities, using Commonwealth Bank data from relocations amongst more than 14.3 million customers. This enables early identification of growth trends and flags places emerging as hot spots needing fresh thinking on housing and infrastructure.   

    Data based on CBA customer address changes over the past five years, with prior addresses resided in for at least six months. Greater Capital City/Regional Area based on ABS 1270.0.55.001 GCCSA. An LGA must have recorded net internal migration inflows in 2024 of 50 or more people to be included in the report.

    The RMI is used primarily to map population movements between Australia’s regional areas and its capital cities. For this reason, it uses an ABS classification of regional that includes areas in and around other centres of population, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Putin makes paltry concession to Ukraine in Trump’s self-aggrandizing ceasefire effort

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a proposal by United States President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days, according to statements by both the White House and the Kremlin.

    The deal, however, falls short of an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by U.S. and Ukrainian officials earlier this month.

    Russia’s response to the initial U.S. ceasefire proposal has been predictable. Putin has argued that considerable changes need to be made to the original proposal, though he didn’t outright reject it.

    Given the earlier proposal is highly vague, this leads to one conclusion. Russia is playing for time to maximize its negotiating position.

    Trump’s latest phone call with Putin seemingly didn’t amount to any substantive changes, except for Russia’s agreement to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure — a concession that might actually benefit Russia.

    The winter, when Ukraine is most vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, is almost done. Russia’s dependence on energy exports to support its war effort, however, remains constant, and any Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities will be framed as a breach by Russian authorities.

    Russia exploiting Trump’s desire for peace at any cost will probably be an ongoing trend.

    Trump’s goal

    The U.S. is playing an important role in peace negotiations. Under former president Joe Biden, this was due to the fact that the U.S. provided Ukraine with arms and moral support.

    Like most aspects of American policy, however, Trump dramatically pivoted, even attacking Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an infamous White House meeting in February. Now Trump is seeking a ceasefire, no matter what form it takes, to build a reputation as a statesman and distract Americans from domestic policy issues.



    Read more:
    What the U.S. ceasefire proposal means for Ukraine, Russia, Europe – and Donald Trump

    This development places Zelenskyy in a political bind. The U.S. in the past provided most of the military aid to Ukraine and the relationship between the Ukrainian leader and Trump is acrimonious.

    As such, even if Zelenskyy doesn’t agree with American ceasefire proposals, he must give the appearance of agreement or risk permanently alienating the mercurial Trump. Putin, in the meantime, will exploit any Ukrainian-American tensions.

    Current military situation

    The first year of the current phase of the Ukraine-Russia war was marked by mobility as both Russia and Ukraine made considerable advances and counteroffensives.

    Since the start of 2023, however, the conflict is increasingly defined as a war of attrition and a stalemate.

    Many analysts argue that such a war favours Russia. Wars of attrition are defined by slow, grinding advances whereby large casualties are a necessary byproduct for success. Given Russia’s material and personnel advantages, it can afford to suffer higher casualties.

    For the past several months, Russian forces have been making slow, steady advances against Ukrainian positions. Russia has suffered significant casualties in these advances, and they may not be sustainable over the long term.

    Putin is gambling that Ukraine’s and the international community’s will to fight will be broken by the time this is an issue. Trump’s push for a ceasefire at any cost suggests Putin may have a point.

    Any immediate ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine would leave Ukraine occupying Russian soil in the Kursk region, which Russia cannot accept.

    Russia’s immediate goal

    Ukraine’s 2024 incursion into the Kursk region provided the country and its people with a necessary respite from the war of attrition. Ukrainian forces, attacking an under-defended and unprepared part of the Russian front line, made significant advances into Russia.

    Ukraine’s ability to maintain territory around Kursk has also proven to be an embarrassment for Putin and the Russian establishment.

    Putin recently said Russian forces encircled Ukrainian forces in the salient, although Ukraine denies it. Regardless of the statement’s validity, it speaks to the importance both parties attach to the battle.

    Russia’s reputation

    This issue highlights a particular problem for the Russian leadership. Russia has done its utmost to frame its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine as a success. An example is Russia’s formal annexation of four Ukrainian areas in 2022, despite not actually possessing the territory at the time.

    Any perception of the invasion of Ukraine as a failure is a non-starter for a Russian government concerned about its domestic standing.

    Ukraine possessing Russian territory, however, leads to questions in Russia about the war’s success. Ukraine, in exchange for relinquishing any Russian territory it seized during the war, would undoubtedly seek the return of Ukrainian territory.

    Russia has not even achieved its minimal goals of seizing the four Ukrainian regions it’s officially annexed. Therefore, it’s unlikely Putin would ever agree to the exchange of the territory it has actually already seized in exchange for the Kursk salient.

    Putin is following the Russian playbook of negotiating from strength. So long as Ukraine maintains Kursk, Russia will not negotiate in good faith.

    While Kursk is the most prominent area of Russia concern, there are other conditions that will become important in the future as Putin seeks to improve Russia’s negotiating position.

    It’s a lesson that Trump will soon learn, despite any and all efforts he or his administration make to frame things positively.

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

    – ref. Putin makes paltry concession to Ukraine in Trump’s self-aggrandizing ceasefire effort – https://theconversation.com/putin-makes-paltry-concession-to-ukraine-in-trumps-self-aggrandizing-ceasefire-effort-252368

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Joint UN meeting tackles small arms control to foster sustainable development

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    At the joint session, speakers before two of the UN’s most representative bodies stressed that these weapons have fueled wars, exacerbated humanitarian crises and undermined efforts for peace and stability. The urgency to curb their proliferation, stakeholders noted, has made the search for integrated approaches to disarmament and development ever more critical.

    The session, entitled Small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development, was opened by Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly.

    Mayhem and ‘the weapon of choice’

    He emphasized that the gathering was not intended to review progress on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, known by the shorthand ‘PoA’, but rather to focus on the destructive impact of illicit flows and misuse of small arms and light weapons on development.

    “Our objective today is to focus on the destructive impact of the illicit flows and misuse of small arms and light weapons on development,” Mr. Yang stated, underscoring the ease with which these arms can be acquired due to their availability and low cost, leading to their misuse by non-state actors and driving instability and conflict worldwide.

    “It is estimated that 580,000 people died violently in 2021, half of them by firearm,” he noted, adding that small arms are the weapon of choice in nearly half of all homicides globally.

    The Assembly President also highlighted the disproportionate impact on women and girls, with estimates indicating that between 70 and 90 per cent of incidents of sexual violence during conflict involve small arms and light weapons.

    “In conflict and post-conflict situations, such as in Haiti, South Sudan, Sudan, and many parts of the Sahel, illicit small arms and light weapons jeopardize peace and sow the seeds of future instability, creating a vicious cycle of violence and conflict that obstructs sustainable development,” he explained.

    Mr. Yang pointed out the economic toll of violence linked to these weapons, which was estimated to have cost the global economy $22.6 billion in 2023. “Imagine what these resources could do if they were deployed towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he urged.

    However, he acknowledged the implementation gaps that hinder the containment of the phenomenon. “We hope that today’s discussion will be an opportunity to revitalize the debate on illicit flows and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their effects on socio-economic development,” he said, calling for collaborative and effective approaches to address the issue.

    Mr. Yang concluded by urging delegations to focus on the dangers to development caused by small arms-related insecurity and excessive military expenditures.

    “Article 26 of the UN Charter calls for the least diversion of the world’s human and economic resources to armaments,” he reminded the joint session, suggesting viable proposals for operationalizing the relationship between disarmament and development.

    Following Mr. Yang’s address, Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), emphasized the importance of addressing small arms and light weapons control within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly target 16.4 of SDG16, which calls for a significant reduction of illicit financial and arms flows.

    “Despite this commitment, conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons, continue to fuel conflicts and inflict a significant number of casualties and suffering every year,” Mr. Rae stated.

    United Nations

    Ambassador Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, addresses a joint meeting on small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development.

    Comprehensive approaches can save lives

    Mr. Rae called for a comprehensive and integrated response to address the adverse consequences of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons on sustainable development.

    “Addressing the issue of small arms and light weapons comprehensively will not only save lives directly, but also indirectly by channeling resources towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as other basic needs of populations, such as health, education, and housing,” he explained.

    He emphasized the need for efforts to be guided by the principle of leaving no one behind and aligning the priority of gender equality with the goal of reducing arms. 

    Mr. Rae highlighted the importance of consultations with civil society, indigenous peoples, youth, and members of the LGBTQI+ community to ensure a gender-responsive, inclusive, and intersectional approach to disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control.

    To effectively mainstream gender in the comprehensive response to small arms and light weapons, he outlined several key actions, including improving data collection on violent crime disaggregated by sex, age, and whether a small arm was used; and promoting the full, equal, meaningful, safe, and effective participation of women in technical and policy-related roles.

    “It is of utmost importance that women are fully represented as active participants, and not just victims, in combating the effects of small arms and light weapons and bringing their voices to strengthen decision-making processes,” Mr. Rae emphasized.

    Women’s voices can strengthen action

    He highlighted the need for an integrated response to address the illicit trade and diversion of small arms and light weapons, harnessing synergies with the SDGs and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

    “We must engage a wide variety of national institutions, civil society, academia, and research institutions to address the issue of small arms and light weapons efficiently, impactfully, and comprehensively,” he stated.

    The joint meeting also featured concluding remarks from Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who highlighted the gathering’s significance in operationalizing commitments from global frameworks, including the small arms and light weapons PoA and the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management.

    “Today’s discussions clearly underscored why strengthening this link is a priority,” Mr. Ebo stated. He emphasized that small arms and light weapons control is not merely a short-term remedy for public security concerns but a long-term investment in social, political, and economic development.

    “Achieving progress on Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – namely to reduce illicit arms flows – enables us to make progress on several other Goals, including gender equality, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability,” he explained.

    Mr. Ebo also outlined several key recommendations from the event, including the need to:

    1. bridge the gap between policy communities at the UN;
    2. integrate small arms and light weapons control measures into national and regional development frameworks; and
    3. facilitate cross-border collaboration through regional approaches.

    “By embedding small arms control in development strategies, we can better address both immediate and long-term peacebuilding priorities, ensuring a more cohesive approach that links disarmament, development, and human security,” he stated.

    He also emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government and human-centered approach at the national level, involving cross-disciplinary working groups and broad partnerships with grassroots organizations and civil society.

    The UN official highlighted initiatives such as the ODA-managed UNSCAR Trust Facility and the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT), which support small arms control and sustainable development efforts.

    United Nations

    Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, addresses a joint meeting on small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development.

    Mr. Ebo echoed other officials in stressing the need for gender-responsive small arms and light weapons policies, including the integration of disarmament efforts into strategies to prevent gender-based violence and empower women as key actors in arms control processes.

    “It is essential that diverse voices and needs are heard in both disarmament and development discussions,” he stated, calling for inclusive data collection systems and enhanced diversity and inclusion in policymaking processes.

    Mr. Ebo concluded by highlighting the rising global costs of conflict and military expenditures, as spotlighted in the Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States this past September and which lays out a vision for multilateral cooperation across key global issues, including peace and security, the SDGs, development finance, governance reform, and climate change, among others.

    He encouraged ECOSOC and the General Assembly to consider convening a dedicated joint meeting to discuss the findings of a study on this issue. “The link between disarmament and sustainable development is undeniable.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supporting food manufacturing, food security

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    New support for food and beverage manufacturers throughout the province will create jobs, strengthen local supply chains, establish new B.C.-made products and increase food security for people in British Columbia.

    “We are all working together to create new opportunities for B.C.-based food manufacturers that will strengthen our province,” said Diana Gibson, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Improving food security and increasing sustainable, local food production is critical for people and families as we continue facing unjustified tariffs from our neighbour to the south.”

    Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF), the Province is contributing as much as $6.6 million toward the growth of seven food manufacturing companies in communities throughout the province. These expansion projects are enabling B.C. producers to remain competitive by scaling up and adding new product lines, while creating more than 165 sustainable jobs throughout the province.

    Located in Kelowna, Farming Karma Fruit Company Ltd. is a family-owned-and-operated business that manufactures value-added fruit products, such as sparkling fruit beverages, using Okanagan-grown fruit. It will receive as much as $2 million to support the purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment that will bring primary processing in house, increase production and expand its product lines. This investment will help create 32 jobs and strengthen the company’s distribution of made-in-B.C. fruit products across Canada.

    “Supporting food manufacturing in B.C. strengthens the economy, creates jobs and builds a resilient food system,” said Avi Gill, CEO and co-founder, Farming Karma Fruit Company. “We’re grateful for the B.C. government’s support in expanding our manufacturing operation and the opportunities it brings. As next-generation farmers, our vision is to lead in creating value-added fruit products, support local farmers, and innovate for the future of farming.”

    Operating in the Fraser Valley, One Degree Organic Foods is a family-run organic food producer, specializing in oats, granola, cereals and flours made from organic, non-GMO ingredients sourced from Canadian and international farmers. It will receive as much as $2 million to consolidate its four smaller locations into one larger, centralized facility in Mission, purchase new equipment that will double production capacity to meet growing customer demand and establish new product lines, while creating 32 jobs.

    “With the support of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, we are enhancing operational efficiency through a consolidated facility allowing us to better serve our customers,” said Greg Dengin, CFO, One Degree Organic Foods Inc. “This investment increases our capacity and accelerates One Degree Organic Foods’ ability to provide traceable organic products, while strengthening our connection to the Mission community and continuing to support job growth in British Columbia.”

    BCMJF funding for food manufacturing projects builds on recent work by the Province to support B.C.’s agriculture and food sector and strengthen food security. A new Premier’s task force, led by leaders representing the food supply chain from farm to table, is looking at ways to enhance B.C.’s agricultural and food economic growth and competitiveness.

    Additionally, government continues to support innovation in farming through the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation with 19 new projects, representing nearly 200 new jobs, while creating more sustainable and efficient food production.

    “The food and beverage sector is a core part of B.C.’s manufacturing industry, generating over $13 billion in revenue and over 40,000 jobs,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. “Through smart investments of equipment, infrastructure and technology, the delicious harvest we reap each year can also be transformed into made-in-B.C. products, keeping jobs and dollars in the province. That’s smart economics, especially in the face of ongoing threats to B.C.’s well-being from the United States.”

    Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.’s Industrial Future lays out the Province’s work to drive new investment, create new jobs and seize new opportunities in growing clean-energy and sustainable industries. Supporting local manufacturing sectors helps leverage B.C.’s strengths to create good jobs and opportunities in every community and will improve the quality of life for people, while strengthening B.C.’s diverse economy.

    Quick Facts:

    • The BCMJF supports high-value industrial and manufacturing capital projects across all sectors that create and protect well-paying jobs.
    • The BCMJF has committed $146 million toward 132 projects to date, unlocking more than $1 billion in private-sector and other public investment.
      • Every $1 million invested results in $7 million in total direct capital investments in B.C., $590,000 in tax revenue to the Province, and $5.3 million in provincial GDP during the capital construction phase.
    • Funded projects will create and protect more than 4,700 jobs throughout B.C. 

    Learn More:

    To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, such as a list of recipients and updated application deadline information, visit: 
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/support-organizations-community-partners/rural-economic-development/manufacturing-jobs-fund

    To learn more about the economic impact of B.C.’s food and beverage manufacturing sector, visit: 
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/statistics/agriculture-and-seafood-statistics-publications

    To learn more about Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.’s Industrial Future, visit: 
    https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Clean_and_Competitive.pdf

    Two backgrounders follow.

    Project descriptions and funding amounts for the five additional BCMJF projects in this batch are listed in Backgrounder 1.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Investing nearly $5B in Alberta’s north

    [. In the province’s latest budget, $4.4 billion is being allocated in operating expenses and $475 million for capital expenses to Alberta’s north region.

    Alberta’s northern communities are vital to the province’s identity, prosperity and success. There is no question, Alberta’s northern communities face unique opportunities and challenges that must be addressed today. Budget 2025, if passed, is meeting the challenges faced by Alberta with continued investments in economic development, education, health, transportation and more.

    Jobs, Economy and Trade:

    If passed, Budget 2025 strengthens northern Alberta’s workforce and regional economies through strategic supports and investments, including $9 million over the next three years through the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program (NRED) and $1.5 million allocated over three years for the Northern Alberta Development Bursary, to attract and retain skilled professionals to grow and diversify northern economies. Alberta’s government is also investing $111 million in affordability and wage-top-up grants to child care operators in northern Alberta so northern families can access quality child care.

    Regarding regional supports, $45 million is being allocated over three years to the Investment and Growth Fund to increase Alberta’s competitiveness and attract investment across the province, including in the north. Budget 2025 invests $3 million in the Alberta Export Expansion Program over three years to enhance access for Alberta-based businesses to international markets for export-ready organizations. Alberta’s government is also investing $235 million in the Alberta Film and Television Tax Credit over the next three years to grow the film and television sector in Alberta, with 30 per cent tax credits available for qualifying northern and rural productions.

    “By driving strategic economic development, attracting investment with a business-friendly environment and empowering our northern workforce, our government is ensuring Alberta’s north remains an economic engine, fueling growth and industry diversification for years to come.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    Northern Development:

    Alberta’s government has engaged with business owners, municipalities and economic development organizations from communities across northern Alberta who shared their specific barriers to economic growth, such as workforce retention and attraction, transportation, infrastructure and affordable housing. If passed, Budget 2025 makes important investments to address those challenges and create more opportunities for Albertan workers and business owners based in the north.

    “Northern Alberta has limitless opportunity. Investing in much-needed supports today, like the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program and Northern Alberta Development Bursary, will empower communities to succeed, setting the foundation for northern communities to thrive for generations to come.”

    Tany Yao, parliamentary secretary for small business and northern development

    Education:

    Last fall, Alberta’s government announced a program to accelerate school construction and build new classroom spaces. If passed, Budget 2025 would invest $225 million over three years for school projects across Alberta, including for planning and design of five new school projects in the north. Alberta’s government is investing in Cold Lake, Fairview, Grand Prairie and two schools in Fort McMurray. In Cold Lake, a new school will replace the Art Smith Aviation Academy, North Star Elementary School and Cold Lake Junior High. An addition to the Grande Prairie Composite High School will make room for more students in the community, while families in Fairview can look forward to new schools to replace existing and aging ones. In Fort McMurray, families can look forward to an addition to Holy Trinity Catholic High School and a modernization of École Dickinsfield School which will accommodate growing student populations.

    “Budget 2025, if passed, will provide five new schools and the teachers and staff needed to support them to northern Alberta communities. Alberta’s government remains committed to providing a world-class education to students in every corner of the province.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

    Health:

    If passed, Budget 2025 includes $15 million in planning funds for eight new urgent care centres, including in Cold Lake and Fort McMurray. It also includes an increase of $12 million for the existing Rural Remote Northern Program and $12 million annually for physician support programs. Alberta’s government is also upgrading hospitals and facilities across the province and is investing in innovation to make Alberta an in-demand destination for researchers. Capital projects include $80 million over three years for the La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre, and $18 million over two years to fund furnishings, equipment and IT infrastructure for the new Mountview Health Complex in the town of Beaverlodge, as well as a $170-million capital lease to operate the new facility. Additionally, Budget 2025 includes funding to complete the expansion of the town of Slave Lake’s EMS station.

    “Budget 2025 prioritizes the health of people in northern Alberta with investments in urgent care centres and vital infrastructure upgrades. These initiatives will help strengthen communities, improve access to care and support sustainable growth across the region.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    Transportation and Economic Corridors:

    If passed, Budget 2025 also includes funding for multiple highways and bridges, with funding already announced earlier this month. Alberta’s northern communities are vital to our province’s identity and success, and that is why Budget 2025 invests $1.25 billion in the north to expand emergency routes in northern Alberta – because when disaster strikes, every second counts.

    “Alberta’s rapid growth demands bold action. That’s why we are making historic investments in transportation and water infrastructure to keep our communities thriving, businesses competitive and families supported. These projects will create jobs, boost trade and ensure Alberta remains the best place to live, work and build a future.”

    Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

    Advanced Education:

    If passed, Budget 2025 also invests $2 million in 2025-26 for the expansion and upgrades of Keyano College in Fort McMurray to provide an enhanced learning environment for in-demand programs like nursing and paramedicine to help address labour needs in Alberta’s health care system. Budget 2025 also invests $1 million towards planning for the skilled trades expansion at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, which will help meet demand for skilled tradespeople to build Alberta’s growing economy. Further, Budget 2025 allocates a total of almost $9 million for capital maintenance and renewal projects at the following northern Alberta post-secondary institutions:

    • Athabasca University
    • Keyano College
    • Lakeland College
    • Northern Lakes College
    • Portage College
    • Northwestern Polytechnic

    “Alberta’s government is ensuring students in northern Alberta and across the province have access to high-quality post-secondary education. That is why we are making significant investments in northern Alberta through Budget 2025 that will upgrade facilities and create more seats in high-demand programs.”

    Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

    Other Supports:

    As extra support for the 2024-2025 Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program, Alberta’s government is pleased to announce an additional $7 million will be allocated towards last year’s grant intake. For 2024-25, NRED will provide over 80 grants worth approximately $10 million.

    “The Northern and Regional Economic Development grant supports business growth in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. More than 100 local businesses have benefited from programs funded through this grant so far – and we’re very excited to continue the success in 2025.”

    Melonie Doucette, director of entrepreneurship and innovation, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism

    “The 2025 Alberta provincial budget provides continuing support for the work of regional economic development and continues to support the growth of rural Alberta. Investments in infrastructure are key to ensure our commodities move to market and our rural economy continues to grow and provide for the needs of all Albertans today and into the future.”

    Gerald S. Aalbers, mayor, City of Lloydminster and chair, Northeast Alberta Information HUB

    “The province’s investment in northern Alberta is good news for supporting the region’s continued economic growth and acknowledging the unique difficulties of maintaining infrastructure and delivering services in the rural north. Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) is hopeful that government will work with the region’s rural municipalities to ensure the investments are targeted for maximum community and regional benefit.”

    Kara Westerlund, president, RMA

    Through strategic investments in the north, Alberta’s government is tackling challenges head-on, laying the foundation for long-term prosperity and success.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta communities with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts:

    If passed, Budget 2025 invests:

    • $264 million in new funding for highway projects across northern Alberta, including:
      • Paving Highway 58 to improve mobility for more than 5,500 local residents, boost economic activity and allow unimpeded access for emergency vehicles.
      • Paving Highway 686 between Peerless Lake and Trout Lake and commencing design work to extend the highway from Fort McMurray to Peerless Lake.
      • Detailed design work to improve safety on Highway 28, a critical transportation route serving the Cold Lake oil sands deposits and the Cold Lake 4th Wing Air Base.
    • $225 million over three years for school projects across Alberta, including for planning and design of five new school projects in the north
    • $189 million over three years for the Beaverlodge Health Centre replacement
    • $111 million is being provided for affordability and wage-top-up grants to child care operators in northern Alberta.
    • $101 million over three years to twin Highway 63 North of Fort McMurray
    • $87 million over three years for the La Crete bridge
    • $80 million over three years for the La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre
    • $2 million in 2025-26 for the expansion and upgrades of Keyano College in Fort McMurray to provide an enhanced learning environment for in-demand programs like nursing and paramedicine to help address labour needs in Alberta’s health care system.

    Related information

    • NRED Program
    • NADB
    • Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC)
    • Film and Television Tax Credit

    Related news

    • Enhancing safety and economic growth in the north (March 4, 2025)
    • Cultivating economic growth in rural Alberta (May 3, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ABC Newcastle, Paul Culliver

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    PAUL CULLIVER: Catherine King is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and is visiting the region today. Let’s find out why. Minister, good morning to you.

    CATHERINE KING: Hi, Paul. How are you?

    PAUL CULLIVER: I’m very well. What brings you to the region?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, today– I was actually here three weeks ago inspecting the Singleton Bypass, which is going along well. It’s a really important part of infrastructure here for the region. But we’re also announcing today that because of the great work they’ve done on Singleton, it means that we can now bring money forward to get the Muswellbrook Bypass started. There was always an issue between the two projects, just making sure we had the workforce and capacity to do that work. So today we’re announcing that we’re going to bring that Muswellbrook Bypass money forward. We’ll start to see some early works and activities, movement of services and things like that through the course of the next few months so that we can start work to get that really– next important project underway.

    And then we’re also starting– we’re putting some money in to do the planning work to actually start thinking about how do we then build a bypass for Cessnock. And again, this is about making sure we can get the huge volumes of traffic that we’re now seeing through what largely were really small country towns originally, but have seen such growth, to get the traffic out, get people to work more quickly, but give people back their main streets.

    PAUL CULLIVER: All right. On the Muswellbrook Bypass – so how much money is sort of being put into this early start?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. So the total Australian Government commitment is $304 million. And the amount of money we’re bringing forward is really just– is to do that early work. So making sure that we’ve got the services movement, that’s often the biggest part of the preparation work that needs to be done. So, moving– whether it’s sewerage works, water, utilities, power utilities, those sorts of things. So quite a bit of the money, is being brought forward to do that.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Okay. And– sorry, when you say brought forward, how much sooner is all of this beginning?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, it was not due to start– early works were not due to start until next year, but they’ll start this year. So it’s a year early.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Okay, actual 12 months early.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, which is good.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Understood. Just explain when you say that– what, things went so well on the Singleton Bypass that that’s allowed this to happen? Just explain what that actually means.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, so there was always what we had to do when we looked at the pipeline of projects. And as people are driving around, you can see there’s a lot of work going on at the moment, whether it’s from Hexham, Raymond Terrace, obviously Singleton, that there just were some issues in terms of making sure we had the workforce to be able to deliver these projects, that Transport for New South Wales also could manage those projects as well. So we were waiting to see– get Singleton started first. That’s really now well and truly underway and looking very good, so that’s allowed us then to bring Muswellbrook a bit forward so that we can actually start work on that and have that continuous pipeline of work for people in the district.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Yeah, right. So it’s not so much that the people working on Singleton will be the people working on the Muswellbrook Bypass.

    CATHERINE KING: Well, obviously that will need to go out to tender. New South Wales will manage all of that project. But generally people move from work site to work site. Generally, that’s what happens in a region rather than importing people in.

    PAUL CULLIVER: [Talks over] Yeah, sure. What is the timeline for the Muswellbrook Bypass now?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, again, that will be managed by the New South Wales government. But as I said, early works which are all of the earthworks, the movement of services, that will happen this year with the major construction to start early 2026.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Okay. Well let’s talk about the Cessnock Bypass then. So, what’s the plan there?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, so really this is planning money. So it’s to plan to work out what to do. Like, where would you put the bypass? How do you make sure you get the efficient movement of traffic? What’s the landscape like? How do you actually move people around? We know that there are significant housing developments slated for Cessnock. Again, people are discovering what a great place it is to live, but that brings challenges when it comes to infrastructure. So really this is planning money for New South Wales to then start the planning work to look at how do you actually plan for a bypass, where does it go, what does it look like? There’ll be a lot of community consultation along the process, a lot of engineers having a look at it. But really that’s the money that we’re announcing today.

    There’s a number of key routes that lead right into Wollombi Road in the middle of Cessnock, and that population boom with surrounding suburbs and more traffic is making it pretty difficult for people. So really it’s looking to identify what were the alternate routes connecting those new housing developments in Bellbird and Cessnock South to those in the north, and then onward onto the Hunter Expressway – so what’s the best route for that, and how do you do that? That’s really what the money is for, to plan that.

    PAUL CULLIVER: So obviously with population in the Hunter growing and growing and growing, getting people around is a pretty high priority. So I understand the need for more road infrastructure – although I’m sure there’s many that would say, why aren’t we also doing more to improve public transport links, rail links? Why is there not more money being spent on that aspect of getting people around the Hunter?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well, certainly in terms of the money that we are investing, a large proportion of it, you are right, is on that road infrastructure. Most people are still pretty reliant on their cars to get to work and to get to and from their homes to work. But certainly over time, those big public transport links, they are something that New South Wales Government obviously has looked at. We’re taking responsibility for trying to really get high speed rail up and running. We’ve invested substantially in that, and you’ll see some further work now that we’ve got the business case for that. You’ll see some further work now in the development stage of high speed rail. But really that is obviously Newcastle– from Newcastle, Central Coast into Sydney. But that is again looking at can people work from home more, how do we get bigger industries and bigger businesses into Newcastle and into the Hunter itself. So really there the investments that we make and then looking at further transport movements is really something we do in partnership with the New South Wales Government.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Speaking of rail, of course, the business case for the high speed rail between Sydney to Newcastle, I understand, was given to the Government just before the end of last year, still waiting for an investment decision. What can you tell me about that?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, well it’s with Infrastructure Australia at the moment. So, they will provide advice to government via Cabinet, via the budget process for when it’s ready for further investment. It will still need a development phase. That’s the next phase of work that will be recommended to us, which is again looking at that land acquisition, the finalising all of the geotechnical work and getting it ready for an investment decision. But we’ll make some announcements about that in due course, but Infrastructure Australia is looking at the business case at the moment.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Okay, so Infrastructure Australia haven’t said to the Government yet– you haven’t been provided advice as to whether it’s a goer or not?

    CATHERINE KING: They haven’t. That advice has not been provided to me yet, no.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Okay. We’re one week away from the Federal Budget. Might we see something in that?

    CATHERINE KING: Again, we’ll make investment decisions when we’ve got that advice. I’m not going to push Infrastructure Australia to how– the timeline of their job. They will– it’s a big piece of work, so they’ll be doing their analysis of it. They’ll provide advice to the Government, and then we’ll make our decisions about what the next phase of it will be. But really, it’s gone through the sort of exploratory stage. It will then have to go into the development stage, which again, is getting all of the planning approvals to do the work. And we’ll have some further announcements to make about that in due course.

    PAUL CULLIVER: All right. We’re not too far away from a federal election. You’re not going to turn up in the Hunter during a federal election with the Prime Minister and say, we’re building high speed rail?

    CATHERINE KING: Nice try, nice try. We’re very committed to high speed rail. And the Prime Minister has been talking about it for a long period of time. We’re serious about getting it done properly, making sure that we’ve got all of the information we need to be able to make those investment decisions. But also, if anything I’ve learnt from this job in the last three years in Inland Rail in particular, when you look at the report into Inland Rail, is don’t start making investment decisions when you don’t know how much it’s going to cost and you haven’t got that planning work done. So actually getting planning approvals will really be the next most important phase for high speed rail.

    PAUL CULLIVER: All right, if I can just ask you about an idea that’s come from the Coalition – Peter Dutton has been talking about proposing a referendum to change the Constitution to allow the Government to deport dual citizens convicted of serious crimes. What do you think of this idea?

    CATHERINE KING: I think it’s just yet another thought bubble from him. I don’t think he’s thought it through. When he wants to take the country to a referendum on decisions that– like, really? It just seems madness to me. I think it’s a thought bubble, and I reckon you’ll see him walk away– crab walk away from it in the next few days or so. It’s been a bit of a pattern from him. I think we’re supposed to also be having another referendum on indigenous representation as well, according to him, but he hasn’t said much about that. He’s promised we were going to do that as well. So let’s see, let’s see.

    PAUL CULLIVER: You don’t think it’s a power that the Australian Government should have?

    CATHERINE KING: I think it’s a thought bubble from Peter Dutton. I think that’s what it is.

    PAUL CULLIVER: All right, Minister, thanks for your time today.

    CATHERINE KING: Thanks very much.

    PAUL CULLIVER: Catherine King, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, in the region today to announce that the Muswellbrook Bypass is getting brought forward by about 12 months.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 2HD Breakfast, Paul King

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    RICHARD KING: I did mention I received a– hang on, where is it now. Yep, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in our neck of the woods this morning. It’s an announcement about funding for a new Cessnock bypass and Muswellbrook bypass. In fact, the Minister is on the line now. Good morning, Minister.

    CATHERINE KING: Good morning Richard, how are you?

    RICHARD KING: Good, thank you. We had a little bit of confusion there. We’ve had phone calls and text messages flying all over the place. But yeah, welcome back to our area. And look, I mentioned earlier when I said I was hopefully going to be speaking to you this morning. I get a lot of calls from people early in the morning heading up to the mines, et cetera, working in the Hunter Valley. I know– in fact, my son who’s an engineer is working on the Singleton bypass. But you’ve got some good news re a couple more bypasses that are going to be happening as well. Can you tell us about that?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. It’s actually three weeks ago I was up having a look at the progress on the Singleton bypass, and it’s really coming along well. But today we’re announcing– because that work is going so well, it’s meant that we’ve been able to bring the funding forward for starting the work early on the Muswellbrook bypass. That’s a really important 9.3 kilometres of road. It’ll take about 13,000 to 20,000 cars per day out of the main streets of Muswellbrook. That early money that we’re bringing forward means they can start doing some of the early work to get the site all ready for construction.

    So, that’s one of the announcements we’re making today. And of course, just making sure that we continue to plan for the future given the growth that we’re seeing throughout the Hunter, given people have discovered the secret of what a beautiful part of the world it is, and are wanting to move here. We’re seeing increasing numbers of housing development, and that’s also meant that for Cessnock, that has meant that trying to get some congestion out of there is going to be important. So, we’re putting in $5 million today to kick start the planning process to look at a future bypass for the town of Cessnock.

    RICHARD KING: We keep hearing about major infrastructure projects. They’re a huge blowout. Just re: Singleton, is that on track sort of budget-wise and time scale-wise, Minister?

    CATHERINE KING: Absolutely, as far as I understand it. Obviously, the people delivering the projects are the New South Wales Government. I was on site with Jenny Aitchison on the day three weeks ago, and that project is looking very good. As far as I’m aware, there haven’t been cost blow-outs on that project, which is great to hear. It was great to see some of the workers out there. Obviously, it’s a really important project for the region, and good to see that progress is being made.

    RICHARD KING: And look, while we’re talking about infrastructure projects, the extension of the M1, I mean, every time we have holidays or long weekends and even Friday afternoons, the people heading south, either up to Port Stephens or further north, there’s always a bottleneck here. We’ve had the widening of– in fact, it’s right in front of where I am at Sandgate. That widening process has been going on for a long time. I believe that should be finished next year. But the M1 extension, I think that’s a couple of years away at this stage, am I…

    CATHERINE KING: [Talks over] Yeah. Well one of one the issues we’ve obviously had– and you can see it all around, is there’s a huge amount of road construction happening at the moment, and that means that there’s been some capacity constraints in terms of these projects. So, trying to make sure we sequence them in a way that keeps fabulous construction workforce working, but also then doesn’t mean that we just don’t have the resources to be able to deliver these projects. So, you can see from whether it’s Hexham, Raymond Terrace, the Singleton bypass, now being able to bring forward the Muswellbrook bypass and start the work to plan the Cessnock bypass and then other projects that are on the schedule for delivery with New South Wales. Really, we’ve got to make sure that we keep that capacity and pipeline of projects going, but we also don’t stretch the system to such an extent that then costs flow out, or we have to import workers from elsewhere.

    RICHARD KING: 8:09 on Tuesday, my guest, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government – you’re wearing a number of hats here – Catherine King. Look, a hot topic at the moment, the financial situation of Newcastle Airport. I don’t know how much of this comes under your umbrella, but I know there was a fair amount of federal money that’s gone into the extension of the runway there. Under construction at the moment is the new international airport, but people are concerned about the liability for ratepayers of both Newcastle and Port Stephens, who jointly own the councils, jointly own those airports. How much oversight do you have on what’s happening at Newcastle Airport Minister?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, I don’t have a great deal of oversight into the financials of the airport. Obviously, it is run and managed by the two local councils, and so I don’t have line of sight of the management of the airport. We’ve certainly put grant money in for upgrading the infrastructure, which then enables an expansion of the airport, which then also enables you to have more passengers coming in if you have international flights coming in, and that obviously increases the capacity of the airport for revenue. But they are questions that you’d really need to direct to the local government area.

    RICHARD KING: Yeah, it’s a very hot topic. The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, who I spoke to yesterday, has requested an inquiry into that. So, we’ll then no doubt hear more from the New South Wales Government on that particular one.

    Another hot issue is obviously the budget which will be out next week. Jim Chalmers, our Treasurer, announced it will be a deficit budget next week after we’ve had a number of surpluses, and deficit budgets, I think, are predicted for the next decade. Will that have much of an impact on all these major infrastructure projects, Minister?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, we’ve got a $125 billion infrastructure pipeline that is built into the budget over the next decade. And so when projects come off, new projects come on. So that’s sort of sat and is pretty stable. We’ve increased in fact the budget from the Commonwealth for infrastructure funding. So I don’t anticipate that we’ll see– we’ll see some good news– we will see good news for new infrastructure projects in the budget. But let’s wait till budget night to see what all of the broader figures are. Obviously, I think what the Treasurer, Jim, was indicating that, you know, it would be no surprise to people that we have an event like Cyclone Alfred, that there is some impact on the budget in relation to that, whether it be in terms of claims for fixing roads, rail and but also the significant economic loss many of the businesses and individuals have experienced up there as well. That will, of course, have an impact, as every single disaster does each time on the budget, and he was just reporting that.

    RICHARD KING: Peter Dutton yesterday has called for the deregistration of the CFMEU following these fresh allegations of violence, particularly directed at women and the influence of organised crime and corruption within the CFMEU. And he’s calling for legislation changes, et cetera. I know Murray Watt said it’s reckless. Do you have a view on this?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, I do. I mean, a couple of things. I mean, the first thing, none of us tolerate this sort of activity in any workplace. It’s criminal activity. And we need to make sure that every– you know, from an infrastructure point of view, I want to make sure every assurance that every single dollar of taxpayer money is going to pay workers properly to make sure we actually deliver that infrastructure. And so, I’ve sought assurances from the states and territories that they’ve got the right processes in place to check that all the time.

    But in terms of the call from Peter Dutton yesterday, I mean, this is a bloke who has failed to clean up, you know, this– deal with these issues when they were last in government. Now thinks that deregistration– which basically means the union will still operate, they just won’t be registered and they won’t have any oversight. So, what we’ve done is put it into administration so that the people who we were concerned about have no part in running the organisation. You’ll see with deregistration, they will be back in pretty quickly. It means the union still can go to Fair Work Australia, the unions still exist. It just won’t be registered and it won’t have that regulatory oversight. So I’m not sure how that’s actually going to clean up or fix it.

    And then secondly, you know, we have already very strong laws in place that allow the sorts of things– you know, again, we’ve gone and looked to America to see what the Americans can tell us. We’re Australia and we know pretty much what our laws say. We’ve already got really strong laws that allow us to go after– you know, the criminal syndicates that are behind some of these activities. The issue is we’ve got to back in the administrator to actually do the job properly. Some of this stuff has come to light because it is in administration. And there is– you know, thorough audits and investigations being undertaken. And, you know, I welcome that the Victorian Government’s now, you know, increased money for the taskforce or increased the focus of the taskforce to try and deal with these issues. But you know, let’s be clear, none of us have any tolerance for this. We’re working our way through how we actually fix this and that will take some time.

    RICHARD KING: Appreciate your time this morning, Minister, and enjoy your time in the Hunter Valley I’m sure you will.

    CATHERINE KING: [Laughs] I always do. Thank you so much.

    RICHARD KING: Good on you. Thank you. Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, that’s a mouthful. Catherine King on 2HD.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Support American Families Adopting Children from China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), joined CCA co-chairs Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), along with Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.) in a letter urging President Trump to advocate for families impacted by China’s termination of its intercountry adoption program.
    “We write to you on behalf of hundreds of children and American families who have been devastated by the People’s Republic of China’s decision to halt its intercountry adoption program. We request that you act in the best interest of these children and engage the Chinese government to finalize these pending adoption cases,” the members wrote.
    “The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being. Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family.… We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States,” the members continued.
    In the Senate, the letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).
    In the House, the letter was signed by Reps. Brian Babin (R-Texas), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Charles Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Abraham Hamadeh (R-Ariz.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Thomas Kean (R-N.J.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Richard McCormick (R-Ga.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa), Andrew Ogles (R-Tenn.), Bob Onder (R-Mo.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Jefferson Shreve (Ind.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Lloyd Smucker (R-Penn.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Haley Stevens (D-Wis.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Daniel Webster (R-Fla.).
    Text of the letter to President Trump follows:
    Dear President Trump:
    We write to you on behalf of hundreds of children and American families who have been devastated by the People’s Republic of China’s decision to halt its intercountry adoption program. We request that you act in the best interest of these children and engage the Chinese government to finalize these pending adoption cases.
    As members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and other Members of Congress who share these concerns, the safety of adopted children and hundreds of would-be adoptees is our top priority. The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being. Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family. It is particularly critical that these children have access to the care and support that they need — which hundreds of American families approved for adoption are willing to provide.
    We understand that the State Department is working on behalf of these families and seeking clarity on the Chinese government’s decision. We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States.
    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We are prepared to work closely with you to ensure these children are welcomed into safe and stable homes.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: West Virginia seeking nominations for inaugural Higher Education Action and Impact Awards – West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    New awards recognize outstanding contributions to postsecondary access and student success across the state

    Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is currently seeking nominations for the inaugural Higher Education Action and Impact Awards, a prestigious new recognition program honoring individuals and organizations that have made a meaningful difference in expanding college and career readiness in West Virginia. 

    “We are proud to launch the Higher Education Action and Impact Awards to recognize the outstanding work happening in higher education access across West Virginia,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “These awards will spotlight the innovative and dedicated individuals who are transforming lives and communities by helping students reach their college and career goals – and their biggest potential.”

    As part of its inaugural year, the award program features six distinct award categories recognizing achievements across various education and leadership levels:

    • Dan Crockett Professional Leadership Award
    • Exemplary School Action and Impact Award – Elementary Level
    • Exemplary School Action and Impact Award – Middle School Level
    • Exemplary School Action and Impact Award – High School Level
    • Higher Education Action and Impact Award
    • Student Action and Impact Award

    Educators, colleagues, administrators, students, and community members who have witnessed the nominee’s impact firsthand are encouraged to submit detailed nominations. Nominations should highlight clear examples of leadership, innovation, and impact, supported by qualitative and quantitative evidence of success. Submissions may include personal stories, program data, and testimonials showcasing how the nominee has influenced their school, community, policies, or programming.

    For more information about the nomination process and award criteria, please visit https://www.wvhepc.edu/higher-education-action-and-impact-award/ or contact Emily Hammond at Emily.Hammond@wvhepc.edu.

    Awards timeline: 

    • April 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST: Nomination period closes
    • May 2025: Selection committee reviews and finalizes award recipients
    • July 2025: Award winners honored at the annual West Virginia Student Success Summit

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Sanctions and Export Control Laws

    Source: US State of California

    Note: View the forfeiture complaint.

    The United States today filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, which was smuggled from the United States under false pretenses and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros (Maduro) and his representatives in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (the Maduro Regime) in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. The aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States.

    Today’s filing alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was purchased and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions against Maduro and the Maduro Regime. According to the complaint, the aircraft is forfeitable based on violations of U.S. law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and money laundering violations.

    Since 2014, the United States has imposed sanctions against targeted individuals, entities, and sectors in Venezuela to address the increasing political oppression and corruption in Venezuela by the Maduro Regime. On March 8, 2015, the President found that the situation in Venezuela constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and declared a national emergency pursuant to IEEPA to deal with that threat. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13692.

    In 2017, 2018, and 2019, President Trump took additional steps regarding the national emergency declared in E.O. 13692. On Aug. 5, 2019, the President issued E.O. 13884 “in light of the continued usurpation of power by Nicolás Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaidó and the Venezuelan National Assembly’s exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela.”

    E.O. 13884 prohibits the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the order, including the Government of Venezuela and the Maduro Regime; the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person; and, any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in the order.

    The complaint alleges that on or about Jan. 23, 2023, a company purportedly based in the Caribbean island country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Foreign Company 1) entered into a contract to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft from a company in Florida for $13,250,000. The complaint further alleges that the individual in charge of purchasing the aircraft purportedly on behalf of Foreign Company 1 was a Venezuelan national (Foreign Principal 1), who concealed the fact that he was representing or associated with the Maduro Regime.

    The complaint further alleges that Foreign Company 1 merely acted as a nominee owner of the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft as it was formed shortly before the purchase, in June 2022, and was struck from the register of St. Vincent companies for failure to pay annual fees two years later, in May 2024.

    The complaint further alleges that funds used to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft were sent via multiple wire transfers from different countries, including Malaysia, using both U.S. dollars and euros, and that Foreign Company 1 used an email address with a “.ae” domain from the United Arab Emirates to correspond with the Florida-based seller even though Foreign Company 1’s representatives allegedly had Spanish names and some of the emails contained the phrase “Enviado desde mi iPhone,” or Spanish for “Sent from my iPhone.”

    The complaint further alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown from the United States to St. Vincent on or about April 3, 2023, and approximately five hours later, it departed for Caracas, Venezuela, piloted by two members of the Venezuelan Presidential Honor Guard, and accompanied by a second aircraft that operates out of a Venezuelan military base.

    The complaint further alleges that, since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft has flown to and from Venezuela at least 21 times and Maduro has been seen traveling with the aircraft on official visits to other countries, including for a December 2023 prisoner exchange with the United States.

    As alleged, in March 2024, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown to the Dominican Republic for service and maintenance where Foreign Company 1 held itself out to be the owner, concealing from the Dominican-based jet maintenance company that the aircraft had been purchased and operated for benefit of the Maduro Regime.

    The complaint further alleges that on at least two occasions in May 2024, Foreign Principal 1, purportedly acting on behalf of Foreign Company 1, and other Venezuelan individuals, including military personnel, attempted to retrieve the Dassault Falcon aircraft from the Dominican Republic.

    Following the attempts by the Venezuelan individuals to retrieve the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, the U.S. government obtained a seizure warrant and requested that the Dominican Republic seize, detain, and transfer the Dassault Falcon aircraft. Pursuant to U.S. request, the aircraft was transported back to the United States on Sept. 2, 2024. That same day, the Maduro Regime issued a statement admitting the Dassault Falcon aircraft “has been used by” Maduro.

    A second Dassault Falcon aircraft identified by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as blocked property of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), the sanctioned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural-gas company, and illegally serviced and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions, also was seized in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States government on Feb. 6, 2025.

    The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Santo Domingo.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI El Dorado Task Force Miami provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Condemn Trump Administration’s Gutting of Education Department

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    Senators to Education Secretary: “We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Trump and Elon Musk attack public education in America by closing offices and laying off 1,300 workers at the Department of Education, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined 36 Democratic colleagues in expressing outrage at the Administration’s reckless and illegal firing of half of the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education, which will cripple America’s education system and impact students in California and across the country.
    California’s public education system, supported by the Department of Education, is the largest in the country. There are about 10,000 public schools in California serving over 5.8 million students. If the Department is dismantled, the nearly $8 billion in federal funding that California receives annually to support low-income students, students with disabilities, and more could be at risk. California also has the most extensive higher education system in the nation, including the largest number of Pell Grant recipients who rely on Education Department staff to help them attend college. Abolishing the Department of Education would have devastating impacts on California schools, students, faculty, communities, and the economy.
    “At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60 percent of people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans cannot afford higher education, and 40 percent of our nation’s 4th graders and 33 percent of 8th graders read below basic proficiency, it is a national disgrace that the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally abolish the Department of Education and thus, undermine a high-quality education for our students,” wrote the Senators.
    The Senators noted that these layoffs and closures will have devastating effects on the nation’s students, including by limiting the Department’s ability to guarantee that federal funding reaches communities that rely on it, ensure students can access federal financial aid, and uphold students’ civil rights. Not even 24 hours after the staff reductions were announced, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) experienced a glitch that prevented students and families from accessing the application. Education Department workers responsible for fixing it had reportedly been fired.
    “[The layoffs] would also mean decreased enforcement of rights for children with disabilities and fewer resources for students from low-income backgrounds and children with disabilities, like the 26 million students from low-income backgrounds and over 100,000 public schools in every community across this country that rely on Title I funding; the 7.5 million students with disabilities who benefit under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the 7 million students who receive Pell grants to help access higher education,” continued the Senators.
    “We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country through gutting the Department of Education,” concluded the Senators. “Our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities are preparing the next generation of America’s leaders—we must take steps to strengthen education in this country, not take a wrecking ball to the agency that exists to do so.”
    California, 19 other states, and Washington, D.C. have sued the Trump Administration for these reckless cuts and are pushing a federal judge to reinstate the 1,300 fired Education Department workers.
    The letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. In addition to Padilla, Schiff, and Sanders, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Last month, Senator Padilla blasted President Trump’s nomination of Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, underscoring the enormous threat the Trump Administration poses to the education of millions of students in California and across the country. Senator Padilla joined Senator Warren and his Senate colleagues in launching a probe into reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) infiltrated the Department of Education and gained access to federal student loan data, which includes millions of borrowers’ personal information. The Senators sent a follow-up letter raising concerns about the Department of Education’s “woefully inadequate,” “misleading” response to their inquiry.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary McMahon:
    We write to express our outrage that you, President Trump, and unelected billionaire Elon Musk are taking steps to abolish the Department of Education (“the Department”) and eliminate educational opportunities for millions of students across the country, something that 61 percent of Americans oppose. This most recently includes a 50 percent cut to the workforce, resulting in the termination of over 1,300 workers at the Department of Education, as well as the abrupt, last minute closure of all Department of Education buildings beginning at 6:00 PM on the same day that these terminations were announced.
    At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60 percent of people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans cannot afford higher education, and 40 percent of our nation’s 4th graders and 33 percent of 8th graders read below basic proficiency,3 it is a national disgrace that the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally abolish the Department of Education and thus, undermine a high-quality education for our students.
    As Secretary of Education, you are the foremost public servant responsible for carrying out the Department of Education’s mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. Despite that responsibility, your first act as Secretary was announcing it was your “final mission” to dismantle the Department of Education, fire the public servants who keep it running, and terminate opportunities for students in public schools, colleges, and universities across the country.
    The false claims of financial savings by dismantling the Department of Education so that billionaires can receive huge tax breaks is bad public policy and morally reprehensible. The billionaires that are in charge of our federal government right now will not be harmed by these egregious attacks: wealthy families sending their children to elite, private schools will still be able to get a quality education even if every public school disappears in this country. But for working-class families, high-quality public education is an opportunity they rely on for their children to have a path to do well in life.
    Defunding federal support for public education would result in either higher property taxes or decreased funding for public schools, including in rural areas. It would also mean decreased enforcement of rights for children with disabilities and fewer resources for students from low-income backgrounds and children with disabilities, like the 26 million students from low-income backgrounds and over 100,000 public schools in every community across this country that rely on Title I funding; the 7.5 million students with disabilities who benefit under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the 7 million students who receive Pell grants to help access higher education.
    It is undeniable that terminating 50 percent of the Department of Education’s workers will have harmful effects on public education in this country. The Department of Education already has the smallest staff of the 15 Cabinet agencies despite having the third largest discretionary budget, behind only the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services. These reductions will have devastating impacts on our nation’s students and we are deeply concerned that without staff, the Department will be unable to fulfill critical functions, such as ensuring students can access federal financial aid, upholding students’ civil rights, and guaranteeing that federal funding reaches communities promptly and is well-spent. Not even 24 hours after the staff reductions were announced, the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) experienced a glitch that prevented students and families from accessing the application, but the staff normally responsible for fixing those errors had reportedly been cut. The Department has also reportedly shuttered several regional offices responsible for investigating potential violations of students’ civil rights in local schools. We are deeply alarmed that cases will go uninvestigated and that students will be left in unsafe learning environments as a result.
    The Trump Administration also says it wants to ‘return education back to the states.’ Let us be very clear—public education is already run by states and local school boards. While just 11 percent of public education is federally funded, the Department of Education has a necessary and irreplaceable responsibility to implement federal laws that ensure equal opportunity for all children in this country. These laws guarantee fundamental protections, such as ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, that students from low-income backgrounds and students of color will not be disproportionately taught by less experienced and qualified teachers, and that parents will receive information about their child’s academic achievement.
    Without the Department of Education, there is no guarantee that states would uphold students’ civil and educational rights. Let us not forget that it was federal troops who protected the “Little Rock Nine” from a violent mob of segregationists when they integrated Central High School in the wake of the Brown v. Board U.S. Supreme Court decision. Not only was the state not going to provide this protection, but it was then-Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus who ordered the state’s National Guard to bar Black students from entering the school. Even today, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regularly investigates and resolves complaints of student discrimination related to students’ race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability status.
    We will not stand by as you attempt to turn back the clock on education in this country through gutting the Department of Education. Our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities are preparing the next generation of America’s leaders—we must take steps to strengthen education in this country, not take a wrecking ball to the agency that exists to do so.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – Mission to Kyrgyzstan, 25-27 February 2025 – 25-02-2025 – Subcommittee on Human Rights

    Source: European Parliament

    A five-member strong delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from 25 to 27 February 2025 with the aim at conducting a constructive dialogue with the Kyrgyz authorities and a series of international and local stakeholders ahead of the consent procedure of the EU-Kyrgyzstan European Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as the latter defines the respect for human rights, fundamental values, the rule of law and democratic standards as an essential element of this agreement.

    The DROI mission visited the country in a politically important year for Kyrgyzstan and the relations between the EU and Central Asian countries, given that the 1st EU-Central Asia Summit of Heads of State and government will take place in Samarkand on 4-5 April 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Limits and enforcement of Article 36 of the Digital Services Act – E-000852/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000852/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    Article 36 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) grants the Commission significant powers to oversee and enforce compliance among very large online platforms and search engines. However, concerns have been raised about the scope of these enforcement powers, particularly regarding potential overreach, lack of transparency and the risk of restricting lawful speech under the pretext of combating disinformation. The discretionary nature of risk assessments and the imposition of compliance measures have led to fears of disproportionate intervention in digital content moderation.

    In this regard, I seek clarification on the following points:

    • 1.Enforcement transparency: What safeguards are in place to ensure that the Commission’s enforcement actions under Article 36 DSA do not disproportionately target platforms based on political or ideological considerations?
    • 2.Due process protections: How does the Commission guarantee that affected platforms and content creators have access to fair appeal mechanisms when facing regulatory measures under Article 36 DSA?
    • 3.Legal certainty: Given the broad interpretation of systemic risks under the DSA, how does the Commission ensure that enforcement does not lead to arbitrary or politically motivated content removal, particularly concerning controversial but lawful speech?

    Submitted: 26.2.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Plan to gradually reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian energy imports – P-000981/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000981/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Beata Szydło (ECR)

    In the Versailles Declaration, the Member States committed to ending their dependence on Russian energy imports as soon as possible. A target has been set under the REPowerEU plan to end such imports by 2027. President von der Leyen promised to publish a plan for the phase-out of Russian energy resources within 100 days, but the publication, scheduled for February 2025, was delayed until March, and on 4 March 2025 it disappeared from the Commission’s agenda. All indications are that this decision was reached without proper inter-service consultation, and even without the participation of DG ENER management.

    • 1.What are the main reasons for the latest delay in announcing a plan to phase out Russian energy imports, and when can we expect such a plan to be published?
    • 2.Why was the management of DG ENER not consulted on the decision to remove the document from the College’s agenda, and was it made as a result of pressure from some Member States?
    • 3.Some Member States have not taken sufficient steps to diversify their supplies, gas imports from Russia have increased in the past year, and politicians in some Member States are calling for a return to energy cooperation with Russia. What safeguards does the Commission intend to put in place to ensure that the EU does not become dependent once again on energy supplies from a country that is openly pursuing a hostile and revisionist policy towards Member States?

    Submitted: 6.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Employment policy – 26-07-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The European employment strategy, dating back to 1997, established common objectives for employment policy and contributed to ‘soft coordination’ among the Member States. Creating more and better jobs was one of the main goals of the Europe 2020 strategy. Since the turn of the decade, the Commission has proposed new and more ambitious targets in employment policy. EU law is relevant in certain areas, even if the responsibility for employment policy lies primarily with national governments.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Pacific – 20-03-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU’s relationship with the Pacific region has political, economic and development dimensions. The EU is the Pacific region’s second largest trading partner and in June 2018 negotiations were launched for comprehensive free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. It has a partnership with the 15 Pacific Independent Island Countries that centres on development, fisheries and climate change, and partnerships with the four Overseas Countries and Territories and the Pacific Islands Forum.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Threat of illegal interference by the Commission in the 2025 Polish presidential elections – P-000969/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000969/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maciej Wąsik (ECR)

    On 5 March 2025, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen announced a decision to organise a ‘round table’ assessing the integrity of the Polish election process and the presidential elections[1]. This news was met with outrage among the Polish public.

    Electoral matters are directly regulated by the Polish constitution and are the exclusive responsibility of the Member State. Organising a ‘round table’ on this issue constitutes political interference that could undermine the election process or even the results themselves. The European Union has already contested the results of the democratic presidential elections that took place in Romania. Polish citizens are categorically opposed to outside interference in Polish elections.

    As a Polish MEP, I expect this interference in Polish elections to stop immediately.

    Polish election matters are for Poland and Poles alone!

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Who suggested this idea and on what legal grounds was the decision taken?
    • 2.Who requested this decision and who exactly was consulted?
    • 3.Who does the Commission want to talk to and what conclusions does it expect to draw?

    Submitted: 6.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.dw.com/pl/okr%C4%85g%C5%82y-st%C3%B3%C5%82-ws-wybor%C3%B3w-w-polsce-wiceszefowa-ke-zapowiada/a-71834431, (accessed: 6.3.2025)
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Croatia’s investment momentum remains strong in 2024, but competitiveness challenges persist

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Croatia’s economy grew steadily in 2024, supported by EU funds, the euro adoption, and financial instruments like EFSI and InvestEU
    • Key barriers: 84% of Croatian exporters face differing EU regulations, digital adoption lags behind (62% vs. EU’s 74%), and energy costs remain high.
    • A conference jointly organised with the Croatian National Bank explored the EIB Investment Survey 2024 for Croatia and the EIB Investment Report 2024/2025, highlighting solutions such as market integration, green investments, and mobilizing private co-investors.

    The Croatian economy kept the strong dynamic during 2024 after the rebound in 2022-2023. This was possible thanks to collective efforts by European Union Member States, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, EU funds and financial instruments like EFSI and InvestEU. Moreover, the euro adoption in Croatia represented a strategic shift and new business opportunities, driving the good investment momentum.

    Nevertheless, in the new geopolitical context, in order to increase competitiveness, the urgency of further action is enhanced both for the EU as a whole and for Croatia. According to the new EIB Investment Report 2024/2025, the solution toolkit comprises: (1) unlocking business opportunities via market integration and simplification (2) leveraging European strengths such as green leadership and an inclusive social model (3) maximising the impact of public-sector intervention through targeted support, EU coordination and focus on incentives that mobilise private co-investors.

    According to the latest EIBIS for Croatia, the business environment remains a concern. The availability of skilled staff, uncertainty about the future and energy costs remain the top three investment barriers while more than eight in 10 Croatian exporters (84%) report having to comply with different standards and consumer-protection rules across EU countries, above the EU average (60%). Moreover, there is a continued need of transformative investments as adoption of advanced digital technologies in Croatia is below EU peers (62% versus 74% respectively). Moreover, although most of Croatian firms (87%) have taken measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with EU firms, there is still more to do for all EU countries. Croatian firms are also less likely than EU firms to have invested in sustainable transport options and energy efficiency.

    At an event in Zagreb organised jointly with the Croatian National Bank (CNB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) today discussed the  EIB Investment Survey 2024 for Croatia  and key policy messages of the EIB Investment Report 2024/2025: Innovation, integration and simplification in Europe, focusing on the new insights on Croatian companies’ challenges and opportunities.

    Opening remarks were made by EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, Croatian National Bank Governor Boris Vujčić and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Marko Primorac. A presentation by Debora Revoltella, the EIB’s chief economist, assessed the state of the EU and Croatian economies through the EIBIS lens to understand their current performance, business prospects, concerns and enablers for a coordinated policy response.

    Croatian National Bank Governor Boris Vujčić said: “Croatia and the whole of Europe have been facing major challenges in preserving competitiveness in an unstable global environment. In order for Croatian companies to be able to leverage growth opportunities, it is necessary to provide them with access to venture capital and alternative financing sources as well as to strengthen links between European capital markets. This conference provides us with an opportunity to jointly discuss present obstacles and new solutions for the financing of growth and innovations in order to ensure that the Croatian economy remains competitive in a rapidly changing world.”

    EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska said: “The EIB Investment Survey, conducted across all EU member states, provides a powerful policy tool to better understand the challenges and barriers, helping to create our strategy and to respond to the identified market gaps with targeted policy response. To address the gap of scale-up financing, the EIB Group provides a diversified type of financing for corporates: loans, guarantees, venture debt and private equity. For Croatia in particular, we reinforced during 2024 the innovation ecosystem with investments in equity funds through the Croatian Venture Capital Initiative 2 (CVCi 2) and the Croatian Growth Investment Programme II (CROGIP II), benefiting hundreds of startups and high-growth enterprises.”

    “In the context of mounting pressure from international competition, Europe could reinforce its position as a global technology leader by focusing on three areas: market integration, simplification and large-scale investment in innovation,” said EIB Chief Economist Debora Revoltella “For large-scale investments for innovation and transformation, European firms need market scale to remain globally competitive. Larger and deeper capital markets are instrumental to mobilising higher-risk finance for innovation and the green transformation.”

    The panel discussion in the second session of the conference, composed of representatives of the EIB Group and players in the local financial market such as the Zagreb Stock Exchange, the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) and co-founders of innovative startups, discussed the availability of growth finance for Croatian firms, the role of the stock market, private equity funds and financial market integration and depth. Both the Croatian and the EU financial systems are still ill-suited to properly finance the green and digital transformations and the high-growth innovative segment, especially on the scale-up face. The European financial system depends heavily on banking and this focus continues to constrain specific investment as firms do not have many alternative funding sources to support risky investments, especially in the early stage of growth. Nevertheless, recent initiatives for alternative financing of Croatian firms are encouraging. Moreover, reducing the fragmentation of EU capital markets and simplifying regulation may offer a better and more productive use of Europe’s substantial savings.

    Background information  

    EIB 

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group’s New Financing in Croatia Reaches Record €1.24 Billion in 2024

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Group financing in Croatia rose to €1.24 billion last year from €464 million in 2023.
    • Focus on Croatian railways, cities and businesses in record year for commitments.
    • Climate action in Croatia received €721 million in support last year.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s new financing in Croatia has reached a record level of €1.24 billion last year, with major support aimed at greening transport, cities and businesses. The total financing for 2024 included €937 million from the EIB and €303,2 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as Mid-Caps in Europe.

    EIB Group financing in Croatia last year amounted to 1.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP), whereof a third dedicated to the support of  Croatian SMEs and Midcaps throughout the intermediation of the Croatian banking system. The level of support rose 167% from €464 million in 2023.

    The largest EIB loan signed last year was a €400 million financing to the Croatian government to upgrade and expand rail infrastructure and services throughout the country – part of a €900 million agreement that marks the EIB’s largest-ever financing operation in Croatia. Other key initiatives included EIB loans of €207 million to the city of Zagreb to promote renewable energy, affordable housing and public transport, €200 million to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or HBOR, to expand green and other financing for a range of companies and €30 million financing for the increase of renewable energy production (Kiepach/ Go Green project) implemented by HEP.

    “Our record investments in Croatia in 2024 are a testament to our unwavering commitment to the country’s sustainable growth,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska. “We are deepening our engagement, unlocking new financing for businesses, modernising critical infrastructure and promoting innovation. Working closely with national and local authorities as well as with private-sector partners, we are helping to build a greener, more competitive and resilient Croatia.”

    The latest annual results bring total EIB Group financing in Croatia over the past five years to almost €3.1 billion. The annual average in the country since 2020 has been €613 million.

    Green gains, social support and firm financing

    Last year, projects to advance climate action and environmental sustainability in Croatia received EIB Group support totalling €721 million.

    The €400 million loan to the Croatian government in 2024 is meant to improve rail travel for 22 million passengers annually, accelerate regional development, encourage a shift away from road transport and reduce emissions that cause climate change.

    The €207 million loan to Zagreb reflects increased EIB Group support for Croatian cities to promote cleaner energy, urban mobility and essential cultural and social infrastructure such as schools, kindergartens and affordable housing. Such financing also helps cities absorb faster the grants from the European Union.

    In response to a rising need for affordable homes, the EIB last year also agreed to provide advisory services to five major Croatian cities: Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek and Varaždin. The goal is to help expand social housing and promote inclusive urban development.

    In the area of business financing, the €200 million loan to HBOR is part of a €500 million approved commitment to help Croatian companies lower their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. The EIB is also advising HBOR and other key financial institutions in Croatia on enhancing their green-funding capacity.

    The EIF teamed up with the EIB to offer €169 million to Privredna Banka Zagreb and €160 million to Erste Croatia to expand financing for businesses. The EIF further reinforced Croatia’s innovation ecosystem with investments in equity funds through the Croatian Venture Capital Initiative 2 (CVCi 2)  and the Croatian Growth Investment Programme II (CROGIP II), benefiting hundreds of start-ups and high-growth enterprises. EIF’s equity fund investments in the country also included one of its first commitments to a CEE-based infrastructure fund and, additionally, €40 million was pledged to the Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund, supporting Croatia’s first technology transfer fund that also represents a cross-border initiative with Slovenia, fostering innovation and collaboration between academia and businesses. Altogether, the EIF experienced a record year in Croatia in terms of investments in funds managed by local teams, which now cover a broad range of strategies, from early-stage venture capital, technology transfer, growth investments and social impact to investments in infrastructure projects.

    Background information  

    EIB 

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • A €34.4 million EU grant and a €25.45 million EIB Global loan will support access to broadband services through satellite connectivity in approximately 1 600 villages in Central Asia.
    • The financial package will enable the deployment of satellite terminal antennas connected to SES’ medium earth orbit satellite network.
    • This Team Europe initiative aims to empower approximately three million people in remote areas by providing fast and reliable internet access.

    EIB Global – the European Investment Bank’s global arm – and the European Commission have signed a financial package worth almost €60 million with SES, a Europe-based provider of satellite-enabled content and connectivity solutions.This initiative aims to deliver satellite connectivity to remote rural areas in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

    Nearly half of the population in Central Asia does not have access to the internet. The project aims to reduce this figure by bringing broadband internet services to approximately 1 600 underserved villages across rural areas in the region. These communities currently have no access to broadband services, leaving millions without connection to the digital world. Through satellite technology, high-speed internet can be deployed in these remote areas, transforming the lives of an estimated three million people. This initiative will help to bridge the digital gap and also support Central Asia’s broader transition to a digital economy.

    “Beyond simply connecting people, connectivity infrastructures are pathways to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. This initiative is helping to address the digital divide and promoting global connectivity, which is a priority for EIB Global. This is an excellent example of cooperation under Team Europe for digital inclusion and human empowerment, and will also provide the European Union’s partners in Central Asia with know-how and expertise on secure and trusted digital connections,” said EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Central Asia.

    This project is fully aligned with the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which promotes investment in secure and sustainable infrastructure to connect people and improve lives across the world. It serves as a key driver of the Team Europe initiative for digital connectivity in Central Asia.

    “The European Union and Central Asia are working together to improve the internet connection in the whole region. European technology and our Central Asian partners’ expertise can ensure that more people have access to fast and secure internet, supporting business growth, creating new jobs and improving living conditions in local communities. By investing in digital connectivity, we are bridging gaps, creating opportunities, and ensuring that Central Asia has the necessary resources to benefit fully from the digital economy,” said European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

    The project will leverage SES’s O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit satellite network expansion, which is partially financed by the EIB through a €125 million loan provided earlier this year. The satellite network expansion will facilitate the delivery of high-speed broadband services to these remote areas, ensuring reliable and scalable digital infrastructure.

    “Securing this combined EU grant and EIB Global loan demonstrates that SES’ financial foundation is solid and that it is trusted by European institutions to provide reliable satellite services. SES has already done great work on large-scale digital inclusion projects by investing in satellite systems that deliver seamless connectivity in the most remote parts of the world. We are looking forward to reaping the benefits of O3b mPOWER in Central Asia, accelerated by the European Investment Bank’s partial funding to expand our MEO satellites,” said Global Head of Enterprise and Cloud at SES Nadine Allen.

    Background information

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 — around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    About SES

    SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous orbit fleet and medium earth orbit (GEO-MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high-performance services. Using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). 

    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    Team Europe provides nearly €60 million for digital connectivity in rural Central Asia
    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Sanctions and Export Control Laws

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Note: View the forfeiture complaint.

    The United States today filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, which was smuggled from the United States under false pretenses and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros (Maduro) and his representatives in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (the Maduro Regime) in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. The aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States.

    Today’s filing alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was purchased and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions against Maduro and the Maduro Regime. According to the complaint, the aircraft is forfeitable based on violations of U.S. law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and money laundering violations.

    Since 2014, the United States has imposed sanctions against targeted individuals, entities, and sectors in Venezuela to address the increasing political oppression and corruption in Venezuela by the Maduro Regime. On March 8, 2015, the President found that the situation in Venezuela constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and declared a national emergency pursuant to IEEPA to deal with that threat. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13692.

    In 2017, 2018, and 2019, President Trump took additional steps regarding the national emergency declared in E.O. 13692. On Aug. 5, 2019, the President issued E.O. 13884 “in light of the continued usurpation of power by Nicolás Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaidó and the Venezuelan National Assembly’s exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela.”

    E.O. 13884 prohibits the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the order, including the Government of Venezuela and the Maduro Regime; the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person; and, any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in the order.

    The complaint alleges that on or about Jan. 23, 2023, a company purportedly based in the Caribbean island country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Foreign Company 1) entered into a contract to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft from a company in Florida for $13,250,000. The complaint further alleges that the individual in charge of purchasing the aircraft purportedly on behalf of Foreign Company 1 was a Venezuelan national (Foreign Principal 1), who concealed the fact that he was representing or associated with the Maduro Regime.

    The complaint further alleges that Foreign Company 1 merely acted as a nominee owner of the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft as it was formed shortly before the purchase, in June 2022, and was struck from the register of St. Vincent companies for failure to pay annual fees two years later, in May 2024.

    The complaint further alleges that funds used to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft were sent via multiple wire transfers from different countries, including Malaysia, using both U.S. dollars and euros, and that Foreign Company 1 used an email address with a “.ae” domain from the United Arab Emirates to correspond with the Florida-based seller even though Foreign Company 1’s representatives allegedly had Spanish names and some of the emails contained the phrase “Enviado desde mi iPhone,” or Spanish for “Sent from my iPhone.”

    The complaint further alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown from the United States to St. Vincent on or about April 3, 2023, and approximately five hours later, it departed for Caracas, Venezuela, piloted by two members of the Venezuelan Presidential Honor Guard, and accompanied by a second aircraft that operates out of a Venezuelan military base.

    The complaint further alleges that, since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft has flown to and from Venezuela at least 21 times and Maduro has been seen traveling with the aircraft on official visits to other countries, including for a December 2023 prisoner exchange with the United States.

    As alleged, in March 2024, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown to the Dominican Republic for service and maintenance where Foreign Company 1 held itself out to be the owner, concealing from the Dominican-based jet maintenance company that the aircraft had been purchased and operated for benefit of the Maduro Regime.

    The complaint further alleges that on at least two occasions in May 2024, Foreign Principal 1, purportedly acting on behalf of Foreign Company 1, and other Venezuelan individuals, including military personnel, attempted to retrieve the Dassault Falcon aircraft from the Dominican Republic.

    Following the attempts by the Venezuelan individuals to retrieve the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, the U.S. government obtained a seizure warrant and requested that the Dominican Republic seize, detain, and transfer the Dassault Falcon aircraft. Pursuant to U.S. request, the aircraft was transported back to the United States on Sept. 2, 2024. That same day, the Maduro Regime issued a statement admitting the Dassault Falcon aircraft “has been used by” Maduro.

    A second Dassault Falcon aircraft identified by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as blocked property of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), the sanctioned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural-gas company, and illegally serviced and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions, also was seized in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States government on Feb. 6, 2025.

    The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Santo Domingo.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI El Dorado Task Force Miami provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: High-Ranking Member of “Black Rain” Drug Crew Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for His Involvement in Three Cold Case Murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jerome Jones, also known as “Sha,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 30 years’ imprisonment for his role in the 1991 murder of Oscar Flow and the 1992 murders of Robert Arroyo and Dorothy Taylor—all related to Jones’ narcotics trafficking operation.  Jones pleaded guilty in August 2024. 

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

    “Jones now faces decades in prison for his role in a violent drug organization and for several vicious killings committed within less than one year.  His sentence is a reminder that no matter how much time has passed, my Office and our law enforcement partners will not rest until murderers like the defendant are held accountable and justice is served for their victims,” stated United States Attorney Durham.   

    Mr. Durham expressed his thanks to the FBI and the NYPD for their outstanding investigative work and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

    Jones was a high-ranking member of “Black Rain,” a Queen-based drug trafficking organization that sold narcotics at several locations on Rockaway Boulevard in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  The organization was responsible for poisoning the community with massive quantities of various drugs: heroin sold as “Black Rain,” cocaine sold as “White Lightning,” and crack sold as “Thunder.”  In the early 1990s, a single Black Rain drug spot brought in more than $10,000 per day in drug sales. To protect its profitable operation and to punish those who crossed its leaders, Black Rain members committed multiple acts of violence, including murders.

    In December 1991, Jones murdered Oscar Flow in Springfield Gardens, Queens, after he learned that Flow had stolen from one of Black Rain’s drug spots and that the victim’s sneaker matched a muddy footprint on the roof of the location that had been robbed.  Jones and a co-conspirator shot Flow multiple times.  Jones later boasted to an underling that Flow got “six in the head” for stealing from Black Rain.

    In September 1992, Robert Arroyo was murdered in the vicinity of 128th Street and Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park, Queens, where Jones managed a drug spot.  Jones recruited and paid two co-conspirators to kill Arroyo, who Jones suspected was a drug trafficking competitor and a police informant.  In their first attempt, the recruits mistakenly shot and seriously wounded another man they incorrectly believed to be Arroyo.  That victim survived.  The hit team finally located Arroyo on a crowded street and shot him repeatedly, killing him.

    In November 1992, Jones again paid a co-conspirator to murder Dorothy Taylor, who the defendant blamed for having a Black Rain drug spot shut down by law enforcement when she failed to pay the rent and city marshals padlocked the apartment.  Taylor was shot to the death in the driveway of her home by the co-conspirator.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Tanya Hajjar, Emily J. Dean, Lindsey R. Oken, and Raffaela S. Belizaire are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Theodore Rader.

    The Defendant:

    JEROME JONES (also known as “Sha”)
    Age: 60
    West Virginia

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-54 (NGG)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Immigration Violation Charges for the Northern District of Ohio

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that federal grand juries in the Northern District of Ohio have returned indictments for the following individuals on charges of immigration law violations. These are separate and unrelated cases filed during the months of January and February 2025.

    Yeixon Brito-Gonzalez, aka Yiexon Maikenedy Brito-Gonzalez, 21, a citizen of Venezuela, was indicted on two counts of possession of a fraudulent identification document. He possessed counterfeit Legal Permanent Resident and Social Security cards. Brito-Gonzalez was arrested Jan. 30, 2025, in Sandusky, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Sandusky Bay Station.

    Juan A. Cabrera-Claros, 42, a citizen of El Salvador, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He has been previously removed three times: July 13, 2011; Nov. 23, 2011; and Feb. 22, 2013. Cabrera-Claros was arrested Feb. 15, 2025, in South Euclid, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    Mardoqueo Hernandez-Gomez, aka, Gabino Toj-Chac, 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of making a false claim of citizenship to obtain a federal or state benefit, and one count of misuse of a Social Security number. On April 17, 2023, the defendant is alleged to have attempted to obtain an Ohio Driver’s License by providing a Social Security card issued to another individual. Hernandez-Gomez was arrested Jan. 16, 2025, in the state of Kansas. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by CPB Sandusky Bay Station.

    Angel Baltazar Lux-Santay, 32, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States after having previously been removed on Sept. 12, 2019 and Jan. 20, 2020. Lux-Santay was arrested in Ashland County, Ohio, on Feb. 2, 2025. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    Jorge Marrero-Padilla, 36, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He has been previously removed four times: July 9, 2008; June 29, 2010; Nov. 13, 2010; and Dec. 26, 2012. Marrero-Padilla was arrested in Painesville, Ohio, on Jan. 15, 2025. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    Raul Montes-Rodriguez, 52, a citizen of Mexico, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States after having been removed twice from the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2014 and April 23, 2013. Montes-Rodriguez was arrested Jan. 29, 2025 in Lorain, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by CPB Sandusky Bay Station.

    Alando Roach, 24, a citizen of Jamaica, was charged with being an undocumented alien in possession of a firearm. Roach was arrested March 3, 2025, in Youngstown, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and ICE.

    Mariano Tomas-Aguilar, 44, a citizen of Guatemala, was indicted on one charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. He was previously removed from the U.S. five times: Aug. 14, 2008; Sept. 8, 2009; Oct. 26, 2018; Feb. 19, 2019; and March 12, 2020. Tomas-Aguilar was arrested Dec. 9, 2024, in Eastlake, Ohio. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by ICE.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    A team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the USAO’s criminal division are prosecuting these cases.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: No interest loans locked in to help ease cost of living

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    The Albanese Labor Government is locking in no interest loans for the next five years with an additional $48.7 million to support Australians with the cost of living.

    The funding boost to the No Interest Loans program (NILs) will allow Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand in partnership with National Australia Bank (NAB) to continue providing no-fee, no-interest loans for essentials to eligible people.

    More than one million Australians have already benefited from NILs.

    Good Shepherd administers the scheme, with NAB providing the loan capital. The loans can be used for urgent, critical household purchases and for vehicles for transport to work and essential day-to-day use.

    Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said the Government’s investment will help ease cost of living pressures for many Australians who need support.

    “We’re proud to support Good Shepherd and NAB to deliver no-interest loans as an alternative to other high risk, high interest products such as Buy Now Pay Later products and payday loans,” Minister Rishworth said.

    “NILs provides support that is usually unavailable to low-income earners through mainstream providers, meaning tens of thousands of vulnerable Australians can purchase the essential things they need.

    “These loans also really help people achieve independence and financial recovery in escaping family, domestic, and sexual violence. And having access to a vehicle gives many Australians the ability and independence to work, study, provide care or seek medical care.”

    The NILs program is a great example of successful partnerships with industry. The Government has provided funding to Good Shepherd for the administration of NILs since 2009. Around 25,000 general NILs loans are provided each year while nearly 10,000 NILs for Vehicles loans have been provided since this program started in 2021.

    Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand CEO Stella Avramopoulos said: “Through powerful partnerships and expanded reach, including into the Northern Territory and First Nations communities, NILs is breaking down barriers, empowering women, sole parents and families, especially those escaping domestic violence, to achieve lasting financial independence and wellbeing.

    “With 25 per cent of recipients being sole parents and 18 per cent survivors of family and domestic violence, this support isn’t just about financial assistance — it’s about providing dignity, stability, and a pathway to a better future.

    “This work is only possible because of the strength of collaboration between not-for-profits, corporates such NAB, and government. Together, we’re creating meaningful, lasting change — removing credit barriers, preventing predatory lending, and ensuring vulnerable Australians, particularly those in regional and remote communities, have access to the resources they need to recover and rebuild.”
     
    NAB Executive Sustainability Jessica Forrest said: “NILs is NAB’s longest-standing community partnership, with more than $560 million in zero-interest capital provided over 21 years. Together, we are helping more Australians access credit for life’s essentials.

    “NAB is proud to provide the loan capital that supports the Good Shepherd NILs program, and pleased to keep working with Government on backing this longstanding program. This funding will ensure more people continue to get the support they need.

    “Too often, people in financial stress turn to high-interest payday loans. No interest loans offer a safer alternative, helping Australians borrow money without having to pay any fees or interest.”

    NILs assists vulnerable Australians to access affordable loans up to $3,000 for household goods, such as fridges, washing machines and furniture, as well as education and medical expenses.

    NILs for Vehicles loans up to $5,000 can be used to purchase cars, mobility scooters and related costs such as registration or maintenance expenses.

    Individuals can apply for NILs at over 600 locations across Australia. They are available to individuals and families who can service the loan and who:

    • earn less than $70,000 gross annually as a single person or $100,000 gross as a couple or person with dependants, or
    • have experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years, or
    • have a Health Care Card or Pension Card.

    More information about NILs is available on the Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Jaynie Studenmund to Retire From EXL Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ExlService Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXLS), a global data and AI company, today announced that Jaynie Studenmund has notified EXL’s board of directors that she will not stand for re-election at EXL’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders and will serve out her current term on the board through June 2025.

    “On behalf of EXL and its board of directors, we are grateful for the valuable contributions Jaynie has made to the company,” said Rohit Kapoor, chairman and chief executive officer. “Jaynie’s extensive experience with early adopters of digital technology and business model disruption was extremely valuable as we transformed EXL to a leading data and AI company, growing stockholder value over 350% during her tenure on the board.”

    Vikram Pandit, lead director of the board of EXL said, “For seven years, Jaynie’s leadership and guidance as a member of both the Audit and the Compensation and Talent Management Committees, serving as chair of the latter, have greatly benefited the company, and we thank her for her wisdom and dedication. We wish her and her family all the best.”

    “It has been a privilege to serve on EXL’s board,” said Studenmund. “I have truly enjoyed being part of an incredible transformation journey over the last seven years. Today, EXL is winning in the quickly evolving data and AI arena, and I look forward to following its continued success as I refocus my professional activities to the West Coast.”

    About ExlService Holdings

    EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and artificial intelligence (“AI”) company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. We are headquartered in New York and have more than 59,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

    Contacts
    Media
    Keith Little
    +1 703-598-0980
    media.relations@exlservice.com

    Investor Relations
    John Kristoff
    +1 212 209 4613
    IR@exlservice.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Changes to Canada’s Debt Distribution Framework

    Source: Bank of Canada

    Following a review of the Government of Canada’s Debt Distribution Framework (DDF) in 2024, the Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada (GoC) are announcing upcoming adjustments to the DDF. These changes will take effect in fiscal year 2025–26. A subsequent market notice will announce the effective implementation date, which will reflect a three-month period to allow market participants time to review and adapt to these changes.

    • All government securities distributors (GSDs) will be required to each achieve one winning competitive or non-competitive bid each month on behalf of either itself or its customers. Further, all GSDs must each achieve allocations of at least $50 million of GoC securities, on behalf of itself or its customers, every calendar quarter.
    • GSDs that are not primary dealers (PDs) will no longer be required to have their core Canadian fixed-income operations located within Canada or to be members of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). However, prospective GSDs will need to demonstrate that they are regulated to a standard equivalent to CIRO and to submit reports on their Canadian fixed-income trading to CIRO.
    • The use of calculated values for the purposes of determining bidding limits and PD minimum bidding requirements (MBRs) will be discontinued. PDs may submit competitive bids for up to 25% of the total auctioned amount for their own account and customer accounts for both bond and treasury bill auctions; the remaining GSDs will have a maximum competitive bidding limit of 10% for their own account and customer accounts for both bond and treasury bill auctions. PD MBRs will be calculated on a pro rata basis, where each PD must bid competitively for its equivalent share of an auction’s amount (e.g., 10 PDs for bonds would each have a MBR for 10% of a bond auction; 8 PDs for treasury bills would each have a MBR of 12.5% of a treasury bill auction).
    • Each PD’s aggregate bidding limit, meaning the cumulative amount of bids a PD can submit for its own account and on behalf of its customers, will be increased to 50% of the auction amount for both bond and treasury bill auctions, from the current 40%.
    • Non-competitive bidding limits will be changed to 0.5% of the auction amount per auction bidder. All bidders may submit only one non-competitive bid per auction. Customers may not submit competitive bids at an auction if they submit a non-competitive bid, and vice versa.
    • The Bank of Canada Auction System (BCAS) has been upgraded, and once the DDF changes are effective, BCAS users will be divided into either those who can see and enter bids for only the GSD’s own account or those who can see and enter bids for only the GSD’s customers.
    • A new facility will be created for reopening off-the-run GoC securities which the Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada view as requiring additional supply for markets to function well. This facility will be operationalized by the Bank of Canada, have publicly available Terms and Conditions, and be implemented with the same auction rules as nominal bond auctions. Details of the facility will be announced in a subsequent market notice that will also announce the facility’s effective date.
    • PDs will be subject to MBRs for non-fungible as well as fungible Cash Management Bill auctions.
    • Individual persons will not be eligible to apply for Bidder Identification Numbers.
    • New information for the results of the auctions of GoC securities will be made available on the Bank of Canada’s website following every auction. Namely, the percentage of the auctioned amount allocated between customers and GSDs, as well as between Canadian accounts and foreign accounts, will be included in auction result data.

    The Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada will coordinate with the GSDs over the coming months to implement these updates to the DDF in an orderly manner.

    For further information, please contact:

    Director
    Financial Markets Department
    Bank of Canada
    343‑573‑4846

    Director
    Funds Management Division
    Department of Finance Canada
    343‑549‑3651

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European Commission involvement in implementing the WHO Pandemic Agreement and ensuring transparency – E-000125/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. While the Commission cannot prejudge the outcomes of the negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement[1], the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (the GSCL Network)[2] would aim to enhance equitable, timely and affordable access to pandemic-related health products[3]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is expected to convene the GSCL Network, in consultation with the Parties to the agreement, WHO Member States not Parties to the agreement and in partnership with relevant stakeholders. In practice, the latter may include collaborations between public and private sectors, civil society organisations, and international organisations to foster the efficient and comprehensive distribution of health products. National governments would be responsible for coordinating distribution efforts, establishing regulatory frameworks, and allocating resources to ensure equitable access to health products within their territories.

    2. Transparency and stakeholder involvement are among the European Union’s key principles set out in Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, as well as in Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The draft text of the Pandemic Agreement[4] includes a range of measures aiming to ensure that the implementation of the Agreement is transparent, inclusive, and accountable[5]. The documents pertaining to the EU position in the ongoing negotiations are publicly available[6]. If the EU decides to become a Party to the Agreement, the EU would implement it in accordance with the applicable EU law and with the provisions of the Agreement.

    3. The Commission works to ensure that any data handling provisions in the future Pandemic Agreement comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679[7].

    • [1] Information related to the ongoing negotiations is available at: https://inb.who.int/
    • [2] To be established under Article 13 of the Pandemic Agreement, available at https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_10-en.pdf
    • [3] Such products typically refer to health products that may be needed for prevention, preparedness and response to pandemic emergencies and may include medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, personal protective equipment etc.
    • [4] The draft text of the Pandemic Agreement is available at https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_10-en.pdf
    • [5] See in particular Articles 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the draft Pandemic Agreement.
    • [6] The documents pertaining to the EU position are publicly available at the following link: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/who-pandemic-agreementihr-negotiations-related-documents_en
    • [7] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spanish Government’s strategy to decommission nuclear power plants – E-000267/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Spain has confirmed its plans to phase out nuclear energy by 2035 in the recently submitted National Energy and Climate Plan[1]. The choice of the energy resources in the energy mix, including the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the provisions of the EU legislation[2].

    The Commission does not intervene in such decisions while it recognises that securing supplies of clean and affordable energy is critical for European competitiveness, security, and EU’s future climate neutrality.

    As reflected in the recently announced Competitiveness Compass[3], the Commission’s aim is to ensure that t he transition to a decarbonised economy is competitiveness-friendly and technology-neutral, while the shift to cleaner and cost-efficient sources of energy must reduce energy costs and price volatility.

    As part of the proposals to accompany its Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission presented on 26 February 2025 an Action Plan for Affordable Energy[4].

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/211d83b7-b6d9-4bb8-b084-4a3bfb4cad3e_es?filename=ES%20-%20FINAL%20UPDATED%20NECP%202021-2030%20%28Spanish%29.pdf
    • [2] Article 194 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union.
    • [3] A competitiveness compass for the EU: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/10017eb1-4722-4333-add2-e0ed18105a34_en
    • [4] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7e2e6198-b6b8-46fe-b263-984b437da3ab_en?filename=Communication%20-%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Affordable%20Energy.pdf
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –