Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia – B10-0107/2025

Source: European Parliament

B10‑0107/2025

European Parliament resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia

(2025/2522(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia, in particular that of 28 November 2024 on Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud [1],

– having regard to the European Council conclusions of 14 and 15 December 2023 and of 27 June 2024,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy’ (COM(2023)0690) and to the accompanying Commission staff working document of 8 November 2023 entitled ‘Georgia 2023 Report’ (SWD(2023)0697),

– having regard to the joint statement of 8 November 2023 by the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Georgia on the Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 on the EU membership application of Georgia,

– having regard to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part [2], which entered into force on 1 July 2016,

– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in particular Article 215(2) thereof, and to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Article 29 thereof,

– having regard to the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia and to its September 2009 report,

– having regard to the final conclusions of the international election observation mission relating to the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024,

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

A. whereas the exercise of freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly is a fundamental right enshrined in the Georgian constitution;

B. whereas Georgia, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and a member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has committed itself to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights;

C. whereas Russia has illegally occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia since the August 2008 conflict that followed Georgia’s attack on Tskhinvali on the night of 7 to 8 August 2008;

D. whereas in June 2014, the EU and Georgia signed an Association Agreement that entered into force on 1 July 2016;

E. whereas in December 2023, the European Council granted Georgia the status of EU candidate country;

F. whereas in March 2017, the EU visa facilitation agreement with Georgia came into effect, following Georgia’s successful implementation of all the benchmarks set in its visa liberalisation action plan;

G. whereas on 27 January 2025, the Council decided to suspend parts of the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement, specifically affecting diplomats and officials, who may now be required to apply for a visa when travelling to the EU;

H. whereas on 28 November 2024, in response to the European Parliament’s November 2024 resolution on Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would suspend accession talks until the end of 2028 and refuse all EU budget support; whereas he also stated that by 2028, Georgia would be ‘more prepared than any other candidate country to open accession talks with Brussels and become a Member State in 2030’;

I. whereas the parliamentary elections held on 26 October 2024 were the first to take place in Georgia under a fully proportional electoral system and were also the first elections to be held since Georgia was granted the status of EU candidate country in December 2023;

J. whereas the legal framework in Georgia provides an adequate basis for conducting democratic elections, but several long-standing recommendations of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Venice Commission remain unaddressed, despite numerous reforms;

K. whereas on 16 November 2024, the Georgian electoral authority announced the official results of the country’s parliamentary elections, confirming that the ruling Georgian Dream party had won 89 seats in the 150-seat parliament after receiving 53.93 % of the vote, while four opposition parties had passed the 5 % threshold and had received a combined 37.44 % share of the vote;

L. whereas the international election observation mission on the parliamentary elections in Georgia comprised 529 observers from 42 countries, including 380 expert observers deployed by the ODIHR, 60 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, 39 from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 38 from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and 12 from the European Parliament;

M. whereas the election campaign in Georgia was competitive and generally allowed contestants to campaign freely, but was marred by the use of highly divisive rhetoric and imagery, as well as isolated incidents of violence, event disruptions, verbal abuse and the destruction of campaign materials, as reported by both ruling and opposition parties;

N. whereas the administration of the elections was generally orderly, but they took place in a tense environment, with overcrowding in many polling stations and several incidents of physical altercations and intimidation;

O. whereas President Salome Zourabichvili publicly accused the Georgian Government of electoral fraud and irregularities in the recent parliamentary elections; whereas President Zourabichvili subsequently refused to testify before the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office regarding these allegations;

P. whereas Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as President of Georgia on 29 December 2024; whereas the outgoing President, Salome Zourabichvili, refused to step down despite the official end of her term of office; whereas opposition parties boycotted the Georgian Parliament in protest;

Q. whereas Georgia has over 26 000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – 1 for every 142 citizens, which is greater than the EU average;

R. whereas following the 2020 parliamentary elections, the NGO International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, which received external funding, challenged the official election results and questioned their legitimacy, but later admitted that it had made a significant error in its calculations;

S. whereas the Parliament of Georgia adopted the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law, which was signed into law on 3 June 2024 despite the President’s veto; whereas the law was met with protest from parts of Georgian civil society; whereas the law requires organisations receiving more than 20 % of their funding from overseas to register as ‘agents of foreign influence’;

T. whereas on 17 September 2024, the Parliament of Georgia adopted the ‘family values and the protection of minors’ law, which bans gender transition, prohibits adoption by gay and transgender people, nullifies, on Georgian territory, same-sex marriages performed abroad, and provides a legal basis for the authorities to outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBTQI+ rainbow flag and to impose the censorship of films and books;

U. whereas the Venice Commission stresses that, in accordance with international standards, the state has a positive obligation to ensure gender equality; whereas on 4 April 2024, the Parliament of Georgia repealed the 2020 amendments introducing gender quotas for candidate lists in parliamentary and local elections, and abolished the associated financial incentives for political parties;

V. whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been operating in Georgia since 1992; whereas Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed that USAID funding was not directed toward genuine humanitarian objectives but was instead being used to ‘stage revolutions, sow disorder and destabilise countries, including Georgia’; whereas US President Donald Trump implemented a 90-day freeze on US foreign assistance to reassess its alignment with national interests;

1. Recalls that the EU accession process is based on objective criteria; regrets the European Council’s decision to suspend financial assistance to Georgia; underlines the benefits of the visa facilitation agreement and the need to maintain it; emphasises the need for a constructive dialogue between the Government of Georgia and the EU; calls on the Government of Georgia to uphold its commitments to reform and continue implementing the necessary measures for its EU accession process;

2. Stresses that Georgia’s future must be determined by the will of its people, free from external pressure or interference; emphasises that Georgia’s sovereignty and political trajectory should reflect the aspirations of its citizens; condemns any attempts, whether foreign or domestic, to undermine Georgia’s democratic institutions;

3. Takes note of the final report of the international election observation mission, which stated that the overall legal framework in Georgia provides an adequate basis for conducting democratic elections, that voters were offered a wide choice of 18 candidate lists, that contestants could generally campaign freely and that the administration of the elections was generally orderly; is alarmed that these elections took place in a polarised environment and on an uneven playing field, and that there were reports of pressure on voters and cases where ballot secrecy was potentially compromised;

4. Takes note of the results of the parliamentary elections that took place in Georgia on 26 October 2024; calls on all sides to work together constructively and peacefully and observe the rule of law, and to address the long-standing recommendations of the ODIHR and the Venice Commission with regard to elections and the increasing polarisation of Georgian society; calls for the EU to enter into a holistic and purposeful dialogue with the new Government of Georgia; calls on all foreign actors to respect the outcome of the elections;

5. Rejects, with deep concern, the adoption of the ‘family values and the protection of minors’ law, and considers it an attack on the LGBTQI+ community and a threat to civil liberties as a whole; rejects, furthermore, the law’s implications for the media, given that it imposes censorship by banning broadcasters from reporting freely on LGBTQI+ issues; reiterates that media freedom and tolerance towards sexual minorities are key features of a functioning democracy;

6. Notes that the ‘transparency of foreign influence’ law entails the risk that NGOs, civil society organisations, opposition media outlets and other organisations that receive funds from other countries will be labelled ‘foreign agents’;

7. Emphasises that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and to peaceful protest are fundamental freedoms and must be respected in all circumstances; expresses concern over reports of the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators; highlights the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, that ‘[a]ny restrictions to these rights must abide by principles of legality, necessity and proportionality’ and that ‘[t]he use of force during protests should always be exceptional and a measure of last resort when facing an imminent threat’;

8. Emphasises that foreign assistance for humanitarian and development purposes must be allocated on the basis of need and human dignity, not geopolitical interests; stresses that such aid should remain impartial, transparent and focused on social and economic well-being, rather than serving as a tool for political leverage or interference;

9. Regrets the Georgian Parliament’s decision to abolish mandatory gender quotas; reiterates the need for balanced gender representation in political participation; regrets the under-representation of women in the electoral process; calls on the Government of Georgia to undertake initiatives in this regard;

10. Takes note of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statements at a press conference at the UN General Assembly in New York and the corresponding willingness of Georgian officials to resolve outstanding issues in a peaceful, diplomatic way; encourages both sides to undertake solid initiatives to this end;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the President, Government and Parliament of Georgia.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo – B10-0133/2025

Source: European Parliament

Adam Bielan, Carlo Fidanza, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Cristian Terheş, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Bogdan Rzońca, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Małgorzata Gosiewska
on behalf of the ECR Group

B10‑0133/2025

European Parliament resolution on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

(2025/2553(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

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

A. whereas the security situation, including the human rights situation, is deteriorating even further in the DRC, especially in the eastern parts of the country and specifically in the provinces of North and South Kivu; whereas North and South Kivu have endured long-lasting conflicts for over two decades; whereas severe human rights violations have been committed in the region;

B. whereas the Rwandan-backed Tutsi rebel group M23 launched a military operation on 18 January 2025 to expand its territory in North and South Kivu; whereas this attack violates a ceasefire agreement concluded between Rwanda and the DRC as part of the Luanda Peace Process; whereas on 21 January 2025, M23 claimed to have captured several towns, including the strategically important trading town Minova;

C. whereas on 24 January 2025, intense fighting occurred near Sake, where the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), supported by the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), UN forces (MONUSCO) and a coalition of militia groups, attempted to prevent M23 from advancing towards and capturing Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu; whereas FARDC Major General Peter Cirimwami, who was also the military governor of North Kivu, was fatally shot on the same day; whereas several South African and Malawian soldiers have reportedly been killed in the recent conflict while serving with SAMIDRC; whereas numerous UN peacekeepers have been killed in the DRC and many more have been injured;

D. whereas on 30 January 2025, Goma fell under M23 control after several days of fighting in the city; whereas M23 has vowed to ‘march all the way to Kinshasa’; whereas M23 is advancing towards Bukavu in South Kivu; whereas on 3 February 2025, M23 declared a ceasefire for ‘humanitarian reasons’; whereas Goma Airport remains closed, leaving no entry point for humanitarian aid; whereas Goma is experiencing a total blackout, with no access to running water, electricity or the internet; whereas M23 is illegally occupying Goma; whereas M23 is deliberately destroying vital infrastructure;

E. whereas M23’s occupation of Goma will have severe humanitarian consequences for civilians; whereas the Congolese authorities have reported a high risk of a cholera outbreak; whereas bombs and artillery are being used in densely populated areas; whereas statements by Congolese officials indicate that the streets of Goma are filled with rotting bodies; whereas doctors in Goma are overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate care; whereas M23 has already carried out multiple summary executions, used forced labour and forcibly recruited civilians to join it and commit atrocities on its behalf; whereas both M23 and the FARDC have used rape as a weapon of war; whereas the UN reports that more than 100 female prisoners were raped and burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma; whereas this conflict has significantly increased gender-based violence; whereas M23 is deliberately targeting refugee camps full of displaced civilians, including women and children, which constitutes a war crime; whereas the exact number of displaced people in North Kivu is unconfirmed, but is estimated to be at least 2.4 million;

F. whereas it is widely known that M23 is backed by Rwanda and its forces; whereas this conflict has its roots in the Rwandan civil war; whereas medical staff can only access Goma through Rwanda; whereas Rwanda has never sent medical experts to Goma; whereas Rwanda is benefiting from this conflict, particularly economically;

G. whereas the DRC is rich in various minerals and other natural resources; whereas M23 is illegally mining these resources and exporting them to Rwanda; whereas M23 is exploiting forced and child labour in the process; whereas this conflict can also be viewed as an economic war driven by these resources; whereas, in the current geopolitical climate, a number of actors are seeking access to resources in other countries; whereas the potential escalation of the conflict in the DRC could pose a serious threat to the entire African continent, given the current geopolitical situation in the region;

H. whereas in February 2024, the EU and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding on sustainable raw materials value chains; whereas critics say that the deal facilitates the smuggling of conflict minerals from the DRC, further fuels the conflict and helps to finance armed groups in the eastern DRC;

1. Expresses deep concern about the escalation of violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the DRC, caused by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group; strongly condemns the brutal atrocities committed by M23 in the DRC and Rwanda’s support for the group; demands that Rwanda and all other potential state actors in the region cease their support for M23; demands that M23 withdraw from the territories it has unlawfully gained and return them to the DRC; reminds all parties that territorial integrity must be upheld; demands that M23 immediately stop illegally mining Congolese minerals and resources and sending them to Rwanda; demands the disarmament and dismantling of M23; urges all state parties involved to ensure that any political settlement does not include pardons for individuals who are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity;

2. Deplores the fact that millions of civilians have been affected by this conflict, leaving them displaced and in need of humanitarian aid; expresses deep concern over the number of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the DRC;

3. Demands that the safety of civilians be ensured; demands that medical staff be granted full access to Goma; emphasises the need for a thorough investigation into the crimes committed by M23 and its supporters;

4. Underlines its support for the DRC in its legitimate fight against M23 and other armed groups, and calls on the international community to increase pressure on Rwanda and M23;

5. Insists that all EU-funded humanitarian aid must be directed towards helping the most vulnerable people in the eastern DRC, such as women and children, who have suffered the most; stresses that North and South Kivu should be given higher priority for the allocation of EU-funded development aid;

6. Urges the EU and its Member States to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against all the Rwandan officials and authorities responsible for supporting M23; calls for the sanctions against M23 commanders to be maintained and extended further to include those newly found responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity;

7. Calls for the EU, its Member States and other democratic Western countries to increase their diplomatic visibility and strengthen their economic and strategic influence in the region, which has large quantities of crucial minerals and other vital resources, to ensure that other authoritarian actors cannot further destabilise the area; calls for the EU to guarantee the traceability of minerals imported from Rwanda and to ensure that there is no trade in conflict minerals from the eastern DRC;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the African Union, the Joint Council of Ministers and Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the EU, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the governments and parliaments of Rwanda, the DRC and the other countries of the East African Community.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia – B10-0114/2025

Source: European Parliament

Hans Neuhoff, Alexander Sell, Petr Bystron, Tomasz Froelich, Petar Volgin, Stanislav Stoyanov
on behalf of the ESN Group

B10‑0114/2025

European Parliament resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia

(2025/2522(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its resolution of 25 April 2024 on attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society [1],

– having regard to the statement by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell with the European Commission of 15 May 2024 on the adoption of the law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ in Georgia,

– having regard to its resolution of 9 October 2024 on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia [2],

– having regard to the final report of 20 December 2024 of the international election observation mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on the Georgian parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024,

– having regard to the statement by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the European Commission of 27 October 2024 on the parliamentary elections,

– having regard to the statement by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell of 29 October 2024 on the latest developments following the parliamentary elections,

– having regard to Georgia’s sovereignty as recognised in international law,

– having regard to the Charter of the United Nations and to the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs,

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

A. whereas Georgia is a sovereign state under international law, with full authority to determine its political system, conduct elections and govern itself without interference from foreign actors or international organisations;

B. whereas the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024 were conducted in broad compliance with national and international legal standards and the Georgian people have made a clear and democratic choice regarding the composition of their new government;

C. whereas the new Georgian Government remains committed to European integration, continuing its aspiration for EU membership while ensuring respect for national sovereignty and democratic processes;

D. whereas according to Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), a Sweden-based political science research institute, Georgia is among the top performers across Europe and worldwide in the field of freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom from governmental attacks on judicial justice, and equal protection across societal groups; notes that Georgia has attained a historic high ranking in the Index of Public Integrity of the European Research Centre for Anti-Corruption and State-Building;

E. whereas the Georgian Parliament has signalled its willingness to engage in dialogue with the EU on legislative matters and to negotiate solutions to contested legal provisions in a constructive manner;

F. whereas Georgia is of significant strategic value to the EU, particularly in areas such as energy cooperation, logistics, security and economic development, which should be recognised and supported rather than undermined by political disputes;

G. whereas the EU’s continued interference in Georgia’s internal affairs – including its refusal to recognise the legitimacy of the Georgian elections and its continued support for opposition movements – risks damaging trust and weakening the EU’s credibility in the region;

H. whereas the principle of non-intervention in sovereign states’ affairs is enshrined in Articles 2(1) and 2(7) of the UN Charter, and the EU’s failure to respect Georgia’s democratic choices constitutes a breach of international law;

I. whereas the Georgian Government has expressed its readiness to engage in constructive negotiations with the EU, yet certain EU institutions have refused to acknowledge this openness, preferring instead to impose unilateral demands on the country;

J. whereas the EU’s insistence on disregarding regional and cultural considerations – such as the Georgian Parliament’s decision on laws related to foreign influence and public morality – ignores the will of the majority of Georgian citizens and undermines political pluralism;

K. whereas continued EU pressure on Georgia, including threats of sanctions and the potential suspension of financial aid, constitutes an unjustified punitive approach that alienates a key strategic partner in the region;

1. Deplores the EU’s refusal to recognise the legitimacy of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and its ongoing interference in Georgia’s domestic political affairs;

2. Reaffirms that the choice of political leadership and governance in Georgia is solely a matter for the Georgian people, and should be made free from external coercion or pressure;

3. Calls for the EU institutions to respect the Georgian Parliament’s willingness to engage in open dialogue, rather than imposing unilateral demands that disregard Georgia’s political realities;

4. Urges the EU to engage in constructive dialogue with the new Georgian Government and to recognise that continued political pressure will only serve to push Georgia away from European cooperation rather than fostering integration;

5. Calls for the EU to take a pragmatic and strategic approach towards Georgia, emphasising mutual benefits in key sectors such as energy security, trade and regional stability rather than focusing on ideological disagreements;

6. Warns that the EU’s policy of intervention and political pressure in Georgia risks weakening the EU’s standing in the wider Caucasus region, harming its ability to build sustainable partnerships based on mutual respect;

7. Warns that the EU’s constant interference in Georgia’s internal affairs could fuel strong anti-EU sentiment within Georgian society;

8. Demands that the EU stop supporting opposition movements that do not represent the will of the majority of Georgian citizens, and instead focus on fostering institutional dialogue with the legitimately elected government;

9. Reiterates that sovereignty and democracy cannot be applied selectively, and that international law requires all states and organisations – including the EU – to respect the principles of self-determination and non-intervention;

10. Calls for the EU to adopt a forward-looking policy towards Georgia, recognising the country’s strategic importance and its legitimate democratic processes rather than pursuing a confrontational approach;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the President, Government, and Parliament of Georgia.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

Source: European Parliament

Statement of the Conference of Presidents on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.

Three years have passed since the Russian Federation launched its unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, violating international law, the United Nations Charter, and undermining European and global security. The European Parliament Conference of Presidents again strongly condemns Russia’s ongoing war of aggression with deliberate targeting of civilian and critical infrastructure, and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population, all serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

We reaffirm our steadfast solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and courage in defending their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

The European Union must remain united in its commitment to support Ukraine that includes political, military, economic, humanitarian and financial assistance. We commend the efforts of Member States, institutions, civil society organisations, companies and citizens who have mobilised resources and provided refuge to millions of displaced Ukrainians. At the same time, we call on the EU and its Member States to increase and speed up the delivery of its support, in particular of its military support and establish a legal regime allowing for the confiscation of Russian-owned assets frozen by the EU.

We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during this war of aggression. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

We call for continued and enhanced military support to Ukraine, including the provision of defence equipment, training, and strategic assistance necessary to uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

We reaffirm the EU’s commitment to sustainable and long-term financial and economic support to Ukraine, including macro-financial assistance, support for reconstruction and economic and social recovery, and measures to ensure the resilience of Ukraine’s economy and critical infrastructure.

We call for the full implementation and a significant expansion of sanctions, including effective measures to prevent circumvention, against Russia and its accomplices, aimed at definitively undermining its capacity to wage war and holding accountable those responsible for aggression and human rights violations.

We express full support for Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. The European Parliament remains committed to advancing Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, recognising its significant progress in reforms under the most challenging circumstances.

In a challenging international and geopolitical environment, we stress the importance of maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity with Ukraine and countering Russian disinformation. We also highlight the need to ensure the international community’s continued focus on the consequences of this war and on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula

As we mark three years of this brutal aggression, the European Parliament Conference of Presidents honours the resilience of the Ukrainian people and pays tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom and democracy. We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo – B10-0109/2025

Source: European Parliament

B10‑0109/2025

European Parliament resolution on the escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

(2025/2553(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

– having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU of 25 January 2025 on the latest escalation in eastern DRC,

– having regard to the statement by G7 foreign ministers of 2 February 2025 on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,

– having regard to the press statement of the UN Security Council of 26 January 2025 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

– having regard to the special session of the UN Human Rights Council of 7 February 2025 on the human rights situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

– having regard to the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 28 January 2025 on the recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,

– having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of 18 December 1979,

– having regard to the Partnership Agreement of 15 November 2023 between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part [1],

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

A. whereas in January 2025, the armed rebel group M23, backed by Rwandan forces, further advanced in the eastern DRC and seized the regional capital city of Goma; whereas violence between rebel groups and the Congolese army increased sharply, causing a high number of civilian casualties; whereas an estimated 3 000 deaths occurred during the offensive on Goma;

B. whereas M23 announced a unilateral ceasefire to begin on 4 February 2025; whereas fighting has continued nonetheless; whereas there are reports that the mining town of Nyabibwe in South Kivu has been captured by M23; whereas M23 leaders have declared their intention to continue advancing in the DRC;

C. whereas the latest advances of M23 mark an alarming escalation of the devastating conflict in the eastern DRC and have further destabilised the country; whereas the region has been plagued by decades of cyclical violence, causing a security and humanitarian crisis; whereas a ceasefire brokered in 2024 did not hold;

D. whereas there are estimated to be around 100 separate armed groups operating in eastern DRC; whereas the largest of the foreign armed groups is the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR);

E. whereas the seizing of Goma has led to significant displacement of civilians; whereas an estimated 700 000 people have been displaced since early January 2025; whereas thousands of Congolese people had previously fled to the city to escape violence and have been further driven from camps for internally displaced people into makeshift tents or forced to sleep out in the open; whereas the safety of internally displaced people is now seriously threatened, with women and girls suffering disproportionately;

F. whereas eastern DRC was already the centre of one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world; whereas thousands of people are facing shortages of food, medicine and drinking water; whereas hospitals are overwhelmed and there is limited electricity and running water in Goma; whereas there are rapidly growing levels of malnutrition, particularly among children; whereas access for humanitarian assistance is restricted and Goma airport remains closed;

G. whereas sanitary conditions, notably in camps for internally displaced people, are extremely concerning; whereas experts are warning of the risks of widespread outbreaks of diseases, including cholera and mpox; whereas in January 2025 the Commission announced an increase of EUR 60 million in EU humanitarian assistance to the DRC;

H. whereas instances of gender-based and sexual violence, including the use of rape as a weapon of war, are staggeringly high; whereas the UN reported that more than 165 women were raped and that most were later burned alive during a jailbreak in Goma following the M23 advance on the city; whereas the current spike in rape and assault in eastern DRC follows decades of widespread sexual violence perpetuated against generations of Congolese women;

I. whereas the seizure of Goma triggered violent protests in Kinshasa, with dozens of protesters attacking embassies and calling on the international community to halt the advancement of M23;

J. whereas the UN mission Monusco has been deployed in the DRC since 2010; whereas President Tshisekedi announced a deadline of December 2024 for all Monusco peacekeeping troops to leave the DRC; whereas this withdrawal was put on hold and the mandate of the mission extended to December 2025;

K. whereas the conflict in the DRC is at risk of regional spillover; whereas a peacekeeping deployment from the East African Community Regional Forces (EACRF) withdrew in 2023; whereas the Southern African Development Community deployed a peacekeeping mission to the DRC in December 2023 with troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi; whereas at least 20 peacekeepers were killed during the M23 advance on Goma; whereas on 6 February 2025, Malawi announced the withdrawal of its troops from this mission;

L. whereas it is widely acknowledged that Rwanda is active in the conflict in eastern DRC, including through its de-facto control of M23, to which it supplies weapons, logistical support and troops; whereas UN experts estimate there are between 3 000 and 4 000 Rwandan troops operating with M23;

M. whereas North Kivu is a resource-rich region, with vast supplies of critical raw materials including cobalt, gold and tin, which are necessary for the global digital and energy transition; whereas Goma is a major transport and trading hub for the export of minerals; whereas the UN estimates that around 120 tonnes of coltan is being moved by M23 to Rwanda each month; whereas UN experts further estimate that M23 is financed by around EUR 288 000 per month generated through its control of the mineral trade in the DRC;

N. whereas the EU has formed raw materials partnerships with several countries, including the DRC and Rwanda; whereas the EU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sustainable raw materials value chains with Rwanda on 19 February 2024 to promote sustainable and responsible production of critical minerals; whereas the MoU is underpinned with a roadmap for joint action; whereas the Rwanda-EU roadmap has not yet been developed, and roadmaps are not made public; whereas parliamentary scrutiny of the development and implementation of the MoU is lacking;

O. whereas the MoU commits Rwanda to aligning with international standards by joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; whereas Rwanda has not done so to date; whereas under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, the Commission is currently assessing applications for strategic projects with partner countries to increase EU capacity and supply;

1. Expresses deep concern at the alarming escalation of violence and the seizure of Goma; deplores the loss of life and the sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls; expresses its sympathy with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

2. Underlines the urgent need for the stabilisation of the country and the implementation of an immediate ceasefire; calls on M23 to halt its territorial advances, notably to refrain from any further advancement into South Kivu and to withdraw from the territory of the DRC, and for all parties to observe a cessation of violence;

3. Calls on all state actors, including the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, to cease any cooperation with armed groups, including M23 and FDLR;

4. Is extremely concerned by the critical humanitarian situation in the country; calls for the creation of a humanitarian corridor and for all parties, including armed groups operating in eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate humanitarian access; emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account;

5. Welcomes the increased humanitarian support pledged by the EU, but notes that this still falls far short of satisfying the basic needs for food, water, medical assistance and shelter in eastern DRC, especially in the light of the recent termination of support from the United States Agency for International Development; calls on the Commission and the international community to significantly step up financial support for urgent and life-saving assistance;

6. Urges the Government of the DRC to work with the international community to address the displacement crisis and provide shelter, sanitation and support for internally displaced people, including increased protection for the safety of all displaced people, notably women and girls;

7. Deplores the endemic sexual and gender-based violence committed against women and girls in the region; underlines that abuse of women and girls escalates into conflict, and that sexual violence is used as a weapon of war; reiterates that sexual violence is a war crime, and those responsible must be held accountable; urges the European External Action Service (EEAS), Member States and the Government of the DRC to take immediate action to prevent sexual violence and improve care for survivors, including by adapting the national legal framework to guarantee access to medical abortion care;

8. Draws attention to the health needs of pregnant women, notably those who are displaced and out of reach of medical support; calls on the EEAS and Member States to further prioritise the disbursement of humanitarian support for women and girls in the region;

9. Calls on M23 to allow the immediate reopening of Goma International Airport; underlines that this is essential for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of injured people;

10. Recognises the contribution made by peacekeeping forces from Monusco and the Southern African Development Community mission, as well as the past contribution by the EACRF; offers its condolences for the peacekeepers who have lost their lives; reiterates its support for the continuation of Monusco’s mandate;

11. Underlines that a lasting peace must be found through a return to political processes and cooperation; calls on the Government of the DRC and all armed groups to commit to the Nairobi Process for resumed national dialogue;

12. Regrets that there has long been a lack of accountability for human rights violations in eastern DRC; urges the UN Human Rights Council to create an independent mandate for the investigation of human rights abuses in the region; considers that this should contribute to efforts to hold perpetrators of human rights violations to account;

13. Calls on the President and Government of Rwanda to respond to calls from the international community to withdraw their support for M23 and prevent any further destabilisation in the DRC; urges Rwanda to ensure that the advance of M23 is halted and that all M23 and Rwandan troops are withdrawn from eastern DRC; underlines that the territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected; calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the governments of the Member States to raise these urgent concerns with Rwanda at the highest levels;

14. Calls on the Commission to suspend the MoU on sustainable raw materials and value chains; further calls on the Commission to undertake an immediate assessment of the feasibility of implementing the MoU in the light of the widespread evidence of illegal mineral smuggling and financing of M23; calls for the conclusions of such an assessment to be presented to Parliament as soon as possible; notes that parliamentary oversight and civil society involvement in the signing and implementation of raw material MoUs and roadmaps is essential for an inclusive process with adequate scrutiny, and must become part of the MoU;

15. Stresses that effective implementation of the MoU with Rwanda can only be made in good faith if both parties commit to increasing due diligence and traceability, and tackling illegal trafficking; stresses that this is currently not the case; urges Rwanda to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative as an essential first step towards implementing the commitments outlined in the MoU;

16. Calls on the Commission to suspend any proposals for strategic projects with Rwanda that are currently under consideration in the framework of the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Global Gateway initiative; notes that strategic projects must be implemented sustainably and in compliance with human rights and due diligence standards, something which cannot be guaranteed currently;

17. Stresses the importance of a return to regional dialogue to deescalate the conflict; urges the authorities of the DRC and Rwanda to resume the Luanda peace process;

18. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community, the President, Government and Parliament of Rwanda, and the President, Government and Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EIB and Banco Santander join forces to boost Europe’s wind energy manufacturers
Source: European Investment Bank
- The EIB provides a €500 million counter-guarantee enabling Santander to create a portfolio of bank guarantees of up to €1 billion, expected to unlock €8 billion of investment to support wind energy manufacturers in Europe.
- The agreement is part of the EIB’s €5 billion wind power package to boost Europe’s wind power manufacturing sector and accelerate the energy transition.
- The operation is backed by InvestEU, the EU programme aiming to mobilise investment of more than €372 billion by 2027.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Santander have signed a €500 million counter-guarantee agreement that Santander will use to create a portfolio of bank guarantees of up to €1 billion, expected to unlock €8 billion of investment to support wind energy equipment manufacturing companies in Europe.

The guarantees will back investment by companies manufacturing wind energy and grid interconnection equipment, as well as key components for the wind sector. This will enable the manufacturers to receive advance payments as well as to provide performance guarantees when taking on new wind projects. The guarantees scheme also enables manufacturers to pay their suppliers in advance for the supply of wind farms and the related wind value chain components, which include turbines, grid connection infrastructure, cables and transformer stations.

The leverage effect of the EIB counter-guarantee is expected to mobilise additional funding from other investors to support increasing production and accelerate wind energy development, helping to stimulate investment in the real economy.

The deal forms part of the EIB’s €5 billion wind power package launched in 2023, a dedicated package of counter-guarantees to improve access to finance for wind power sector and support increasing newly installed wind energy generation capacity by 32GW. This EIB financing scheme is being activated through agreements with the sector’s main lenders like Santander. It is a key component of the European Wind Power Package launched by the European Commission, and is designed to further accelerate a just and swift transition to net zero, while boosting home-grown industrial innovation.

“Wind energy will play a significant role in achieving the EU’s renewable-energy target. To unveil its full potential, the EIB together with Santander is putting in place de-risking instruments that will allow manufacturers to overcome some of the challenges impacting the sector such as supply chain disruptions, high costs or intense international competition,” said EIB Director of Financial Institutions Gemma Feliciani. “This new framework sponsored by the EIB wind package will accelerate the energy transition in Europe while strengthening its industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy.”

Ricardo Gamazo, Santander Global Trade Finance team added: “The program has been very welcome by our clients in the wind equipment industry which face a large backlog of orders to meet the energy transition demand. This in turn creates large guarantee issuance requirements and this extra capacity goes a long way in securing credit lines in the market. We believe this agreement is another decisive step in buttressing energy security for the EU in a sustainable fashion”

Background information

About the EIB

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

About Banco Santander

Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising €220 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2030. At the end of 2024, Banco Santander had €1.3 trillion in total funds, 173 million customers, 8,000 branches and 207,000 employees.
MIL OSI Europe News –
February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Egypt: Military trials of fishermen an affront to justice

Source: Amnesty International –

gyptian authorities must stop trying civilians in military courts, said Amnesty International and the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, ahead of an expected verdict on 12 February in the military trials of five civilians in relation to fishing in a lake in North Sinai controlled by a development agency operating under the ministry of defence.

On 6 and 7 January, a military police unit from the Egypt’s Future Sustainable Development Agency (EFSDA) arrested five fishermen at Lake Bardawil. Military prosecutors investigated the men on charges of fishing during “prohibited periods” as well as being in a military area without permission. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had placed the lake, a fishing spot for around 3,500 fishermen, under military jurisdiction in 2019, according to presidential Decree No. 294 of 2019.

“It is a travesty that a group of fishermen have found themselves facing military trial for fishing in a lake without authorization. Trying civilians in military courts is a flagrant violation of Egypt’s international human rights obligations. Military authorities must immediately drop the charges against the five men and release them. They must be tried by independent and impartial civilian courts in proceedings meeting international standards of due process and fair trial,” said Ahmed Salem, Executive Director of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR).

It is a travesty that a group of fishermen have found themselves facing military trial for fishing in a lake without authorization.

Ahmed Salem, Executive Director of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights

“Egypt’s military courts have a notorious history of handing down unjust convictions and sentences, including death sentences, following grossly unfair trials. The authorities must overhaul legislation to ensure that military courts have no jurisdiction over civilians in any case,” said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

The fishermen, who are in their twenties, are facing two separate military trials. Amnesty International and the SFHR reviewed copies of the arrest reports, prosecution reports, and charge sheets for both trials. The organizations also spoke with a lawyer who attended the hearings, two employees of an official body responsible for lake management, and relatives of detainees.

The trials were marred by violations of fair trial guarantees. According to a lawyer who attended hearings for both cases on 28 January the defendants’ lawyers made a request to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, but the court ignored their request. The court also held two hearings on 5 and 6 February without any of the defendants present.

All five detainees are currently held by Central Security Forces, operating under the ministry of interior, in Ismailia Security Forces Camp, which is not officially recognized as a detention facility.

The five defendants are tried under Law No. 146 of 2021 on the Protection and Development of Lakes and Fisheries, which stipulates that Lake Protection and Fish Wealth Development Authority (LPFWDA), affiliated with the cabinet, is responsible for determining areas in or periods during which fishing is banned. According to the law, fishing during prohibited periods or in banned areas is a crime punishable by six months to two years imprisonment and/or a fine between 10,000 EGP to 100,000 EGP.

In 2022, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi established the EFSDA by a decree No. 591 of 2022, which was never made public. Since then, the government has assigned several large projects to the agency including development projects in South Egypt and North Sinai, according to local media.

On 31 October 2024, the spokesman of the government announced that the EFSDA will begin development works in Lake Bardawil aiming at achieving

“the economic development of the lake”, according to an official statement by the Council of Ministers. The lake was previously under the supervision of LPFWDA, which by law supervises lakes across the country. Two employees at the LPFWDA told Amnesty International and SFHR that, since the government’s announcement EFSDA has taken full control of the lake supervision.

Military trials of civilians in Egypt are inherently unfair because all personnel in military courts, from judges to prosecutors, are serving members of the military who report to the Minister of Defence and do not have the necessary training on rule of law or fair trial standards. Verdicts by military courts are subject to appeal before higher military courts as well, and ratification by the President.

On 28 January 2024, the Egyptian parliament approved new amendments to Law No. 25 of 1966 on the Military Code of Justice that further expand the jurisdiction of military courts to prosecute civilians. The new amendments added to the military jurisdiction include “crimes committed against public and vital facilities and public properties, and other comparable things, that are protected by the armed forces”. Presidential ratification of the amendments was never published in the official gazette.

These amendments coincided with the enactment of Law No. 3 of 2024, ratified by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 5 February 2024, which expanded military jurisdiction over civilians for even more crimes than in the parliament’s previously mentioned amendments to the Military Code of Justice. The law authorizes the military to assist the police in safeguarding public and vital facilities and “services,” as well as addressing crimes committed against them, including crimes that “undermine the basic needs of society, including food commodities and essential products.”

Background

Egypt has a long track record of trying civilians before military courts. Most recently, in December 2024 a military court sentenced 62 residents of North Sinai governorate to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years on charges of damaging military vehicles and using force against public officials.

The trial followed a sit-in in October 2023 by residents of Sheikh Zuwayed city, who had been forcibly evicted by the authorities demanding to return to their homes. The sit-in was forcibly dispersed by the military. On 24 December 2024, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued a presidential pardon for 54 of them.

For over a decade, Egyptian armed and security forces have engaged in military operations against armed groups in North Sinai. In April 2023, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared the end of ongoing military operations in North Sinai. However, the region remains as a de facto military zone, with the Egyptian authorities continuing to maintain a strict media blackout on the security situation in North Sinai. They have for years prevented media, human rights organizations and independent observers from accessing the region. Several presidential decrees, including Decree No. 444 of 2014 and Decree No. 420 of 2021, have placed large areas of North Sinai under military jurisdiction, further militarizing the region and hampering independent reporting.

MIL OSI NGO –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: India: Authorities must uphold human rights and end violence in Manipur following Biren Singh’s resignation

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to the resignation of N Biren Singh as the Chief Minister of the state of Manipur in India yesterday, Aakar Patel, chair of the board at Amnesty International India, said:

“Biren Singh’s resignation presents in Manipur the opportunity for the authorities to uphold and ensure human rights for everyone, break with the violence and impunity of the past and work towards ending the ethnic violence in the state which has claimed the lives of more than 250 people in the last two years. The (BJP)-led governments at both state and central level have utterly failed to end the violence in Manipur, impunity of vigilante groups, and the divisive rhetoric that has flamed the ethnic violence. Their actions have led to repression of dissenting voices and an abject humanitarian crisis in the state.

“By the continued failure to hold to account those suspected to be responsible for serious human rights violations, the government risks sending the message that the impunity for these violations will continue. This in turn will fuel further violations. Unlike the emblematic cases taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation, like the case of the gang-rape of two Kuki women in May 2023 that found the Manipur police complicit – many lesser-known ones continue to struggle for attention of the state and central governments. This must change.”

Biren Singh’s resignation presents in Manipur the opportunity for the authorities to uphold and ensure human rights for everyone, break with the violence and impunity of the past…

Aakar Patel, chair of the board at Amnesty International India

Background:

Since May 2023, more than 60,000 people have been displaced in Manipur due to the ongoing violence between the dominant ethnic community, the Meities and the other minority ethnic communities including the Kukis. Homes, business, villages and places of worship have been burnt down, attacked, looted and vandalised.

The resignation of Biren Singh comes after the Supreme Court of India earlier this month ordered for a sealed-cover report from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory into audio tapes that allegedly had him saying that the ethnic violence in the state had been instigated at his insistence.

In July 2024, Amnesty International documented the ongoing violence and impunity in Manipur state.

MIL OSI NGO –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Response to the Smart Machines Strategy 2035: letter from Lord Patrick Vallance

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Letter from Lord Patrick Vallance to David Lane and Paul Clarke, Co-Chairs of the Robotics Growth Partnership regarding the Smart Machines Strategy 2035.

Documents

Response to the Smart Machines Strategy 2035: letter from Lord Patrick Vallance

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Details

Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation wrote to David Lane and Paul Clarke, Co-Chairs of the Robotics Growth Partnership, welcoming the Smart Machines 2035 Strategy.

The Smart Machines 2035 Strategy provides a roadmap to position the UK as a global leader in robotics and Smart Machines. It highlights their transformative potential to address pressing societal challenges, enhance economic productivity, and establish national leadership in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Updates to this page

Published 11 February 2025

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 12, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures taken by the government to stop food adulteration

Source: Government of India

Measures taken by the government to stop food adulteration

Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products are conducted by FSSAI through its regional offices and State/ UTs; penal action taken against defaulting Food Business Operators

Mobile food testing labs “Food Safety on Wheels” (FSWs) provided to extend the reach of basic testing facilities in remote areas

Pan-India Surveillance of food products conducted by FSSAI, especially on staple foods and commodities prone to adulteration

Mechanisms for receiving and addressing food adulteration complaints by consumers in place through the FSSAI helpline or Food Safety Connect mobile app

Mandatory registration certification and licensing by FSSAI for food businesses; regular reviews of the certification process and improvement based on the stakeholder feedback in place

Various campaigns launched by FSSAI to raise consumer awareness about food adulteration

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through its regional offices and State/ Union Territories conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products. In cases where food samples are found to be non-conforming, penal action is taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations.

To extend the reach of basic testing facilities even in remote areas, FSSAI has provided mobile food testing labs called Food Safety on Wheels (FSWs). FSSAI also conducts periodic Pan-India Surveillance of food products especially on staple foods and commodities that are prone to adulteration.

FSSAI has also established mechanisms for receiving and addressing complaints related to food adulteration. Consumers can lodge complaints through the FSSAI helpline or Food Safety Connect mobile app, which are promptly investigated and acted upon as per FSS Act, Rules and Regulations. Further, FSSAI has launched various campaigns to raise consumer awareness about food adulteration.

Details of samples analysed, found non-conforming and penal action taken during last 4 years are as below:

Year	No. of Samples Analysed	No. of Samples found non-conforming	No. of Civil Cases launched	No. of Criminal Cases launched
2020-21	1,07,829	28,347	24,195	3,869
2021-22	1,44,345	32,934	28,906	4,946
2022-23	1,77,511	44,626	38,053	4,817
2023-24	1,70,513	33,808	33,750	4,737

As per the FSS Act 2006, no person can commence a food business without holding a license under the Act. Accordingly, petty food businesses such as petty retailers, hawkers, itinerant vendors or temporary stall holders, etc with a turnover of less than 12 lakhs per annum have to take a registration certificate before starting any food business whereas food businesses having an annual turnover of more than 12 lakh need FSSAI license.

A Food Business Operator (FBO) submits an online application through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, providing necessary documents, undergoing an inspection by FSSAI officials at their premises, and upon approval, receiving a registration certificate or license depending on their business type and turnover.

FSSAI regularly reviews the certification process and improves it based on stakeholder feedback.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Source: Government of India

Update on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

As of 6th February 2025, more than 73.98 Crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) created; over 49.06 Crore health records linked with ABHA

Over 3.63 Lakh health facilities registered on health facility registry (HFR)

More than 5.64 Lakh healthcare professionals are registered on the healthcare professional registry (HPR)

Over 1.59 Lakh health facilities use ABDM-enabled software

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:36PM by PIB Delhi

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been launched with the aim to enable interoperability of health data within the health ecosystem and creating longitudinal electronic health records of every citizen. ABDM comprises key registries such as the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), healthcare professional registry (HPR), health facility registry (HFR), and drug registry.

As of 6^thFebruary 2025, a total of 73,98,09,607 ABHA have been created, 3,63,520 health facilities have registered on HFR, 5,64,851 healthcare professionals have registered on HPR, 1,59,020 health facilities are using an ABDM-enabled software and 49,06,02,540 (~49.06 Cr) health records have been linked with ABHA.

The total 73,98,09,607 ABHA correspond to 36 States/UTs spanning 786 districts across the country meaning that the entire country is being covered, including rural areas. Similarly, the 1.59 lakh health facilities that use an ABDM-enabled software correspond to 36 States/UTs and 786 districts.

Inclusion is one of the key principles of ABDM. The digital health ecosystem created by ABDM supports continuity of care across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare in a seamless manner. It aids the availability of health care services, particularly in remote and rural areas through various technology interventions like telemedicine etc.

Various steps have been taken to ensure that the benefits of the Mission reach every citizen. The ABHA portal [abha.abdm.gov.in] and the government PHR (personal health record) applications such as the ABHA app and Aarogya Setu app have been made multi-lingual and intuitive to use, with a view to address the lack of digital literacy. The mission provides for assisted and offline mode for the creation of ABHA for areas with limited internet connectivity or hardware or both.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) on “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific”

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:33PM by PIB Delhi

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF), with the theme “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific” is being organized in New Delhi during February 12-14, 2025. The Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF) is a triennial event of the Asian Fisheries Society with its Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This 14^th AFAF is being jointly organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur; Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi; the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India; and the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), Mangalore. This prestigious event is being hosted in India for the 2nd time after the 8AFAF held at Kochi in 2007.

The 14^th AFAF brings together key players from the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and will host around 1,000 delegates from 24 countries, including researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders. The Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF) has a strong legacy of fostering global collaboration in the sector. Since its inception, the forum has been successfully hosted in multiple countries across Asia. Hosting the 14th AFAF in India after 18 years highlights the country’s growing prominence in global fisheries and aquaculture. With a rapidly expanding blue economy, progressive government policies, and significant scientific advancements, India has emerged as a key player in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Today, India occupies 2nd position in total fish production and also aquaculture production globally. The forum will provide a platform to showcase India’s contributions, strengthen international partnerships, and promote innovative approaches for sustainable, resilient, and economically viable fish production systems.

The forum will be inaugurated by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India on at 10.00 AM on 12th February 2025 ( WEDNESDAY) at Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Dr. Himansu Pathak, Secretary, DARE, and Director General, ICAR; Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India; Dr. S. Ayyappan, Former Secretary, DARE, and DG, ICAR; Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of World Fish, Malaysia will also be present. The event will include over 20 Lead Presentations by internationally acclaimed experts from India and overseas.

On the second day a Symposium on “Aquatic Animal Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Preparedness” will be held at 09.00 AM on 13 February 2025 at A.P. Shinde Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Shri George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Minority Affairs, Govt. of India has consented to inaugurate the symposium.

On the third day, the Academia-Industry-Government Meet on ‘De-risking Shrimp Aquaculture Value Chain for Improved Global Competitiveness’ at 9.00 am at Parijat Lecture Hall, Ground Floor, NAAS Block, NASC, New Delhi on 14 February 2025. Dr B. Mastan Rao, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has consented to inaugurate the Meet.

Closing Ceremony of 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held at 4.30 pm on 14^th February, 2025 at Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, ICAR Convention Centre, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India has consented to be the Chief Guest of the Closing Ceremony.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PACS Plan for Sale of Petroleum Products

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

The Government has allowed Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to operate Retail Petrol/ Diesel outlets and LPG Distributorships. In this regard, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued revised guidelines for selection of dealers for regular & rural retail outlets, as well as unified guidelines for selection of LPG distributorships.

As per the revised guidelines, PACS have been included under Combined Category 2 (CC-2) for retail Petrol/ Diesel dealership and Combined Category (CC) for LPG Distributorship for which they can apply online as per the advertisements issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Further, PACS have also been given one-time option to convert their wholesale consumer pumps into Retail Outlets for which Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has released detailed guidelines.

The eligibility criteria have also been defined in the guidelines which inter alia, include submission of documents related to registration, land availability, finance, etc. by the applicant PACS for Retail Petrol/ Diesel Outlets and LPG Distributorship.

As informed by OMCs, 286 PACS from 25 States/UTs have submitted online applications to establish retail petrol/diesel outlets, out of which 26 PACS have been selected by OMCs. Under conversion of PACS Wholesale Consumer Pumps into Retail Outlets, OMC reports indicate that 116 PACS from 5 States have agreed to this conversion, and 56 PACS have been commissioned. For LPG distributorship, 2 PACS have applied for the 2 advertised locations in the State of Jharkhand.

This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sh Jayant Chaudhary Inaugurates New Hostel Building at NSTI Bengaluru

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:15PM by PIB Delhi

In a significant step towards fostering an inclusive and safe infrastructure for skill development, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship today inaugurated a newly constructed hostel building at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) (General), Bengaluru. The facility aims to provide a secure and comfortable residential environment for trainees and reinforcing the government’s commitment to empowering the youth.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India said, “As skilling takes centre stage in our resolve of ViksitBharat@2047, investments in high-quality training infrastructure are essential to equipping our youth with future-ready skills. The inauguration of the hostel today at NSTI Bengaluru, is a step towards providing an encouraging and inclusive space where trainees can learn, innovate, and prepare for Industry 4.0 without barriers. I saw the passion and commitment of the learners during my interaction with the candidates of the institute and we only hope to inspire them further with such initiatives.”

Built at a cost of ₹11.06 crores, the newly constructed hostel spans 3,423.23 square meters and features 30 twin-sharing rooms across three floors that could accommodate 60 trainees. Designed to ensure comfort, security, and accessibility, the facility includes essential amenities such as study rooms, communal areas, and recreational spaces. Its modern, energy-efficient design aligns with the government’s vision of expanding world-class skill development infrastructure, enabling a conducive learning environment for all trainees.

The inauguration ceremony was also graced by Smt. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), DGT, MSDE, Government of India, Dr. Ragapriya R, Commissioner, Department of Industrial Training & Employment, and other distinguished dignitaries, including Shri N.N.S.S. Rao, ADG Bangalore, CPWD and Shri Anil Kumar, Deputy Director General (South Zone), DGT and Shri. N R Aravindan, Regional Director, RDSDE Karnataka, DGT.

NSTI Bengaluru, a premier institution under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), MSDE, plays a vital role in imparting advanced vocational training across key industry sectors. The addition of this hostel is expected to attract trainees from across the country, further strengthening India’s Skill India Mission. This milestone reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a robust skill development ecosystem that equips India’s youth with the competencies needed for emerging job opportunities, ultimately enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.

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PSF/DK

(Release ID: 2101718) Visitor Counter : 30

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Budget 2025-26 Strengthens Gender-Focused Allocations: Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Highlights Key Measures for Women and Child Development
Source: Government of India (2)

Union Budget 2025-26 Strengthens Gender-Focused Allocations: Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Highlights Key Measures for Women and Child Development

Transforming Lives, Strengthening India: MoWCD’s Revolutionary Steps in Budget 2025-26

From Nutrition to Entrepreneurship: MoWCD Unveils Comprehensive Vision for Women & Children

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 3:12PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, addressed the media today in New Delhi, outlining the key provisions of the Union Budget 2025-26 and introducing new initiatives aimed at enhancing child and maternal nutrition while fostering women entrepreneurship.

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Union Minister of Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, reflects a significant rise in gender-focused allocations. The Gender Budget now constitutes 8.86% of the total budget, increasing from 6.8% in FY 2024-25. Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized that the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) plays a key role in advancing these efforts, with a considerable share of its budget dedicated to empowering women and girls through various targeted initiatives. This reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and women-led development.

A record allocation of ₹4.49 lakh crore has been designated for women’s welfare, reflecting a 37.25% increase from the previous year. Ministry of Women and Child Development remains at the forefront, allocating 81.79% of its budget towards gender-focused programs.

Highlighting the Government’s vision for economic and social empowerment of women, Smt. Annpurna Devi stated, “Women entrepreneurs are a driving force behind India’s economic progress. By providing targeted financial support and skill-building programs, we are fostering an inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

The Union Minister also announced the 7^th Poshan Pakhwada, to be observed from 18th March to 2nd April 2025, with outcome-based activities around four key themes:
- Focus on First 1000 Days of Life
- Popularization of Beneficiary Module
- Management of Malnutrition through implementation of the CMAM module
- Healthy Lifestyle to Address Obesity in Children
Furthermore, continued sensitization activities for communities will be conducted from Poshan Pakhwada 2025 until the announcement of 1000 Suposhit Gram Panchayats in late 2025.

As part of its commitment to tackling malnutrition, the Ministry introduced the Suposhit Panchayat Scheme during the national event for Veer Baal Diwas on 26^th December, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam. The initiative aims to identify and award the Top 1000 Gram Panchayats across the country as ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayats’ for their exceptional efforts in improving nutrition and health indicators at the grassroots level.

Under the 100-day campaign to celebrate ten years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, over 1,342 programmes have been conducted nationwide, engaging more than 13 lakh participants, including 1,410 public representatives. The activities encompassed a diverse range of initiatives, including:
- Sensitization programs on menstrual hygiene and the PC/PNDT Act
- Plantation drives promoting environmental sustainability
- Recognition of meritorious girl students to encourage academic excellence
The campaign has been instrumental in furthering gender equality, fostering awareness, and strengthening the resolve to ensure the well-being and empowerment of young girls across the country.

Further showcasing the Ministry’s initiatives, the Union Minister referenced the Ministry’s award-winning tableau from the Republic Day parade, which beautifully illustrated the life-cycle continuum approach of its schemes and reinforced the theme of Women-Led Development, demonstrating Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to empowering women and children.

The tableau prominently featured key MWCD schemes such as One Stop Centre, Women Helpline (181), Child Helpline (1098), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Saksham Anganwadi, and Poshan Abhiyaan. It also celebrated the 10^th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the 50^th anniversary of the Anganwadi Scheme while showcasing women’s growing participation in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, technology, and various professional sectors.

Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi reiterated the government’s dedication to women and child development by highlighting key initiatives such as the Chintan Shivir, held from January 10-12, 2025, in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The event brought together delegations from 32 States and Union Territories, including 16 State Ministers from Women and Child Development Departments, to deliberate on important issues relating to the welfare and development of women and children.

The Chintan Shivir provided a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, shared experiences, avenues for policy improvements, and the dissemination of best practices across states to ensure the effective implementation of these missions.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development honoured over 200 field functionaries from across the nation as Special Guests at the Republic Day Ceremony on 26^th January 2025. These dedicated individuals, including Anganwadi Workers, Child Development Project Officers, and District Programme Officers, were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the empowerment of women and children.

Further highlighting its commitment to women’s empowerment, the Ministry has also curated a digital exhibition at Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. This exhibition presents a compelling narrative of India’s progress in women-led development, showcasing various schemes, policies, and programs through an engaging and interactive experience.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development remains resolute in its mission to promote holistic development, nutritional security, and economic empowerment for women and children. In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, MoWCD continues to drive forward its agenda of building a healthier, stronger, and more empowered India.

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SS/MS

(Release ID: 2101713) Visitor Counter : 49

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 45 Crore Devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025

Source: Government of India (2)

45 Crore Devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025

Maha Kumbh 2025 Witnesses Record-Breaking Footfall

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 2:11PM by PIB Delhi

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has become one of the largest religious gatherings in history, with over 450 million (45 crore) devotees participating in the bathing rituals as of February 11, 2025. The state government was expecting the number of devotees to reach 45 crore in 45 days but this number has already been achieved within one month, with 15 days still remaining for the Maha Kumbh to conclude. With its blend of spiritual significance, grand rituals, and cutting-edge technological interventions, this Kumbh Mela has set new benchmarks in crowd management, sanitation, and digital facilitation.

With the number of visitors surpassing 45 crore, crowd management has been a major focus. The next Amrit Snan is on February 12, 2025, Magh Purnima Snan, which is renowned for its connection with the veneration of Guru Brahaspati and the belief that the Hindu deity Gandharva descends from the heavens to the sacred Sangam. To ensure smooth crowd management during the Magh Purnima Snan, the state government has designated the mela area as a ‘no vehicle zone’ from the morning of February 11, 2025, allowing only essential and emergency services.

Indian Railways is also operating at full capacity to manage the Maha Kumbh 2025 crowd. On February 9, around 330 trains transported 12.5 lakh pilgrims, with 130 more departing by 3 PM on February 10. Preparations for the upcoming Amrit Snan on February 12, 2025 were reviewed by the officials and the Union Minister. All eight stations, including Prayagraj Junction, are fully operational, while Prayagraj Sangam station is temporarily closed around major bathing dates for crowd management.

The state government, in collaboration with various agencies, implemented a multi-tier security and monitoring system. A network of AI-powered CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and real-time analytics ensured the safe movement of pilgrims across designated sectors. The administration also introduced a digital token system to streamline access to bathing ghats, reducing overcrowding. Special provisions were made for senior citizens and differently-abled devotees, ensuring that the Kumbh remained an inclusive spiritual experience.

Adding to the historical significance of Maha Kumbh 2025, the honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu participated in the religious festivities on February 10, 2025. Her visit included a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, reinforcing the event’s spiritual importance at the highest levels of governance. The President also paid homage at key religious sites, and interacted with saints and devotees. Apart from President Murmu, several union ministers, chief ministers, and governors, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have also taken a holy dip in the Sangam. Celebrities from Bollywood and the Indian sports fraternity have also marked their presence, engaging in religious rituals and public interactions. The participation of revered saints and spiritual leaders has further amplified the sanctity and grandeur of the event.

Kalpavas, a period of fasting and spiritual discipline, holds deep significance during Maha Kumbh. This year, over 10 lakh devotees observed Kalpavas at the Triveni Sangam, concluding on Magh Purnima, with a final holy dip, pujan, and daan. As per tradition, Kalpvasis will perform Satyanarayan Katha, Havan Puja, and offer donations to their Tirthpurohits. The barley sown at the start of Kalpavas is immersed in the Ganga, and the Tulsi plant is taken home as a divine blessing. The twelve-year Kalpavas cycle culminates in Maha Kumbh, followed by a community feast in their villages.

Over 7 lakh pilgrims have received medical care through extensive healthcare services. This includes treatment of more than 4.5 lakh individuals at 23 allopathic hospitals, with over 3.71 lakh undergoing pathology tests, and the successful completion of 3,800 minor and 12 major surgeries. Additionally, 20 AYUSH hospitals have provided Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy treatments to over 2.18 lakh pilgrims. The integration of specialists from AIIMS Delhi, IMS BHU, and international experts from Canada, Germany, and Russia has ensured world-class healthcare. Services such as Panchakarma, yoga therapy, and the distribution of health awareness materials have been well-received, enhancing the overall well-being of attendees.

Aiming to make this the cleanest Kumbh Mela ever, authorities have enforced a stringent waste management plan. Over 22,000 sanitation workers have been deployed, ensuring that the premises remain free of litter. A large-scale water treatment initiative has also been implemented to keep the river water clean and suitable for the sacred dips. Eco-friendly practices, such as banning plastic and using biodegradable cutlery, have been strictly enforced. The Swachh Bharat Mission’s influence is evident in the installation of thousands of bio-toilets and automated garbage disposal units across the Kumbh grounds.

Throughout the event, cultural programs featuring classical dance performances, folk music, and spiritual discourses take center stage, captivating devotees and visitors alike. Renowned artists, including Padma awardees and folk troupes from various states, showcase the diverse traditions of India through Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and traditional folk dances like Lavani and Bihu. The Kumbh Mela is also hosting various literary gatherings, where scholars discuss ancient scriptures, Vedic philosophy, and the relevance of Sanatan Dharma in contemporary times. Artisans set up stalls displaying handicrafts, handloom products, and religious artifacts, turning the mela into a vibrant cultural confluence.

Maha Kumbh 2025 is not just a religious gathering; it is a monumental example of meticulous planning, cultural preservation, and technological innovation. With over 45 crore devotees already participating and more expected before its conclusion, this Kumbh stands as a testament to India’s ability to blend tradition with modernity, ensuring a spiritually enriching and seamless experience for all.

References

Department of Information & Public Relations (DPIR), Government of Uttar Pradesh

https://kumbh.gov.in/en/bathingdates

Maha Kumbh Series: 23/Feature

Click here to see PDF.

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Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2101679) Visitor Counter : 83

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel to Release Devolution Index Report in New Delhi on 13th February 2025

Source: Government of India (2)

Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel to Release Devolution Index Report in New Delhi on 13th February 2025

Panchayat Devolution Index to Evaluate How ‘Free’ Panchayats Are; Highlight State Rankings on Rural Local Bodies Autonomy and Empowerment

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 2:07PM by PIB Delhi

In a significant move to further strengthen the rural local self-governance in India, Minister of State, Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel will release the comprehensive Devolution Index Report on 13^th February, 2025, at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. This report titled “Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking 2024” marks a milestone in India’s journey towards empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and realizing the vision of “Local Self Government” of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. The event will be attended by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and other senior officials of the Ministry and faculty members of IIPA, New Delhi.

The Devolution Index, a result of meticulous research and empirical analysis, provides insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories. Going beyond conventional metrics, the Index evaluates six critical dimensions: Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of the Panchayats. The Index specifically examines how ‘free’ Panchayats are to make and implement independent decisions, reflecting the true spirit of Article 243G of the Constitution. This article empowers State legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

The Devolution Index serves as a tool for strengthening cooperative federalism and local self-governance, enabling States to identify areas for improvement and adopt best practices for more empowered and effective Panchayats. What sets this Devolution Index apart is its practical utility for multiple stakeholders. For citizens, it provides transparency in tracking Panchayat functioning and resource allocation. For elected representatives, it offers data-driven insights for advocacy and reform. For government officials, it serves as a roadmap for implementing effective decentralization policies. Policymakers can use the Devolution Index to assess the overall health of local governance and identify where reforms are most urgently needed. The initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, where विकसित and सशक्त Panchayats serve as the foundation for rural transformation, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

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Aditi Agrawal

(Release ID: 2101678) Visitor Counter : 61

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Parliament Question: Accessibility for Disabled People

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:50PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India has taken several measures to promote the cause of accessibility for Divyangjans in different public transportation systems. So far, all 35 International Airports and 55 Domestic Airports have been provided with accessibility facilities like Ramps, Toilets and Lifts. 709 A1, A and B categories of Railway Stations have been provided with many short-term facilities like Ramps, Toilets, Lifts, Helpdesk, Parking, Non-slippery walkways, Drinking Water facilities). As many as 42,000 and more buses have been made partially accessible and 8695 buses are fully accessible. Out of 3533 bus stations, 3120 have been made accessible across the country.

Under the Accessible India Campaign, Central Government conducted access audit of State/UT Government owned Public Buildings and provided financial assistance to State/UT Governments for making 1314 buildings accessible. In addition, Central Public Works Department, Government of India has retrofitted 211 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)-owned buildings and 889 buildings of other Departments/ Ministries maintained by CPWD.

To ensure incorporation of accessibility features several Ministries/Departments have taken many measures. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) vide GSR 287(E) , GSR 367(E) , GSR 959(E) etc., notified AIS-052-Code for accessible Bus Body Design which contains special provisions for Disabled Passengers such as priority seats for persons with disabilities, seats designated for disabled passengers with appropriate sign(s), priority seats to be provided with appropriate facility for securing crutches, canes, walkers etc. to facilitate convenient travel for persons with disabilities with provision of handrails and / or stanchions. GSR 959 (E) mandates the verification provisions regarding accessibility features at the time of fitness certification. GSR 240 (E) notified the provision required for Alteration to Motor Vehicle for conversion into Adapted Vehicle.

Indian Railways has also notified ‘Guidelines on accessibility of Indian Railway Stations and facilities at stations for differently abled persons (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility’, which has provisions of facilities for Divyangjans and passengers with reduced mobility such as entrance ramps, accessible parking, low height ticket counter/help booths, toilets, drinking water booth, sub-ways/foot over bridges with ramps/lifts, standard signages including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment, etc.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in the Metro/RRTS projects have designed user-friendly mass transport system which can ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities, as well as people with temporary mobility problems and the elderly persons. The design standards for Metro/RRTS facilitates universal access to Public Transport Infrastructure including related facilities and services, information, etc. benefitting the people using public transport.

PM-eBus Sewa Tender specifies accessibility features and equipment as per AIS 052 & AIS 153 so as to deploy 100% 12m & 9m Buses with accessibility features including wheelchair accessibility.

The National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development conducted the review of the implementation of Accessible India Campaign as a third-party evaluation. Some key findings of this evaluation were:

· During the study, it was seen that 80.51% of the buildings were funded for retrofitting.

· The campaign covered major government buildings across the country.

· A positive attitudinal change was observed amongst government functionaries and general public towards the right of persons with disabilities to safe and easy access to public places due to this campaign.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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VM

(Lok Sabha US Q1334)

(Release ID: 2101662) Visitor Counter : 75

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INVESTMENT BY SAIL

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 1:08PM by PIB Delhi

Capex of Rs. 5,700 crore and Rs. 7,500 crore have been approved for SAIL for financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 respectively. Capex includes expenditure against Milestone payments for completed schemes, progress payment for on-going schemes, Capital Repair/Spares and SAIL’s portion in capital expenditure in Joint Ventures.

Steel industry has filed petitions to initiate investigations concerning imports with the designated authority on imports of flat steel products, CRNO and hot rolled coils.

Steel is a de-regulated sector and the government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector. Decisions regarding setting up of steel plants are taken by the industry based on techno-commercial considerations taking into consideration factors such as raw material availability, ease of logistics, access to market etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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TPJ/NJ

(Release ID: 2101642) Visitor Counter : 50

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM E-DRIVE SCHEME FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION
Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:58PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India has notified ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ on 29.09.2024 to provide impetus to the green mobility & development of EV eco-system in the country. The scheme has an outlay of ₹10,900 crore over a period of two years from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2026. The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 implemented for a period of six months from 01.04.2024 to 30.09.2024, is subsumed in PM E-DRIVE scheme.

Salient features of PM E-DRIVE scheme:
1. Introduction of E- Vouchers: – The Ministry of Heavy Industry (MHI) has introduced E-vouchers for Electric vehicle buyer to avail the demand incentive under the scheme.
2. Introduction of new vehicle segments: – An allocation ₹500 crore each has been done for deployment of e-ambulances and e-trucks under the scheme.
3. Upgradation of testing agencies: ₹780 Crore has been earmarked for upgradation of vehicles testing agencies, identified under the scheme.
The scheme has following three components:
1. Subsidies: ₹3,679 crore as demand incentives for approximately 28 lakh e-2W, e-3W, e-ambulances, e-trucks & other new emerging EV categories;
2. Grants: ₹7,171 crore for creation of capital assets i.e., e-buses, establishment of network of charging stations & upgradation of vehicle testing agencies identified under this scheme; and
3. Administration of Scheme including IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities and fee for Project Management Agency (PMA).
The PM E-DRIVE scheme includes incentives for consumers and not manufacturers. It aims to boost demand for electric vehicles (EVs) through various incentives detailed below:
1. Demand Incentives: These incentives directly reduce the upfront cost of EVs for consumers at the point of purchase. The government reimburses the incentive amount to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
2. Financial Support for Charging Infrastructure: The scheme allocates ₹2,000 crore for establishing public charging infrastructure for various vehicle categories.
3. Grants for Capital Assets: The scheme has provisions of ₹4,391 crore as grants to support deployment of 14,028 e-buses by Public Transport Authorities and ₹780 crore as grants for the upgradation of vehicle testing agencies identified under the scheme. Vehicles which are registered as “Motor Vehicle” as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) will only be eligible for incentives. Vehicles fitted with only advanced batteries and satisfying performance criteria as notified under the scheme are eligible under the Scheme.
Yes, there is mechanisms in place to monitor and assess the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme. Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee (PISC), an inter-ministerial empowered committee, headed by the Secretary of Heavy Industries, is constituted for overall monitoring, sanctioning, and implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme. This committee is also responsible for removing any obstacles or difficulties that may arise during implementation.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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TPJ/NJ

(Release ID: 2101632) Visitor Counter : 32

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s remarks at India Energy Week 2025

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 12:00PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered his remarks at the India Energy Week 2025 via video message today. Addressing the gathering at Yashobhoomi, he emphasized that the attendees are not just part of the Energy Week, but are also integral to India’s energy ambitions. He extended a warm welcome to all participants, including distinguished guests from abroad, highlighting their crucial role in this event.

Highlighting that experts worldwide are asserting that the 21st century belongs to India, Shri Modi remarked, “India is driving not only its growth but also the growth of the world, with the energy sector playing a significant role”. He emphasized that India’s energy ambitions are built on five pillars: harnessing resources, encouraging innovation among brilliant minds, economic strength and political stability, strategic geography making energy trade attractive and easier, and commitment to global sustainability. The Prime Minister noted that these factors are creating new opportunities in India’s energy sector.

Underlining that the next two decades are crucial for a Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister highlighted that several significant milestones will be achieved in the next five years. He noted that many of India’s energy goals are aligned with the 2030 deadline, including the addition of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, achieving net zero carbon emissions for Indian Railways, and producing five million metric tons of green hydrogen annually. He acknowledged that these targets may seem ambitious, but the achievements of the past decade have instilled confidence that these goals will be attained.

“India has grown from the tenth largest to the fifth largest economy in the past decade”, remarked Shri Modi. He highlighted that India’s solar energy generation capacity has increased thirty-two times in the last ten years, making it the third-largest solar power generating nation in the world. He noted that India’s non-fossil fuel energy capacity has tripled and that India is the first G20 country to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s achievements in ethanol blending, with a current rate of nineteen percent, leading to foreign exchange savings, substantial farmer revenue, and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. He highlighted India’s goal of achieving a twenty percent ethanol mandate by October 2025. He remarked that India’s biofuels industry is ready for rapid growth, with 500 million metric tonnes of sustainable feedstock. He further noted that during India’s G20 presidency, the Global Biofuels Alliance was established and is continuously expanding, now involving 28 nations and 12 international organizations. He highlighted that this alliance is transforming waste into wealth and setting up Centers of Excellence.

Highlighting that India is continuously reforming to fully explore the potential of its hydrocarbon resources, Shri Modi highlighted that major discoveries and extensive expansion of gas infrastructure are contributing to the growth of the gas sector, increasing the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix. He noted that India is currently the fourth largest refining hub and is working to increase its capacity by 20 percent.

Pointing out that India’s sedimentary basins hold numerous hydrocarbon resources, some of which have already been identified, while others await exploration, the Prime Minister highlighted that to make India’s upstream sector more attractive, the Government introduced the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). He emphasized that the Government has provided comprehensive support to the sector, including opening the Exclusive Economic Zone and establishing a single-window clearance system. Shri Modi noted that changes to the Oilfields Regulation & Development Act now offer stakeholders policy stability, extended leases, and improved financial terms. He emphasized that these reforms will facilitate the exploration of oil and gas resources in the maritime sector, increase production, and maintain strategic petroleum reserves.

Prime Minister underlined that due to several discoveries and the expanding pipeline infrastructure in India, the supply of natural gas is increasing. He emphasized that this will lead to a rise in the utilization of natural gas in the near future. He also highlighted that there are numerous investment opportunities in these sectors.

“India’s major focus is on Make in India and local supply chains”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He highlighted the significant potential for manufacturing various types of hardware, including PV modules, in India. The Prime Minister noted that India is supporting local manufacturing, with the solar PV module manufacturing capacity expanding from 2 gigawatts to approximately 70 gigawatts in the past ten years. He emphasized that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has made the sector more attractive, promoting the manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV modules.

Highlighting the significant opportunities for innovation and manufacturing in the battery and storage capacity sector, the Prime Minister remarked that India is rapidly advancing towards electric mobility and emphasized the need for swift action to meet the demands of such a large country in this sector. Shri Modi noted that the current year’s budget includes numerous announcements supporting green energy. He highlighted that the Government has exempted several items related to the manufacturing of EV and mobile phone batteries from basic customs duty. This includes cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery waste, lead, zinc, and other critical minerals. He remarked that the National Critical Minerals Mission will play a crucial role in building a robust supply chain in India. He also highlighted the promotion of the non-lithium battery ecosystem. The Prime Minister emphasized that the current year’s budget has opened the nuclear energy sector, and every investment in energy is creating new jobs for the youth and generating opportunities for green jobs.

“To strengthen India’s energy sector, the Government is empowering the public”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He highlighted that ordinary families and farmers have been made energy providers. He remarked that the PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme was launched last year, and its scope is not limited to energy production. He noted that this scheme is creating new skills in the solar sector, developing a new service ecosystem, and increasing investment opportunities.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to providing energy solutions that energize growth and enrich nature. He expressed confidence that this Energy Week would yield concrete outcomes in this direction. He encouraged everyone to explore every possibility emerging in India and extended his best wishes to all participants.

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2101619) Visitor Counter : 52

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs on ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi

Under the leadership of Modi Ji, the country is witnessing a ‘digital revolution’, to face the challenges of cyber security one needs to understand its size and scale

AI will be used to identify and close the mule accounts before they are made operational

To prevent cybercrime, Home Minister stresses on raising awareness on Modi Ji’s mantra of ‘Stop-Think-Taje Action’

Modi government is moving forward with a four-pronged strategy to tackle cybercrimes: Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity

Union Home Minister says that to prevent cybercrimes, there should be a greater focus on increasing awareness among the public and promoting the Cyber Helpline ‘1930’

The three basic elements of cyberspace – software, services, and users are important in tackling cyber frauds

The members gave suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the steps taken by the Govt.

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 11:41AM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic of ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, members of the Committee, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The committee discussed various issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ during the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that in recent years, there has been an expansion of digital infrastructure in India, which has naturally led to an increase in the number of cyber attacks. He said that when we look at cyberspace from a different perspective, it forms a complex network of ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users.’ He emphasized that until we consider controlling cyber fraud through ‘software,’ ‘services,’ and ‘users,’ it will be impossible to resolve the issues of cyberspace. Shri Shah further mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken several significant steps towards making India a cyber-safe nation.

Shri Amit Shah said that cybercrime has erased all geographical boundaries. He stated that it is a ‘borderless’ and ‘formless’ crime, as it has no limits or fixed form. He mentioned that India has witnessed a ‘digital revolution’ in the last decade. Without understanding the size and scale of the ‘digital revolution,’ we cannot face the challenges in the cyber domain.

Union Home Minister said that today, 95 per cent villages in the country are digitally connected, and one lakh gram panchayats are equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots. In the past ten years, the number of internet users has increased by 4.5 times. He mentioned that in 2024, a total of 246 trillion transactions worth ₹17.221 lakh crore were made through UPI. In 2024, 48 per cent of the global digital transactions took place in India. He also said that in terms of the startup ecosystem, India has become the third-largest country in the world. In 2023, the contribution of the digital economy to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was around ₹32 lakh crore, which is 12 per cent, and nearly 15 million jobs were created.

Shri Amit Shah said that today India has become the third-largest country in terms of digital landscape in the world. The digital economy contributes 20 per cent to the total economy of India. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ goal is to ensure zero cybercrime cases and their FIRs.

Union Home Minister said that to tackle cybercrime, we have adopted four types of strategies, which include Convergence, Coordination, Communication, and Capacity. All of these are being implemented with clear objectives and a strategic approach. He mentioned that inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination within the Ministry of Home Affairs has been strengthened, ensuring seamless communication and smooth flow of information.

Shri Amit Shah said that a healthy tradition of exchange of information between the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and IT, CERT-IN, I4C, and departments like Telecom and Banking has led to successfully tackling many cybercrime cases.

Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of raising awareness among the public to prevent cybercrime and requested all the members of the committee to promote the I4C helpline number 1930. He stated that in light of cyber financial fraud, the ‘1930’ helpline provides a one-point solution offering various services, such as blocking cards.

Shri Amit Shah said that efforts are underway to use Artificial Intelligence for identifying mule accounts, in coordination with the Reserve Bank and all banks, to establish a system for their detection. He mentioned that we will ensure the closure of mule accounts before they are even operational. Union Home Minister stated that the government has also ensured that people are made aware of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra ‘STOP-THINK-TAKE ACTION’ in order to make them more vigilant against cybercrimes.

Union Home Minister stated that a total of 1 lakh 43 thousands FIRs have been registered on the I4C portal, and over 19 crore people have used this portal. He mentioned that, for national security reasons, 805 apps and 3,266 website links have been blocked based on I4C’s recommendations. Additionally, 399 banks and financial intermediaries have come on board. Over 6 lakh suspicious data points have been shared, more than 19 lakh mule accounts have been caught, and suspicious transactions worth ₹2,038 crore have been prevented.

Shri Amit Shah said that Cyber Crime Forensic Training Labs have been established in 33 states and union territories. On the ‘CyTrain’ platform, a “Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)” platform, 101,561 police officers have registered, and over 78,000 certificates have been issued.

The committee members gave their suggestions on issues related to ‘Cyber Security and Cyber Crime’ and appreciated the important steps taken by the government for enhancing cyber security.

***

RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2101613) Visitor Counter : 46

Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025
Source: Government of India

DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025

Full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is on display

Seminar on ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ to foster industry engagement, promote self-reliance in defence and provide boost to defence exports

Posted On: 11 FEB 2025 10:47AM by PIB Delhi

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with an endeavour to integrate various stakeholders of defence R&D ecosystem in the country, is participating in the 15^thedition of Aero India during February 10-14, 2025 at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. It will feature indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations in all formats, i.e., Indoor Pavilion, Outdoor Displays, India Pavilion and Flying display.

DRDO for the first time is showcasing a full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) equipped with cutting-edge features at the India Pavilion. This Pavilion at Aero India 2025 will showcase India’s commitment to its Make-in-India initiative by displaying indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technologies ready for the global stage. The pavilion exemplifies the combined strength of India’s private industries, Defence PSUs, start-ups, and DRDO.

Apart from this, visitors to this Pavilion will gain insight from 16 other DRDO developed products and technologies being displayed such as Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF); LCA Mk-2 Model; Air Droppable Container (ADC) -150; Advanced Light Weight Torpedo; Kaveri Derivate Aero Engine without afterburner , Naval Anti-ship missile – Medium Range and various other missiles.

DRDO indoor pavilion at Hall-D at Aero India is meticulously divided into 9 themes, encompassing core areas of defence innovation. The themes are: ‘Airborne Surveillance Solutions’, ‘Naval Warfare’, ‘Next-Generation Missile Systems’, ‘Supremacy in the Skies – ADA’s 5th Gen Leap’, ‘Unmanned Aerial Systems’, ‘RadarScape: Mapping the Invisible’, ‘Maritime Sentinel: A New Era of Surveillance & Safety’, ‘Sensors Suite for Fighter Aircraft’ and ‘Rakshak’. The Pavilion is displaying over 330 products which are categorised into 14 technology zones. It will provide an in-depth exploration of key defence areas, namely Advanced Materials & Composites; Surveillance & Reconnaissance Technology; Antenna & Microwave Technology; Soldier Support Systems; Combat Aircraft Technology; Corporate Directorates; Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Security; Land Systems & Munitions; Missile Technology; Next-Gen Combat Vehicles & Tactical Mobility; Photonics, Laser and Quantum Technology; Electronic Warfare & Communication; Simulation & Training Technology; and Aero Propulsion Technology. The indoor pavilion is also displaying the products developed under Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme being executed by DRDO.

The outdoor segment of DRDO pavilion is designed to demonstrate the real-world application of cutting-edge defence technologies featuring full-scale model of QRSAM Mobile Launcher Vehicle, Akash NG Launcher; Archer UAV 1:1 (Rustom-1); Air Droppable Survival and Rescue Kit (SARK); Emergency Escape Parachute System for Air Crew (EEPSA); Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS); Vehicle Mounted Jammer; Anti UAV (JAU) Entity of Project DHARASHAKTI, and VHF Radar. The demonstration of Dornier aircraft’s midlife upgrade is one of the main highlights of DRDO’s participation at the Aero Show. The upgraded Dornier is showcasing enhanced avionics, better fuel efficiency, advanced radar systems, enhanced manoeuvrability, integrated surveillance systems, and improved electronic warfare capabilities, reinforcing its role as a dependable asset of the Indian Air Force.

DRDO will conduct a seminar with the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat: Make in India – Make for World’ at Hall No. 2 on February 11, 2025. The seminar will foster industry engagement, promote self-reliance in defence and provide a boost to defence exports. Members of Academia, Indian Private Industry, StartUps, PSUs, and DRDO will participate in this seminar. Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event and will release the Revised Policy for ToT, DRDO Policy for Harnessing Innovative Startups in Defence R&D and Compendium of DRDO Products for Export. During the seminar, Handing Over of Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to Industries will also take place. At the event, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat will chair a panel discussion on Opportunities for Industries in Defence Export to foster a collaborative environment for enhancing defence exports.

Under the banner of Aero India 2025, an Indigenisation & Valedictory event themed as ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be organised on February 12 by Department of Defence Production (DDP), to recognise and felicitate the contributors of Indigenously developed cutting edge technologies. Five DRDO developed products have been recognised to be showcased and Team leader of these products will be felicitated by the Raksha Mantri. The details are:
1. Shri Y Dilip, Director ADE Bengaluru for Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)
2. Dr MSY Siva Prasad, PD RudraM II, RCI Hyderabad
3. Ms M Backialakshmi, CABS Bengaluru for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Receiver
4. Smt T Sirisha, RCI, for Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range
5. Shri Vishal Dwivedi, CFEES Delhi for Fire Wire for Integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System for BMP, T-72 and T-90.
As a prelude to Aero India, DRDO also organised the 15^th edition of the Biennial Aero India International Seminar in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) during February 8-9, 2025 in Bengaluru. The theme of the seminar was ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’, covering emerging trends in futuristic aerospace technologies and military airworthiness & certification: challenges in design and testing. This seminar provided valuable insights about cutting-edge technologies, a platform to explore collaborative research opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, while advancing the future of aerospace and defence technologies.

DRDO’s exhibition at Aero India 2025 is an excellent opportunity for the Indian aerospace community to foster the cause of indigenous development of military systems and technologies with the spirit of self-reliance & national pride. Working towards the vision of Samarth and Shashakt Bharat, DRDO is developing the indigenous capabilities of the country by equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art technologies/equipment, and bolstering the defence sector through collaboration with the private sector.

*****

VK/SR/KB

(Release ID: 2101598) Visitor Counter : 76

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Cloud emerged as a key driving force for TMT deal activity in 2024, finds GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Cloud emerged as a key driving force for TMT deal activity in 2024, finds GlobalData

Posted in Strategic Intelligence

Amidst the rising mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal activity in the tech, media, and telecom (TMT) sector, the cloud has emerged as one of the dominant themes. However, persistent inflation, relatively high interest rates, regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical tensions have created a challenging backdrop for the M&A market in 2024. At the same time, the demand for cloud computing continues to surge as businesses seek greater scalability, agility, and operational efficiency, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Global TMT M&A Deals 2024 – Top Themes and Predictions – Strategic Intelligence,” highlights that cloud-related deals totaled $61 billion in 2024, making it the second-largest theme among the top 100 deals and reflecting a 221% growth from the previous year. The total global TMT M&A deal value grew 27% in 2024 to $514 billion, compared to $403 billion in the previous year. Similar trends were seen in deal volume, which totaled 512 deals in 2024, and grew 14% from 2023.

Priya Toppo, Analyst, Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData, comments: “In today’s fast-paced market, adopting cloud-based solutions is essential for maintaining a competitive edge, while those slow to adapt risk falling behind. To enhance cloud performance, companies have invested in AI-driven IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions, alongside expanding hyperscale cloud infrastructure and edge AI capabilities.”

The biggest cloud deal was Blackstone’s acquisition of AirTrunk for $16 billion. This deal was also the biggest in APAC (excluding China) region in 2024. It was followed by IBM’s acquisition of HashiCorp for $6.4 billion and Clearlake Capital Group and Insight Partners’s acquisition of Alteryx for $4.4 billion.

Toppo continues: “A significant amount of M&A deal activity was driven by the application software sector in TMT, accounting for $253 billion across 230 deals. This was followed by the telecom services, IT services, music, film & TV, and gaming sectors.”

By studying the themes that are currently driving the M&A market, the report also identifies potential future acquisition targets along with their thematic rationale.

Toppo concludes: “Although the TMT sector saw growth in M&A activity in 2024, cloud deals played a crucial role, with major companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Oracle acquiring AI-native cloud firms, cybersecurity providers, and data analytics companies to strengthen their cloud ecosystems. marked by a substantial decline in both deal value and volume. The outlook for M&A activity in 2025 remains subdued; however, easing inflation and lower interest rates may lead to a gradual recovery.”

MIL OSI Economics –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: African telcos pivot to underserved regions amid Starlink competition, observes GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

African telcos pivot to underserved regions amid Starlink competition, observes GlobalData

Posted in Technology

As Starlink intensifies competitive pressures and African governments remain uncertain about intervening to protect telco incumbents, African telecom companies are increasingly focusing on underserved regions. In response, they are launching strategic initiatives to tackle the rising challenge of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to maintain their market position and tap into new growth opportunities, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Recent tie-ups – including the Orange–Vodacom deal in Uganda for network deployment in rural areas; Safaricom partnering with local satellite operator ESD Kenya; ZainTech partnership with Arabsat covering North Africa; and Vodacom and MTN’s own desire to boost connectivity across their footprint via LEOs – point to this trend.

Ismail Patel, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, says: “The rapid shift in focus by Africa’s telcos can largely be attributed to a confluence of factors, with Starlink being a key driver. These telcos are increasingly seeing unserved and underserved regions of the continent as opportunities rather than investment dead ends.”

GlobalData analysis uncovered the existence of not only regulatory divergence in how to deal with Starlink, but also variation in Starlink’s attitudes to compliance with licensing or lack thereof in the wider MEA region. In Africa, some governments require it to be licensed, thus adopting a protectionist approach. Some are more hesitant to do so, ostensibly due to the potential of Starlink connectivity stimulating the economy in rural and underserved regions.

Although its subscriber market share is small, Starlink is eating into the untapped revenue opportunities, with the potential of building up a loyal customer base. This represents a concern for the incumbents as Starlink builds up a base of higher-than-average revenue generating customers such as small office/home office (SOHOs) and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), on top of connecting underserved populations that include thousands of micro-businesses.

With Starlink promising to launch in 14 new markets across Africa in 2025, pressures on the traditional telco incumbents will only become starker and sharper, leading to more collaboration among themselves as well as with alternative LEOs.

Patel concludes: “Starlink has undeniably changed the competitive field for connectivity, resulting in telcos scrambling for a piece of the rural greenfield opportunity that was neglected for a considerable time. The global LEO is competitive on pricing and offer a quality connection that has not been the norm for many in Africa. But not all is lost for the continent’s telco groups, as they can typically offer the type of tech-based services to SMBs that a global LEO cannot, such as – inter alia – improved supply chain management, e-health, adverse weather mitigation, mobile payments, and natural resource management.”

MIL OSI Economics –

February 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Trump’s ‘Riviera’ plan for Gaza heralds an age of naked fascism

COMMENTARY: By Sawsan Madina

I watched US President Donald Trump’s joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week in utter disbelief. Not that the idea, or indeed the practice, of ethnic cleansing of Palestine is new.

But at that press conference the mask has fallen. Recently, fascism has been on the march everywhere, but that press conference seemed to herald an age of naked fascism.

So the Palestinians have just been “unlucky” for decades.

“Their lives have been made hell.” Thank God for grammar’s indirect speech. Their lives have been made hell. We do not know who made their lives hell. Nothing to see here.

Trump says of Gaza: “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings — level it out and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area . . . ”

I wonder who are those lucky “people of the area” he has in mind, once those “unlucky” Palestinians have been “transferred” out of their homeland.

Trump speaks of transforming Gaza into a magnificent “Riviera of the Middle East”. Obviously, the starved amputees of Gaza do not fit his image of the classy people he wants to see in the Riviera he wants to build, on stolen Palestinian land.

No ethnic cleansing questions
After the press conference, I did not hear a single question about ethnic cleansing, genocide, occupation or international law.

Under the new fascist leaders, just like under the old ones, those words have become old-fashioned and are to be expunged from the lexicon.

The difference has never been more striking between the meek who officially hold the title “journalist” and the brave who actually work to hold the powerful to account.

Now, more than ever, independent journalists are a threatened species. We should treasure them, support them and protest every attempt to silence them.

Gaza is now the prototype. We can forget international laws and international organisations. We have the bombs. You do as we wish or you will be obliterated.

Who now dares say that the forced transfer of a population by an occupying power is a war crime under the Geneva Convention? But then again, Trump and Netanyahu are not really talking about “forced transfer”. They are talking about “voluntary transfer”.

Once the remaining Israeli hostages have been freed, and water and food have been cut off again, those unlucky Palestinians will climb voluntarily onto the buses waiting to transport them to happiness and prosperity in Egypt and Jordan.

Or to whatever other client state Trump manages to threaten or bribe.

Can the International Criminal Court (ICC) command a shred of respect when Netanyahu is sharing the podium with Trump? Or indeed when Trump is at the podium?

Dismantling the international order
Recently, fascist leaders have been dismantling the international order by accusing its organisations and officials of being “antisemitic” or “working with terrorists”. Tomorrow they will defund and delegitimise these organisations without the need for an excuse.

I listen to Trump speak of combatting antisemitism and deporting Hamas sympathisers and I hear, “We will combat anti-Israel views and we will deport those who protest Israel’s crimes.

“And we will continue to conflate antisemitism and anti-Israel’s views in order to silence pro-Palestinian voices.”

I watch Trump and Netanyahu, the former reading the thoughts of a real estate developer turned into a president’s speech and the latter grinning like a Cheshire cat — and I am gripped by fear. Not just for the Palestinians, but for all humanity.

If we think fascism is only coming for people on a distant shore, we ought to think again.

I watch Netanyahu repeating lies that investigative journalists have spent months debunking. Why would he care? The truth about his lies will not make it to mainstream media and the consciousness of the majority of people.

Hamas suspends the release of Gaza captives, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire by continuing to kill Palestinians and blocking humanitarian aid.

🔴 Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/OXOBADdF6T pic.twitter.com/h4vf4GM9W7

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 11, 2025

Lies taking hold, enduring
And the more he repeats those lies, the more they take hold and endure.

I wonder how our political leaders will spin our allies’ new, illegal and immoral plans. For years, they have clung to the mantra of the two-state solution while Israel continued to make every effort to render this solution unfeasible.

What will they say now? With what weasel words will they stay on the same page as our friends in the US and Israel?

Netanyhu praises Trump for thinking outside the box. Here is an idea that Israel has spent billions on arms and propaganda to persuade people that it is dangerously outside the box.

Instead of asking Egypt and Jordan to take the Palestinians, why not make Israel end the occupation and give Palestinians equal rights in their own homeland?

Sawsan Madina is former head of Australia’s SBS Television. This article was first published by John Menadue’s public policy journal Pearls and Irritations and is republished with permission.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 12, 2025

MIL-OSI: Diversified Energy’s Unique Strategy Produces Reliable Cash Flow and Strong Full Year 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Seventh Year in a Row of Approximately 50% or Better Cash Margins

Cash Flow Growth Initiatives Contributed Over $50 million in Cash Flow

Company Returned Over $105 million to Shareholders in 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC, NYSE: DEC) (“Diversified” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the following operations and trading update for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Delivering Reliable Results

Full-year 2024 average production of 791 MMcfepd (132 Mboepd)
- 4Q24 average production of 843 MMcfepd (141 Mboepd)
- December 2024 exit rate of 864 MMcfepd (144 Mboepd)
2024 Adjusted EBITDA^(a) of $470-$475 million; Adjusted Free Cash Flow^(b) of $210-$215 million
2024 Adjusted EBITDA Margin^(a) of 50%and TTM Adjusted Free Cash Flow Yield^(b) of 33%
- 2024 Total Revenue, Inclusive of Settled Hedges per Unit^(c) of $3.21/Mcfe ($19.28/Boe)
- 2024 Adjusted Operating Cost per Unit^(d) of $1.70/Mcfe ($10.22/Boe)

Cash Flow Growth Initiatives

Announced fixed-price contract for gas delivery to a major Gulf Coast LNG export facility
Generated ~$42 million year-to-date in cash flow through divestiture of undeveloped leasehold
Recorded $8 million in impact to Adjusted EBITDA from Coal Mine Methane (“CMM”) Revenues

Executing Strategic Objectives and Milestones

Retired over $200 million in debt principal through amortizing debt payments
Returned $105 million to shareholders, including $21 million in share buybacks^(e)
Completed $585 million (gross) in strategic and bolt-on acquisition during 2024
Announced accretive bolt-on acquisition of southern Appalachia assets from Summit Natural Resources
Announced transformative $1.3 billion acquisition of Maverick Natural Resources
Marked one full year of trading on the New York Stock Exchange and as is customary, the Company expects to file a shelf registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission

Next LVL Milestones

The Company retired 202 operated wells in 2024, marking its third consecutive year to exceed its stated goal of retiring 200 wells per year
Next LVL Energy completed a total 287 well retirements, including Diversified’s wells and 85 wells associated with state-owned orphan wells and third-party operators

Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of Diversified, commented:

“Our team executed extremely well and continued to deliver solid results in 2024 that enabled us to advance our balanced capital allocation framework. Our strong results highlight our unique business model that strives to deliver consistent cash flow during the full range and volatility of commodity cycles. Aligned with our priorities, we generated significant cash flows, returned capital to investors, and paid down more than $200 million in debt principal, all while executing and integrating over $585 million in accretive acquisitions. Once again, our ability to deliver durable production and consistent cash flow throughout the year was a result of our team’s relentless execution of our strategies. We are committed to lowering costs and improving operational efficiencies across the organization, along with providing innovative solutions to extract hidden value from our asset base. The results we have achieved in 2024 strike at the heart of our business model and strategy.

We believe that 2025 has the potential to be a transformative year for the Company as we work to execute our strategic initiative to become the premier public company focused on managing mature producing assets. The Company’s previously announced accretive acquisitions of Summit Natural Resources and Maverick Natural Resources are proceeding as planned, and we have received encouraging comments from both shareholders and the public debt and equity markets. During the past year, we have seen our strategy and our previous investment decisions yield increased performance in all aspects of our business model. We are optimistic about our future and confident that our current efforts will continue to position us well to have a significant positive impact on shareholder value.”

Operations and Finance Update

Production

Diversified exited the year with December 2024 average production of 864 MMcfepd (144 Mboepd), up 11% versus the December 2023 exit rate of 775 MMcfepd (129 Mboepd), reflecting the cumulative effect of the Company’s 2024 acquisitions and industry-leading PDP declines of ~10% per year^(f).

Diversified ended the year with 4Q24 average production of 843 MMcfepd (141 Mboepd) and full-year 2024 average production of 791 MMcfepd (132 Mboepd).

The Company’s production continues to be positively impacted by Diversified’s Smarter Asset Management (“SAM”) approach focused on the improvement and optimization of production profiles, development of efficiency gains and extension of well life, and the Company is well-positioned to again-deliver on a solid operational foundation for robust cash flows in 2025 with the additional impact of the recently announced acquisitions of Maverick Natural Resources and Summit Natural Resources.

Margin, Realized Price and Total Cash Expenses per Unit

Diversified’s resilient cash flow strategy is exemplified by the Company’s 2024 Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 50%, marking the Company’s seventh consecutive annual period of ~50% margins or higher.

The Company’s commitment to responsibly hedge production and initiatives to expand revenue generation is reflected in 2024 Total Revenue, Inclusive of Settled Hedges per unit of $3.21/Mcfe ($19.28/Boe), with Financial Derivatives Settled in Cash delivering $151 million in cash flows, and Midstream & Other Revenue delivering $63 million in supplemental income during the year.

Prudent expense management resulted in the stable Adjusted Operating Cost per Unit for 2024 of just $1.70/Mcfe ($10.22/Boe) representing a minimal 1% change when compared to the prior year.

		2024				2023
	$/Mcfe		$/Boe		$/Mcfe		$/Boe		%

Total Commodity Revenue,Including the Impact of derivatives settled in cash	$	3.05	$	18.30	$	3.27	$	19.62	(7	)%
Other Revenue¹		0.16		0.98		0.13		0.75	31	%
Average Realized Price¹	$	3.21	$	19.28	$	3.40	$	20.37	(5	)%

Adjusted Operating Cost per Unit^(d)		2024				2023
	$/Mcfe		$/Boe		$/Mcfe		$/Boe		%

Lease Operating Expense²	$	0.73	$	4.40	$	0.64	$	3.83	15	%
Midstream Expense		0.24		1.44		0.23		1.38	4	%
Gathering and Transportation		0.31		1.86		0.32		1.92	(3	)%
Production Taxes		0.12		0.72		0.21		1.26	(43	)%
Total Operating Expense²	$	1.40	$	8.42	$	1.40	$	8.39	—	%
Employees, Administrative Costs and Professional Fees^(g)		0.30		1.80		0.29		1.74	3	%
Adjusted Operating Cost per Unit²	$	1.70	$	10.22	$	1.69	$	10.13	1	%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin^(a)		50%				53%

¹2024 excludes $0.06/Mcfe ($0.34/Boe) and 2023 excludes $0.09/Mcfe ($0.57/Boe) of other revenues generated by Next LVL Energy Values may not sum due to rounding; 2024 excludes $0.09/Mcfe ($0.54/Boe) & 2023 excludes$0.08/Mcfe ($0.48/Boe) of proceeds from land sales ²2024 excludes $(0.07)/Mcfe ($(0.40)/Boe) and 2023 excludes $(0.07)/Mcfe ($(0.43)/Boe) of expenses attributable to Next LVL Energy Values may not sum due to rounding

Results of Hedging and Current Financial Derivatives Portfolio

Diversified’s consistent application of the Company’s differentiated hedging strategy resulted in a 2024 weighted average natural gas hedge floor of $3.26/MMbtu and realized price of $2.49/MMBtu, providing insulation from historically low commodity prices and representing respective premiums of 44% and 10% to the 2024 NYMEX average Henry Hub settlement price of $2.27/MMbtu^(h). The Company enters 2025 with ~80% of consolidated production hedged, and stands to benefit from the recent improvement in the forward strip. The table below reflects Diversified’s full-year hedge positions through calendar year 2027 as of December 31, 2024:

	GAS (Mcf)		NGL (Bbl)		OIL (Bbl)
	Wtd. Avg. Hedge Price⁽ⁱ^)(j)	~ % of Production Hedged^(k)	Wtd. Avg. Hedge Price⁽ⁱ⁾	~ % of Production Hedged^(k)	Wtd. Avg. Hedge Price⁽ⁱ⁾	~ % of Production Hedged^(k)

FY25	$3.32	85%	$33.98	60%	$64.25	90%
FY26	$3.25	75%	$32.38	55%	$62.44	55%
FY27	$3.27	70%	$32.29	45%	$62.67	50%

Environmental Update

Asset Retirement Progress and Next LVL Energy Update

During the year, the Company exceeded its Appalachian well retirement commitments and stated plugging goals by retiring 202 Diversified-operated wells. Total well retirements by Next LVL Energy in Appalachia amounted to 287 wells, including 51 retirements associated with state orphan well programs.

Next LVL Energy continues to be a strategic and value-additive component of Diversified’s vertically integrated operations focused on the full life cycle of operated wells and to provide third-party revenue to offset the cash costs associated with the retirement of operated wells.

Acquisition Update

2024 Acquisitions Update

The Company’s previously announced acquisition of Oaktree Working Interests, Crescent Pass Energy assets and East Texas assets were successfully closed in the course of the year, representing $585 million (gross) in strategic, accretive acquisitions in 2024. These assets have been fully integrated into Diversified’s systems and processes, and are already benefiting from the Company focus on safe, efficient operations through the application of Smarter Asset Management.

Summit Natural Resources

Diversified’s previously announced acquisition of Appalachia and Alabama assets from Summit Natural Resources is proceeding as planned and the Company expects to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2025.

Maverick Natural Resources

As previously announced on January 27, 2025, Diversified has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Maverick Natural Resources for total consideration of approximately $1,275 million. The acquisition of Maverick by Diversified (the “Acquisition”) adds immediate scale, increases liquids production, and creates a combined company with long-term free cash flow generation, superior unit cash margins, and a compelling sustainability profile.

The Acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, regulatory clearance and approval by Diversified shareholders for the issue and allotment of the Ordinary Shares pursuant to the merger agreement.

2024 Annual Results and Conference Call Details

Diversified will release its 2024 full-year results on Monday, March 17, 2025 and will host a conference call that day at 12:30 PM GMT (8:30 AM EDT) to discuss the Annual Results.

Footnotes:

(a)	Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, and amortization, and includes adjustments for items that are not comparable period-over-period; As presented, Adjusted EBITDA includes the impact of the accounting basis for land sales; Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the adjustment for the accounting basis on land sales) as a percent of Total Revenue, Inclusive of Settled Hedges; For purposes of comparability, Adjusted EBITDA Margin excludes Other Revenue of $16 million in 2024 and $28 million in 2023, and Lease Operating Expense of $19 million in 2024 and $21 million in 2023 associated with Diversified’s wholly owned plugging subsidiary, Next LVL Energy.
(b)	Free Cash Flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less expenditures on natural gas and oil properties and equipment and cash paid for interest; As used herein, Adjusted Free Cash Flow represents Free Cash Flow, plus cash proceeds from undeveloped acreage sales; Adjusted Free Cash Flow Yield is calculated using 2024 Free Cash Flow per share, divided by the 2024 average share price of $13.47; Free Cash Flow per Share calculated as Adjusted Free Cash Flow divided by average shares outstanding of 48,031,916 during the period.
(c)	Includes the impact of derivatives settled in cash; Excludes the impact of land sales during the period; For purposes of comparability, excludes certain amounts related to Diversified’s wholly owned plugging subsidiary, Next LVL Energy.
(d)	Adjusted Operating Cost represent total lease operating costs plus recurring administrative costs. Total lease operating costs include base lease operating expense, owned gathering and compression (midstream) expense, third-party gathering and transportation expense, and production taxes. Recurring administrative expenses (Adjusted G&A) is a Non-IFRS financial measure defined as total administrative expenses excluding non-recurring acquisition & integration costs and non-cash equity compensation; For purposes of comparability, excludes certain amounts related to Diversified’s wholly owned plugging subsidiary, Next LVL Energy.
(e)	Share repurchases include activity by Diversified’s Employee Benefit Trust.
(f)	Calculated as the rate of decline in average daily production from December 2023 to December 2024, adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisitions and divestitures.
(g)	As used herein, employees, administrative costs and professional services represents total administrative expenses excluding cost associated with acquisitions, other adjusting costs and non-cash expenses. We use employees, administrative costs and professional services because this measure excludes items that affect the comparability of results or that are not indicative of trends in the ongoing business.
(h)	Calculated as the average monthly settlement price for NYMEX Henry Hub futures contracts.
(i)	Weighted average price reflects the weighted average of the swap price and floor price for collar contracts as applicable.
(j)	MMBtu prices have been converted to Mcf using a richness factor of 1Mcf=1.036 MMBtu, calculated as the weighted average Btu richness factor for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024.
(k)	Illustrative percent hedged, calculated using December 2024 average production and assuming a consolidated annual corporate decline rate of 10%; Calculation assumes constant product mix over the illustrative decline period.

For Company-specific items, refer also to the Glossary of Terms and/or Alternative Performance Measures found in the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the Company’s website.

For further information, please contact:

About Diversified Energy Company PLC

Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our unique and differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Group”). All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which contain the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”,”should”,”intend”, “will”, “seek”, “continue”, “aim”, “target”, “projected”, “plan”, “goal”, “achieve” and words of similar meaning, reflect the Company’s beliefs and expectations and are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment the Company and the Group will operate in and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. No representation is made that any of these statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or the Group to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company’s or the Group’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Acquisition and the risk that problems may arrise in successfully integrating Maverick or that the combined company may not achieve synergies as expected,as well as factors such as future market conditions, currency fluctuations, the behavior of other market participants, the actions of regulators and other factors such as the Company’s or the Group’s ability to continue to obtain financing to meet its liquidity needs, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate its other acquisitions, changes in the political, social and regulatory framework in which the Company or the Group operate or in economic or technological trends or conditions. The list above is not exhaustive and there are other factors that may cause the Company’s or the Group’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, including the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ( the “SEC”) and the risk factors descibed in Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-k furnished with the SEC on January 27, 2025.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and neither the Company nor the Group nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements in this announcement, may not occur. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Past performance of the Company cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or a profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that the financial performance of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published for the Company.

Unaudited Financial Information

Certain financial and operating results included in this announcement are based on unaudited estimated results. These estimated results are subject to change upon completion of the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, and changes could be material. The Company anticipates publishing its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024 on Tuesday, March 17, 2025.

Use of Non-IFRS Measures

Certain key operating metrics that are not defined under IFRS (alternative performance measures) are included in this announcement. These non-IFRS measures are used by us to monitor the underlying business performance of the Company from period to period and to facilitate comparison with our peers. Since not all companies calculate these or other non-IFRS metrics in the same way, the manner in which we have chosen to calculate the non-IFRS metrics presented herein may not be compatible with similarly defined terms used by other companies. The non-IFRS metrics should not be considered in isolation of, or viewed as substitutes for, the financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Certain of the key operating metrics are based on information derived from our regularly maintained records and accounting and operating systems. We have not presented reconciliations of the non-IFRS measures included in this announcement because the comparable IFRS measures will not be accessible until the Company’s audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024 are complete. The Company will include the comparable IFRS measures and reconciliations of the non-IFRS measures in its release of full-year results, which we expect to publish on Tuesday, March 17, 2025.

The MIL Network –

February 12, 2025

MIL-OSI: Bread Financial Provides Performance Update for January 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bread Financial ^® Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending, and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers, provided a performance update. The following tables present the Company’s net loss rate and delinquency rate for the periods indicated:

	For the month ended January 31, 2025			For the month ended January 31, 2024
	(dollars in millions)
End-of-period credit card and other loans	$	18,366		$	18,785
Average credit card and other loans	$	18,530		$	18,915
Year-over-year change in average credit card and other loans		(2	%)		(9	%)
Net principal losses	$	123		$	128
Net loss rate		7.8	%		8.0	%

	As of January 31, 2025			As of January 31, 2024
	(dollars in millions)
30 days + delinquencies – principal	$	1,032		$	1,170
Period ended credit card and other loans – principal	$	16,874		$	17,311
Delinquency rate		6.1	%		6.8	%

About Bread Financial^® 
Bread Financial^® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.

To learn more about Bread Financial, our global associates and our sustainability commitments, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “likely,” “may,” “should” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding, and the guidance we give with respect to, our anticipated operating or financial results, future financial performance and outlook, future dividend declarations, and future economic conditions.

We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, in many cases, beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct. Factors that could cause the outcomes to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: macroeconomic conditions, including market conditions, inflation, interest rates, labor market conditions, recessionary pressures or concerns over a prolonged economic slowdown, and the related impact on consumer spending behavior, payments, debt levels, savings rates and other behaviors; global political and public health events and conditions, including ongoing wars and military conflicts and natural disasters; future credit performance, including the level of future delinquency and write-off rates; the loss of, or reduction in demand from, significant brand partners or customers in the highly competitive markets in which we compete; the concentration of our business in U.S. consumer credit; inaccuracies in the models and estimates on which we rely, including the amount of our Allowance for credit losses and our credit risk management models; the inability to realize the intended benefits of acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic initiatives; our level of indebtedness and ability to access financial or capital markets; pending and future federal and state legislation, regulation, supervisory guidance, and regulatory and legal actions, including, but not limited to, those related to financial regulatory reform and consumer financial services practices, as well as any such actions with respect to late fees, interchange fees or other charges; impacts arising from or relating to the transition of our credit card processing services to third party service providers that we completed in 2022; failures or breaches in our operational or security systems, including as a result of cyberattacks, unanticipated impacts from technology modernization projects or otherwise; and any tax or other liability or adverse impacts arising out of or related to the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment or the bankruptcy filings of Loyalty Ventures Inc. (LVI) and certain of its subsidiaries and subsequent litigation or other disputes. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule that, absent a successful legal challenge, will place significant limits on credit card late fees, which would have a significant impact on our business and results of operations for at least the short term and, depending on the effectiveness of the mitigating actions that we have taken or may in the future take in anticipation of, or in response to, the final rule, may potentially adversely impact us over the long term; we cannot provide any assurance as to the effective date of the rule, the result of any pending or future challenges or other litigation relating to the rule, or our ability to mitigate or offset the impact of the rule on our business and results of operations. The foregoing factors, along with other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, are described in greater detail under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.

Contacts
Brian Vereb — Investor Relations
Brian.Vereb@breadfinancial.com

Susan Haugen — Investor Relations
Susan.Haugen@breadfinancial.com

Rachel Stultz — Media
Rachel.Stultz@breadfinancial.com

The MIL Network –

February 12, 2025

MIL-OSI: GigaCloud Technology Inc Strengthens Its B2B Marketplace with Leading Furniture Suppliers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

EL MONTE, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GigaCloud Technology Inc (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced a strong lineup of new suppliers joining its GigaCloud Marketplace, further solidifying its position as a trusted global B2B wholesale platform.

New suppliers to the GigaCloud Marketplace include Purple Innovation Inc. (Nasdaq: PRPL), Homestyles, a brand of Flexsteel Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: FLXS), Corsicana Mattress Company, Restonic, Walker Edison, GhostBed, Simpli Home and others. These newly added suppliers have joined the GigaCloud Marketplace as new 3P sellers, encompassing a broad range of home furnishings, including living room furniture, bedroom bedding and furniture, dining room sets, and home office solutions. Many are known for their thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship, and versatility, appealing to a range of styles from contemporary to traditional.

“This latest wave of new suppliers highlights the value and trust our platform brings to the evolving B2B market, demonstrating GigaCloud’s commitment to accelerating growth and product diversity,” said Larry Wu, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of GigaCloud. “By welcoming these esteemed suppliers, we continue to enhance our market leadership in large-parcel B2B ecommerce—empowering suppliers with expanded market reach, providing resellers with a broader selection of trusted products, and facilitating seamless global wholesale trade for businesses of all sizes.”

“Partnering with GigaCloud has opened up exciting new avenues for Purple to extend our market presence,” said Mason Stephens, Vice President, Head of Wholesale at Purple Innovation Inc. “GigaCloud’s robust marketplace provides an efficient way to connect with a broader reseller base, enabling us to further drive our growth and bring Purple’s innovative comfort solutions to more businesses and their customers. We look forward to a promising future of growth and collaboration with GigaCloud.”

“We are excited to partner with GigaCloud to bring our Homestyles brand to an innovative digital marketplace,” said Andrew Surdyka, VP of Strategic Accounts at Flexsteel Industries Inc. “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for us to enhance our digital presence and reach new customers while maintaining the high standards of quality and service that Flexsteel Industries is known for.”

About GigaCloud Technology Inc

GigaCloud Technology Inc is a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise. The Company’s B2B ecommerce platform, the “GigaCloud Marketplace,” integrates everything from discovery, payments and logistics tools into one easy-to-use platform. The Company’s global marketplace seamlessly connects manufacturers, primarily in Asia, with resellers, primarily in the U.S., Asia and Europe, to execute cross-border transactions with confidence, speed and efficiency. GigaCloud offers a comprehensive solution that transports products from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the end customer’s doorstep, all at one fixed price. The Company first launched its marketplace in January 2019 by focusing on the global furniture market and has since expanded into additional categories, including home appliances and fitness equipment. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.gigacloudtech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect our current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

GigaCloud Technology Inc
Investor Relations
ir@gigacloudtech.com

PondelWilkinson, Inc.
Laurie Berman (Investors) – lberman@pondel.com
George Medici (Media) – gmedici@pondel.com

The MIL Network –

February 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: UK ‘Order, order’ your tickets for a tour in Speaker’s House and take a peek beyond the Chair…

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

Experience the history of the role of Speaker of the House of Commons up close over Easter recess.

Find out more: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/january/easter-speakers-house-tours/

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

MIL OSI Video –

February 12, 2025

Category: Politics

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Measures taken by the government to stop food adulterationRegular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products are conducted by FSSAI through its regional offices and State/ UTs; penal action taken against defaulting Food Business Operators

Update on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) As of 6th February 2025, more than 73.98 Crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) created; over 49.06 Crore health records linked with ABHA

Union Budget 2025-26 Strengthens Gender-Focused Allocations: Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Highlights Key Measures for Women and Child DevelopmentTransforming Lives, Strengthening India: MoWCD’s Revolutionary Steps in Budget 2025-26

45 Crore Devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025Maha Kumbh 2025 Witnesses Record-Breaking Footfall

Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel to Release Devolution Index Report in New Delhi on 13th February 2025Panchayat Devolution Index to Evaluate How ‘Free’ Panchayats Are; Highlight State Rankings on Rural Local Bodies Autonomy and Empowerment

DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025Full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is on display

Measures taken by the government to stop food adulteration

Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection, and random sampling of food products are conducted by FSSAI through its regional offices and State/ UTs; penal action taken against defaulting Food Business Operators

Update on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

As of 6th February 2025, more than 73.98 Crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) created; over 49.06 Crore health records linked with ABHA

Union Budget 2025-26 Strengthens Gender-Focused Allocations: Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Highlights Key Measures for Women and Child Development

Transforming Lives, Strengthening India: MoWCD’s Revolutionary Steps in Budget 2025-26

45 Crore Devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025

Maha Kumbh 2025 Witnesses Record-Breaking Footfall

Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel to Release Devolution Index Report in New Delhi on 13th February 2025

Panchayat Devolution Index to Evaluate How ‘Free’ Panchayats Are; Highlight State Rankings on Rural Local Bodies Autonomy and Empowerment

DRDO showcases indigenously developed state-of-the-art technologies and systems, working models and innovations at Aero India 2025

Full-scale model of India’s first 5.5 Gen stealth aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is on display