Category: Agriculture

MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

Source: European Parliament

PV-10-2025-04-01

iPlPv_Sit

Minutes

Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg

Abbreviations and symbols

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W	withdrawn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

IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
President

1. Opening of the sitting

The sitting opened at 09:01.

2. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (debate)

European Council and Commission statements: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (2024/2980(RSP))

António Costa (President of the European Council) and Ursula von der Leyen (President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Manfred Weber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, Raphaël Glucksmann, Jean-Paul Garraud, Patryk Jaki, Billy Kelleher, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Pasquale Tridico, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Ruth Firmenich, Siegfried Mureşan, Paolo Borchia, Nicolas Bay, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Hannah Neumann, Li Andersson, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Željana Zovko, Alex Agius Saliba, Anna Bryłka, Charlie Weimers, Hilde Vautmans, Reinier Van Lanschot, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Christel Schaldemose, Gilles Pennelle, Carlo Fidanza, Svenja Hahn, Tom Berendsen (the President spoke about Siegbert Frank Droese’s behaviour following Hannah Neumann’s speech), Javier Moreno Sánchez, Harald Vilimsky, Johan Van Overtveldt, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Reinhold Lopatka, Dan Nica, Emmanouil Fragkos, Ľubica Karvašová, Danuše Nerudová, Marta Temido, Anna Zalewska, Karlo Ressler, Elio Di Rupo, François-Xavier Bellamy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Brando Benifei.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Anna Maria Cisint, Sebastian Tynkkynen, João Oliveira, Siegbert Frank Droese, Lukas Sieper, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Bruno Gonçalves and Seán Kelly.

The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) and António Costa.

The debate closed.

3. Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice (debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice (2025/2635(RSP))

The President said that there would be only one round of political group speakers and no catch-the-eye procedure or blue-card questions.

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

The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anders Vistisen, on behalf of the PfE Group, Michał Dworczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, and René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

The debate closed.

4. Amendment of the agenda

In accordance with Rule 164(2), the President proposed the following amendment of the agenda, with the agreement of the political groups:

Wednesday/Thursday

The vote on ‘Energy-intensive industries’ (item 24 on the agenda) would be held over until voting time on Thursday.

Parliament agreed to the proposal.

The agenda was amended accordingly.

(The sitting was suspended at 11:54.)

IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-President

5. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:01.

6. Voting time

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

6.1. Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements ***I (vote)

Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (COM(2025)0080 – C10-0038/2025 – 2025/0044(COD)) – JURI Committee

REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION by the PPE Group (Rule 170(6))

Approved

The following tabling deadlines had been set:

– amendments: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 13:00
– requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 19:00.

Vote: 3 April 2025.

The following had spoken:

Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group (the author of the request), and Manon Aubry against.

Detailed voting results

6.2. Request for waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová (vote)

Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová [2024/2035(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Krzysztof Śmiszek (A10-0029/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0040)

Detailed voting results

6.3. Request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron (vote)

Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron [2024/2048(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Dominik Tarczyński (A10-0030/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0041)

Detailed voting results

6.4. Request for waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik (vote)

Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik [2024/2043(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0031/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0042)

Detailed voting results

6.5. Request for waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński (vote)

Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński [2024/2046(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0032/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0043)

Detailed voting results

6.6. Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Lucian Romașcanu (vote)

Report on the nomination of Lucian Romașcanu as a Member of the Court of Auditors [05958/2025 – C10-0010/2025 – 2025/0801(NLE)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (A10-0039/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)
(Secret ballot (Rule 133(3)))

APPOINTMENT OF LUCIAN ROMAȘCANU

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0044)

The list of Members voting is annexed to these minutes (minutes of 1.4.2025 Annex 1)

Detailed voting results

6.7. Common data platform on chemicals, establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common data platform on chemicals, laying down rules to ensure that the data contained in it are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable and establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals [COM(2023)0779 – C9-0449/2023 – 2023/0453(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0018/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0045)

REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

Approved

The following had spoken:

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

Detailed voting results

6.8. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency [COM(2023)0781 – C9-0448/2023 – 2023/0454(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0019/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0046)

REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

Approved

The following had spoken:

Detailed voting results

6.9. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 401/2009, (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals [COM(2023)0783 – C9-0447/2023 – 2023/0455(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0020/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0047)

REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

Approved

The following had spoken:

Detailed voting results

6.10. Macro-financial assistance to Jordan ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan [COM(2024)0159 – C9-0146/2024 – 2024/0086(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0038/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0048)

Parliament’s first reading thus closed.

Detailed voting results

The following had spoken:

Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.

6.11. Macro-financial assistance to Egypt ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Arab Republic of Egypt [COM(2024)0461 – C10-0009/2024 – 2024/0071(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0037/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL and AMENDMENTS

Approved (P10_TA(2025)0049)

REQUEST FOR REFERRAL BACK TO COMMITTEE

Approved

Detailed voting results

Procedural motions:

– Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.

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

6.12. Customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the USA ***I (vote)

Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/196 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2018 on additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America [COM(2025)0027 – C10-0007/2025 – 2025/0012(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Bernd Lange (A10-0034/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0050)

Parliament’s first reading thus closed.

Detailed voting results

(The sitting was suspended at 12:27.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
Vice-President

7. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:31.

8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

9. CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TUE) (joint debate)

Report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – 2024 annual report [2024/2080(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: David McAllister (A10-0010/2025)
Report on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024 [2024/2082(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)

David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte introduced the reports.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).

The following spoke: Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Sven Mikser, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the ECR Group, Urmas Paet, on behalf of the Renew Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group, Rasa Juknevičienė, Tobias Cremer, António Tânger Corrêa, Alberico Gambino, Bart Groothuis, Hannah Neumann, Özlem Demirel, Marcin Sypniewski, Monika Beňová, Łukasz Kohut, Yannis Maniatis, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, Rihards Kols, Hilde Vautmans, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Lynn Boylan, Hans Neuhoff, Francisco José Millán Mon, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Nathalie Loiseau, Hanna Gedin, Salvatore De Meo, Hana Jalloul Muro, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Petras Auštrevičius, Davor Ivo Stier, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Tonino Picula, Lucia Yar, Vangelis Meimarakis, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Thijs Reuten, Marta Wcisło, Riho Terras, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Mārtiņš Staķis, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Tomislav Sokol, João Oliveira, Željana Zovko, Lukas Sieper and Michał Szczerba.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas, David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte.

The debate closed.

Vote: 2 April 2025.

10. Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 (debate)

Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 [2024/2081(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)

Isabel Wiseler-Lima introduced the report.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).

The following spoke: Abir Al-Sahlani (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Antonio López-Istúriz White, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Christophe Bay, on behalf of the PfE Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Catarina Vieira, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Kathleen Funchion, on behalf of The Left Group, Petr Bystron, on behalf of the ESN Group, Reinhold Lopatka, Elisabeth Grossmann, Silvia Sardone, Sophie Wilmès, Mounir Satouri, Alvise Pérez, Liudas Mažylis, Marco Tarquinio, András László, who also answered a blue-card question from Catarina Vieira, Loucas Fourlas, Chloé Ridel, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Hermann Tertsch, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Evin Incir and Alice Teodorescu Måwe.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lukas Sieper and Michał Wawrykiewicz.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima.

The debate closed.

Vote: 2 April 2025.

11. Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy(debate)

Commission statement: Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy (2025/2608(RSP))

Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group, Birgit Sippel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Saskia Bricmont, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giuseppe Antoci, on behalf of The Left Group, Mary Khan, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jeroen Lenaers, Thijs Reuten, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Alessandro Ciriani, Moritz Körner, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Lena Düpont, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Petra Steger, Mariusz Kamiński, François-Xavier Bellamy, Marieke Ehlers, Charlie Weimers, Javier Zarzalejos, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Dariusz Joński, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Elena Donazzan, Maciej Wąsik and Gheorghe Piperea.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, José Cepeda, João Oliveira, Sunčana Glavak, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Ana Miguel Pedro and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Henna Virkkunen (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

The debate closed.

12. EU Preparedness Union Strategy (debate)

Commission statement: EU Preparedness Union Strategy (2025/2641(RSP))

Hadja Lahbib (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO
Vice-President

The following spoke: Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roberto Vannacci, on behalf of the PfE Group, Beata Szydło, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Diana Riba i Giner, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Ana Miranda Paz, on the language used by a Member during this debate (the President agreed), Merja Kyllönen, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Lukas Mandl, Christophe Clergeau, Christophe Bay, Elena Donazzan, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ville Niinistö, Catarina Martins, Cecilia Strada, who referred to the speech of Roberto Vannacci (the President reiterated the need to respect the rules on conduct), Kostas Papadakis, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Tomislav Sokol, Heléne Fritzon, Barbara Bonte, Adrian-George Axinia, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alvise Pérez, Nathalie Loiseau, Lena Schilling, Luke Ming Flanagan, Massimiliano Salini, Annalisa Corrado, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Grégory Allione, Michał Dworczyk, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Leire Pajín, Matej Tonin, Tobias Cremer, Victor Negrescu and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Ana Miranda Paz, Cecilia Strada, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, João Oliveira and Maria Zacharia.

The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.

The debate closed.

13. Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (2025/2648(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Rody Tolassy, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Cristina Guarda, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of the The Left Group, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Marcos Ros Sempere, Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, Ciaran Mullooly, Gordan Bosanac, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper.

IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-President

The following spoke: Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Victor Negrescu, Antonella Sberna, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Christian Doleschal, Carla Tavares, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Elsi Katainen, Elena Nevado del Campo, who also answered a blue-card question from Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Estelle Ceulemans, Joachim Streit, Jacek Protas and Hannes Heide.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nikolina Brnjac, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Ana Miranda Paz, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Francisco José Millán Mon, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral and Maria Grapini.

The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

14. Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (2025/2630(RSP))

Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The following spoke: Sebastião Bugalho, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nils Ušakovs, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Irena Joveva, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Andrey Kovatchev, Francisco Assis, Hermann Tertsch, Alexandr Vondra, Dan Barna, Mary Khan, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Erik Kaliňák, who also answered a blue-card question from Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Ondřej Kolář, Robert Biedroń, Virginie Joron, Rihards Kols, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Petar Volgin, Fidias Panayiotou, Rasa Juknevičienė, Hannes Heide, Csaba Dömötör, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Laurence Farreng, Elena Yoncheva, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Fidias Panayiotou, and Julien Sanchez.

IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
Vice-President

The following spoke: Helmut Brandstätter, Mika Aaltola, Michał Kobosko, Alice Teodorescu Måwe and Tomáš Zdechovský.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Radan Kanev, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă and Gabriella Gerzsenyi.

The following spoke: Marta Kos.

The debate closed.

15. Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu (debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu (2025/2642(RSP))

Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The following spoke: Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nacho Sánchez Amor, on behalf of the S&D Group, Susanna Ceccardi, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Michalis Hadjipantela, Kathleen Van Brempt, Mathilde Androuët, Bernard Guetta, Mélissa Camara, Özlem Demirel, Reinhold Lopatka, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Željana Zovko, Nikos Papandreou, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi and Dario Nardella.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Hanna Gedin, Maria Zacharia, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Lukas Sieper and Fidias Panayiotou.

The following spoke: Marta Kos.

The debate closed.

16. Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement (debate)

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement (2025/2644(RSP))

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

The following spoke: Hildegard Bentele, on behalf of the PPE Group, Evin Incir, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Sebastiaan Stöteler, Hana Jalloul Muro, Barry Andrews, Ana Miranda Paz, Giorgos Georgiou, Ondřej Kolář, who also answered a blue-card question from Rima Hassan, and Matjaž Nemec.

IN THE CHAIR: Ewa KOPACZ
Vice-President

The following spoke: Tomáš Kubín, Leoluca Orlando, Danilo Della Valle, Céline Imart, who also answered a blue-card question from Benedetta Scuderi, Marta Temido, Saskia Bricmont, Estrella Galán, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Mimmo Lucano, and Marit Maij and Benedetta Scuderi, on the language sometimes used during this debate (the President took note).

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Davor Ivo Stier, Daniel Attard, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Vladimir Prebilič and Marc Botenga.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

The debate closed.

17. Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (2025/2612(RSP))

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

The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marit Maij, on behalf of the S&D Group, Thierry Mariani, on behalf of the PfE Group, Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mounir Satouri, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Tomasz Froelich, on behalf of the ESN Group, Wouter Beke, Francisco Assis, György Hölvényi, Alexander Sell, Nikolaos Anadiotis, Reinhold Lopatka, Anja Arndt, Ingeborg Ter Laak and Davor Ivo Stier.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Saskia Bricmont, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.

Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate: minutes of 3.4.2025, item I.

The debate closed.

Vote: 3 April 2025.

18. Explanations of vote

18.1. Written explanations of vote

Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.

19. Agenda of the next sitting

The next sitting would be held the following day, 2 April 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.

20. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

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

21. Closure of the sitting

The sitting closed at 22:07.

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

I. Documents received

The following documents had been received from committees:

– Report on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 (2024/2111(BUI)) – BUDG Committee – Rapporteur: Matjaž Nemec (A10-0048/2025)

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

Present:

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

ANNEX 1 – Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Lucian Romașcanu

MEMBERS VOTING IN THE SECRET BALLOT

ECR:
Alexandraki, Axinia, Bartulica, Bay Nicolas, Berlato, Bielan, Bocheński, Brudziński, Buda Waldemar, Cavedagna, Ciccioli, Ciriani, Crosetto, Donazzan, Dworczyk, Erixon, Fidanza, Fiocchi, Fragkos, Gambino, Geadi, Gemma, Gosiewska, Inselvini, Jaki, Junco García, Kamiński, Kartheiser, Kols, Krutílek, Madison, Magoni, Maląg, Mantovani, Maréchal, Milazzo, Mularczyk, Müller, Nesci, Ozdoba, Peltier, Picaro, Piperea, Polato, Pozņaks, Procaccini, Razza, Ruissen, Rzońca, Sberna, Solier, Squarta, Storm, Sturdza, Szydło, Tarczyński, Târziu, Teodorescu, Terheş, Timgren, Tomaszewski, Torselli, Trochu, Tynkkynen, Valchev, Van Dijck, Van Overtveldt, Veryga, Vivaldini, Vondra, Vrecionová, Wąsik, Weimers, Wiśniewska, Zalewska, Zīle, Złotowski

ESN:
Anderson, Arndt, Aust, Bausemer, Borvendég, Boßdorf, Buchheit, David, Droese, Froelich, Gražulis, Jongen, Jungbluth, Khan, Knafo, Laykova, Mazurek, Neuhoff, Sell, Stoyanov, Sypniewski, Tyszka, Uhrík, Volgin

NI:
Anadiotis, Beňová, Blaha, Braun, De Masi, Dostál, Firmenich, Geisel, Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Kaliňák, Konečná, Laššáková, Lazarus, Nikolaou-Alavanos, Panayiotou, Papadakis, Pérez, Pürner, Roth Neveďalová, Sonneborn, von der Schulenburg, Warnke, Yoncheva, Zacharia

PPE:
Aaltola, Abadía Jover, Adamowicz, Aftias, Agius, Arias Echeverría, Arimont, Arłukowicz, Beke, Beleris, Bellamy, Benjumea Benjumea, Bentele, Berendsen, Berger, Bernhuber, Bogdan, Brejza, Brnjac, Buda Daniel, Budka, Bugalho, Buła, Carberry, Casa, Caspary, Castillo, Chinnici, Crespo Díaz, Cunha, Dahl, Dávid, de la Hoz Quintano, De Meo, Doherty, Doleschal, Do Nascimento Cabral, Düpont, Ehler, Estaràs Ferragut, Ezcurra Almansa, Falcă, Falcone, Farský, Ferber, Fourlas, Gahler, Gasiuk-Pihowicz, Gerzsenyi, Geuking, Gieseke, Giménez Larraz, Glavak, González Pons, Gotink, Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Hadjipantela, Halicki, Hansen, Hava, Herbst, Herranz García, Hetman, Hohlmeier, Humberto, Imart, Jarubas, Joński, Juknevičienė, Kanev, Kemp, Kircher, Kohut, Kolář, Kollár, Kopacz, Kovatchev, Kulja, Lakos, Lazarov, Lenaers, Lexmann, Liese, Lins, Lopatka, López-Istúriz White, Łukacijewska, McAllister, Mandl, Marczułajtis-Walczak, Mato, Maydell, Mažylis, Mehnert, Meimarakis, Mertens, Millán Mon, Montserrat, Morano, Motreanu, Mureşan, Navarrete Rojas, Nerudová, Nevado del Campo, Niedermayer, Novakov, Nykiel, Pascual de la Parte, Pedro, Pereira, Pietikäinen, Polfjärd, Popescu, Princi, Protas, Radev, Radtke, Ratas, Ressler, Ripa, Salini, Salla, Saudargas, Schenk, Schwab, Seekatz, Sienkiewicz, Simon, Smit, Solís Pérez, Sommen, Sousa Silva, Stier, Szczerba, Tarr, Teodorescu Måwe, Ter Laak, Terras, Tobé, Tomašič, Tomc, Tonin, Tosi, Tsiodras, Vaidere, Van Leeuwen, Verheyen, Voss, Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Vázquez Lázara, Walsh, Walsmann, Warborn, Wawrykiewicz, Wcisło, Weber, Wechsler, Winkler, Winzig, Wiseler-Lima, Zarzalejos, Zdechovský, Zdrojewski, Zoido Álvarez, Zovko, Zver

PfE:
Androuët, Annemans, Bartůšek, Bay Christophe, Blom, Bonte, Borchia, Borrás Pabón, Brasier-Clain, Bryłka, Buczek, Buxadé Villalba, Bžoch, Ceccardi, Cisint, Dauchy, Deloge, Deutsch, Diepeveen, Dieringer, Disdier, Dömötör, Dostalova, Ehlers, Ferenc, Frigout, Furet, Gál, Garraud, Girauta Vidal, Griset, Győri, Gyürk, Haider, Hauser, Hölvényi, Jamet, Joron, Knotek, Kovařík, Krištopans, Kruis, Kubín, László, Latinopoulou, Leggeri, Leonardelli, Mariani, Mayer, Moreira de Sá, Nagyová, Pennelle, Piera, Pimpie, de la Pisa Carrión, Pokorná Jermanová, Rougé, Sanchez, Sardone, Schaller-Baross, Sorel, Stancanelli, Steger, Stöteler, Szekeres, Tânger Corrêa, Tertsch, Thionnet, Tolassy, Tovaglieri, Turek, Vandendriessche, Vannacci, Varaut, Vicsek, Vilimsky, Vistisen, Werbrouck, Zijlstra

Renew:
Agirregoitia Martínez, Allione, Al-Sahlani, Auštrevičius, Azmani, Baljeu, Barna, Bosse, Boyer, Brandstätter, Canfin, Chastel, Christensen, Cotrim De Figueiredo, Cowen, Devaux, Eroglu, Farreng, Friis, García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Gerbrandy, Glück, Goerens, Gozi, Groothuis, Grudler, Guetta, Hahn, Henriksson, Ijabs, Joveva, Karlsbro, Karvašová, Katainen, Kelleher, Keller, Kobosko, Körner, Kulmuni, Kyuchyuk, Loiseau, McNamara, Minchev, Mullooly, Ní Mhurchú, Ódor, Oetjen, Paet, Petrov, Šarec, Singer, Strack-Zimmermann, Streit, Stürgkh, Tomac, Toom, Van Brug, van den Berg, Vasconcelos, Vasile-Voiculescu, Vautmans, Vedrenne, Verougstraete, Wiesner, Wiezik, Wilmès, Yar, Žalimas

S&D:
Agius Saliba, Andriukaitis, Angel, Annunziata, Arnaoutoglou, Assis, Attard, Bajada, Ballarín Cereza, Barley, Benifei, Biedroń, Bischoff, Blinkevičiūtė, Bonaccini, Borzan, Bullmann, Burkhardt, Cârciu, Cepeda, Ceulemans, Chahim, Clergeau, Corrado, Costanzo, Cremer, Cristea, Danielsson, Decaro, Dibrani, Dîncu, Di Rupo, Dobrev, Ecke, Eriksson, Fernández, Firea, Fita, Fuglsang, Gálvez, García Pérez, Geier, Germain, Glucksmann, Gomes, Gómez López, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, Gori, Grapini, Grossmann, Gualmini, Guzenina, Heide, Heinäluoma, Homs Ginel, Incir, Jalloul Muro, Jerković, Jouvet, Kalfon, Kaljurand, Lalucq, Lange, Laurent, Laureti, López, López Aguilar, Luena, Lupo, Maestre, Maij, Maniatis, Maran, Mebarek, Mendes, Mikser, Molnár, Moreno Sánchez, Moretti, Muşoiu, Nardella, Negrescu, Nemec, Nica, Noichl, Ó Ríordáin, Pajín, Papandreou, Pellerin-Carlin, Penkova, Picula, Rafowicz, Regner, Repasi, Repp, Reuten, Ricci, Ridel, Rodrigues, Ros Sempere, Sánchez Amor, Sancho Murillo, Sargiacomo, Schaldemose, Scheuring-Wielgus, Schieder, Serrano Sierra, Sidl, Sippel, Śmiszek, Strada, Tarquinio, Temido, Tinagli, Tobback, Topo, Ušakovs, Van Brempt, Vešligaj, Vigenin, Vind, Wölken, Wolters, Zingaretti

The Left:
Andersson, Antoci, Arvanitis, Aubry, Barrena Arza, Botenga, Boylan, Carême, Chaibi, Clausen, Della Valle, Demirel, Everding, Farantouris, Flanagan, Fourreau, Funchion, Furore, Galán, Georgiou, Hassan, Kennes, Kountoura, Kyllönen, Lucano, Martins, Mesure, Montero, Morace, Oliveira, Omarjee, Palmisano, Pappas, Pedulla’, Rackete, Salis, Saramo, Schirdewan, Sjöstedt, Smith, Tamburrano, Tridico

Verts/ALE:
Andresen, Asens Llodrà, Bloss, Boeselager, Bosanac, Bricmont, Camara, Cavazzini, Cormand, Eickhout, Freund, Geese, Gregorová, Guarda, Häusling, Holmgren, Kuhnke, Langensiepen, Lövin, Marino, Marquardt, Marzà Ibáñez, Matthieu, Metz, Miranda Paz, Neumann, Niinistö, Nordqvist, Ohisalo, Orlando, Paulus, Peter-Hansen, Prebilič, Reintke, Riba i Giner, Riehl, Satouri, Sbai, Schilling, Scuderi, Sinkevičius, Søvndal, Staķis, Ştefănuță, Strik, Strolenberg, Tegethoff, Toussaint, Van Lanschot, Van Sparrentak, Vieira, Waitz

MIL OSI Europe News –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Multiannual financial framework and Common Agricultural Policy – E-000680/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
In line with the communication on the road to the next multiannual financial framework (MFF)[1], the Commission will ensure that the upcoming MFF is simpler, more focused and aligned with EU priorities.

The communication highlights the importance of food security and nature protection for sustaining Europe’s quality of life and emphasises that a Common Agricultural Policy that is fit for purpose must provide targeted support to farmers who need it most, promote positive environmental and social outcomes through rewards and incentives for ecosystem services and support the right enabling conditions for thriving rural areas.

It must find the right balance between incentives, investment and regulation, and ensure that farmers have a fair and sufficient income.

The Commission is currently working on the next MFF and it intends to present the next financial framework in July 2025. Effective design of the next MFF requires involving various stakeholders.

The Commission’s approach involves structured dialogues, thematic public consultations, and active citizen engagement, all aimed at gathering diverse inputs early in the process. This ensures that funding is tailored to regional conditions and sectoral needs.

The Vision for Agriculture and Food[2] also provides a long-term policy perspective on EU agriculture and food, which will guide the design of the future Common Agricultural Policy.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=celex:52025DC0046

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075
Last updated: 2 April 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EU budget priorities for 2026: resilience and preparedness

Source: European Parliament 3

MEPs adopted their priorities for the 2026 EU budget on Wednesday, emphasising defence, prosperity and sustainability.

MEPs endorsed Parliament’s guidelines for the 2026 EU budget by 441 votes in favour, 173 against, and with 70 abstentions, saying that next year’s budget should focus on strategic preparedness and security, economic competitiveness and resilience, sustainability, climate, and the single market. They want to see additional investment in research, innovation, enterprises, health, energy, migration, border protection, digital and green transitions, job creation and opportunities for young people.

In the adopted text, MEPs call for improved EU security, cybersecurity and defence capabilities, and funding for dual-use transport infrastructure. They demand proper support for farmers and also stress the importance of implementing the Asylum and Migration Pact. The text states that the EU’s economic resilience and sustainability depends on boosting public and private investment, increasing innovation, closing the skills gap and stepping up industrial production in Europe.

Health, Ukraine and debt repayment

Among other investment priorities, the guidelines call for continued support for health programmes and crisis preparedness, educational and cultural programmes to empower young people, and proper use of EU funds while upholding the rule of law.

MEPs also underline the need for sufficient resources given the sudden drop in international funding, and pledge unconditional and full support for Ukraine. They are concerned that repayment of the borrowing costs of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan must not lead to a reduction in EU programmes and funds.

Finally, while the 2026 budget has limited flexibility, as it is second to last in the 2021-2027 long-term EU budget, MEPs argue that, amid significant geopolitical changes and the worsening effects of climate change, the EU budget remains crucial in ensuring stability for Europeans, supporting established policies and providing for strategic priorities such as defence and security.

More details in this press release.

Quote

“After tough negotiations between our political groups, we have produced well-balanced guidelines that respect the values and ideals of all the groups. Our compromise underlines key priorities, including defence, security, energy, competitiveness, agriculture, economic resilience, crisis response, health, democracy, and a stronger Union in a changing world. We have delivered a strong position, showing the Commission and the Council that Parliament is a serious player, fully prepared to defend the priorities of our citizens,” said rapporteur Andrzej Halicki (EPP, PL).

Next steps

The Commission is expected to present its proposal for next year’s budget in June 2025. Parliament’s negotiators will use the guidelines as the basis for their discussions with the Council and the Commission. The budget needs to be agreed between the Council and the Parliament by the end of this year.

Background

The annual budget lays down all the EU’s expenditure and revenue for one year within the limits fixed by its seven-year budget. The budget guidelines set out what Parliament expects the Commission to take into account when drawing up its budget proposal.

MIL OSI Europe News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ODIHR opens election observation mission in Albania

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: ODIHR opens election observation mission in Albania

TIRANA, 2 April 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 11 May parliamentary elections in Albania, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
The mission is headed by Ambassador Lamberto Zannier and consists of a core team of 12 international experts based in Tirana and 26 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 10 April. ODIHR will also request 300 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day.
The mission will assess the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.
Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the election, including developments before and after election day. Specific areas of focus will include the implementation of the legal framework, the campaign, including on social networks, the work of the election administration at all levels, the resolution of election disputes, and media coverage. The observers will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.
Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.
On election day, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of votes and the tabulation of results.
An interim report will be published some two weeks prior to the election, and the day after the election the mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report with an assessment of the entire election process and containing recommendations will be published some months after the election.
Media contacts:
Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: katya.andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266
Elma Šehalić, Media Analyst: elma.sehalic@odihr.al or +355 68 209 3931

MIL OSI Europe News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tree planting days set

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Two Country Parks Hiking & Planting Day events will be held in April and May.

Jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department and Friends of the Country Parks, the events will take place on April 27 at Pak Sha Wan Peninsula, Ma On Shan Country Park and May 4 at Wong Nai Tun Irrigation Reservoir, Tai Lam Country Park.

People can enrol at the designated registration point on-site from 9am to 10.30am on the event day. Pre-registration is not required.

Seedlings and planting tools will be provided.

Click here for details.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moskino Cinema Park to Host Student Filming Days

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

On the weekend of April 5 and 6, the Moskino cinema park will become a creative territory for young filmmakers and anyone who wants to get to know the world of cinema better.

Make your own film and meet experienced filmmakers

Camera operators, directors and producers will be able to film their course and diploma theses for free on location at the Moscow Cathedral Square cinema park, Prince Andrey’s Chambers, the area near the Tu-154 aircraft and the natural chromakey, as well as in the Moscow of the 1940s set. For filming you need register.

On April 5, from 15:00 to 16:00, the educational center will host a lecture by Irina Glebova, Dean of the Production Department of the Institute of Cinema and Television (GITR). The winner of numerous awards will talk to the audience about detective films and the principles of creating such films. On April 6, from 15:00 to 16:00, producer Pavel Kirillov will talk to the audience about the creative aspects of producing films and television, and will also answer questions.

From 17:00 to 18:00, the Gonzaga Theatre will host a creative evening with theatre and film actor and stage fencing teacher Sergei Chudakov, who will talk about the acting profession, participation in projects, and show fencing tricks.

On the second floor of the educational center on April 5 and 6 at 13:00 and 15:30, two master classes are planned: on makeup (it will be conducted by Svetlana Shevtsova) and on creating hairstyles (Irina Konovalova will teach). During the classes, you can learn how makeup is applied to professional actresses and how original images of heroines are created through styling. Participation is included in the cost of an entrance ticket to the cinema park. You can buy it by link.

Remember your childhood or feel like a student

This weekend, the baroque Gonzaga Theatre will host the play When I’m Little Again, performed by the Little Family Theatre. On April 5, viewers will be able to see the production at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, and on April 6, at 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Visitors will be treated to a story about childhood memories, filled with joy, carefree pranks, and bright dreams.

Fans of tasks on logic, speed and attention will be able to take part in the quest “Time for a retake”. They will have to remember the school curriculum and answer a number of questions, imagining themselves as a student at an exam. This quest will appeal not only to schoolchildren and students, but also to those who have long since graduated. In addition, children and teenagers will be interested in the games “Record Book”, “Retake” and others. In the relay race “Record Book” participants will need to balance on one leg and juggle balls, and in the game “Retake” you will need to unite into a team to confuse the teacher and prevent him from taking the cheat sheet. Guests of the cinema park will also find many other similar games.

On both days at 12:00 and 15:35, master classes on creating postcards from colored soap will be held in the central square, at 13:10 and 16:45 — paintings on cardboard using texture paste, and at 14:20 and 17:55, participants will mold magical characters from airy plasticine. Attendance at the events is included in the price of the entrance ticket to the cinema park.

Join the production and see the long-awaited premieres

On the locations of “Berlin Streets” and “Moscow in the 1940s”, staged filming based on the Soviet films “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson” and “Operation Y and Shurik’s Other Adventures” will once again take place, and everyone is invited to join in. You can play in one of the scenes from the film in a movie costume and with props, as well as receive photos and a video as a souvenir, throughout the weekend. Participation is included in the price of the entrance ticket to the cinema park.

On April 5 and 6, the Moskino Kinopark cinema invites you to screen the most anticipated Russian films of this spring. The program includes the comedy Batya 2. Ded, a continuation of the beloved story about family, growing up and nostalgia for childhood. In the film Palma-2, viewers will experience exciting adventures. This is a story about a boy, his faithful shepherd and a bear cub who have to go through the dangers of the forest. Young dreamers will be delighted with The Frog Princess, a kind and funny fairy tale about how miracles happen if you believe in them. Fans of historical films will enjoy the drama The Prophet. The History of Alexander Pushkin, a new look at the life of the great poet. Tickets are already on sale on the website.

You can get to the Moskino cinema park not only by your own car, but also by free transport. Buses run every 25 minutes on routes M1 and M2 from the Salaryevo and Teply Stan metro stations. You can find out more about the route and see the schedule on the cinema park’s website in the section “How to get there”.

The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been equipped, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow in the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others.

The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

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

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

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152080073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 2, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Blocking Trump Administration from Unlawfully Terminating Federal Employees

Source: US State of California Department of Justice

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today released a statement after the issuance of a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump Administration from conducting unlawful mass terminations of federal probationary employees who live or work in California.

“The Trump Administration’s callous and reckless mass firings of federal employees have harmed thousands of employees and families including many veterans in our state who have dutifully served their country in uniform,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s decision is an important victory for the rule of law, which blocks the administration from terminating federal employees without lawfully required notice. California will continue to fight to protect our federal workforce, and the services Californians rely on.”

Background

Last month, Attorney General Bonta joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for conducting an illegal mass firing of federal employees. Soon after, the U.S. District Court for Maryland granted a temporary restraining order that barred the Trump Administration’s unlawful mass firing of federal employees from 18 federal agencies from taking effect and ordering the employees’ reinstatement. Today’s order prevents the federal agencies listed below from conducting during the pendency of the lawsuit unlawful mass firings of federal employees who live or work in California and requires the reinstatement of any affected employees who have not already been reinstated. The order also extends the injunction to encompass employees from the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management.

Department of Agriculture	Department of Transportation
Department of Commerce	Department of Treasury
Department of Defense	Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Education	Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Department of Energy	Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Health and Human Services	Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Department of Homeland Security	General Services Administration
Department of Housing and Urban Development	Office of Personnel Management
Department of Interior	Small Business Administration
Department of Labor	United States Agency for International Development

Nationally, there are more than 5.1 million federal workers. Nearly all federal employees serve a one-or two-year probationary period, and more than 200,000 are on probationary status across the federal government. In California, numerous federal employees serve in critical roles across key agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others.

The abrupt, pretextual termination of federal employees was not only unlawful but also disrupted essential government services from support for veterans and farmers to protection of our cherished national parks and lands. This action also had far reaching economic effects. Specifically, in California, federal employees heavily contribute to our economy by paying state income taxes and generating substantial local revenue. As a direct result of the Trump Administration’s unlawful actions, the state Employment Development Department was forced to commit substantial human and financial resources to quickly offer unemployment and reemployment assistance and information to wrongfully displaced workers. During the month of February 2025, coinciding with the layoffs, California saw a 149% increase in state unemployment benefit claims by federal workers.

Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, in securing the preliminary injunction.

A copy of the court’s order can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: ADB’s Work in Water: Overview of Water Operations

Source: Asia Development Bank

Transcript

Water is life. It quenches our thirst, powers our progress, and feeds nature.

With countless rivers, vast oceans, and thundering storms, water can seem infinite.

But for over 2 billion people in Asia and the Pacific, their daily relationship with water is one of struggle and hardship.

NORIO SAITO

Despite many achievements in Asia and the Pacific, 1.5 billion people in rural areas and 600 million more in urban areas still lack basic water supply and safely managed sanitation services. ADB is working to improve water security and resilience in the region by supporting sustainable service delivery. From 2014 to 2023, ADB committed a total of 23.5 billion U.S. dollars to the water sector across the region to benefit the lives of 654 million people.

QINGFENG ZHANG

The water-food-energy nexus is emerging as a critical issue in Asia and the Pacific. Agriculture is the biggest consumer of water in Asia. As of 2021, ADB has allocated 2 billion U.S. dollars to irrigation, 1 billion U.S. dollars to water-based natural resources management, and 477 million U.S. dollars to rural flood protection.

SATOSHI ISHII

ADB has been a long-standing partner in finding solutions for our developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific. Attaining the SDGs also means collaborating with other institutions and organizations, opening new channels for financing and encouraging public and private partnerships.

VIVEK RAMAN

80 percent of the wastewater generated in Asian cities is disposed of, untreated into our water bodies, making our sanitation services ineffective and more importantly our water bodies unsafe. In line with SDGs 6 and 11, ADB’s work prioritizes the provision of basic sanitation services, wastewater management, urban drainage and flood management, and solid waste management in Asia’s cities.

YASMIN SIDDIQI

In already arid countries like those in the Central West Asia region, water scarcity exacerbated by climate change is not only a food and water security issue but a transboundary challenge. ADB’s Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, CAREC, aims to develop a climate resilient framework for member countries in Central Asia region. This will enhance knowledge and technology transfer to support improved water resources and energy management.

NEETA POKHREL

Every year thousands of people are displaced in fragile and conflict-affected situations and small island developing states due to water-related climate and disaster events. How can we make informed investment decisions in this challenging environment? Therefore, ADB applies flexible business processes, we encourage field presence, and we implement in-depth analytics to better understand fragility and help our clients implement these.

FATIMA MABOR BAUTISTA

In 2022, ADB announced the Asia and the Pacific Water Resilience Initiative, an ambition to mobilize more than 200 million financing from internal sources and external partners to leverage 10 billion climate adaptation financing for ADB water sector operations from 2021 to 2030.

TANYA HUIZER

The Water Financing Partnership Facility, or WFPF, supports the Asia and the Pacific Resilience Initiative in accelerating implementation of sustainable development goals. With contributions from financing partners such as the Government of Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WFPF has helped ADB to do business as unusual.

NORIO SAITO

To achieve ADB’s vision of prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, providing sound water management and reliable services to the vulnerable is of vital importance. We at ADB are committed to seeing this vision to fruition.

END CREDITS

MIL OSI Global Banks –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nominee

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Lieutenant General John D. “Razin” Caine, nominee to be general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing. Sen. Tuberville and General Caine discussed the importance of being impartial when advising the President of the United States on national security matters, as well as working with our nation’s military academies to build a higher standard of leadership and excellence for the next generation of warfighters.
Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below and watch on YouTube and Rumble.

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, General, for being here, your service, and congratulations on your nomination. You’re nominated to be the senior military adviser to the President of the United States. What a chore. I remember a time when generals and retired senior officers would avoid political discussions.
It was extremely uncommon for a former senior officer to even endorse a candidate for political office. Lately, that approach seems to be an exception, not the rule. You know, some of your predecessors even appear to support political positions while in uniform. Your predecessor was deeply involved in politics, which should not be part of this approach. General Caine, in your own words, how would you describe to this committee the importance of your responsibility and commitment to provide the best military advice, even when that advice might differ from what the President of the United States believes?”
GEN. CAINE: “Well, Senator, thank you for that question. It ultimately is, the whole job, is to be the principal military adviser to the President. And pursuant to that job, provide the President with best military advice, even when the President may have different feelings about it. And that is exactly what the nation pays me to do. So, if confirmed, that is exactly what I’ll do.”
TUBERVILLE: “General, when you take this job, what’s your number one concern?”
GEN. CAINE: “Senator, right now, the number one concern is the passage of time. And ensuring that the joint force is ready, properly armed with the right capabilities out at the tactical edge, properly, globally integrated with the services themselves, with the other elements of the interagency, with our allies and partners, and with the private sector and ready to go tonight. And that means their families are ready. They’re ready. They’re properly trained and equipped. So, we have much to do, Senator.”
TUBERVILLE: “We all know that the machines that we build, the guns, and the bullets that we have, everything is at the disposal of the warfighter. […] Recruiting has much improved in the last couple of months. What do you see your role as an adviser to the President in recruiting for all of our military?”
GEN. CAINE: “Well, Senator, we don’t have much of a military without the incredible 2.8 million members of the joint force that selflessly joined the service to do something more important than themselves. And, you know, to answer your question, if confirmed, I think it’s an opportunity for me to be another voice of encouragement for those young men and women who have the capability and meet the standards to come into the service. And do something that they will forever hold so high in their past history. The chance to serve this nation is a special privilege for those of us that have come into the cloth of our nation and served, and I hope that I’ll be able to encourage others to do so.”
TUBERVILLE: “Being the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Personnel [in the Senate Armed Services Committee], we had a hearing last week with our Academies—[Westpoint], Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. I would hope in the future, and I know your job is to inform our President and keep him advised of everything. But I think that your job too would be able to work with our academies in terms of our leadership, help build that leadership to a higher standard. To keep it to a higher standard, to build, and let our young men and women know that that’s where it all starts. If we don’t have leadership, we don’t have anything.
And I think that’s a good point, you know, that’s passed on to the President. Obviously, the information you give to the President is going to be number one but also build and help build our military is going be a huge part, I think, of your job. What do you think?”
GEN. CAINE: “I agree, sir.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall in Agriculture Committee Hearing: Bring Back Whole Milk to American Schools

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) participated in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing today on his legislation, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This bipartisan bill would bring back whole and reduced milk to American schools.
Senator Marshall highlighted the health benefits of consuming whole milk and how it ties into the Make America Healthy Again movement, which focuses on transparency, increasing access to whole, nutritious foods, and improving the health outcomes of all Americans.
Senator Marshall is an OB-GYN with over 25 years of experience practicing medicine. He is also the founder and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again Caucus.

[embedded content]

Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full line of questioning.
Highlights from the hearing include:
On the importance of whole milk to the Make America Healthy Again movement:
Senator Marshall: “We all came to Congress with a reason, and I sat down on my first day and had a list of 10 things I wanted to do when I got here. You know… save Medicare, save Medicaid, balance the budget, and get whole milk back in school. So, this is a great day for us to have a hearing on this, and I do appreciate the members of the Ag Committee coming here and having this discussion…”
“I think about whole milk growing up, where my grandparents delivered milk to us two or three times a week, and it was just part of our diet… and how important whole milk is.
“You think about the MAHA movement, the Make America Healthy Again movement, it’s about whole foods. And I think we could characterize whole milk as part of that MAHA movement as well. I think about the fat-soluble vitamins, which are so important, that we have to have some fat in our body to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K.”
On the health benefits of whole milk:
Senator Marshall: “I’m going to just talk a little bit more about healthy fats. And some of the good things about these healthy fats is [they help] with hormone production. So think about adolescents going through puberty, those types of things. So there’s good fats that help with that hormone production. Also, there are good studies to show that healthy fats also decrease your appetite for later that it has some satiety impact. Would you agree or expand on those thoughts?”
Dr. Eve Stoody, Director of Nutrition Guidance and Analysis Division, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at United States Department of Agriculture: “I am aware of that research. We haven’t addressed it directly in the dietary guidelines, but I’m aware of the research that you’re referencing. So yes.”
Senator Marshall: “You also would agree with me that whole milk has small amounts of omega-three fatty acids, which support brain health and inflammation control as well?”
Dr. Stoody: “Yes, the dietary guidelines actually recommend for those one to two years of age that plain whole milk be the type of dairy that is consumed because of the importance of whole milk to supporting brain development, and then after that point, the recommendation is to move towards lower fat.
“There’s a bit of an evidence gap as to exactly when that transition to lower fat options might be most beneficial, but there’s definitely benefits of plain whole milk, particularly in young children, to supporting brain development.”
On the decrease of milk consumption:
Senator Marshall: “Well, association doesn’t necessarily determine the cause, but I think as we saw whole milk come off of the school lunch menus, we also saw consumption of milk come down consistently.
“Senator Durbin makes a good point about… it has to taste good… I don’t know that I’m aware of any good studies either proving my point, but certainly it seems to me that whole milk tastes a whole lot better, and that we’ve seen milk consumption go down when whole milk was taken out of the school lunches. Would that be accurate?”
Dr. Stoody: “I don’t have data for specifically school meals, and what has happened since, for example, 2010, 2012 when it moved towards just low fat and fat-free. But we do see that, as you mentioned at the national level, we see that milk consumption really drinking fluid milk starting to decline in the early 2000s and it has continued to decline. And I think it is very concerning, that current consumption in adolescence is about half a cup lower per day than it was, you know, two decades ago, right?”
On osteoporosis, osteopenia due to lack of milk consumption:
Senator Marshall: “I still want to make the point about my concern about osteoporosis and osteopenia, that bone mass density peaks around age 28, and what we’re seeing now is a generation of people reaching that age that didn’t drink milk and their bone density is down to standard deviation. Maybe it’s more than that.
“So while today, most women start developing osteopenia. And when you reach that peak bone mass at age 28 the rest of our life, that aging process starts. It’s really hard to build bone mass beyond then. So we’re going to have women develop osteopenia, osteoporosis a decade sooner, and we’re going to see men suddenly also have osteopenia as well.”

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Group Therapy Could Be NZ’s Mental Health Game-Changer

Source: MindMatters Clinic

I Am Hope and MindMatters Clinic have joined forces to shed light on the underutilised potential of group therapy in New Zealand’s mental health system. The newly conducted national study reveals that group therapy is a cost-effective, scalable solution to addressing the country’s growing mental health needs—yet a lack of funding and support is preventing widespread adoption.

The study surveyed nearly 100 mental health professionals who have run or currently run group therapy sessions. Findings show that group therapy costs an average of just $41 per session per person, making it significantly more affordable than traditional one-on-one therapy. Despite its affordability and demonstrated effectiveness, the study found that hundreds of practitioners want to run group sessions but lack the necessary resources to do so.

Dr. Louise Cowpertwait, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Founder and CEO of MindMatters.clinic, says there is a clear opportunity to meet unmet need with a proven solution:

“Common mental health conditions, like major depression, generalised anxiety, and social anxiety, cause immense suffering in Aotearoa, yet we underutilise group treatment programmes. We know these programmes are effective and can reach more people than the traditional one-to-one approach. We also know we have therapists wanting to deliver them. This is an amazing opportunity! With the right investment and support, evidence-based group therapies could expand access to life-changing treatment and help create a mental health system that works better for everyone.”

Sebastian White, Research and Development Lead at I Am Hope, also sees an urgent need for innovative, scalable solutions:

“The current system isn’t meeting demand, and we need to start looking at evidence-based, scalable interventions like group therapy. Our goal is to identify and support best-practice mental health initiatives that have the greatest impact. This report highlights an opportunity to deliver more accessible and effective mental health support to those who need it most.”

With mental health concerns on the rise, the report calls for greater investment in group therapy programs, urging policymakers and funders to support initiatives that make professional mental health care more widely available.

The full report has been registered with the National Library and was released publicly on 1 April 2025. I Am Hope and MindMatters Clinic hope that these findings will inspire a sector-wide push toward funding and integrating group therapy into mainstream mental health services.

About I Am Hope

I Am Hope is a mental health advocacy organisation dedicated to providing mental health support to young New Zealanders. Through initiatives like Gumboot Friday and public awareness campaigns, I Am Hope challenges stigma and pushes for practical solutions in mental health care.

About MindMatters Clinic

MindMatters Clinic is a leading provider of psychological services in New Zealand, focusing on innovative approaches to mental health care. The clinic supports organisations and communities to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based mental health solutions.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Pushes Trump Administration to Deliver Dairy Farmers Fair Share of Bipartisan Disaster Relief

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin called on the Trump Administration to provide immediate relief for dairy farmers in Wisconsin. Congressionally approved funding must be released to help farmers deal with extreme weather that is driving up costs and jeopardizing small- and medium-sized operations across the state. Late last year, Republicans and Democrats in Congress passed the American Relief Act, a measure that extended the 2018 Farm Bill and provided $31 billion in aid for farmers, including $21 billion in disaster funding. Senator Baldwin called on the Trump Administration to expedite getting those funds to Wisconsin Dairy farmers and producers who have been impacted by extreme weather – including drought and flooding – which has impacted livestock and driven up the cost of feed among other challenges.

“Over the past few years, Wisconsin has lost one to two dairy farms a day to bankruptcy, and family farmers have done everything in their power to keep their livestock healthy, feed their families, and maintain farm operations,” wrote Senator Baldwin in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brook Rollins. “However, it is not getting any easier for the industry due to mounting financial stress from severe weather, market instability, and increased input costs. The disaster aid funding included in the American Relief Act is an opportunity for your agency to make good on the bipartisan promise to provide much needed relief. Dairy farmers and producers in Wisconsin deserve a fair share of the disaster assistance to help mitigate the devastating losses they have incurred these last two years.”

In her letter, Senator Baldwin demanded USDA make this disaster relief available quickly to farmers in a way that recognizes the challenges and diverse needs of the dairy industry. This includes the unique impacts of severe weather and milk loss on the whole industry, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, including delivering aid to organic and conventional dairy farmers, as well as processors. Senator Baldwin also called on the Trump Administration to consider the financial impact of feed availability as a result of severe weather and the subsequent loss of dairy production when administering disaster relief.

“The dairy industry is the backbone of Wisconsin’s rural communities and our economy. Wisconsin’s dairy farmers provide vital nutrition and food security for families and children across the nation,” concluded Senator Baldwin. “It is imperative that they receive the assistance that Congress directed in the American Relief Act to weather these difficult times, in a manner that is both timely and meets the needs of diverse industry partners.”

A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rollins:

I am writing to bring your attention to the need for disaster relief for dairy farmers, particularly those in Wisconsin. The unprecedented weather conditions over the past few years have severely impacted Wisconsin farmers and producers at no fault of their own. I am requesting that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administer the remaining disaster aid Congress provided in the bipartisan American Relief Act expeditiously and in a manner that meets the diverse needs of the dairy industry.

Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland, has faced increasingly severe weather in the past two years. In 2023, unprecedented flooding, unseasonably cold temperatures, and irregular precipitation caused extensive damage to dairy farms, impacting both on-farm infrastructure and feed quality for herds. These conditions, compounded by high input costs and market instability, placed extreme financial pressure on Wisconsin dairy farmers. The following year brought another round of extreme weather, including severe drought and flooding conditions. Fields were saturated for extended periods of time during the growing season, damaging crops or making it impossible to plant. Wisconsin leads the nation in silage production, and the lost growing season created additional costs in supplemental feed for herds.

Over the past few years, Wisconsin has lost one to two dairy farms a day to bankruptcy, and family farmers have done everything in their power to keep their livestock healthy, feed their families, and maintain farm operations. However, it is not getting any easier for the industry due to mounting financial stress from severe weather, market instability, and increased input costs. The disaster aid funding included in the American Relief Act is an opportunity for your agency to make good on the bipartisan promise to provide much needed relief. Dairy farmers and producers in Wisconsin deserve a fair share of the disaster assistance to help mitigate the devastating losses they have incurred these last two years.

Therefore, I urge USDA to ensure that the disaster aid made available through the American Relief Act is allocated expeditiously and in a way that recognizes the challenges of this diverse industry. The agency should consider the unique impacts of severe weather and milk loss on the whole industry, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. Any final package should include aid for organic and conventional dairy farmers, as well as processors. Moreover, I ask that the agency take into consideration the financial impact of feed availability as a result of severe weather and the subsequent loss of dairy production.

The dairy industry is the backbone of Wisconsin’s rural communities and our economy. Wisconsin’s dairy farmers provide vital nutrition and food security for families and children across the nation. It is imperative that they receive the assistance that Congress directed in the American Relief Act to weather these difficult times, in a manner that is both timely and meets the needs of diverse industry partners. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Lemon planting industry thrives in Ruili, Yunnan

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

Lemon planting industry thrives in Ruili, Yunnan

Updated: April 2, 2025 07:21 Xinhua

An aerial drone photo shows farmers working at a lemon planting base in Ruili, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 31, 2025. Based on its unique natural advantages, Ruili has upgraded its lemon planting industry through large-scale planting, technology empowerment and the whole industrial chain. As of the end of 2024, the lemon planting area in Ruili had reached 28,000 mu (about 1,867 hectares) with an annual output value of 114 million yuan (about 15.7 million U.S. dollars). The industry also created jobs for more than 3,000 households. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows farmers packing freshly-picked lemons at a lemon planting base in Ruili, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows farmers checking lemons at a lemon processing workshop in Ruili, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, March 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to report on regenerative agricultural practices in the UK

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

April 2, 2025

A report published by the British Ecological Society looks at regenerative agricultural practices in the UK.

Prof Neil Ward, Professor of Rural & Regional Development, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, said:

“The press release is an accurate reflection of the main findings in the report. This is a good report. It has been produced by a large group of independent scientific experts and is based on a review of the state of the scientific evidence. It includes insights from interviews with eleven farmers and one independent agronomist.

“It comes from an ecological perspective. It has less to say about the economics of farming systems change, and the implications of farming systems change for greenhouse gas emissions and the prospects of the UK achieving net zero (despite the fact that agricultural practices will be important in the net zero transition).

“Regenerative agriculture is becoming increasingly popular as an idea among farmers and pressure groups. However, it remains loosely defined. This report provides some welcome new material to help improve the clarity of discussions around regenerative agriculture. One revealing comment is that regenerative agriculture is a direction of travel rather than an end-state.

“The report suggests that minimising the exposure of bare soil is an important principle in reducing the detrimental environmental impacts of contemporary farming.

“It also sees increasing diversity in crops grown as a central measure in reducing harmful environmental impacts.

“What the report does not do is shed light on the scale of the contribution regenerative agriculture could make to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture is currently accounts for about 11% of UK GHG emissions, but as we decarbonise electricity generation and road transport, so the proportion of emissions that come from agriculture is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades.

“Changes to farming practice through regenerative agriculture, though welcome, will not be enough on their own to bring agriculture into line with the UK’s carbon budget and its net zero goal. That will require a significant change in what is produced and consumed. For example, the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget, published in late February, suggested a 38% reduction in the number of sheep and cattle reared in the UK.

“This report helps sharpen and develop the working definition of regenerative agriculture, which has been open to broad interpretation. The model of farming it espouses is necessary to address UK farming’s biodiversity crisis, but not sufficient to adequately address the climate crisis too. That would require larger-scale change in the types of crops and animals produced.”

Dr Emma Burnett, Agriculture and Sustainability Researcher, Fielden Whisky and Honorary Research Associate, TABLE, University of Oxford, said:

“This report provides a good overview of regenerative agriculture, including both academic and practical perspectives. It captures the potential benefits and concerns, including regen ag’s appeal to a wide audience, the appetite from farmers to engage in regen ag, the potential for ‘no harm done’ on-farm changes, and the very real concerns about corporate capture and greenwashing.

“The report adds to the growing body of literature that treats regen ag as a serious player in sustainable food and farming. It highlights both the beneficial elements of regen ag, as well as areas where more data is required, or where the data conflicts with assumptions. The report takes a nuanced view of regen ag, identifying that although a whole systems approach may deliver the best outcomes, farmers can sometimes only engage in a subset of practices. It identifies objectives that farmers are likely to engage through regen ag, like reducing tillage or incorporating understories and cover cropping, and highlights whether those practices have evidence of payoff over time. It also provides policy recommendations for a range of actors, including national governments, the private sector, and third-party certification schemes.”

Prof John Quinton, Professor of Soil Science, Lancaster University, said:

“The report suggests that the evidence for minimising soil disturbance on regenerative outcomes is weak. This seems to have been based largely on its controversial role as a potential tool in sequestering carbon, which has been shown to be soil and climate dependent i.e. success depends on where are you in the world are and what soil you have. However, it is very clear that minimising soil disturbances an excellent way of reducing soil erosion by water and an even better way of stopping the movement on soils on hillslopes caused by tillage, which can lead to damaging thinning of soils, reducing water supply to crops during droughts, the later point being completely missed in the report. Where they work, reduced tillage systems are a great way to conserve the soil and the report is perhaps overly pessimistic about their potential.

“Residue management does not get mentioned in the report at all, which is an oversight given the important role that residue can play in protecting the soil surface, enhancing soil structure and reducing erosion. It also reduces water losses in times of drought which has been shown to help reduce air temperatures. There is also evidence showing benefits for carbon sequestration and soil biology.

“It is good to see the prominence given to maintaining a live vegetation cover through the winter. We have known for many years that vegetation protects the soil surface from rainfall, and the roughness it produces slows runoff controlling erosion and lowering the risk of muddy floods. We need to learn more about the relative benefits to soil functioning of returning more organic matter from both the above and belowground plant biomass to the soil, and how plant diversity impacts on this in different environments.”

‘Regenerative Agriculture in the UK – An ecological perspecitve’ was published by the British Ecological Society at 00:01 Wednesday April 2 2025.

Declared interests:

Prof Neil Ward “I am funded by UKRI to co-lead a large network of 3,000 researchers and practitioners working on the UK agri-food system and net zero (https://www.agrifood4netzero.net/). I do not have any conflicts of interest and have not worked with any of the authors of the report.”

Prof John Quinton “I have worked and published on soil erosion and its control for the last 30 years. In the 1990s directly on the impact of reduced tillage on carbon, nutrient losses, and soil erosion. I have worked on the impact of tillage on soil redistribution, water availability and crop yield and have had a series of PhD students working on plant diversity on cover crops. My work has been funded by the EU, Defra, NERC, BBSRC, EPSRC. In the late 90s early 00s I did some research on cover crops for Syngenta.”

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Ecological Society Report – Regenerative Agriculture in the UK: An Ecological Perspective
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

April 2, 2025

Over the last decade the concept of regenerative agriculture has attracted increasing attention from farmers, governments and corporations as a more nature-friendly alternative to so-called ‘conventional agriculture’ that emphasises the need to focus on soil restoration.

A new report by the British Ecological Society brings together the expertise of over 40 academics, practitioners and farmers across the UK to assess the evidence around the regenerative farming approaches to soil health, biodiversity and minimising environmental damage.

Journalists came to this media briefing to hear about the findings and recommendations of the report, and the panel answered questions such as:
- What is regenerative agriculture and why is it important?
- Practically how does regenerative agriculture differ from conventional agriculture?
- What does the evidence say on the benefits and negatives of implementing different regenerative agriculture methods?
- How do crop yields from regenerative agriculture differ from conventional agriculture?
- How can researchers work with farmers to ensure policies are evidenced-led and drive the transition to a more sustainable agricultural future?
Speakers included:

Dr Roy Neilson, soil ecologist at the James Hutton Institute

Dr Jennifer Dodsworth, social science researcher at University of Oxford and tenant hill farmer

Dr Lucie Büchi, researcher in crop and weed ecology at The Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature

Government reforms will streamline and modernise regulation to unlock growth, deliver 1.5 million homes and do more for nature under the Plan for Change
A more dynamic, streamlined approach to environmental regulation will drive economic growth and safeguard nature under the Plan for Change, with reforms announced today (Wednesday 2 April) by the Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

It comes as a new review, commissioned by Steve Reed and led by Dan Corry, finds the current system of environmental regulation is outdated, inconsistent and highly complex – delivering for neither nature nor growth. The review concludes that a “bonfire” of regulations is not the solution; rather, it makes 29 recommendations for streamlining regulation, all of which the government is actively considering.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

“Nature and the economy have both been in decline for too long. That changes today.

“As part of the Plan for Change, I am rewiring Defra and its arms-length bodies to boost economic growth and unleash an era of building while also supporting nature to recover.

“Dan Corry’s essential report gives us a strong set of common-sense recommendations for better regulation that will get Britain building.”

Nine key measures with the greatest impact for growth and nature recovery will be fast-tracked. Work has already begun on:

Lead regulator: A single, lead regulator for major infrastructure projects will end the merry-go-round of developers seeking planning approvals from multiple authorities who often disagree with each other – speeding up approvals and saving businesses millions in time and resource. This could include the recently approved Lower Thames Crossing, as well as future schemes like Heathrow expansion. Pilot projects trialling the approach will begin this year.

Revamping environmental guidance: Rapidly reviewing the existing catalogue of compliance guidance, including on protecting bats, will identify opportunities to remove duplication, ambiguity, or inconsistency.

Streamlined permits and guidance: Speeding up work to update the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 will allow regulators to make more sensible, risk-based decisions on which activities should be exempt from environmental permits, in some cases removing them altogether for low-risk and temporary projects. This will slash red tape for businesses, putting an end to delays that can slow down the decisions needed to get spades in the ground.

Planning permit portal: Defra will convene the environmental regulators to set out the work required to upgrade their digital systems for planning advice, including a single planning portal for all agencies. This will speed up planning applications, while building trust and transparency into the process.

New Defra Infrastructure Board: This will accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects by facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arm’s-length bodies – unblocking barriers to development at an early stage.

More autonomy: Trusted nature groups will benefit from new freedoms to carry out conservation and restoration work without needing to apply for multiple permissions at every step of a project. A pilot collaboration between Natural England and the National Trust will allow Europe’s largest conservation charity to cut down on the high volume of applications for consents, permits and licences they must currently submit. This will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, bringing their ambitious nature recovery programmes to life at scale, more quickly and easily than ever before.

Green finance boost: A new industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator will bring much needed coherence to nature markets, boosting investment into our natural habitats and driving growth. This will give businesses greater confidence to invest, unlocking a range of environmental benefits – from improved biodiversity to better water quality.

Strategic policy statements for regulators: Clearer guidance and measurable objectives for all Defra’s regulators, starting with Natural England and the Environment Agency, will drive performance improvements and focus delivery on government priorities. Progress will be closely monitored and reported on publicly – increasing transparency and accountability so the public can be confident that regulators are supporting, not blocking, development and nature restoration.

Rolling regulatory reform: A continuous programme of reform will be established to pinpoint rapid actions, quick wins, and longer-term areas for improvements to regulation.

Economist and former charity leader Dan Corry, who led the review, said:

“Our current system for environmental regulation lets down both nature and growth; we must focus on good outcomes and nature enhancement, not on rigidly preserving everything at any cost.

“This review clearly shows that simply scrapping regulations isn’t the answer – instead, we need modern, streamlined regulation that is easier for everyone to use. While short-term trade-offs may be needed, these reforms will ultimately deliver a win-win for both nature and economic growth in the longer run.”

Currently, nature groups, developers and farmers are forced to navigate and comply with a complex patchwork of over 3,500 regulations – many of which are out of date and duplicative – as well as multiple overlapping regulators, all while shelling out vast sums in legal costs. This rigid and archaic approach not only stunts growth but impedes large-scale nature recovery, holds up the delivery of homes and infrastructure and creates an unnecessary financial and administrative burden.

This government will no longer accept this as the status quo; regulators and regulation must work for the people of Britain, not get in the way of progress. Reforms will streamline and modernise the regulatory process to reduce bureaucracy and focus on outcomes at scale, rather than delays and paperwork. Measures which require spend will be considered in the context of the Spending Review; those requiring legislative changes will be reviewed in the round as part of the government’s wider legislative priorities. Further engagement with environmental groups, homebuilders, and a range of organisations across society where necessary will take place to ensure that any changes ensure development, growth, and nature restoration work hand-in-hand.

Today’s announcement is the latest step in Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s drive, under the Plan for Change, to reform and rewire Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to unleash economic growth and protect the environment.

Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund will unlock much needed housing delivery and infrastructure whilst supporting nature recovery at scale. It will help developers meet their environmental obligations more efficiently, making it easier to build vital infrastructure like wind farms, railways, and roads, gigafactories and data centres.

More widely, in recognition of nature’s decline in Britain, this Government has launched a rapid review to deliver on our legally binding environment targets, including halting the decline of species by 2030.

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Published 2 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Export Sector – Entries open for 2025 Hawke’s Bay Export Awards

Source: Business Central

The ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards are returning in 2025 to recognise the successes of local businesses on the world stage. Now in its 11 th year, the Export Awards is a celebration of outstanding exporters in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne region and their contribution to the wider economy.

Details of the ExportNZ ASB Export Awards were announced today by ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Executive Officer, Amanda Liddle:

“These awards are a recognition of the incredible mahi of exporters across the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay region, who continue to deliver excellence in spite of several challenging years,” Liddle says.

“The Government has a goal of doubling the value of New Zealand exports in a decade. These awards showcase the outstanding efforts of businesses who are well on the way.

“A new category has been added this year, the NZME Service to Export Award, which is nominations based. It recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the export industry.

“The awards are a great way to not only celebrate businesses making their way on the world stage but to also acknowledge the people who make a real difference to the export community,” Liddle says.

Continuing awards include the ContainerCo Best Emerging Business Award (turnover under $5 million a year) and T&G Global Best Established Business Award (turnover of more than $5 million a year).

Also back for another year is the popular Napier Port Unsung Heroes Award, which recognises individuals who go above and beyond in their role to support the business and the export community. Anyone can nominate a person for this category.

ExportNZ is also pleased to welcome ZIWI as sponsors of the ZIWI Excellence in Innovation Award, just months after the company was crowned ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Exporter of the Year in 2024.

Hannah Christensen, Chief People, Sustainability and External Relations Officer at ZIWI, says the company is delighted to continue its relationship with ExportNZ as sponsors in 2025:

“ZIWI is proud to stand alongside our industry peers within the vibrant Hawke’s Bay export community,” says Christensen.

“The hard-working manufacturers and producers of this region thrive due to their passion and commitment for innovation. We could not be better placed to sponsor the ZIWI Excellence in Innovation Award, as pioneers of our own world-leading Air-dried technology, ensuring ZIWI stands head-and-shoulders above our international competitors.

“We can’t wait to celebrate with this year’s winners and once again be part of this special event for the region,” Christensen said.

Any exporter located from Gisborne to Pahiatua is eligible to enter the ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards. Judging criteria includes core operations and achievements related to export activities, and award entrants will also receive site visits by the judging panel.

All category winners will be eligible to win the supreme award, ASB Exporter of the Year. The winner, along with the other category winners, will go on to the New Zealand International Business Awards in November.

Entries for the awards close on the 5 th of June, with site visits taking place late June and early July. Finalists will be announced on the 7 th of July, with the Awards Gala Dinner on the 31 st July at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre.

The Awards’ judging panel this year comprises of Wayne Norrie ONZM; ASB Head of International Trade; Mike Atkins; and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Head of Focus Customers Dan Taylor. The team are excited to welcome back Dash Group’s Sarah Sherriff, from Icebreaker, Fix and Fogg and Whitakers fame.

Principal sponsor and judge Mike Atkins, ASB Head of International Trade, said he’s looking forward to this year’s awards:

“We are delighted to support the Export Awards again this year,” said Atkins.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses taking Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne to the world. This year’s judges will have a difficult job on their hands as the region’s export sector is recovering strongly.”

ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay’s Amanda Liddle said exporters are achieving success in spite of challenging times:

“Geo-political tensions are the highest they’ve been in a long time, and exporters have to navigate their way through the frequently changing trade policies in offshore markets.

“The region is however in full production mode, with reports that it is going to be a fantastic harvest for our pip fruit sector, farmers fetching better meat prices, timber mills in production, and our businesses affected by Gabrielle starting to get back on their feet.

“If businesses are looking for a way to celebrate the hard work of their team, then this is it. It’s quick and easy to enter and always a rewarding experience.

“With so many developments shaping the trade landscape, it is more important than ever for exporters to stay engaged and prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead,” Liddle said.

ExportNZ would like to thank Hawke’s Bay Airport for sponsoring the gala dinner. It would also like to acknowledge fellow sponsors New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Heretaunga Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and Craggy Range Winery for their support of the awards.

Entry forms, criteria requirements and registration forms for the Awards dinner are available on the ExportNZ website, www.exportnz.org.nz

ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is overseen by Business Central, which represents 3,500 employers across the lower North Island and Nelson. Business Central provides employer, health and safety, and human resources advice, and advocates for policies that reflect the interests of the business community.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: 18 Hours into Long Speech, Booker Highlights Harm to Farmers Brought On By Trump, Musk Policies

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 18 hours into his long Senate floor speech, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) highlighted the chaos and uncertainty President Trump and Elon Musk are creating in rural America. Senator Booker detailed the destabilizing, devastating effects of Trump’s failure to honor existing USDA contracts and his cutting of programs that provided locally grown, nutritious food to schools and food banks. Senator Booker is also using his speech to uplift the stories of farmers who have been hurt by these policies.

Booker took to the Senate floor beginning at 7pm ET last night with the intention of speaking as long as he is physically able to uplift the stories of Americans who are being harmed by the Trump Administration’s reckless actions, attempts to undermine our institutions, and disregard for the rule of law.

WATCH HERE

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Nomination

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today chaired a hearing examining the nomination of Lieutenant General (ret.) John D. Caine to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In his opening statement, Chairman Wicker underscored the tremendous responsibility that Lt. Gen. Caine would have if confirmed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. As the Chinese Communist Party continues an expansive military buildup and the other three members of the Axis of Aggressors – Russia, Iran, and North Korea – continue to band together in opposition to the United States, Chairman Wicker noted that Lt. Gen. Caine will work to give strong and decisive military advice to President Trump.

Chairman Wicker also praised Caine’s diverse background as a former intelligence community liaison, defense technology innovator, as well as his experience both in the active-duty and national guard components of the Air Force. This track record would serve him exceptionally well as the President’s principal military advisor in a complex threat environment, Chairman Wicker argued.

As for the proper role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs within the national defense decision-making complex ecosystem, Chairman Wicker noted that he had utmost confidence in Caine’s ability to remain nonpartisan and retain the trust of President Trump.

Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered below.

This morning, the committee meets to consider the nomination of retired Lieutenant General Dan Caine for the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

General Caine has a tremendous responsibility before him. I believe President Trump has made an excellent choice in selecting him to meet the challenges, so I thank General Caine for his willingness to serve our country, especially in this hour of need.

We live in the most dangerous national security moment since World War II. An Axis of Aggressors, led by the Chinese Communist Party and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, means us harm. This axis does not want this century to be an American-led century or a freedom-led century. Our adversaries have started two wars against Ukraine and Israel. They threaten to open a third front against Taiwan.

We must restore peace, and we can do that only through strength. Since his nomination was announced, some people have written that General Caine is unqualified. They point out that he has not served as a combatant commander, as a service chief, or as a vice chairman – roles which are contemplated in 10 USC 152.

I would suggest these same people read or reread the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. Those who read that law and then read General Caine’s resume will see that the architects of that legislation would conclude that their reforms were successful.

The driving force behind Goldwater-Nichols was to inspire and, in some cases, require jointness. So, let’s talk about jointness with regard to Lieutenant General Caine. They believe that when our military services work together, those services are greater than the sum of their parts. General Caine agrees, and his record reflects that.

He began his career as an Air Force fighter pilot in 1992. By the time he was done, General Caine had operated in every domain, and he had developed relationships with every service. That would not have been true 40 years ago. General Caine flew and commanded aircraft, but he’s also worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, having helped in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in the midst of a bird flu outbreak. At the White House, General Caine wrote early homeland security strategies. He deployed and commanded repeatedly to Iraq and Syria, serving within various special operations forces units. He ran our most secretive programs for all military services. General Caine worked extensively as the CIA’s senior military officer, again collaborating with every military service and combatant command.

It’s difficult to imagine a better joint and interagency background for a nominee of this position. Our threat environment is complex, and General Caine understands how the services can work together to meet today’s dangers. We have much work to do, as this committee knows. We need to grow our defense budget. We need to reform the Pentagon’s processes drastically.

If confirmed, General Kaine would play a significant role in providing military advice to the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States on both of those topics. In particular, the Chairman plays a significant role in the requirements process. I hope he will make a priority to modernize this critical aspect.

The statutory role of the chairman may be limited, but the position is explicitly the voice of the combatant commanders. That voice matters because the commanders are largely absent from our requirements and budgeting processes.

The Chairman can and should also be an advocate for a more agile planning process – one that considers the problems. And I’m going to use two big words here: the problems of simultaneity and protracted warfare – I guess that’s three big words and two big terms. These are technical terms for fairly straightforward facts. First, that our adversaries are likely to act against us in a coordinated fashion – simultaneity. And secondly, that once that war breaks out it tends to take on a life of its own – protracted warfare.

Lastly, a Chairman is responsible to deliver a serious, honest Chairman’s risk assessment to this committee as soon as possible. I look forward to General Caine’s thoughts on each of these points.

Based on my conversations with the nominee, and based on his actions in uniform, I’m confident that General Caine will give President Trump his best military advice. He will do so without bias, as he’s required to do. He would not consider whether the president may like or dislike that advice that’s exactly what a United States president deserves.

I’m convinced that General Caine sees this role as absolutely nonpartisan. We can argue politics up here on this dais, but I expect General Caine to stay out of it, no matter the subject.

I thank the nominee for his service and for appearing today, and I turn now to my friend and colleague Ranking Member Reed for his opening remarks.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez Sounds Alarm on USPS Privatization Threatening Rural New Mexico
Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) warned that the Trump Administration’s push to dismantle the United States Postal Service (USPS) is a direct attack on rural New Mexico. In a letter, he expressed growing concern that President Trump’s proposal to fire the USPS Board of Governors and remove USPS’ status as an independent agency is widely seen as the first step toward privatization. Privatization of the USPS would result in slashed essential services and dramatically increased costs for families and small businesses across the state.

“If this plan moves forward, rural New Mexicans will be the first to suffer,” said Vasquez. “This is a blatant effort to gut the Postal Service, leaving seniors without their medications, small businesses without affordable shipping, and working families without reliable mail service. We cannot allow this administration to sell off a public service that millions depend on.”

The USPS operates a majority (57%) of its post offices in rural areas, covering nearly all (90%) of the country’s landmass. These locations are often the only reliable way for residents in small towns to receive mail, medications, and government checks. Privatization would almost certainly lead to post office closures, increased delivery costs, and slower service—hitting New Mexico’s rural communities the hardest.

“Families in Columbus, Truth or Consequences, and so many other towns rely on the Postal Service to deliver life-saving medications and critical mail. What happens when their post office closes because it’s not ‘profitable’ enough?” Vasquez continued. “The Trump administration is putting corporate profits ahead of the basic needs of working families.”

Privatizing the USPS would also devastate New Mexico’s small businesses and postal workers:
- More than 7.3 million jobs nationwide are tied to the Postal Service, and massive layoffs could follow if operations are slashed.
- The USPS processes 425 million pieces of mail daily—everything from Social Security checks to election ballots to prescription drugs.
- The mailing industry supports $1.58 trillion in economic activity—crippling it would devastate small businesses, farmers, and local economies reliant on affordable shipping.
“This isn’t just about mail—it’s about people’s livelihoods,” said Vasquez. “Slashing the Postal Service means hurting rural communities, killing jobs, crippling small businesses, and disrupting the flow of essential goods to families who have no other options.”

“On behalf of the New Mexico Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, I want to thank Gabe Vasquez for opposing postal service privatization,” said Debbie Encinias, President of the New Mexico Rural Letter Carriers Association. “Rural New Mexicans rely on the work that we do to receive Social Security checks, medications, and mail from loved ones. The Postal Service has done this critical work for 250 years, and we must continue to let this American institution serve the American people free from political interference or privatization.”

Vasquez is calling for immediate congressional action to block the administration’s efforts and protect rural communities from devastating mail service cuts. He is working with community leaders and postal worker unions to stop privatization efforts before they take hold.

You can read the full letter HERE.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Ag Secretary Russell Redding to Discuss Impact of Federal Funding Cuts, Proposed State Investments on Pittsburgh Area Farms, Families, Food Banks

Source: US State of Pennsylvania

April 02, 2025 – Duquesne, PA

ADVISORY – ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Ag Secretary Russell Redding to Discuss Impact of Federal Funding Cuts, Proposed State Investments on Pittsburgh Area Farms, Families, Food Banks

Lt. Governor Austin Davis and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will lead a roundtable at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on the impact of USDA funding cuts and proposed Shapiro Administration investments on food security, farmers, and families in the Pittsburgh region.

Last week, Governor Josh Shapiro called on Sec. Redding to appeal USDA’s abrupt cancellation of $13 million in Local Food Purchasing Program funds that would benefit 189 Pennsylvania farms over the next three years.
Following the discussion with food bank leadership, farmers, and others harmed by USDA’s decision, media are invited to a press conference recapping the potential impact of cancelled federal contracts. The positive impact of Governor Shapiro’s $8 million in proposed funding increases and additional initiatives to tackle root causes of food insecurity will be highlighted as well.

WHO:
Lt. Governor Austin Davis
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary Hoa Pham
State Representative Emily Kinkead
Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank President and CEO Lisa Scales
Harvest Valley Farms Co-owner Art King

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:
Greater Pittsburgh Regional Food Bank: 1 N. Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110

RSVP:
Press attending should RSVP to Shannon Powers, shpowers@pa.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trips to the playground and jigsaw puzzles: five surprising ways to help children learn to write

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sinéad McCauley Lambe, Assistant Professor, School of Inclusive and Special Education, Dublin City University

Rachaphak/Shutterstock

It’s a milestone that leaves parents beaming with pride: the first time their child shakily writes out their own name. And it’s the start of many more key childhood moments, from Christmas lists to writing their own stories.

If you’re keen to help your child learn to write, you might think about asking them to try to copy shapes, or trace over the dotted outline of a letter. But there’s a lot more that goes into writing. It requires fine motor skills using the hands – and this can be practised through threading beads, rolling playdough and stacking blocks.

However, while fine motor skills play a central role in getting children ready to write, it doesn’t end there. Handwriting is a complex developmental process, and preparation for handwriting also involves the development of key gross motor skills, as well as visual-perceptual skills.

I’m a researcher who works on how children learn to write. Below are five ways to help your child to prepare for handwriting that you might not have considered.

Take them to the playground

It might not seem that obvious, but a trip to the playground is perfect preparation for handwriting. All that open space and climbing equipment provide ample opportunities for young children to develop their gross motor skills.

Gross motor skills involve the body’s large muscles and are needed for balance and stability as well as posture and coordination. Think monkey bars – a fantastic and fun way to develop shoulder stability which allows for greater control of the small motor movements of the hands and fingers.

Another important element of gross motor skills is what’s known as crossing the midline. The midline is an imaginary line that runs down the centre of a child’s body. It plays a central role when developing hand dominance as children learn to reach across their bodies to write. Can your child hang from the monkey bars with their hands crossed? That’s great practice in crossing the midline.

And all that open space, interspersed with bulky and busy playground equipment, provides the ideal opportunity for children to develop spatial awareness as they duck and dive, swerving to avoid oncoming obstacles. Spatial awareness plays a key role in letter formation, placement and size, as well as spacing and page alignment.

Lots of blank space

Through early mark making and scribbling, children explore a range of movements and shapes. This early stage of mark making is essential in laying the foundations for handwriting development as the child develops a growing awareness of space and their place within it.

Give children space for mark making.
AnikaNes/Shutterstock

Look for large blank spaces in and outside of your home that children can use for mark making and drawing. Forget colouring books, and instead think large sticks of chalk on big open pavements, rolls of paper across open floor space, or large sheets of blank paper on an easel.

Teach them how to look carefully

Think about asking a young child to copy a shape, or a letter using their pencil. “Just copy the shape” – it’s simple, isn’t it?

The problem is, it’s not simple. At all.

It begins with visual perception – the process whereby the brain extracts and organises information, giving meaning to what we see. This makes a collection of lines into a square, for instance. Visual-motor integration is the ability to be able to coordinate fine motor skills and visual-perceptual skills to produce that letter, shape or number in a legible manner.

The visual component enables children to discriminate between letter shapes to recognise each letter’s specific characteristics, and to identify their orientation. The motor element allows the child to carry out the necessary sequence of movements to form the letter.

By exposing young children to lots of opportunities to develop their visual-perceptual skills, you can help to prepare them for handwriting. Think richly illustrated picture books, jigsaw puzzles and Where’s Wally books – these help children sort out the meaning in marks and shapes. Picking out shapes, numbers and letters on the street as you walk to the shop together is a good opportunity, too.

Shapes before letters

It might be tempting to pick up a colourful ABC practice book with a neat “wipe clean” whiteboard feature to help your child learn to write. But hold off putting it in your shopping basket for now. Before children are ready to write letters formally, they should first be able to copy nine geometric shapes.

Pre-writing shapes.
The Conversation

The ability to copy geometric forms is recognised in research as an indication of writing readiness in a young child. Formal handwriting training should be delayed until a child can successfully copy a vertical line, a horizontal line, a cross, a circle, a right oblique line, a square, a left oblique line, an oblique cross and a triangle.

Ditch the broken crayons

There are few things more frustrating for a young child than fading markers, blunt colouring pencils or a box of broken and bruised crayons. My research has found that the quality of writing materials matters when it comes to motivating the reluctant writer to give it a go.

Providing children with a variety of novel and fun writing materials leads to increased motivation and enjoyment of writing. These could be brightly coloured felt pens, gel pens, highlighters, magic markers and even scented markers and pencils, and don’t forget the finger paints. The messier the better.

Sinéad McCauley Lambe is the author of Move Write – A Whole-body Sensorimotor Approach to Handwriting programme.

Move Write is published by Just Rewards Publications.

– ref. Trips to the playground and jigsaw puzzles: five surprising ways to help children learn to write – https://theconversation.com/trips-to-the-playground-and-jigsaw-puzzles-five-surprising-ways-to-help-children-learn-to-write-250225

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: McClellan, Sykes, Warner Reintroduce Bill to Improve Access to Healthy Foods, Eliminate Food Deserts
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13) reintroduced the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act. This legislation would provide incentives to food providers to expand access to healthy foods in underserved communities and reduce the number of food deserts nationwide. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Senate companion bill.

“We all know that hungry children cannot learn and reach their full potential. That’s why it’s so important to have affordable, healthy food close to home,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Unfortunately, too many families in Virginia live in food deserts and struggle to feed their children healthy food. I’m grateful to Rep. Sykes and Sen. Warner for their work to bridge this gap and empower families with the resources they need to grow and thrive.”

Currently, an estimated 18.8 million Americans live in what the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classifies as a food desert — not living within a mile of a grocery store in urban communities or 10 miles of a grocery store in rural areas. The lack of healthy food options has devastating effects on the health of communities, leading to higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

“No American should be denied access to healthy, nutritious foods simply because of the zip code they live in. The Healthy Food Access for All Americans would encourage food providers to establish grocery stores, food banks, and farmers markets in traditionally underserved communities to help ensure all Americans, no matter where they live, can put fresh, affordable food on the table,” said Congresswoman Sykes. “This commonsense legislation will combat food insecurity in our communities and ensure families and children have the nutritious, healthy food they need to thrive.”

“Fresh and nutritious foods are a cornerstone of health and wellbeing, but too many families in Virginia and across America live in places where these foods are out of reach,” said Senator Warner. “This legislation will help us fight food deserts by incentivizing grocery stores to come to communities that have the hardest time accessing fresh produce.”

Specifically, the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act — which defines a grocery market as a retail sales store with at least 35 percent of its selection (or forecasted selection) dedicated to selling fresh produce, poultry, dairy, and deli items — would encourage investment in food deserts across the country that have a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher, or a median family income of less than 80 percent of the median for the state or metro area.

It would grant tax credits or grants to food providers who service low-access communities and attain a “Special Access Food Provider” (SAFP) certification through the Treasury Department. Incentives would be awarded based on the following structure:
- New Store Construction – Companies that construct new grocery stores in a food desert will receive a one time 15 percent tax credit after receiving certification.
- Retrofitting Existing Structures – Companies that make retrofits to an existing store’s healthy food sections can receive a one time 10 percent tax credit after the repairs certify the store as an SAFP.
- Food Banks – Certified food banks that build new (permanent) structures in food deserts will be eligible to receive a one time grant for 15 percent of their construction costs.
- Temporary Access Merchants – Certified temporary access merchants (i.e. mobile markets, farmers markets, and some food banks) that are 501(c)(3)s will receive grants for 10 percent of their annual operating costs.
MIL OSI USA News –
April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER REVEALS: WITH TRUMP’S DESTRUCTIVE TARIFFS SET TO START TOMORROW, THE COST TO UPSTATE NY IS A $7 BILLION GUT PUNCH, WITH $6,000+ IN HIGHER PRICES FOR FAMILIES PER YEAR; SENATOR SAYS WE MUST…

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Contact: Ryan Martin, 202-680-0427
SCHUMER REVEALS: WITH TRUMP’S DESTRUCTIVE TARIFFS SET TO START TOMORROW, REVEALS THE COST TO UPSTATE NY IS A $7 BILLION GUT PUNCH , WITH $6,000+ IN HIGHER PRICES FOR FAMILIES PER YEAR; SENATOR SAYS WE MUST STOP DAMAGING TRADE WAR WITH ALLIES LIKE CANADA AND PROTECT NY FAMILIES, BUSINESSES & JOBS
Trump’s Tariffs – Set To Start Tomorrow – Could Raise Prices On New Yorkers As Much As $6,500 For Gas, Groceries, Cars And Everyday Goods – All While Decimating Small Businesses, Killing Good-Paying Jobs, Shrinking 401K’s And Damaging Upstate NY’s Vital Tourism Industry
Schumer Says Stock Market Is Already Hitting Lowest Point In Years Due To Trump Tariff Chaos, Hurting Upstate Seniors’ Retirements – And Leading To Fears Of A Recession
Schumer: Trump’s Tariffs Mean Higher Prices, Lower Life Savings And Lost Jobs For Upstate Families
With President Trump’s “Liberation Day” for his destructive tariffs set to start tomorrow, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today revealed data on the devastating impacts of this unstrategic and damaging tariff war on Upstate New York’s families, small businesses, and jobs – increasing costs for families by up to $6,500 for gas, groceries, cars, and common goods and potentially impacting 150,000+ jobs in directly targeted industries across Upstate New York. The senator said he has gotten calls from farmers, worried workers, and factory owners scrambling in the face of coming tariffs, and said it will be NY businesses, seniors and working- and middle-class class families who will be footing the bill for this tariff war – in the form of higher prices, a slower economy and shrinking life savings.
“Tomorrow Trump says he will begin imposing his destructive sweeping tariffs, and if that happens it will be a gut punch to Upstate NY’s economy. Plain and simple, Trump’s tariffs are a tax increase on Upstate New York, a massive new destructive national sales tax for all of America,” said Senator Schumer. “Trump’s tariff war has already created chaos, and the economic uncertainty is causing the stock market to fall, hurting seniors’ retirements, cratering consumer confidence, and jeopardizing the jobs of thousands of New Yorkers. If this tariff war continues, it could devastate Upstate NY’s economy in ways we haven’t seen since the height of the pandemic. President Trump has said straight up that he doesn’t care if prices go up – Well, I do. I am all for addressing trade imbalances. In fact, Trump should be spending far more time going after China’s long-standing trade cheating that has robbed upstate NY of jobs for far too long, rather than picking a trade war with Canada that will only cost more NY jobs and drive up prices for everyone.”
Schumer explained that consumers bear the cost of tariffs, and Trump’s tariff war is expected to increase costs for American families by up to $6,500 according to the latest analysis of his sweeping plans. According to the Yale Budget Lab, this would increase costs for the average American family by up to:
Schumer added, “Trump’s tariffs are already slowing sales, and tourism from Canada is down, hurting Upstate’s restaurants and Main Streets. No matter which way you slice it, costs are going to sky rocket for consumers. If you’re in Upstate New York, you’ll feel it first, and worse than just about anywhere in the country. We need everyone, especially NY Republicans, to stand up against Trump’s senseless, job-killing, cost-increasing tax on Upstate New Yorkers.”
Rising costs will force families to reconsider how they spend their money, which is already causing consumer confidence to plummet said Schumer, and NY families and businesses are expected to pay approximately $7.17 billion total due to Trump’s tariffs, including and $568 million on steel and aluminum.
According to the New York Times, nearly 8 million Americans work in industries targeted by Trump’s tariffs, including approximately 159,400 in Upstate New York. A regional breakdown of jobs in industries directly impacted by tariffs based on the New York Times analysis can be found below, which does not even account for all the related jobs such as the tourism industry that are also being impacted by the damage of this trade war:

NY Region

Jobs In Industries Directly Targeted by Tariffs Most At Risk

Capital Region

14,400

Western New York

30,100

Rochester-Finger Lakes

33,200

Central New York

16,100

Hudson Valley

27,800

Southern Tier

17,300

Mohawk Valley

10,000

North Country

6,100

UPSTATE NY TOTAL

155,000

Canada is New York State’s top importer and exporter, last year importing $20.5 billion of goods from Canada and exporting $17.4 billion. 70% of Canadian imports are used to manufacture American-made products. Every day, $2.5 billion worth of goods cross the United States-Canada border. People across Upstate New York will especially feel the impact of Trump’s tariffs on Canada given the interconnection of Upstate NY’s economy and trade with Canada.

What Upstate NY Will See

Impacts

Increasing costs for businesses in every industry

$6 billion in lumber and wood products for the U.S. homebuilding industry came from Canada in 2024, exacerbating costs for affordable housing.

Canadian tourism slowing down, hurting local businesses

The Canadian government is encouraging Canadians to boycott travel to the United States, according to the New York Times. Maine has been seeing significant cancellations and Upstate New York could be next on the chopping block, which would have devastating impacts especially with the summer tourist season rapidly approaching.
45% of Quebecois who had planned vacations in the U.S. this year were now canceling those plans, leading to $3 billion in lost revenue for U.S. businesses, according to the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance.
Car crossings from Canada through Plattsburgh in the North Country were down 16% from February 2024, according to the Albany Times Union. There is a projected overall 21% reduction in American travel from Canada.

Higher costs at the grocery store for families and local restaurants

Canada leads in exports of grain, livestock and meats, poultry, and more, according to CNN. In 2023, the United States imported about $40 billion in agricultural food products from Canada, ranging from baked goods to canola oil, according to Eater.
70% of maple syrup globally comes from Canada, and more than 60% of maple exports went to the United States which would get more expensive, according to the New York Times.
The price of beef could rise because Canadian ranchers are afraid of Trump’s tariffs and shrinking cattle herds, according to Reuters. Beef and pork account for nearly $4 billion in Canadian imports, according to Eater.
The price of groceries could increase by $185 – or approximately 3% – every year, according to Eater.

Nearly 160,000 Upstate New York jobs in industries targeted by tariffs at risk, plus many more in related industries like tourism

Over 680,000 New York jobs depend on trade with Canada. Nearly 160,000 jobs in Upstate New York are in industries directly targeted by Trump’s tariffs and at risk, according to the New York Times.
The U.S. Travel Association warned that even a 10% reduction in Canadian travelers would translate to $2.1 billion in lost spending and jeopardize 140,000 hospitality jobs nationwide, according to Forbes, many of which would be in Upstate NY as one of the most popular close by destinations.

Higher electricity, heating, and gas bills for our families, small businesses, and manufacturers

Electricity is a $7 billion commodity market in New York, and the state imports hundreds of millions of dollars of Canadian electricity annually.
While the amount varies by month and year, the reliable clean power imported from Canadian dams is critical, and a tariff on Canadian electricity imports would likely raise rates for New Yorkers.
In response to the Schumer-Hochul letter to New York energy regulators on the tariffs, agency staff assert that electricity costs could increase by $42 to $105 million per year, and that:
Gasoline prices could increase by $26 million per year
Heating oil costs could increase by $57 million per year
Diesel costs could increase by $48 million per year
Propane costs could increase by $16 million per year; and
Natural gas costs could increase by $4.4 million per year

Trump has already delayed the start of his tariffs twice, creating uncertainty for families and small businesses and triggering volatility for the American economy. Trump’s tariff uncertainty is causing the stock market to fall, hurting Upstate New York seniors’ retirements. According to Bloomberg, the stock market rout has intensified in anticipation of Trump’s next tariff rollout, with concerns about recessions leaving the S&P 500 Index on track for its worst quarter compared to the rest of the world since the 1980s.
Trump in February declared an emergency on fentanyl, which is how he is justifying tariffs on goods from Canada. Schumer explained that less than 0.2% of fentanyl entering the United States comes from Canada, and instead of helping combat the fentanyl crisis, these tariffs will only harm American families, small businesses, and jobs. Schumer said the Senate will vote on a resolution later today terminating Trump’s national emergency that is justifying his destructive tariffs that would require Republican support.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Legislation to Stop Woke Activist Judges from Unconstitutional Judicial Overreach

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and their colleagues to introduce the Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 (JRCA). The bill would limit federal court orders to parties directly before the court – ending the practice of universal injunctions and clarifying the constitutional role of the judicial branch.
Under this legislation, parties seeking nationwide relief would be required to file a class action lawsuit. The bill would amend the Administrative Procedure Act and the Declaratory Judgment Act to limit courts’ decisions to the parties before them, and make temporary restraining orders (TROs) immediately appealable.
“President Trump has exposed the fact that our courts are full of woke activist judges who think they were elected President. But they were not,” said Senator Tuberville. “More than 77 million Americans voted for President Trump and his agenda – and liberal judges should not be allowed to issue injunctions on policies they do not agree with. We need our justice system to focus on upholding the Constitution, not pushing an agenda. If judges have a problem with that, they can run for political office.”
“For a number of years, but particularly in the last few months, we’ve increasingly seen sweeping orders from individual district judges that dictate national policy. Our Founders saw an important role for the judiciary, but the Constitution limits judges to exercising power over ‘cases’ or ‘controversies.’ Judges are not policymakers, and allowing them to assume this role is very dangerous,” Senator Grassley said. “The Judicial Relief Clarification Act clarifies the scope of judicial power and resolves illegitimate judicial infringement upon the executive branch. It’s a commonsense bill that’s needed to provide long-term constitutional clarity and curb district courts’ growing tendency to overstep by issuing sweeping, nationwide orders.”
The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Read the bill here and a fact sheet here.
BACKGROUND: Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution limits courts to deciding “cases” or “controversies.” Nevertheless, it has become increasingly common for federal judges to issue sweeping “universal injunctions” that apply even to people who are not before the court. Universal injunctions defy two centuries of historic precedent. Scholars have found no clear record of such an order before 1963 – they have only become common in the last decade. In the first two months of President Trump’s second term, district court judges have issued more universal injunctions against his policies than the Biden administration experienced in four years.
Concern about this recent practice spans the ideological spectrum. In 2020, Justices Gorsuch and Thomas explained: “By their nature, universal injunctions tend to force judges into making rushed, high-stakes, low-information decisions.” In 2022, Justice Kagan said: “It just can’t be right that one district judge can stop a nationwide policy in its tracks and leave it stopped for the years that it takes to go through the normal process.”
The Supreme Court can and should end this practice, but has failed to do so. However, Article III gives Congress the authority to establish, organize and regulate the jurisdiction of federal courts.
Congress has also enacted rules governing the review of agency actions through the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 (APA). Under Section 706 of the APA, a person or entity that claims to have been unlawfully harmed by a federal agency action may seek relief in federal court. Currently, many courts interpret the APA to allow for a single district judge to vacate agency actions for everyone, including parties that are not before the court.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Calls for Healthier Options for Students at Ag Hearing

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Dr. Eve Stoody, Director of Nutrition Guidance and Analysis Division at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, during a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Ag) hearing. Sen. Tuberville asked Dr. Moody about the important role dairy plays in children’s development. As a founding member of the Senate Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus, Sen. Tuberville noted the many health benefits that come from a calcium-rich diet and expressed support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which would add 2% and whole milk options back in schools.
Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below and watch on YouTube and Rumble.

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Doctor, for being here today.
My former profession was working with students and kids. I traveled to hundreds and hundreds of high schools across the country in all 50 states. I ate at [cafeteria] lunch rooms and the food [was mostly] atrocious. [In] 2010, we did basically do away with milk for some reason [that] I can’t imagine. I’ve got a new granddaughter. My [daughter-in-law] is breastfeeding. We looked at the formula that we could have been feeding my new granddaughter. [If] we wanna do away with something, we [should] do away with that because it’s nothing but sugar. We’re going to look at something that’s so important to our kids growing up and their physical attributes of growing up to an adult, we’re looking at [the] possibility of milk being detrimental [to our kids’ development]. [It is] mind boggling to me, but I guess there’s a lot more smarter people. You know, I used to have a training table for players all of our athletes, and you put milk, and you put tea, you put water out there—they’d drink the milk, [the] athletes. And there’s a reason that they look a lot better than a lot of our kids nowadays. But at the end of the day, we have to make a decision, what’s better [for our kids]? I can’t believe we’re even getting involved in this.
But, you know, science improves and changes over time. We know that our nutrition standards should not be what they were in 2010. They have to change—have to change. As nutrition and science data has changed, can you discuss the [2025] Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s conclusions on dairy consumption’s effect on children?”
STOODY: “And just to clarify, just to make sure I heard you correctly, you were referencing the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee?”
TUBERVILLE: “Yes, ma’am.”
STOODY: “Thank you. The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee did an extensive review. They are convened as an external advisory committee. And the 2025 Committee had 20 members. They did an extensive review on all aspects of the diet, including dairy, data analysis, a number of systematic reviews, and food pattern modeling. At the end of the day, they looked at a lot of new evidence. There is evidence that’s looking at food sources of saturated fat, so […] dairy that has different amounts of saturated fat, these different types that are exactly the conversation today. They also did a number of food pattern modeling analyses. And what that does is [it] looks at what happens if you change the amount of dairy in a pattern. At the end of the day, they found that you can’t reduce the amount of dairy in a dietary pattern – that the amount that’s recommended still holds and that’s in large part because of all the nutrients that dairy provides. It’s a good source and the major source of Calcium, Vitamin D, and about a dozen other nutrients in the diet. At the end of the day, their recommendations to the Departments, and I’ll note that […] that is our advice to the Departments. We’re informing the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines. But their advice was to maintain the current guidance. Now we are at a point in [both] Secretary Rollins and Kennedy have acknowledged their commitment to supporting the development of the Dietary Guidelines to be released later this year. And they have also discussed doing a line-by-line review of the Committee’s report and basing the next edition of the dietary guidelines on science. So, there will, I expect, be a lot more discussion related to the topic of dairy as well as other aspects of the diet. But at the end of the day, I think the […] 2025 Committee continued to emphasize the importance of dairy in a healthy dietary pattern.”
TUBERVILLE: “So, at the end of the day, don’t you agree that any milk—2%, whole milk—is much better for our kids growing up than soda?”
STOODY: “Yes. I think the point of the Dietary Guidelines is that there is flexibility. There’s a number of different options within the dairy food group and whether that be fat free, low fat, reduced fat, whole milk, it’s important to make selections that are right, that support individual needs and preferences, and in that context of the larger dietary pattern.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Continues to Champion Cryptocurrency, Calls President Trump the “Crypto President”

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) reintroduced two pieces of legislation related to protecting American cryptocurrency.
Senator Tuberville’s first bill, the Financial Freedom Act, would reverse a Biden-era memo from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that limits options for where Americans can invest their retirement earnings. The Financial Freedom Act would allow Americans to choose how they want to invest their money, including in crypto.
“The Biden administration was hellbent on controlling every aspect of Americans’ lives,” said Senator Tuberville. “Meddling in 401(k) investments through overregulation restrains financial growth and restricts personal liberty. The federal government, which is $36 trillion debt, shouldn’t be telling anyone how to invest their money. My bill ensures that hardworking Americans have the financial freedom to make decisions about how to invest their retirement savings.”
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) is a cosponsor of this legislation.
Senator Tuberville’s second bill, the Prohibiting Foreign Adversary Interference in Cryptocurrency Markets Act, would prohibit the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from registering a digital commodity platform that is owned in whole or in part by an entity organized or established in China. It also requires the CFTC to revoke the registration of any digital commodity platform in the event an entity with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acquires all or any part of the ownership of the entity.
Digital commodity platforms collect and store personally identifiable information — including Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, and sensitive financial account data — of their users. Allowing entities based in the PRC to access this information raises serious concerns related to investor protection, data privacy, national security, sanctions compliance, and anti-money laundering efforts. Companies based in the PRC all ultimately answer to the CCP.
“For four years, the Biden administration put America last – bowing to China at every turn and allowing our adversaries to get ahead,” said Senator Tuberville. “Thanks to President Trump, those days are over. Crypto is the future and we have to make sure our markets are protected from bad actors like China who want to destroy us. This critical bill will protect our markets and make Americans safer.”
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) is a cosponsor of this legislation.
Senator Tuberville discussed his legislation on Fox Business with Larry Kudlow.
BACKGROUND:
FINANCIAL FREEDOM ACT
The Financial Freedom Act would reverse regulatory guidance released by the Employee Benefits Security Administration, an agency inside of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The guidance attempts to bar 401(k) investors from investing in cryptocurrency and undermines the ability of 401(k) plans to offer brokerage windows, which give retirement plan participants the ability to personally control how their assets are invested.
The DOL guidance threatens that employers and investment firms could be subject to investigation and enforcement actions should they allow individuals using brokerage windows to invest in cryptocurrency. Senator Tuberville’s bill would bar such investigations and enforcement actions, opening the door for Americans to invest their savings in investments of their choice.
Senator Tuberville has consistently been an outspoken advocate in Congress for personal financial freedom.
Senator Tuberville previously introduced the Financial Freedom Act in the 117th Congress and penned an op-ed warning against government infringement on personal investment decisions.
Senator Tuberville spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Financial Freedom Act.
Senator Tuberville joined 36 of his U.S. Senate colleagues in introducing the Fair Access to Banking Act, a bill to protect fair access to financial services by preventing banks and financial institutions from discriminating against law-abiding businesses.
Senator Tuberville added his support to a resolution that would challenge the Biden administration’s rule to allow retirement fund managers to consider and prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors while making retirement investment decisions.
Senator Tuberville introduced legislation to protect Americans’ financial privacy against government surveillance.
Prohibiting Foreign Adversary Interference in Cryptocurrency Markets Act
The CCP’s efforts to mine data and surveil the public are well known, and decisive action is needed to safeguard the American people. Under current law, U.S. regulators have limited tools to block the purchase of a U.S. digital commodity platform by a CCP-tied entity. The Prohibiting Foreign Adversary Interference in Cryptocurrency Markets Act will help to wall off the burgeoning U.S. digital asset industry from Chinese interference and help to ensure continued American leadership in financial innovation.
Senator Tuberville believes the CCP seeks to overtake the United States as the top global superpower and that America must face China’s growing military and non-military threats with clear-eyed resolve.
Since assuming office in the U.S. Senate in 2021, Senator Tuberville has led and supported numerous efforts to protect American investments, intellectual property, and national security from China.
Senator Tuberville led the call for an investigation into Webull Financial, LLC and Moomoo, Inc. – two Chinese-owned stock trading apps operating in the United States that are registered with the SEC and FINRA.
Both apps are widely used by American investors and freely collect and store sensitive information about users, including Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, and financial account data.
In May 2023, Senator Tuberville sent a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler and FINRA President and CEO Robert Cook calling for oversight of the trading platforms due to the potential CCP access of American user data. In the letter, Senator Tuberville asked for answers to critical questions about the ability of the SEC and FINRA to examine the Chinese companies’ compliance with U.S. law.
In March 2023, Senator Tuberville led a congressional delegation to Panama to discuss countering China’s growing influence in the region.
On the trip, Senator Tuberville met with American and Panamanian officials to strategize ways to combat Chinese attempts to control the Panama Canal, which would give China enormous influence over global supply chains.
To curb Chinese influence in the economy, Senator Tuberville introduced legislation to ban members of the CCP from receiving B-1 and B-2 visas to the United States for vacation and non-official government business.
The CCP is responsible for trillions of dollars of intellectual property theft each year. To curb growing foreign influence and crime and discourage other Chinese nationals from joining the CCP, the bill cosponsored by Senator Tuberville would bar all 93 million CCP members from entering the United States using nonimmigrant B-1 and B-2 visas.
Senator Tuberville believes the retirement savings of our military and federal government employees, known as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), should not be invested in the economies of our adversaries, such as China.
Senator Tuberville wrote about this issue in the Wall Street Journal in a column entitled, “I’ll Keep Veterans’ Pensions Safe From Communism” and discussed the issue on Fox Business.
Senator Tuberville continued the push for accountability from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) surrounding the board’s policy on foreign investments.
Senator Tuberville placed a hold on nominees to the FRTIB until the nominees provided clarification regarding foreign investment policies, which forced the nominees to commit to opposing TSP investment in China.
MORE:
Tuberville Questions CFTC Chairman on Taxation of Cryptocurrency and the Need for a Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrency
Tuberville Leads Letter Calling for DOJ, SEC Investigation into China-Tied Crypto Firm Prometheum, Inc.
Tuberville Leads Bipartisan Bill to Block CCP Ownership of American Crypto Companies
Tuberville, Lummis Work to Establish Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Tuberville Takes Action to Protect Conservatives, Taxpayers from Political Discrimination by Banks
ICYMI: Tuberville in Daily Caller: A Fed-Controlled Digital Dollar Could Mean The End Of Freedom In America
Tuberville Reintroduces Bill to Keep the Government Out of Americans’ Investment Decisions
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Support Grows for Tuberville’s Legislation to Protect 401(k) Investment Freedom
Tuberville Continues Push to Protect Retirement Savers’ Financial Freedom
New Tuberville Legislation Promotes Financial Freedom for 401(k) Investors
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Shapiro Stands With Pennsylvania Hardwoods Companies in Mifflin County to Highlight Commonwealth’s Investments in Agriculture Industry

Source: US State of Pennsylvania

April 01, 2025 – Reedsville, PA

Governor Shapiro Stands With Pennsylvania Hardwoods Companies in Mifflin County to Highlight Commonwealth’s Investments in Agriculture Industry

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Metzler Forest Products in Mifflin County to highlight how strategic Commonwealth investments – like the Shapiro Administration’s first-in-the-nation Agricultural Innovation Grant Program – are strengthening Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. These investments provide grants, loans, and technical support to farmers and businesses adopting cutting-edge technologies, spurring growth, improving efficiency, and ensuring Pennsylvania remains at the forefront of the industry. During the visit, the Governor and Secretary Redding toured the facility to see how Metzler will use its $550,000 in grant funding – announced in January – to enhance biochar production, improve energy efficiency, and expand its manufacturing capabilities.

Governor Shapiro’s visit comes amid growing economic uncertainty over new federal tariffs, particularly impacting Pennsylvania’s nation-leading hardwoods industry, which plays a critical role in the Commonwealth’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Since taking office, the Governor has placed significant emphasis on supporting and growing Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry – bringing Democrats and Republicans together to invest in new technologies, strengthen supply chains, and drive economic growth for farmers and producers. He remains committed to ensuring Pennsylvania’s farmers have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. The Commonwealth is home to 50,000 farms, contributing $132 billion to the economy and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs.

“From day one, my Administration has stood up for Pennsylvania’s farmers and our ag sector – investing in innovation, expanding opportunity, and cutting costs. While the federal government imposes policies that hurt our economy, Pennsylvania is leading the way in driving economic growth – investing in agricultural innovation, supporting our manufacturers, and delivering real results for farmers and their families,” said Governor Shapiro. “Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple. They make it harder for our farmers to do business, weaken their competitiveness in key markets, and trigger retaliatory tariffs on Pennsylvania goods. The last thing Pennsylvanians need is Washington, D.C., raising taxes and driving up costs I will keep working to cut costs, lower taxes, and create more economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.”

Speaker list:
Nate Metzler, General Manager, Metzler Forest Products
Governor Josh Shapiro
Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, Executive Director, Keystone Wood Products Association
Nick Gilson, Founder & CEO, Gilson Snow
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish

MIL OSI USA News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India – Chile Joint Statement (April 01, 2025)

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

At the invitation of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. Mr. Gabriel Boric Font is on a State visit to India from 1-5 April, 2025, commemorating the completion of 76 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Boric is accompanied by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Mining, Women and Gender Equality and Cultures, Arts and Heritage, Members of Parliament, Senior Officials and a large number of business leaders. Apart from New Delhi, President Boric will visit Agra, Mumbai and Bengaluru. This is the first visit of President Boric to India. Both President Boric and Prime Minister Modi had first met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024.

President Boric was accorded a warm and ceremonial welcome on arrival at Air Force Station Palam. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with President Boric at Hyderabad House on 1 April 2025. He met President Droupadi Murmu who also hosted a Banquet in his honour and his accompanying delegation. Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India called on President Boric.

President Boric and Prime Minister Modi recalled the historic diplomatic ties that were established in 1949, growing trade linkages, people-to-people linkages, cultural ties and also the warm and cordial bilateral relations between both countries. They expressed desire for further expanding and deepening of the multifaceted relationship between the two countries in all areas of mutual interests.

During their meeting, the two leaders comprehensively reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations spanning a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, ICT, digitization, innovation, disaster management, cooperation in science and technology, education and people-to-people linkages. The two sides agreed to continue regular exchanges at various levels to give further momentum to the bilateral relationship.

The two leaders noted that trade and commerce has been a strong pillar of the bilateral relations. While highlighting the positive effects generated by the expansion of the India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement in May 2017, which has resulted in substantial increase in bilateral trade, the two leaders emphasized the need for further strengthening of bilateral trade mechanisms that could open new opportunities for expansion of bilateral trade. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the recent increase in visits of business delegations from both sides, which is strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Boric for bringing in a large business delegation, which will help in intensifying business interaction between the two countries. Both agreed to continue the discussions for further enhancement of the trade relations.

President Boric conveyed that India is a priority partner for Chile in the global economy and stressed the need to explore strategies for enhanced and diversified trade between the two countries. The President and the Prime Minister acknowledged signing of the mutually agreed Terms of Reference and welcomed the launch of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement to achieve a deeper economic integration. The CEPA will aim at unlocking the full potential of the trade and commercial relationship between India and Chile, boosting employment, bilateral trade, and economic growth.

To further promote trade relations as well as people-to-people interactions, President Boric announced Chile’s decision to grant a Multiple Entry Permit for Indian businesspersons which will streamline the visa process. Prime Minister Modi welcomed and valued this measure, as it reflects the willingness of both parties to facilitate trade and investment and the shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations between Chile and India. Acknowledging the people-to-people linkages as an important pillar to promote bilateral ties and to facilitate business, tourism, student and academic exchanges, Indian side has already put in place a flexible visa regime, including by extending e-visa facility for Chilean travellers to India.

Both leaders recognised the strategic importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy transitions, both leaders agreed to accelerate collaboration in exploration, mining and processing along with research and development to promote investment across the entire critical mineral value chain for mutual benefit. They stressed on the need for building trusted and resilient supply chains including for critical minerals and advanced materials. The two sides agreed to work together on initiatives to strengthen supply chains and local value chains by fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and understandings in mining and minerals, including the possibility of long-term supply of minerals and materials from Chile to India.

Both leaders agreed to explore the opening up of new avenues for cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals, space, ICT, agriculture, green energy, traditional medicine, Antarctica, Science & Technology, management of natural disasters, sports, Startups, cooperatives, and audiovisual co-production, through the exchange of experiences and good practices among the agencies responsible for these matters.

President Boric acknowledged the role of the Indian pharmaceutical industry as one of the world leaders, and an important partner for Chile in the supply of affordable and high-quality products. Both sides agreed to facilitate private sectors of the two countries to increase trade in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical devices. Both sides agreed to work on enhancing cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors and address market access issues for Indian pharmaceuticals, as well as advancing in the recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia by Chile.

The two leaders noted the importance of traditional medicines and Yoga in preserving health and wellbeing of people and directed their officials for an early conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding on Traditional Medicines to promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Towards this, both countries agreed to collaborate and intensify the promotion and use of evidence-based, integrative, Traditional Medicine, Homeopathy, and Yoga by signing an MoU.

Both sides agreed to work on promoting investments in infrastructure projects in each other’s countries. Chilean side welcomed Indian companies to participate in infrastructure projects including in railway sector.

The two leaders encouraged the two sides to work together to explore substantial areas for bilateral defence cooperation, including capacity building and defence industrial collaboration. Both agreed to share knowledge in developing and enhancing each other’s capabilities under the existing formal defence cooperation agreement in place. Indian side highlighted that Chile has been kept on priority while offering opportunities in training at Defence Services Staff College, NDC, NDA and HDMC, apart from slots for specialised courses in mountain warfare and peacekeeping operations previously made available. Indian side expressed its desire to receive and train Chilean military in areas of mutual interests.

Both leaders expressed their happiness on signing of the Letter of Intent to strengthen existing Antarctic cooperation, which will further facilitate partnership in Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources agendas bilateral dialogues, joint initiatives and academic exchanges related to Antarctica and Antarctic policy. Both India and Chile are Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen scientific understanding of Antarctic for the benefit of both parties and the global community.

The two sides welcomed the adoption and opening for signature of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), as a key legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and reiterated the resolve of their respective countries to preserve, protect and promote biodiversity, from land to sea, and agreed to work together and support each other in international forums dealing with these issues. Both countries reaffirmed their intention to strengthen a vision from the Global South in multilateralism, through cooperation and joint efforts, based on the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and the right to development.

Recalling the two countries’ decades-long partnership in space, the two leaders noted the ongoing engagements in the space sector between the two countries, including the launching of a satellite belonging to Chile (SUCHAI-1) by India in 2017 as a co-passenger under a commercial arrangement. Both leaders emphasized the importance of further cooperation to promote training and capacity building and research in space and astrophysics. In this regard, they welcomed the constitution of Space Executive Committee by Chile to work on cooperation including in the areas of exploration in space, R&D, training, satellite building, launch and operation and peaceful use of outer space with ISRO, IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) and Startups.

Both leaders noted their respective dynamic information and digital technology sectors and stressed the need to explore synergies to enhance cooperation in this field. They expressed mutual interest in growth of investment, joint ventures, technological development and markets in the IT and digital space, including promoting collaboration in Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI), thereby democratizing access to digital services for people and businesses. Both leaders acknowledged the efforts by the two sides in exploring early implementation of cooperation in the digital payments sectors. They committed to work for developing closer cooperation between the vibrant Startup ecosystems of the two countries. Both leaders expressed their desire for advancing on signing of an understanding on cooperation in the areas of Digital Transformation to facilitate deeper engagement between tech communities of both countries.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reformed multilateralism and for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership to make it more representative, accountable, transparent, inclusive and effective, reflecting the geopolitical realities of the 21st Century. The Chilean side reiterated its support for India’s candidature for a permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. The two sides agreed to work together for promotion of democratic principles and human rights to strengthen the world peace stressing the importance of resolving all disputes through peaceful dialogue.

Both leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism and shared their resolve to stand together in common fight against global terrorism. They agreed that terrorism must be combated through concerted global actions.

The two leaders called upon all UN member countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure and disrupt terrorist networks and all terror financing channels. Both reiterated their commitment to work together in Financial Action Task Force (FATF), No Money For Terror (NMFT) and other multilateral platforms to combat terrorism. The two leaders also reiterated the importance of early finalization of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

The two leaders committed themselves to the vision of a rules-based international order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, ensures freedom of navigation and overflight as well as unimpeded lawful commerce, and that seeks peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, notably the UNCLOS.

Prime Minister Modi appreciated the participation of Chile in all the three editions of the “Voice of Global South” Summits, reflecting the commitment in bringing together countries of the Global South to share their development perspectives and priorities. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Boric for sharing his valuable perspectives and ideas at the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit held in August 2024 and noted that both countries have strong convergence on several contemporary global issues, including on the need for effective global governance reforms and equitable access for Global South countries to clean and green technologies. President Boric welcomed India’s leadership in strengthening engagements between countries of Global South.

President Boric appreciated India’s leadership in G20 which brought the development agenda to centre stage and acknowledged the transformative and inclusive role of technology, with a focus on unlocking the potential of digital public infrastructure (DPI). Both Leaders recognized that India’s G20 Presidency has championed Voice of the Global South by bringing to fore key initiatives and outcomes, such as inclusion of African Union in G20, promotion of Lifestyles for sustainable development (LiFE), advancements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), reforms of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and focus on women-led development. In this regard, and with the aim of promoting greater integration and representativeness within the G20, India will support the inclusion of Chile and Latin American countries in the discussions as G20′ guest countries.

The two sides recognized the challenges for their economies presented by climate change and the transition to low emissions climate resilient economies. Accordingly, they expressed keen desire to promote clean energy and sustainable development through development of more efficient energy technologies. The two leaders called for increased joint investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, utilization and storage technologies, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon solutions that will have the potential to accelerate sustainable economic growth and foster job creation.

President Boric welcomed India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and reiterated strong support as a member since November 2023. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Chile joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in January 2021 aiming to make systems and infrastructure resilient to achieve the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, both leaders valued Chile’s offer of hosting the 7th Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Recognizing the growing significance of technology enabled learning solutions, skills development, and institutional capacity building, India and Chile reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in these areas. Both countries have agreed to facilitate partnerships between EdCIL (India) Limited and key Chilean institutions, including the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH), the Chilean Ministry of Education, and technical training centres (CFTs), thereby focusing on digital learning, research exchanges, smart education infrastructure, and vocational training programs, leveraging the strengths of both nations to drive innovation and knowledge-sharing in education.

Prime Minister Modi, highlighting the transformational changes taking place in education sector in India under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, encouraged leading Chilean universities to strengthen academic and research partnerships with Indian institutions and build institutional linkages through joint/dual degree and twinning arrangements. Given mutual strengths of both countries in astronomy and astrophysics, both leaders agreed to strengthen institutional engagements in these domains. The two leaders welcomed the proposal for establishment of an ICCR Chair on Indian Studies in one of the universities in Chile and directed the officials to examine the feasibility for an early implementation.

Both leaders welcomed the ongoing cooperation in training and capacity building in the field of diplomacy and noted the potential for further enhancement for cooperation in this area, in line with global diplomatic endeavours and new technology making diplomacy more efficient.

The two leaders acknowledged the role of cultural ties in bringing the people of the two countries closer to each other. They lauded the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India and Chile and appreciated the long-standing cultural exchanges between the two nations. The leaders applauded the growing interest in the study of the cultures and languages in both countries with Spanish being among the popular foreign languages in India. They stressed the mutual interest in further strengthening India – Chile cultural cooperation and the reinforcement of cooperation among cultural institutions of the two countries. They welcomed the signing of new Cultural Exchange Program to promote bilateral exchanges in music, dance, theatre, literature, museums and festivals.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress made to finalise the agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters which will lead to strengthening linkages between the relevant agencies to counter illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and, in general, to investigate, prevent and suppress contraventions of Customs laws, as well as sharing of best practices and capacity building. They also welcomed the efforts by two sides to sign an agreement on cooperation in the disability sector which would contribute to a more humane and just society where no one is left behind. The two leaders directed their officials to conclude these documents at an early date.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining regular interaction on matters of mutual interest. They reiterated their willingness to build on opportunities to promote and expand the bonds of cooperation and understanding that characterizes the bilateral relationship.

President Gabriel Boric thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for warmth and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit and invited him to pay an official visit to Chile at a mutually convenient time.

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MJPS/SR/BM

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 2, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: KISAN E-MITRA and IoT enabled systems to improve crop productivity
Source: Government of India

Posted On: 01 APR 2025 6:10PM by PIB Delhi

The government has employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods and IoT-enabled systems to improve crop productivity, sustainability and farmer livelihoods and to address various challenges in the agricultural sector to aid farmers etc. Some initiatives including Kisan e-Mitra are given below:
1. ‘Kisan e-Mitra’, is a voice-based AI-powered chatbot, developed to assist farmers with responses to their queries on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This solution supports 11 regional languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs. At present, it handles over 20,000 farmer queries daily and so far, more than 92 lakh queries have been answered.
2. The National Pest Surveillance System, for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change, utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops. This tool, currently used by over 10,000 extension workers, allows farmers to capture images of pests to help them mitigate pest attacks and reduce crop losses. At present, it currently supports 61 crops and over 400 pests.
3. AI-based analytics using field photographs for satellite-based crop mapping being used in Crop-weather matching monitoring of crops sown.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Read this release in: Urdu

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
April 2, 2025

Category: Agriculture

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April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

Economist and former charity leader Dan Corry, who led the review, said:

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Source: Business Central

Take them to the playground

Lots of blank space

Teach them how to look carefully

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