NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Valor Hospitality Partners announces two significant deals in West Africa, estimated value of R540 million

    Valor Hospitality Partners (www.ValorHospitality.com), a global leader in full-service hospitality solutions, today announced the signing of two new hotel management contracts in Nigeria and Senegal representing an investment in excess of approximately R540 million in West Africa. The deals were signed at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) taking place in Cape Town this week.

    The significant figure represents the combined capital expenditure for the development and establishment of the two new-build properties.

    Both deals are franchise agreements with IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies. The agreements are to manage the new Holiday Inn SD City in Dakar, Senegal and a new Crowne Plaza hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Significantly, these signings are Valor’s debut in the very dynamic West African market, and join Valor’s portfolio in Central, East and Southern Africa, and further strengthen Valor’s relationship with IHG globally.

    Across the two properties, Valor will be responsible for the successful opening and  operational management of each hotel.

    “The hospitality sector on the continent is teeming with opportunity, and represents an incredible frontier for the adoption of fully-integrated management services. These signings speak to this reality and we’re excited to further expand our footprint across Africa, not only for its market potential but for the value we can bring in enhancing the sector for all stakeholders – from owners and developers, right down to the guest experience,” says Michael Pownall, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Valor Hospitality Partners.

    Beyond the monetary investment, these deals signify confidence in the region’s hospitality and the growing preference for leveraging fully-integrated management services, such as those offered by Valor, to ensure global best-in-class management and operational practices at every level.

    Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts , said: “Valor Hospitality is amongst our key strategic partners in the region and we’re pleased to further extend the partnership as we expand our footprint in high-potential African markets. We look forward to working with Valor in delivering world-class welcoming experiences for travellers, across our portfolio with them.

    Pownall adds: “These new deals represent a significant entry into a new, key market – namely Senegal and Nigeria in West Africa. This expansion diversifies our regional presence and strengthens our market position.”

    Thanks to the global insights and strategic thinking Valor brings to the industry, combined with their commitment to blending a big-picture view with regional and cultural nuances, Valor is cementing its position as a preferred partner to significant players in the hospitality sector across Africa.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Valor Hospitality.

    For media inquiries and high-resolution imagesplease contact:
    Delia de Villiers
    delia@phoenixcollective.world 
    +27 73 710 3000

    For more information about Valor Hospitality and its innovative approach to hotel management and franchising
    visit www.ValorHospitality.com.

    ABOUT VALOR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS:
    Valor Hospitality Partners     (www.ValorHospitality.com) is a leading global full-service hotel underwriting, acquisition, development, management, and asset management company. With over 90 hospitality projects in its international portfolio, Valor Hospitality offers an array of services, including site selection, product and brand selection, entitlements, financing solutions, conceptual design, construction and project management, procurement, technical services, pre-opening, and operations management. Valor also provides consulting services on a wide range of project scenarios, including working with new or existing ownership groups on reviewing site selection, assessing feasibility studies and project budgets, compiling project budgets, and underwriting. For more information, visit ValorHospitality.com connect with Valor on Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/462xp5L) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3Zzd7Nq).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – State of play of the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine versus the Western Balkans – E-002321/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002321/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Friedrich Pürner (NI)

    Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in 2022 and is among the ten countries hoping to accede to the Union. The Western Balkans embarked upon their journey to EU membership in 2003. Since then, only Croatia has joined the Union (in 2013), while the other countries are still working towards the Copenhagen criteria. By contrast, although Ukraine is at war, its accession process is advancing at a much faster pace.

    • 1.What progress has Ukraine made in ticking off the Copenhagen criteria and the individual chapters of the EU acquis since being conferred candidate status in June 2022, and what specific challenges remain, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, fighting corruption, and judicial reform?
    • 2.Are there discussions within the Commission about adapting or loosening the accession requirements for Ukraine in certain areas – for example, as regards the full implementation of the EU acquis or economic convergence – in order to speed up the accession process, and if so, how is a balance being struck between expedition and compliance with the accession criteria?
    • 3.To what extent is the Commission taking the current geopolitical situation and the ongoing war in Ukraine into account when setting timelines and priorities for the accession negotiations, and are there any plans to introduce transitional arrangements or special agreements in order to facilitate the accession process in these extraordinary circumstances?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – State of play of the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine versus the Western Balkans – E-002321/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002321/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Friedrich Pürner (NI)

    Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in 2022 and is among the ten countries hoping to accede to the Union. The Western Balkans embarked upon their journey to EU membership in 2003. Since then, only Croatia has joined the Union (in 2013), while the other countries are still working towards the Copenhagen criteria. By contrast, although Ukraine is at war, its accession process is advancing at a much faster pace.

    • 1.What progress has Ukraine made in ticking off the Copenhagen criteria and the individual chapters of the EU acquis since being conferred candidate status in June 2022, and what specific challenges remain, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, fighting corruption, and judicial reform?
    • 2.Are there discussions within the Commission about adapting or loosening the accession requirements for Ukraine in certain areas – for example, as regards the full implementation of the EU acquis or economic convergence – in order to speed up the accession process, and if so, how is a balance being struck between expedition and compliance with the accession criteria?
    • 3.To what extent is the Commission taking the current geopolitical situation and the ongoing war in Ukraine into account when setting timelines and priorities for the accession negotiations, and are there any plans to introduce transitional arrangements or special agreements in order to facilitate the accession process in these extraordinary circumstances?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – State of play of the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine versus the Western Balkans – E-002321/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002321/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Friedrich Pürner (NI)

    Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in 2022 and is among the ten countries hoping to accede to the Union. The Western Balkans embarked upon their journey to EU membership in 2003. Since then, only Croatia has joined the Union (in 2013), while the other countries are still working towards the Copenhagen criteria. By contrast, although Ukraine is at war, its accession process is advancing at a much faster pace.

    • 1.What progress has Ukraine made in ticking off the Copenhagen criteria and the individual chapters of the EU acquis since being conferred candidate status in June 2022, and what specific challenges remain, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, fighting corruption, and judicial reform?
    • 2.Are there discussions within the Commission about adapting or loosening the accession requirements for Ukraine in certain areas – for example, as regards the full implementation of the EU acquis or economic convergence – in order to speed up the accession process, and if so, how is a balance being struck between expedition and compliance with the accession criteria?
    • 3.To what extent is the Commission taking the current geopolitical situation and the ongoing war in Ukraine into account when setting timelines and priorities for the accession negotiations, and are there any plans to introduce transitional arrangements or special agreements in order to facilitate the accession process in these extraordinary circumstances?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Media reports of opaque funding of non-governmental organisations to promote EU climate policy (cont.) – E-002335/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002335/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Bryłka (PfE)

    An article in the Welt am Sonntag (cited on 7 June 2025 in Euronews and Politico) reported allegations of certain ‘secret contracts’ between the Commission and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as ‘ClientEarth’ and ‘Friends of the Earth’[1].

    According to the article, the Commission provided up to EUR 700 000 to fund actions aimed at promoting EU climate policy, including engaging German coal power plants in legal disputes to increase their legal and financial risks. To fully clarify this issue and ensure public confidence in the Commission’s actions:

    • 1.Does the Commission plan to organise an audit or review of grant agreements with NGOs in order to ensure funding is transparent?
    • 2.What steps have been taken to investigate all allegations concerning claims that the Commission instructed NGOs to lobby for specific policies under the Green Deal?
    • 3.What additional measures does the Commission intend to introduce to increase the transparency of NGO funding and address public concerns regarding this matter?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus256221718/geheime-vertraege-offengelegt-eu-kommission-bezahlte-aktivisten-fuer-klimalobbyismus.html?icid=search.product.onsitesearch.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Media reports of opaque funding of non-governmental organisations to promote EU climate policy (cont.) – E-002335/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002335/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Bryłka (PfE)

    An article in the Welt am Sonntag (cited on 7 June 2025 in Euronews and Politico) reported allegations of certain ‘secret contracts’ between the Commission and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as ‘ClientEarth’ and ‘Friends of the Earth’[1].

    According to the article, the Commission provided up to EUR 700 000 to fund actions aimed at promoting EU climate policy, including engaging German coal power plants in legal disputes to increase their legal and financial risks. To fully clarify this issue and ensure public confidence in the Commission’s actions:

    • 1.Does the Commission plan to organise an audit or review of grant agreements with NGOs in order to ensure funding is transparent?
    • 2.What steps have been taken to investigate all allegations concerning claims that the Commission instructed NGOs to lobby for specific policies under the Green Deal?
    • 3.What additional measures does the Commission intend to introduce to increase the transparency of NGO funding and address public concerns regarding this matter?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/plus256221718/geheime-vertraege-offengelegt-eu-kommission-bezahlte-aktivisten-fuer-klimalobbyismus.html?icid=search.product.onsitesearch.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Exclusion of sexual and reproductive health medicines from the EU’s list of critical medicines – E-002365/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002365/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Carolina Morace (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left)

    To prevent shortages and boost the resilience of the European health system, the Commission, with the technical and scientific support of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national agencies, published the EU list of critical medicines in December 2023, and updated it in 2024.

    However, the list does not include medicines that are essential for women’s sexual and reproductive health, including:

    • Misoprostol, used to terminate pregnancies pharmacologically;

    • Levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, used as emergency contraceptives.

    In its resolution of 11 April 2024 (2024/2655 (RSP)), Parliament defined access to safe abortion and emergency contraception as ‘fundamental rights’. These medicines, which are included in the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, are crucial for protecting women’s sexual and reproductive rights throughout the EU.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.What criteria led to the exclusion of those medicines from the list?
    • 2.Will the Commission review the selection criteria with a view to including essential medicines for sexual and reproductive health?
    • 3.What practical steps will it take to ensure their availability in all Member States, including where legislative or logistical barriers limit the right to abortion or access to emergency contraception?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Aid for investment in new nuclear power in Sweden – E-002358/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002358/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Hanna Gedin (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left)

    In May 2025, the Swedish Parliament adopted a decision allowing state aid for firms investing in new nuclear reactors in Sweden. The aid takes the form of both government loans and two-way contracts for difference. The cost is put at SEK 400 billion, of which the Government will provide SEK 300 billion in loan capital. A price hedging agreement will also guarantee the nuclear power companies at least 80 öre/kWh from the Government for 40 years.

    EU state aid rules, in principle, prohibit state aid that distorts competition in the internal market, but allow derogations if the aid is deemed necessary, proportionate and compatible with the common interest as referred to in Article 107(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    In the light of this:

    • 1.Has the Commission received a notification from Sweden on the proposed aid scheme for new nuclear power and, if so, does it regard the scheme as compatible with EU state aid rules?
    • 2.Does the Commission regard the aid as proportionate and necessary, especially in view of the fact that there is already an electricity surplus in many parts of Sweden?
    • 3.How is it to be ensured that the proposed aid scheme does not lead to distortions of competition vis-à-vis other non-fossil power sources, such as wind or solar?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Nea Dimokratia Government’s announced abolishment of OPEKEPE – E-002310/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002310/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    The revelations at the centre of the publicity surrounding OPEKEPE, Greece’s Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid, are hardly a ‘bolt from the blue’. They are the result of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) – which all the bourgeois parties voted for, co-shaped and implemented from government positions – and, indeed, the scandalous way in which agricultural subsidies are granted.

    The Nea Dimokratia Government bears full responsibility for the latest developments, because for at least six years it has continued to implement the ‘technical solution’ introduced by the previous Syriza Government from 2015 to 2017.

    National governments and the Commission have been – and still are – turning a deaf ear to farmers’ and livestock breeders’ demands for subsidies to be based on actual agricultural production and actual livestock count, as well as to complaints that ‘decoupled’ payments ultimately end up in the hands of non-farmers.

    In view of this, can the Commission say:

    • 1.What view does it take of the Nea Dimokratia Government’s announcement that it will abolish OPEKEPE, which comes just as it has declared that it has submitted a plan to turn the organisation around to the EU?
    • 2.How does it view the demands of the agricultural trade union movement for subsidies to be granted on the basis of actual agricultural production and actual livestock count?
    • 3.What view does it take of the need to take all the necessary measures to ensure that struggling farmers are not subject to cuts, that outstanding payments be made immediately and that the system be opened so that they can submit their declarations in good time?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Brussels endorses the CGT as a ‘trusted flagger’ on the Internet – E-002315/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002315/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    The new EU Digital Services Act (DSA) now governs the moderation and removal of ‘illegal’ content online. Article 22 of the DSA requires online platforms to take the necessary technical and organisational measures to ensure that notices submitted by trusted flaggers are given priority. The Commission has recently confirmed that the CGT has been granted ‘trusted flagger’ status in France (5 March 2025)[1].

    However, the CGT is not recognised for its commitment to freedom of expression or to combating fraud, nor for its political neutrality.

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm that the biggest platforms (X, Meta, Youtube, etc.)[2] must address reports and requests for removal issued by the CGT as a priority, including in times of crisis?
    • 2.Is the fact of a country granting trusted flagger status to a political entity or trade union compatible with the spirit of the DSA?
    • 3.Has the CGT indeed received nearly EUR 10 million from the European Union since 2014[3]?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    • [1] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/trusted-flaggers-under-dsa
    • [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/analysis.html A search of the Commission’s financial transparency register using the keyword ‘CGT’ reveals approximately EUR 10 million in European funding, of which EUR 9.14 million was reportedly paid to three organisations: 1) The CGT’s National Federation of Construction Workers (approximately half of the amount) 2) The CGT’s Confederation of Retired Workers and Trade Unionists 3) The CGT’s Federation of Metalworkers
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Brussels endorses the CGT as a ‘trusted flagger’ on the Internet – E-002315/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002315/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    The new EU Digital Services Act (DSA) now governs the moderation and removal of ‘illegal’ content online. Article 22 of the DSA requires online platforms to take the necessary technical and organisational measures to ensure that notices submitted by trusted flaggers are given priority. The Commission has recently confirmed that the CGT has been granted ‘trusted flagger’ status in France (5 March 2025)[1].

    However, the CGT is not recognised for its commitment to freedom of expression or to combating fraud, nor for its political neutrality.

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm that the biggest platforms (X, Meta, Youtube, etc.)[2] must address reports and requests for removal issued by the CGT as a priority, including in times of crisis?
    • 2.Is the fact of a country granting trusted flagger status to a political entity or trade union compatible with the spirit of the DSA?
    • 3.Has the CGT indeed received nearly EUR 10 million from the European Union since 2014[3]?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    • [1] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/trusted-flaggers-under-dsa
    • [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/analysis.html A search of the Commission’s financial transparency register using the keyword ‘CGT’ reveals approximately EUR 10 million in European funding, of which EUR 9.14 million was reportedly paid to three organisations: 1) The CGT’s National Federation of Construction Workers (approximately half of the amount) 2) The CGT’s Confederation of Retired Workers and Trade Unionists 3) The CGT’s Federation of Metalworkers
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Financing of ‘The European Qur’an’ project – E-002376/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002376/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Catherine Griset (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Séverine Werbrouck (PfE), Christophe Bay (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)

    In an article published in Le Journal du Dimanche on 13 April 2025, it was revealed that a project entitled ‘The European Qur’an’, which receives funding to the tune of EUR 9.8 million from the European Research Council, aims to show that the Qur’an played a role in shaping European identity between the 12th and 19th centuries, and still does so now.

    This claim is all the more unusual from a historical point of view as the European institutions do not even recognise the Christian roots of Europe. It is also at odds with a widely shared historical observation that the European identity arose partly on the basis of resistance to Arab-Muslim and Ottoman invasions.

    • 1.Has the Commission made sure that no beneficiary of the funding concerned has links with the Muslim Brotherhood or political Islamism?
    • 2.Is it not the case that the financing of projects like this, which seek to deconstruct European history, is in reality motivated by a desire to justify mass immigration?

    Submitted: 12.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement on cyber security incident

    Source: City of Oxford

    Thursday, 19 June 2025

    Oxford City Council was subject to a cyber security incident over the weekend of 7/8 June.

    An unauthorised presence was detected within our network. Our automated security systems kicked in, removed the presence and minimised the access the attackers had to our systems and databases.

    We then rapidly deployed external cyber security specialists to support us and proactively took down each of the Council’s main systems to carry out full security checks and investigate the incident.

    These precautionary measures resulted in disruption to some of our services over the last week, our staff have been working hard to minimise impact on our residents but we would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to people wanting to access our services.

    We’re pleased to say that most of our systems are now safely up and running again, and the remaining systems should be back online this week. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we’ve worked through this.

    As a result of these precautionary checks, we can confirm that the Council’s email systems and wider digital services remain secure and safe to use.

    Unfortunately, the attackers were able to access some historic data on legacy systems. We have now identified that people who worked on Oxford City Council-administered elections between 2001 and 2022, including poll station workers and ballot counters, may have had some personal details accessed. The majority of these people will be current or former Council officers. There is no evidence to suggest that any of the accessed information has been shared with third parties.

    Investigations continue to identify as precisely as we can what was accessed and what, if anything, might have been taken out of our systems. There is no evidence of a mass download or extraction of data.

    We understand that people will be concerned and today we have individually contacted people potentially affected to explain what happened, what support is available, and the steps we’re taking to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.

    We know how important it is to protect the information we hold. We take that responsibility extremely seriously, and this unlawful breach of Council systems is deeply regrettable for all impacted. We have already taken action to prevent any further unauthorised access to our systems, and we have reported the incident to the relevant government authorities and law enforcement agencies. A full investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Halts New Clinical Trials That Export Americans’ Cells to Foreign Labs in Hostile Countries for Genetic Engineering

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    For Immediate Release:
    June 18, 2025

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced an immediate review of new clinical trials that involve sending American citizens’ living cells to China and other hostile countries for genetic engineering and subsequent infusion back into U.S. patients – sometimes without their knowledge or consent.
    This action by the FDA follows mounting evidence that some of these trials failed to inform participants about the international transfer and manipulation of their biological material and may have exposed Americans’ sensitive genetic data to misuse by foreign governments including adversaries.
    This practice was made possible by a data security rule finalized under the Biden Administration in December 2024 and implemented in April 2025 by the U.S. Department of Justice. While the rule imposed export controls to limit sensitive data transfers to countries of concern, the Biden Administration specifically requested and approved a sweeping exemption that allowed U.S. companies to send trial participants’ biological samples — including DNA — for processing overseas as part of FDA-regulated clinical trials. This exemption applied even in cases involving companies partially owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
    “The previous administration turned a blind eye and allowed American DNA to be sent abroad — often without the knowledge or understanding of trial participants,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. “The integrity of our biomedical research enterprise is paramount. We are taking action to protect patients, restore public trust, and safeguard U.S. biomedical leadership.”
    The FDA is actively reviewing all relevant clinical trials that relied on this exemption and will require companies to demonstrate full transparency, ethical consent, and domestic handling of sensitive biological materials. New trials that cannot meet these standards will not proceed.
    The agency is also working closely with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to ensure that no federally funded research is compromised by these practices. Additional enforcement and policy measures could be forthcoming.
    This action is part of a broader national effort to implement Executive Orders 14117 and 14292, which direct the federal government to prevent the exploitation of sensitive biological data by foreign adversaries and ensure research funding flows only to secure, transparent, and U.S.-compliant institutions.

    Consumer:888-INFO-FDA

    ###

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    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    06/18/2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – INCREASED FUNDING, UPDATED EQUIPMENT, ENHANCED MONITORING AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES, June 18, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – INCREASED FUNDING, UPDATED EQUIPMENT, ENHANCED MONITORING AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES, June 18, 2025

    Posted on Jun 18, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    INCREASED FUNDING, UPDATED EQUIPMENT, ENHANCED MONITORING AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES

    Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! Campaign Highlights New Era of Wildfire and Drought Awareness

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 18, 2025

     

    LĪHUʻE, Kaua‘i — At a news conference here today, state, county and nonprofit organizations involved in wildfire noted that since the devastating series of fires in August 2023, people are finally beginning to pay attention to the risk. They also emphasized that many parts of Hawai‘i continue to be impacted by prolonged drought conditions. Drought is already impacting an estimated 386,000 people across the state.

     

    During the 10th Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! campaign kickoff, Mike Walker, state protection forester with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) commented, “When I started the job in 2017, DOFAW had a wildfire suppression budget of $600,000. One fire in California would use that amount in a matter of hours. By 2023, the division was able to get about $4 million for fire suppression.”

     

    It took fires on Maui and Hawai‘i Island, including the deadly Lahaina fire on August 8, 2023, to bring Hawai‘i’s overall lack of funding support for firefighting efforts, suppression and prevention costs into sharp focus. “So, unfortunately it does really take a tragedy for people to wake up and realize we have a problem and start to address it,” Walker added. DOFAW and its partners had long sought better support for wildland fire efforts.

     

    This year could see a repeat of severe wildland fire conditions due to increasing drought conditions, particularly now in the eastern part of the state.

     

    The U.S. Drought Monitor of June 12 shows extreme drought conditions on the north slopes of Mauna Kea, and a sliver of southeast Hawai‘i Island. The rest of the island is experiencing abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions.

     

    All of Maui Nui (Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kahoolawe) is in moderate-to-severe drought. The south sides of O‘ahu and Kaua‘i and all of Ni‘ihau currently have abnormally dry conditions.

     

    Genki Kino, a forecaster in the Honolulu Office of the National Weather Service said,

    “We just had the second-driest wet season in the last 30 years. We’re already seeing vegetation dry out, turn brown and become more receptive to wildfire ignitions. Over the next few months, drier conditions will likely persist with drought conditions worsening across the entire state. We urge everyone to be aware of forecasts calling for windy and dry conditions that often lead to elevated fire danger.

    DLNR Chair Dawn Chang, who also co-leads the state drought council, echoed the concerns from a drought perspective. “This is early June, and we just saw a fire start on here on Kaua‘i last week, a larger one on Maui, just three days ago, and one on O‘ahu at Schofield Barracks. As drought conditions intensify, so too will the fire danger. The two go hand-in-hand and this is why, again this year, we continue to encourage water conservation measures, not only for firefighting purposes, but long-term for the preservation of fresh drinking water supplies.”

    The visibility of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), which co-leads the Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! initiative with DLNR, has risen tremendously and internationally since the 2023 fire events.

    Elizabeth Pickett, HWMO Co-Executive Directed commented, “We’ve been on the forefront of providing science-based information, education and outreach about wildfire for the past 25 years. Until 2023, we flew under the radar, but now many people are energized about protecting the homes and communities from wildfire.”

    For example, the national Firewise USA campaign, which HWMO administers, has grown exponentially from 14 communities across Hawai‘i to more than 30 in the application process or already approved. “Clearly people are beginning to understand the risks they, their families and their livelihoods face when wildfires are looming,” Pickett said.

    The amount of financial support from state and county governments, along with new firefighting apparatus and improved technology, is a long list. But, as Kaua‘i Fire Chief Mike Gibson noted, it takes years from the time you order a new truck or pumper for them to arrive.

    “Fire engines from the time we order them, take about four years before they’re delivered. Brush trucks help us the most because they’re four-wheel drive. Over the past four years, we’ve ordered six new ones. By the end of this summer, we expect to finally get our first three,” Gibson said.

    The 2025 Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! campaign includes radio, television and social media PSAs and written and visual resources to help people, agencies and the media develop messages they can use in their communities, with neighbors, or with mass audiences. Island-specific resources are listed in the attachment.

    “This effort has always been very collaborative, with more than 30 partners across the state involved. Sharing information and resources is a critical piece toward making Hawai‘i more fire safe and aware,” Pickett concluded.

    Similarly, Chang added, “The Hawai‘i Drought Council has dozens of stakeholders including government agencies, water suppliers, private industry and agricultural interests. We’re all in this together and the more we can work together doesn’t mean we can stop natural forces, but it does mean that we can try and not exacerbate the risks or outcomes because we lacked awareness and action.”

    # # #

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

    HD video, interviews, and photographs:

    Island-specific resources and explanation attached

     

     

    HD video – Zoom recording of Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT! news conference (June 18, 2025):https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/A9J7OD8ZWAYN078UTOMF6/Wildfire-and-Drought-News-Conf-Zoom.mp4?rlkey=umx1qe193atilp2bcl9ovrkls&st=6o2artdl&dl=0

     

    Links to clean HD video and photographs of the Wildfire & Drought LOOKOUT news conference will be distributed separately.

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    Email: Dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Handling the OPEKEPE scandal – E-002308/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002308/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Galato Alexandraki (ECR)

    The extensive agricultural subsidy fraud scandal in Greece, uncovered by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, led to a EUR 283 million fine from the Commission on OPEKEPE and calls into question its accreditation as a paying agency. Following investigations into thousands of fake VAT numbers, false declarations of ownership, lack of controls and indications of political cover-up, the Greek Government launched a restructuring plan in cooperation with DG AGRI. In this context, a 12-month restructuring plan for OPEKEPE has been put into effect, which includes its abolition and transfer to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR), the full digitalisation of procedures, the reconstitution of the Board of Directors and institutional oversight by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the progress of the OPEKEPE reconstruction plan?
    • 2.How does the Commission assess the closure of the organisation and the transfer of payments to the IAPR, and does the Commission intend to impose an alternative management regime (e.g. through the EU)?
    • 3.How is it being ensured that law-abiding farmers will not be deprived of aid during this critical transition?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Handling the OPEKEPE scandal – E-002308/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002308/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Galato Alexandraki (ECR)

    The extensive agricultural subsidy fraud scandal in Greece, uncovered by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, led to a EUR 283 million fine from the Commission on OPEKEPE and calls into question its accreditation as a paying agency. Following investigations into thousands of fake VAT numbers, false declarations of ownership, lack of controls and indications of political cover-up, the Greek Government launched a restructuring plan in cooperation with DG AGRI. In this context, a 12-month restructuring plan for OPEKEPE has been put into effect, which includes its abolition and transfer to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR), the full digitalisation of procedures, the reconstitution of the Board of Directors and institutional oversight by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the progress of the OPEKEPE reconstruction plan?
    • 2.How does the Commission assess the closure of the organisation and the transfer of payments to the IAPR, and does the Commission intend to impose an alternative management regime (e.g. through the EU)?
    • 3.How is it being ensured that law-abiding farmers will not be deprived of aid during this critical transition?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU funding for digitalisation in Mexico and risks to freedom of expression – E-002323/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002323/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jorge Martín Frías (PfE)

    The European Union has funded several projects in Mexico focusing on digitalisation, the development of digital infrastructure, sustainability and connecting public stakeholders.

    The political and legal context in which the support is being given is of increasing concern. In recent months, a diplomatic dispute with the current US Government has led Claudia Sheinbaum’s government to push for significant reforms in telecommunications law.

    These reforms seek to restrict the circulation of international content and increase the government’s capacity to intervene in the national media system, which has raised doubts over respect for democratic principles and the rule of law.

    In this context, legitimate concerns arise as to whether EU funds for digitalisation may be strengthening state structures that limit fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information.

    In view of this:

    • 1.Is financing state digitalisation processes in third countries that are adopting measures that counteract basic principles such as freedom of information acceptable according to the Commission?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to continue funding these kinds of projects in third countries that do not have sufficient guarantees to prevent funds from being used for censorship or information control?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Dangerous landslides in Gortynia – E-001461/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Cohesion Policy supports Greece with investments in road infrastructure through the sectoral programme ‘Transport’ and the regional programmes, provided they align with the programme’s priorities and the applicable regulatory framework.

    However, under the shared management and subsidiarity principles governing the Cohesion Policy Funds, project selection and implementation fall under the responsibility of the relevant national and regional managing authorities. According to the latest information provided by them, there is no provision for funding the project in question.

    In line with Article 73(2)(c) of the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) 2021/1060[1], the Commission considers that a cost-benefit analysis is a useful tool to determine the best relationship between the amount of support, the activities undertaken and the achievement of objectives, and thus to prioritise investments for structural mobility and safety improvements.

    Especially for larger investments, cost-benefit analysis helps the competent national authorities to define the most appropriate scope of projects, their level of EU funding and the added value for the society. This added value can include economic impact and road safety.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Delay in the implementation of the CrossBo project and impact on cross-border connectivity – E-001670/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Interreg V-A Greece-Bulgaria Programme (2014-2020) is implemented in shared management and it is therefore the managing authority who is responsible for overseeing project implementation.

    The Commission works closely with the Managing Authority to monitor Interreg V-A programmes at all stages: reviewing project selection criteria, assessing progress data, participating in Monitoring Committees, and, when needed, holding high-level annual review meetings.

    These mechanisms, as set out in the regulatory framework, ensure balanced and timely project implementation by all partners and enable corrective actions where necessary.

    Managing authorities can also subject projects to enhanced monitoring measures. This is the the case for the Aiming at Improving Cross-Border Accessibility (CrossBo) project and measures to operationalise the new crossing point have been initiated.

    In the context of the 2014-2020 programming period and in line with the closure guidelines[1], the deadline for submitting programme closure documents has been extended to 15 February 2026.

    If expenditure for non-functioning operations is included in the accounts for the final accounting year, Member States undertake to physically complete or fully implement all such non-functioning operations and ensure they contribute to the objectives of the relevant priorities not later than 15 February 2027.

    If any non-functioning operations remain incomplete by 15 February 2027, all associated financing will be considered ineligible.

    • [1] Commission notice: Guidelines on the closure of operational programmes adopted for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the 2014-2020 programming period (European Commission, 14 October 2024).
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission’s call to Europeans to ‘prepare a stockpile of supplies for 72 hours’ – E-001449/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission’s advice that citizens be able to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours is grounded in existing emergency preparedness guidelines and international best practice, which suggest that individuals should be self-sufficient for a short period during potential disruptions in services or supply chains.

    This duration is recognised as critical for initial emergency response, allowing time for authorities to restore essential services and reach affected populations in a range of crisis scenarios.

    The Commission has identified several potential risks and threats, including in the Preparedness Union Strategy[1] and the Niinistö Report on Military Preparedness and Readiness of the European Union[2].

    The specific threats identified include the consequences of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, hybrid and cyberattacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure, foreign information manipulation, pandemics, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.

    The Commission acknowledges the need for transparency and detailed information on the risks and threats identified. The Eurobarometer surveys published in 2024 show that 65% of EU citizens feel they need more information to prepare for disasters and emergencies[3].

    In response, the strategy foresees to support to Member States to increase awareness about risks and threats, with measures such as annual EU Preparedness Day and targeted communication campaigns to ensure citizens are well informed about potential threats and the rationale behind preparedness measures.

    The Commission will continue to provide regular updates and practical guidance to Member States.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/preparedness_en.
    • [2]  https://commission.europa.eu/document/5bb2881f-9e29-42f2-8b77-8739b19d047c_en.
    • [3]  https://civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu/news/new-eu-eurobarometer-disaster-awareness-and-preparedness-eu-citizens#:~:text=A%20new%20Eurobarometer%20survey%20which%20looked%20into%20the,more%20information%20to%20prepare%20for%20disasters%20and%20emergencies.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Conflict in the Middle East | Lords urgent question

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon to ask the government what assessment they have made of the current hostilities between Israel and Iran.

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4JRJWT6Qzc

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davis, García, Ramirez, Jackson Demand Noem, ICE Provide Access to Detained Constituents at ICE Center in IL

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

    CHICAGO, IL — Today, Congressmembers Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding access to constituents at the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Illinois, after masked, unidentified agents unlawfully denied their entry. The Members of Congress also blasted her policy to unlawfully prohibit Members of Congress from exercising their oversight authority, after receiving the excuse that an ICE agent could deny a tour of the site based on operational capacity. 

    “Under the law, Members of Congress have the authority to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain people. Whether that facility is formally identified as a detention facility is irrelevant. The operational capacity of agents and staff at the facility is also irrelevant when it comes to allowing access to Members of Congress. It is the role of Congress to provide oversight,” wrote the members. “Yet, you and the rest of the Trump Administration continue to break the law and bypass Congressional authority to conceal the ways in which you are abusing your power to violate our rights, undermine due process, and tear our communities apart.”

    The Members of Congress also outline that in the past several weeks, DHS officials denied Members of Congress conducting oversight access to ICE facilities and detention centers in New Jersey, California, New York, and now the state of Illinois. 

    “Your actions prove your lack of commitment to accountability, your disregard for Congress as an equal branch of government with oversight authority, and your intent to conceal the campaign of terror you are waging against our communities,” continued the representatives. 

    To read the full letter, CLICK HERE. 

    BACKGROUND:

    The visit by the representatives to the  Broadview ICE Processing Center was prompted by reports that the center is unlawfully used against city and state ordinances as a detention center, where migrants are being denied access to their attorneys and held in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, sleeping on the floor, and without complete meals. Under appropriation laws, Members of Congress have the authority to enter any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used to detain or otherwise house people without advance notice. 

    The authority is outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-93), Division D – Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020, Sec. 532 and re-affirmed in each year since, including Section 527(a) of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118–47). It establishes that “none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Homeland Security by this Act may be used to prevent…a Member of Congress…from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens… [nor] to make any temporary modification at any such facility that in any way alters what is observed by a visiting Member of Congress… compared to what would be observed in the absence of such modification.”

    Additionally, subsection (b) clarifies that nothing in this section requires a Member of Congress to provide prior notice of intent to enter such a facility for oversight purposes. The Department itself has affirmed the oversight duties of Members of Congress in guidance posted by ICE dated February 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The unacceptable seizure of the sailing boat ‘Madleen’ by the murderous state of Israel – E-002351/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002351/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

    The sailing boat ‘Madleen’, which was heading towards the Gaza Strip carrying symbolic humanitarian aid, was seized by the Israeli army in international waters and the 12 people on board – including MEP Rima Hassan – were arrested.

    The EU, the US, NATO – and the Greek Government – bear heavy responsibilities. By continuing political, military and economic cooperation with the state of Israel while regurgitating Israeli pretexts about the ‘right to self-defence’ and the ‘proportionate use of force’, they are facilitating the occupying state of Israel to continue its genocide in Gaza.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What is the position of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the fact that the EU’s stance encourages the occupying state of Israel in, inter alia, the unacceptable and reprehensible seizure of the vessel ‘Madleen’ in international waters by the Israeli army and the illegal arrest and deportation of passengers?
    • 2.What is the position of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the demand of the peoples of the EU for the immediate suspension and annulment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
    • 3.What is the position of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the need to stop forthwith the massacre by Israel against the Palestinian people, end military operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank immediately, open all crossings and allow the necessary humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, boost EU funds directed to the Palestinian people and strengthen UNRWA, which is the competent and internationally recognised agency for assisting Palestinian refugees?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    Last updated: 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Charges brought against Spain’s Prosecutor General for leaking confidential information for political reasons and Spain’s compliance with Article 2 TEU – E-002349/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002349/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dolors Montserrat (PPE)

    Supreme Court Justice Ángel Hurtado is bringing summary proceedings against Spain’s Prosecutor General on the grounds that there is enough evidence to corroborate suspicions that he revealed confidential information.

    Hurtado’s writ states that, based on the investigation, there are grounds to believe that ‘instructions were received from the Prime Minister’s office to make use of available information for political ends.’ The Prosecutor General is accused of leaking confidential information ‘as a result of instructions received from the Prime Minister’s office… for the purposes of winning the narrative battle.’

    Though the Prosecutor General faces very serious charges – which could result in his being imprisoned and disbarred from office – he has neither resigned nor lost the support of the Spanish Government. In the light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that this state of affairs is at odds with the rule of law principles laid down in the Treaty on European Union, in particular concerning the independence of the judiciary and the Prosecutor General’s office?
    • 2.Is the Commission not concerned about the fact that the Prosecutor General’s Office is being used by the Government to destroy a political opponent, blatantly contradicting the recommendations of the rule of law mechanism that require autonomy and neutrality?
    • 3.Will the Commission react to this incident by requesting information from the Spanish Government, or will the latter feature in the upcoming rule of law report on Spain?

    Submitted: 11.6.2025

    Last updated: 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli – RC-B10-0282/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0282/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0287/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0289/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0290/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0295/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Rasa Juknevičienė, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Tomas Tobé, Miriam Lexmann, Andrey Kovatchev, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Dariusz Joński, Loránt Vincze, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Davor Ivo Stier, Luděk Niedermayer, Liudas Mažylis, Inese Vaidere, Loucas Fourlas, Krzysztof Brejza
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Tobias Cremer
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Rihards Kols, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Alexandr Vondra, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Bogdan Rzońca, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Assita Kanko, Marlena Maląg, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Kris Van Dijck
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Lena Schilling, Markéta Gregorová
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, Per Clausen

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0282/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0282/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

    (2025/2752(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

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

    A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison for a provoked incident involving a police officer;

    B. whereas the adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in civil society and independent media and persecute the political opposition;

    C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public information space is fully dominated by pro-government media, spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;

    D. whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;

    E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;

    F. whereas Estonia and Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;

    1. Demands Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution;

    2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial independence;

    3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia, including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists’ safety and freedom;

    4. Urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her children’s safety;

    5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;

    6. Calls for the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing trials;

    7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;

    8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran – RC-B10-0284/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0284/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0285/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0296/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0299/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0300/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Michał Wawrykiewicz, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Loucas Fourlas, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Tomas Tobé, Miriam Lexmann, Andrey Kovatchev, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Dariusz Joński, Loránt Vincze, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Davor Ivo Stier, Luděk Niedermayer, Liudas Mažylis, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Evin Incir, Daniel Attard, Chloé Ridel
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Rihards Kols, Aurelijus Veryga, Diego Solier, Nora Junco García, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Charlie Weimers, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Alexandr Vondra, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Bogdan Rzońca, Assita Kanko, Marlena Maląg, Marion Maréchal, Waldemar Tomaszewski
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Abir Al‑Sahlani, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Bart Groothuis, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Alice Kuhnke
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Jonas Sjöstedt

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0284/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0284/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on the case of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran

    (2025/2753(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on the Islamic Republic of Iran,

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

    A. whereas Swedish-Iranian national Dr Ahmad Reza Djalali, a specialist in emergency medicine and a scholar at Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Italy’s Università del Piemonte Orientale, was arrested on 24 April 2016 by the Iranian security forces;

    B. whereas Djalali was sentenced to death on spurious espionage charges in October 2017 following a grossly unfair trial based on a confession extracted under torture; whereas the sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court on 17 June 2018;

    C. whereas Djalali has been denied adequate medical care despite the severe deterioration in his physical health and the risk to his life, including a recent heart attack at Evin prison; whereas Iran has continued to threaten to implement his death sentence;

    D. whereas hundreds of individuals have already been executed in 2025 and at least 972 were executed in 2024, a 14 % increase on 2023;

    E. whereas the Iranian Government refuses to recognise Djalali’s Swedish citizenship;

    F. whereas this case is part of a systematic pattern of unlawful detentions and hostage diplomacy by the Iranian regime;

    1. Calls on Iran to immediately release Dr Djalali along with all political prisoners currently being detained; calls on Iran to put a moratorium on executions and to abolish the death penalty;

    2. Strongly condemns Djalali’s sham trial and the Iranian authorities’ brutal treatment of him, amounting to torture and ill treatment, as he was subjected to months of interrogation in solitary confinement, and then sentenced to death;

    3. Urges Iran to provide Djalali, whose health is deteriorating, with immediate and unrestricted access to necessary specialised medical care at an external hospital; urges Iran, furthermore, to provide Djalali with legal representation and legal defence, and allow him regular contact with his family;

    4. Calls on the relevant Member States and the European External Action Service to intensify diplomatic efforts and adopt targeted measures in response to Iran’s continued detention of EU nationals, including Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris and others, as part of its hostage diplomacy and in violation of international law;

    5. Reiterates its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation and extend EU sanctions to all those responsible for taking EU nationals hostage and for mass executions of opposition voices and other human rights violations;

    6. Demands that Iran grant full access to UN human rights mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur, and the EU’s full support and increase support for civil society organisations;

    7. Emphasises that EU-Iran engagements must be founded on tangible progress on democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the release of all political prisoners;

    8. Asks the VP/HR to raise Djalali’s case publicly and in all engagements with her Iranian counterparts;

    9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government of Iran, the VP/HR, the Commission, the Member States and the United Nations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Apollo Vredestein workers fall victim to inadequate State aid rules – P-001790/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. In 2014, the Commission approved aid to Apollo Tyres on the basis of state aid rules applicable at the time. In 2020, the Commission approved state aid schemes related to COVID-19 measures, based on which Hungary granted aid to Apollo Tyres to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy and to partially compensate the company for losses suffered because of the lockdown measures introduced by the Hungarian government. The Commission does not have any indication that either the 2014 aid measure or the 2020 schemes were not implemented in line with those decisions.

    2. Current state aid rules, where relevant, already include strict anti-relocation safeguards. The Commission does not consider that there is a need to review those provisions. They ensure that state aid cannot be used in a way that would encourage or facilitate the relocation of services or production to another Member State.

    3. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) can be used to support affected workers by funding reintegration pathways, training, and guidance. The ESF+ already supports Twente as one of the 35 Dutch Labour Market Regions. The Netherlands can also apply for one-off re-active assistance from EGF when redundancies cannot be avoided to finance labour market policy measures. More generally, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contributes to enhancing competitiveness of the East Netherlands regional economy through smart and green innovation, including for energy transition and circularity, transition to clean industries, skills for the green transition and access to employment in clean and resource-efficient technologies.

    Last updated: 18 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Horizon Europe funding wokeism – E-001128/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware of the funding of MEN4DEM[1]. The project will contribute to the expected impact of the Horizon Europe area of intervention on democracy and governance[2]. The call under which the project is funded stated that the implementation of the research activities should develop evidence-based innovations, policies and policy recommendations that expand political participation, social dialogue, civic engagement, gender equality and inclusiveness[3].

    The preparation of the work programmes and calls of Horizon Europe are guided by the programme’s operational objectives, as outlined in the Specific Programme Decision[4]. For the area of intervention on democracy and governance, under cluster 2 ‘Culture, creativity and inclusive society[5]’, these objectives aim to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.

    In addition, a collaborative and consultative process with stakeholders, Member States and experts, ensures that the calls’ topics are relevant and aligned with the programme’s objectives.

    The selection of projects for funding is based on an independent evaluation by external experts, assessing submitted proposals against three criteria: excellence, impact, and quality and efficiency of the implementation. Apart from social sciences and humanities, Horizon Europe funds research on other key thematic sectors, including artificial intelligence, health, energy, and environment.

    Overall, and during its first three years of implementation, Horizon Europe could not fund nearly seven out of ten high-quality proposals[6] due to a lack of sufficient budget[7].

    • [1] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101177356.
    • [2] I.e. the reinvigoration of democratic governance through, among others, the expansion of active and inclusive citizenship (see Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024, p. 45 at https://op.europa.eu/s/z5ah).
    • [3] https://europa.eu/!JHk7XR, pp. 12-23.
    • [4] Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 of 10 May 2021, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/764/oj/eng.
    • [5] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_en.
    • [6] Proposals with an evaluation score above the minimum quality threshold defined in the call.
    • [7] See the communication Horizon Europe: Research and Innovation at the heart of competitiveness, COM(2025) 189 final, at https://europa.eu/!897NPW.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Illegal fishing of juvenile pilchards Italy – E-001559/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In 2024, the Commission received, also in the context of parliamentary Question E-000814/2024, information on possible widespread illegal fishing and commercialisation of juvenile species in Italy, including sardina pilchardus.

    Consequently, the Commission contacted the Italian authorities to obtain information on the control and enforcement of such non-compliances, including on seizures. The Commission also received recently a complaint on the same issue, which is being analysed.

    The application of the European and national rules on sanctioning, including administrative actions or criminal proceedings, is an important contribution to sustainable fishing.

    Article 89 of Regulation (EC) 1224/2009[1] requires Member States, inter alia, to ensure that sanctions are ‘capable of producing results proportionate to the seriousness of such infringements, thereby effectively discouraging further offences […].’ The Commission considers as serious issue any failure to implement the Common Fisheries Policy and would act fittingly upon evidence that sanctions do not meet the requirements set out in the legislation.

    This includes ensuring the application of the new and strengthened sanctioning rules recently introduced by Regulation (EU) 2023/2842[2] that will apply from January 2026.

    • [1]  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2009.343.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2009%3A343%3ATOC.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006 and (EC) No 1005/2008 and Regulations (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2017/2403 and (EU) 2019/473 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards fisheries control.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

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