NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Canada contributes CAD 250,000 for food, animal and plant health standards

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Canada contributes CAD 250,000 for food, animal and plant health standards

    WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Canada’s donation: “Compliance with international standards enhances food security in both importing and exporting countries by facilitating trade in agricultural products. The long-term impact of STDF-related programs will benefit producers, traders and governments along global and regional value chains, helping them raise export revenues, income levels and living standards. The STDF will continue to facilitate inclusive and safe trade worldwide, in close partnership with Canada.”
    Heath MacDonald, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said: “The Government of Canada will continue to support global efforts to adopt international standards for food safety and animal and plant health. Investing in larger-scale capacity building projects, like the Standards and Trade Development Facility, will help improve food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable economic growth around the world.”
    Beyond participation in the STDF Working Group, Canadian officials have shared expertise to strengthen the delivery of STDF projects. This includes innovative projects to pilot the use of Codex Guidelines on voluntary third-party assurance programmes (vTPA) in Africa and Central America for more effective risk-based food safety systems. For instance, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) hosted a learning visit for regulators from Honduras and Belize in 2024, and co-organized webinars in March and April 2025 attended by more than 100 experts, many in Africa, to share insights from Canada’s risk-based food safety model. Additionally, the CFIA will host a learning visit for regulators from Rwanda and Uganda in September 2025, as a follow up to the April 2025 webinar and to further share information on this model.  
    This donation underscores Canada’s major and long-standing commitment to the STDF’s programme goal, bringing its total contributions to CHF 7.6 million since 2005.
    Canada has contributed over CHF 15 million to WTO trust funds over the past 23 years.
    The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership that promotes safe and inclusive trade. It was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership.
    In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the STDF responds to evolving SPS needs, drives inclusive trade and contributes to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security and resilience to climate change.
    Developing economies and least developed countries are encouraged to apply to the STDF for SPS project and project preparation grants. Information on how to apply is available here.
    To date, the STDF has funded over 260 safe trade projects benefiting developing and least developed country economies.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Moody’s Corporation Reports Results for Second Quarter 2025

    Source: Moody’s

    Headline: Moody’s Corporation Reports Results for Second Quarter 2025

    NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO) today announced results for the second quarter 2025 and updated select metrics within its outlook for full year 2025.

    The Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release and other earnings materials can be found on the Moody’s IR website at ir.moodys.com. In addition, the Earnings Release will be furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a Form 8-K and will be available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

    “This past quarter, Moody’s provided the insights and expertise that helped markets make sense of a complex and rapidly changing global landscape,” said Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s. “We continue to innovate and invest in our business as we capitalize on the deep currents that are driving demand for our solutions, and we are strengthening the earnings engine of the company by delivering strong recurring revenue growth combined with real cost discipline.”

    Teleconference Details:

    Date and Time

    July 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET

    Webcast

    The webcast and its replay can be accessed through Moody’s Investor Relations website, ir.moodys.com within “Events & Presentations”.

    Dial In

    U.S. and Canada

    +1-888-596-4144

    Other callers

    +1-646-968-2525

    Passcode

    515 6491

    Dial In Replay

    A replay will be available immediately after the call on July 23, 2025 and until July 30, 2025.

    U.S. and Canada

    +1-800-770-2030

    Other callers

    +1-609-800-9909

    Confirmation code

    515 6491

    For further information, please contact Investor Relations at ir@moodys.com.

    ABOUT Moody’s

    In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE:MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 16,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive.

    Source: Moody’s Corporation Investor Relations

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gaza: As starvation spreads, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away – joint statement

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.

    Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, 109 organisations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel through a principled, UN-led mechanism; end the siege, and agree to a ceasefire now.

    “Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?” said one agency representative. 

    Massacres at food distribution sites in Gaza are occurring near-daily. As of July 13, the UN confirmed 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the rest at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million exhausted Palestinians with the most recent mass displacement order issued on July 20, confining Palestinians to less than 12 per cent of Gaza. WFP warns that current conditions make operations untenable. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. 

    Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them. The Government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death. An aid worker providing psychosocial support spoke of the devastating impact on children: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” 

    Doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. Distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks a day, far from enough for over two million people, many of whom have gone weeks without assistance.

    The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, it has been prevented from functioning. 

    Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale. But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams. On July 10, the EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid. But these promises of ‘progress’ ring hollow when there is no real change on the ground. Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive. 

    Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions. It is not just physical torment, but psychological. Survival is dangled like a mirage. The humanitarian system cannot run on false promises. Humanitarians cannot operate on shifting timelines or wait for political commitments that fail to deliver access.

    Governments must stop waiting for permission to act. We cannot continue to hope that current arrangements will work. It is time to take decisive action: demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations. States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition. 

    Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states’ legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale. States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.

    Signatories: 

    1. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
    2. A.M. Qattan Foundation
    3. A New Policy
    4. ACT Alliance
    5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
    6. Action for Humanity
    7. ActionAid International
    8. American Baptist Churches Palestine Justice Network
    9. Amnesty International
    10. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
    11. Associazione Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS)
    12. Bystanders No More
    13. Campain
    14. CARE 
    15. Caritas Germany
    16. Caritas Internationalis
    17. Caritas Jerusalem
    18. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
    19. Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    20. CESVI Fondazione
    21. Children Not Numbers
    22. Christian Aid
    23. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
    24. CIDSE- International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations
    25. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
    26. Council for Arab‑British Understanding (CAABU)
    27. DanChurchAid (DCA)
    28. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    29. Doctors against Genocide
    30. Episcopal Peace Fellowship
    31. EuroMed Rights
    32. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
    33. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.
    34. Gender Action for Peace and Security
    35. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
    36. Global Witness
    37. Health Workers 4 Palestine
    38. HelpAge International
    39. Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
    40. Humanity First UK
    41. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
    42. Insight Insecurity
    43. International Media Support
    44. International NGO Safety Organisation
    45. Islamic Relief
    46. Jahalin Solidarity
    47. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
    48. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP)
    49. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
    50. MedGlobal
    51. Medico International
    52. Medico International Switzerland (medico international schweiz)
    53. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
    54. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
    55. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    56. Médecins du Monde France
    57. Médecins du Monde Spain
    58. Médecins du Monde Switzerland
    59. Mercy Corps
    60. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
    61. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
    62. Muslim Aid
    63. National Justice and Peace Network in England and Wales
    64. Nonviolence International
    65. Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC)
    66. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
    67. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
    68. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    69. Oxfam International
    70. Pax Christi England and Wales
    71. Pax Christi International
    72. Pax Christi Merseyside
    73. Pax Christi USA
    74. Pal Law Commission
    75. Palestinian American Medical Association
    76. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
    77. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
    78. Peace Direct
    79. Peace Winds
    80. Pediatricians for Palestine
    81. People in Need
    82. Plan International
    83. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
    84. Progettomondo
    85. Project HOPE
    86. Quaker Palestine Israel Network
    87. Rebuilding Alliance
    88. Saferworld
    89. Sabeel‑Kairos UK
    90. Save the Children (SCI)
    91. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
    92. Solidarités International
    93. Støtteforeningen Det Danske Hus i Palæstina
    94. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
    95. Terre des Hommes Italia
    96. Terre des Hommes Lausanne
    97. Terre des Hommes Nederland
    98. The Borgen Project
    99. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    100. The Glia Project
    101. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
    102. The Institute for the Understanding of Anti‑Palestinian Racism
    103. Un Ponte Per (UPP)
    104. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
    105. War Child Alliance
    106. War Child UK
    107. War on Want
    108. Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
    109. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: As mass starvation spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.

    Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, 109 organisations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel through a principled, UN-led mechanism; end the siege, and agree to a ceasefire now.

    “Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?” said one agency representative. 

    Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?

    Humanitarian agency representative in Gaza

    Massacres at food distribution sites in Gaza are occurring near-daily. As of July 13, the UN confirmed 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the rest at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million exhausted Palestinians with the most recent mass displacement order issued on July 20, confining Palestinians to less than 12 per cent of Gaza. WFP warns that current conditions make operations untenable. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. 

    Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them. The Government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death. An aid worker providing psychosocial support spoke of the devastating impact on children: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” 

    Doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. Distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks a day, far from enough for over two million people, many of whom have gone weeks without assistance.

    The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, it has been prevented from functioning. 

    Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale. But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams. On July 10, the EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid. But these promises of ‘progress’ ring hollow when there is no real change on the ground. Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive. 

    Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions. It is not just physical torment, but psychological. Survival is dangled like a mirage. The humanitarian system cannot run on false promises. Humanitarians cannot operate on shifting timelines or wait for political commitments that fail to deliver access.

    Governments must stop waiting for permission to act. We cannot continue to hope that current arrangements will work. It is time to take decisive action: demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations. States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition. 

    Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states’ legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale. States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.

    Signatories: 

    1. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
    2. A.M. Qattan Foundation
    3. A New Policy
    4. ACT Alliance
    5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
    6. Action for Humanity
    7. ActionAid International
    8. American Baptist Churches Palestine Justice Network
    9. Amnesty International
    10. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
    11. Associazione Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS)
    12. Bystanders No More
    13. Campain
    14. CARE 
    15. Caritas Germany
    16. Caritas Internationalis
    17. Caritas Jerusalem
    18. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
    19. Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    20. CESVI Fondazione
    21. Children Not Numbers
    22. Christian Aid
    23. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
    24. CIDSE- International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations
    25. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
    26. Council for Arab‑British Understanding (CAABU)
    27. DanChurchAid (DCA)
    28. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    29. Doctors against Genocide
    30. Episcopal Peace Fellowship
    31. EuroMed Rights
    32. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
    33. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.
    34. Gender Action for Peace and Security
    35. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
    36. Global Witness
    37. Health Workers 4 Palestine
    38. HelpAge International
    39. Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
    40. Humanity First UK
    41. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
    42. Insight Insecurity
    43. International Media Support
    44. International NGO Safety Organisation
    45. Islamic Relief
    46. Jahalin Solidarity
    47. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
    48. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP)
    49. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
    50. MedGlobal
    51. Medico International
    52. Medico International Switzerland (medico international schweiz)
    53. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
    54. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
    55. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    56. Médecins du Monde France
    57. Médecins du Monde Spain
    58. Médecins du Monde Switzerland
    59. Mercy Corps
    60. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
    61. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
    62. Muslim Aid
    63. National Justice and Peace Network in England and Wales
    64. Nonviolence International
    65. Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC)
    66. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
    67. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
    68. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    69. Oxfam International
    70. Pax Christi England and Wales
    71. Pax Christi International
    72. Pax Christi Merseyside
    73. Pax Christi USA
    74. Pal Law Commission
    75. Palestinian American Medical Association
    76. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
    77. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
    78. Peace Direct
    79. Peace Winds
    80. Pediatricians for Palestine
    81. People in Need
    82. Plan International
    83. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
    84. Progettomondo
    85. Project HOPE
    86. Quaker Palestine Israel Network
    87. Rebuilding Alliance
    88. Saferworld
    89. Sabeel‑Kairos UK
    90. Save the Children (SCI)
    91. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
    92. Solidarités International
    93. Støtteforeningen Det Danske Hus i Palæstina
    94. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
    95. Terre des Hommes Italia
    96. Terre des Hommes Lausanne
    97. Terre des Hommes Nederland
    98. The Borgen Project
    99. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    100. The Glia Project
    101. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
    102. The Institute for the Understanding of Anti‑Palestinian Racism
    103. Un Ponte Per (UPP)
    104. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
    105. War Child Alliance
    106. War Child UK
    107. War on Want
    108. Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
    109. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Calling university postgrad and undergrad students – apply to showcase your big ideas in Dubai

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matt Warren, Managing Director, Universal Impact, The Conversation

    Share your thoughts. Shutterstock

    We believe in the power of research to change the world for the better. But we also understand that research needs to be shared – effectively and accessibly – if it is to have its greatest impact.

    As the Conversation UK’s specialist communications subsidiary, Universal Impact’s mission is to enable researchers to communicate their work, in a targeted way, to a wide range of different audiences. Which is why we’re currently working with Prototypes for Humanity. This Dubai-based academic forum and event promotes innovative scientific solutions and enables international research collaboration.

    In April, we blogged about how the forum was seeking applicants for its Professors’ Programme. But applications to join this year’s Prototypes for Humanity annual gathering are now open to current university students on any undergraduate or postgraduate course – as well as graduates who completed their qualifications within the past two years.

    The key is that your work potentially offers a tangible solution to a real world problem.

    That’s you? Apply now…

    Participation is free and successful applicants will showcase their innovative solutions at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, from November 17 to 20, 2025. Flight and accommodation costs are covered by the organiser.

    There is also a US$100,000 prize fund to help the best projects roll out in the real world – and the opportunity to connect with a wide range of potential partners, funders and collaborators.

    The evaluation criteria are threefold, stating that the successful applicants will be able to show:

    Positive impact on people, communities or the planet: Whether addressing social issues, environmental concerns, or community development, demonstrating the project’s potential positive impact will be a crucial factor.

    Rigour of academic research: We are seeking projects that demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges addressed, and the students’ ability to propose meaningful and innovative solutions through structured research.

    Application of technology: Innovative and effective use of technology (High-tech or Low-tech) is key, whether incorporating cutting-edge advancements or utilising simple yet efficient solutions.

    More than 2,700 entries landed in The Prototypes for Humanity programme’s inbox last year. And researchers from 800 universities, many members of The Conversation’s international network, applied.



    Read more:
    Prototypes for Humanity showcases solutions-based projects from universities around the world – in Dubai

    More than 100 projects were chosen to present at that event – and a similar number will be selected for this November’s showcase. The Conversation UK’s editor, Stephen Khan was at the 2024 event and blogged afterwards:

    For The Conversation, it was an introduction to some projects that I expect you’ll hear and read more about in our content in the months to come.

    While we rightly assess and explain events as they happen, delivering information about new research, and particularly innovative solutions that are born in the labs, studios and seminars of our partner universities is also a central element of our mission as we strive to be the comprehensive conveyor of academic knowledge.

    Indeed, two researchers who presented their work – on sustainable batteries – at the 2024 event recently featured on The Conversation Weekly’s award-winning podcast. We expect many more to write about their work for The Conversation down the line.



    Read more:
    What will batteries of the future be made of? Four scientists discuss the options – podcast

    You can submit research projects as an individual or group, or ask your professor to submit on your behalf. You can find the application link here and more information on the programme here. The deadline is July 31, 2025.

    Good luck.

    Universal Impact is a commercial subsidiary of The Conversation UK, offering specialist training, mentoring and research communication services and donating profits back to our parent charity. If you’re a researcher or research institution and you’re interested in working together, please get in touch – or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to find out more.

    – ref. Calling university postgrad and undergrad students – apply to showcase your big ideas in Dubai – https://theconversation.com/calling-university-postgrad-and-undergrad-students-apply-to-showcase-your-big-ideas-in-dubai-261706

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Measures designed to boost the UK’s app economy, unlocking global success and ensuring UK consumers aren’t left behind.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is today proposing to designate Apple and Google with ‘strategic market status’ (SMS) in each of their mobile platforms and has published separate roadmaps of potential actions to improve competition.

    The UK app economy

    The UK has a vibrant app developer community, representing Europe’s largest app economy by revenue and app developer count. In total, the UK app economy generates an estimated 1.5% of the UK’s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs here. App-led innovation has powered the success of strategically important sectors for the UK, like financial services and gaming. Fintech stands out, attracting over £18 billion in inward investment over the past 3 years. Meanwhile, gaming contributes £6 billion to the UK economy, with mobile gaming alone bringing in nearly £2 billion a year. UK developers are also behind many of the apps that make modern life work – helping millions of people work, shop, bank, travel, game, consume content and stay connected.

    UK mobile platforms

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms hold an effective duopoly, with around 90 – 100% of UK mobile devices running on Apple or Google’s mobile platform. The CMA’s investigation has heard concerns affecting businesses and consumers in the UK. These differ across Apple and Google but include:

    • inconsistent and unpredictable app review processes can create uncertainty for developers, meaning delayed or failed launches
    • inconsistent app store search rankings may favour apps owned by the firms
    • up to 30% commission on some in-app purchases, as well as restrictions on developers ‘steering’ customers outside of their app stores, for example towards other ways to pay or subscribe, which could make some business models unviable, reduce consumer choice, and chill innovation
    • restrictions on developers’ access to features and functionality including between smartphones and wearable technology (such as smart watches) may be impeding innovation
    • ‘Choice architecture’ (like default settings, pre-installation, prominence, prompts, and friction) may favour the firms’ own services, limiting competition and genuine choice for users.

    It is essential the digital economy works well to power the success of businesses across the UK economy. More competition and choice will unlock opportunities for UK businesses to invest, innovate and grow, as well as allowing UK consumers to benefit from the latest innovations, high quality experiences and more choice.

    A proportionate, pro-innovation approach

    The UK’s new digital markets competition regime can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth, by promoting competition in digital markets while protecting UK consumers and businesses from unfair or harmful practices. To support pace and provide greater predictability for Apple and Google and other market participants, the CMA has published roadmaps outlining how it would prioritise actions taken during the first half of any designation period. Measures outlined in the roadmaps focus on areas including:

    App stores

    • Ensuring a fair and transparent app review process and app store rankings to give UK app developers certainty
    • Allowing the ability to ‘steer’ users out of app stores, for example to make purchases. Potentially driving innovation and financial savings for developers

    Interoperability

    • Ensuring UK app developers have interoperable access to key Apple functionality to create innovative products and services
    • Addressing Apple restrictions on digital wallets to ensure UK FinTech can compete, and enabling connected devices like smartwatches and gaming headsets to seamlessly connect with smartphones

    Consumer choice

    • Ensuring consumers have a genuine choice over the services they use on their devices

    AI services

    • Exploring the factors likely to be important for the development of AI services like voice assistants on mobile devices to ensure a level playing field in this rapidly advancing sector

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms are both critical to the UK economy – playing an important role in all our lives, from banking and shopping to entertainment and education. But our investigation so far has identified opportunities for more innovation and choice.

    The targeted and proportionate actions we have set out today would enable UK app developers to remain at the forefront of global innovation while ensuring UK consumers receive a world-class experience. Time is of the essence: as competition agencies and courts globally take action in these markets, it’s essential the UK doesn’t fall behind.

    The CMA welcomes views on its proposed designation decisions and accompanying roadmaps. A final decision on both SMS designations will be made by 22 October 2025.

    More information about these investigations is available on the Apple and Google case pages.

    Read more on today’s announcement in this blog.

    Notes to editors

    1. On 23 January 2025 the CMA launched two separate SMS investigations – one into Apple and another into Google – to assess these firms’ position in their respective ‘mobile ecosystems.’ The investigations are exploring the impact on people who use mobile devices and the businesses developing services or content for these devices. The CMA is today publishing proposed decision reports and roadmaps as part of these parallel investigations.
    2. The CMA will be consulting with affected businesses and consumer groups widely over the coming months. The CMA expects to begin consulting on a first set of priority interventions from shortly after any designation decision and will publish an updated roadmap addressing our approach to the more complex issues the CMA has identified in the first half of 2026.
    3. The issues covered by the proposed designations are being scrutinised around the world and the CMA recognises that any proposed action taken must fit with decisions being taken elsewhere.
    4. In line with the CMA’s prioritisation principles and the strategic steer from government, the CMA’s roadmaps consider targeted measures where it can make a difference in the UK, and which fit with steps taken, or proposed, in other jurisdictions such as the EU and US.
    5. A finding that Google/Apple has SMS does not imply that it has acted anti-competitively. If the CMA designates Google and/or Apple as having SMS, it would then be able (subject to a legal framework that includes further public consultation and showing that measures are proportionate) to introduce interventions (including as set out in the roadmap) to unlock competition, increase innovation, and protect consumers.
    6. FinTech figures from: Innovate Finance FinTech Investment Landscape reports
    7. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    10 projects from the first phase of the government’s flagship hydrogen programme can begin construction.

    • Spades in the ground as 10 of the UK’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects sign contracts, boosting growth as part of Plan for Change
    • homegrown, green hydrogen to fuel range of British business and industry with clean power, from tissue manufacturing and waste disposal to breweries and bus services
    • projects to unlock more than 700 good jobs across Britain in the clean energy industries of the future, while delivering on clean energy mission and industrial strategy

    Skilled jobs will be created in Britain’s industrial heartlands, as the first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects in the country sign long-term contracts to fuel heavy industry with clean, homegrown energy. 

    In an update to the hydrogen market, the government has confirmed that 10 projects from the first phase of its flagship hydrogen programme – Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) – can begin construction, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.   

    This means spades can now enter the ground across the country in a major boost to the UK’s hydrogen industry, creating highly skilled jobs in industrial cities and regions such as South Wales, Bradford (North West), North Scotland and Teesside (North East).  

    These projects will support British industry to move away from using fossil fuels towards domestically-produced low-carbon hydrogen, reducing emissions heavy industry – such as steel, glass and heavy transport – ensuring decarbonisation is a route to reindustrialisation. 

    The HyMarnham project in Newark, Nottinghamshire has already started construction. The project is transforming the old High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub by using hydrogen to decarbonise waste disposal operations.  

    Cromarty Hydrogen Project in Northeast Scotland is another of the 10 projects. The project’s 3 5MW electrolysers – which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen – will power local industrial users, including distilleries. 

    Taken together, the projects are expected to create over 700 jobs, including roles for apprentices, graduates, pipefitters and engineers. They are also expected to bring in over £400 million of private capital investment which has been committed between 2024 and 2026 – driving economic growth and British innovation through the Plan for Change. 

    The update comes as Andrex and Kleenex producer Kimberly-Clark announces that it will be the first major consumer goods company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen. Kimberly-Clark, together with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat, will invest a combined £125 million into HAR1 projects at two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent.

    Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, said: 

    This government is rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon.  

    Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said: 

    LCCC is proud to have signed the UK’s first Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreements, supporting the development of projects under the Hydrogen Production Business Model.  

    These agreements provide revenue stability for producers, and a clear signal that low-carbon hydrogen has a key role to play in the UK’s future energy system.  

    We look forward to working closely with project developers to bring these projects into operation.

    Dan Howell, Managing Director at Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland said:  

    We are delighted to be the first UK consumer goods manufacturer to really embrace green hydrogen, showing that manufacturing industries can take the lead and overcome the technical challenge and adopt green hydrogen at scale. This initiative builds on the investments and progress we’ve already made with innovative technologies for our business, our consumers and our customers.

    Today’s announcement follows the Spending Review which saw an extra £500 million confirmed for the first ever hydrogen transport and storage network as part of Britain’s industrial renewal, connecting hydrogen producers with vital end users, including power stations and industry for the first time. 

    The government has also announced that it will consult on transmission-level hydrogen blending – assessing the economic and technical feasibility for hydrogen to be blended into the networks that are the backbone of Britain’s gas system, before it is safely transported into homes and businesses. 

    Hydrogen transmission blending has the potential to reduce costs for hydrogen production projects and the wider energy system, and the consultation will also gather evidence to assess whether hydrogen blending could lower consumers’ energy bills. 

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:  

    Signing these contracts demonstrates the confidence and commitment of both the government and industry in building a sustainable hydrogen sector.   

    Our members are at the forefront of this transition, and their projects will play a vital role in meeting the UK’s net-zero targets while driving economic growth and job creation.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:  

    This announcement marks a significant and encouraging milestone for the UK’s hydrogen sector.   

    The signing of contracts for 10 projects under HAR1 provides vital momentum and confidence for industry and investors alike.   

    We look forward to seeing these projects move into the next phase, helping to scale up the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

    Pierre de Raphélis-Soissan, CEO of Hynamics UK who are developing the Tees Green Hydrogen project, said:  

    We are delighted that Tees Green Hydrogen has successfully signed a contract as part of the Hydrogen Allocation Round.   

    We are committed to advancing low carbon hydrogen solutions that not only support the UK’s energy transition but also contribute to a sustainable future for our communities.   

    This achievement marks a significant milestone in the journey towards industrial decarbonisation within the Tees Valley region.

    Gareth Mills and Kevin Selleslags, on behalf of Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen (BLCH) said: 

    Signing our contract to take the largest HAR 1 project forward is a significant step.  

    Thanks to the government’s investment, we’re able to continue to progress our plans to transform Birkshall from a former fossil fuel gas site powering Bradford’s homes and businesses to a flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station.  

    The scheme will not only help the area decarbonise with cleaner fuel but will vitally create around £120 million and support 125 jobs in the regional economy.

    Alistair Collins, Director at HyMarnham Power, said:   

    As one of the first HAR1 projects now commissioning electrolyser systems, we’re proud to demonstrate what government support can unlock, real infrastructure, green hydrogen production and a tangible contribution to the UK’s net zero and energy security goals.

    Lucy Whitford, RES’ Managing Director, UK&I, said:  

    Green hydrogen, created using British low carbon energy, will revolutionise how we power industry, helping the UK to build a globally competitive, zero carbon economy in the process.  

    We are proud of the success of HYRO’s Northfleet project, which will show how we can make green hydrogen a reality.

    Notes to editors

    HAR1 projects are expected to access over £2 billion over 15 years in revenue support from the Hydrogen Production Business Model and over £90 million in capital expenditure support via the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund. 

    Further details of the 10 projects which have signed to HAR1 are detailed in the table below, with contracts available on the LCCC registry. 

    Government is working collaboratively with the project developer of the final HAR1 project to ensure they are ready to sign the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement as soon as possible. 

    See the transmission blending consultation.

    Project name Developer Constituency Summary
    Cromarty Hydrogen Project Scottish Power & Storegga Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Cromarty Green Hydrogen Project is located in northeast Scotland and is being developed by Scottish Power and Storegga. The project will use electricity from nearby wind farms produce hydrogen that could be sold to local industrial offtakers, including distilleries.
    Bradford Low Carbon Hygen Bradford East Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen is located within the city centre of Bradford, Yorkshire and is being developed by Hygen in partnership with Ryze. The project will use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen for use in a range of offtakers in the mobility sector. JCB and Wrightbus are key potential customers.
    West Wales Hydrogen Project Morgen & Trafigura Mid and South Pembrokeshire West Wales Hydrogen Project is located in Milford Haven, West Wales, and is being developed by MorGen and Trafigura. The project will produce hydrogen could be sold to local industrial offtakers including Natural Gas facilities to decarbonise their operations.
    High Marnham JG Pears & GeoPura Newark HyMarnham is located on the site of an old coal power station in the East Midlands and is being developed by JG Pears and GeoPura. Hydrogen produced is expected to be used by GeoPura to supply their remote power generation units and by JG Pears as part of their waste disposal operations.
    Whitelee Green Hydrogen Scottish Power Kilmarnock and Loudoun Whitelee Green Hydrogen is located in central Scotland, 14 miles south of Glasgow and is being developed by Scottish Power. The project will use electricity from Whitelee Wind Farm to produce hydrogen to be sold to local distilleries and transportation companies to decarbonise their operations.
    Green Hydrogen 3 HYRO Gravesham Green Hydrogen 3 is located in Northfleet, South east, and is developed by HYRO. Electricity will be sourced through a renewable Power Purchase Agreement and aims to be used to produce hydrogen for use in a paper mill to power industrial boilers.
    Trafford Carlton Power Stretford and Urmston (Greater Manchester) Trafford Hydrogen Project is located in Trafford, Manchester and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will produce hydrogen to be sold to a range of local industrial offtakers.
    Barrow   Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria) Barrow Hydrogen is located in Cumbria and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project could provide low carbon hydrogen to the neighbouring Kimberly Clark tissue manufacturing site.
    Langage   South West Devon (Plymouth) Langage green hydrogen is located in Plymouth and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will supply hydrogen to companies located in Langage Energy Park which could utilise Hydrogen in place of gas in industrial processes such as minerals processing.
    Tees Green EDF/Hynamics Redcar (Teesside) The Tees Green hydrogen project is located in Teeside. Low carbon hydrogen will be produced from electricity generated in the Teesside Offshore Wind Farm for use in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, helping decarbonise the aviation industry in the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro – Time for new technologies! Testing neural voice in audio messages in the Moscow metro.

    Source: Moscow Metro

    Time for new technologies! Testing neural voice in audio messages in the Moscow metro.

    Time for new technologies! Testing neural voice in audio messages in the Moscow metro. – Московское метро тестирует нейроголос в аудиосообщениях.

    We are gradually introducing artificial intelligence into the capital’s transport system. For example, since the beginning of the year, a neural network has been helping Alexandera’s chatbot answer your questions. Now, as part of a pilot project, AI will assist announcers in the Moscow metro.

    As Maksim Liksutov explained, audio announcements are one of the most important ways to communicate with passengers. Sometimes something changes in metro operations: an escalator is closed for repair or trains follow a different route. Each situation requires a prompt announcement. Neural voice will help solve this task in minutes.

    Moreover, the required audio file can be created remotely. Specialists only need to:

    Prepare the text.

    Upload it to the program.

    Adjust the voice — choose the timbre, intonation, and pause length. By the way, AI was trained on real recordings of metro announcers.

    We will test neural voice on the Line 1, which has many transfers to the MCC, MCD, other metro lines, car and railway stations. Also, Komsomolskaya station is located here — the leader in the number of transport infrastructure objects announced by announcers.

    «Voices in neural processing allow creating prompt audio announcements in the unified style of Moscow Transport. After the pilot launch of the technology on the Line 1, we will decide on its further use in the metro and beyond. We will also consider passengers’ wishes. We continue to implement the most modern digital services, as instructed by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin», — said Maksim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press statement by President António Costa following the 30th EU–Japan summit 2025

    Source: Council of the European Union

    European Council President António Costa took part in to the 30th EU–Japan summit 2025. In his press statement following the plenary session, he emphasised the importance of strengthening EU-Japan relations, in particular in security and defence, multilateralism, and in trade and economic security.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RBI Bulletin – July 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released the July 2025 issue of its monthly Bulletin. The Bulletin includes four speeches, four articles and current statistics.

    The four articles are: I. State of the Economy; II. Revisiting the Oil Price and Inflation Nexus in India; III. Determinants of Overnight Uncollateralised Money Market Volume- An Empirical Assessment; and IV. Household Inflation Expectations in India: Emerging Trends, Determinants and Impact of Monetary Policy.

    I. State of the Economy

    The global macroeconomic environment remained fluid in June and July so far amidst geo-political tensions and tariff policy uncertainties. Domestic economic activity held up, with improving kharif agricultural season prospects, continuation of strong momentum in the services sector and modest growth in industrial activity. Headline CPI inflation remained below 4 per cent for the fifth consecutive month in June driven by deflation in food prices. System liquidity remained in surplus to facilitate a faster transmission of policy rate cuts to the credit markets. The external sector remained resilient, backed by ample foreign exchange reserves and a moderate external debt-to-GDP ratio.

    II. Revisiting the Oil Price and Inflation Nexus in India

    By Sujata Kundu, Soumasree Tewari and Indranil Bhattacharyya

    In the backdrop of volatile global crude oil prices and a less regulated petrol and diesel prices regime, this paper reassesses the impact of international crude oil price movements on headline inflation in the Indian context.

    Highlights:

    • Since the pandemic, the global economy has experienced large gyrations in crude oil prices. India, being a net oil importer, has remained susceptible to the vagaries of global crude oil prices and has been actively intervening in the domestic fuel market to contain the adverse fallout of higher oil prices on domestic inflation and output.

    • Empirical estimates suggest that a 10 per cent rise in global crude oil prices could increase India’s headline inflation by around 20 basis points on a contemporaneous basis. In the post-pandemic period, the impact on inflation, although largely contained, has been statistically significant with the surge in crude oil prices owing to the post-pandemic demand revival, which further intensified due to the supply chain disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022.

    • While Government measures have limited the impact of global crude oil price fluctuations on headline inflation, increase in oil import dependency warrants measures not only to contain the spillovers to domestic prices but also to gradually transit towards alternative sources of fuel for more efficient management of domestic fuel prices in the long run.

    III. Determinants of Overnight Uncollateralised Money Market Volume – An Empirical Assessment

    By Srijashree Sardar and Alqama Pervez

    The uncollateralised money market holds a pivotal position in India’s monetary framework, serving as the principal avenue for the exchange of central bank reserves. Its significance is further underscored by the fact that the weighted average call rate (WACR) functions as the operating target of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy. Against this backdrop, the article seeks to empirically examine the factors influencing trading volumes in the unsecured interbank segment of the Indian money market.

    Highlights:

    • The temporal distribution of trades in the call money market exhibits skewness within the day. The bulk of the trades occur in the first hour of any given day which may be attributed to the fact that primary dealers, the major borrowers in the segment, tend to fulfil their funding needs early in the day.

    • System liquidity conditions, spread of the weighted average call rate over the policy repo rate, divergence of overnight forward premia from interest rate differential, inflows to and outflows from government accounts, trading volume of the collateralised segment and market trading hours are found to have a significant impact on call volume during the period of the study (2019-2024).

    • Divergence of overnight forward premia from the interest rate differential has a positive impact on call volume, indicating arbitrage by banks during times of such divergence.

    • Co-operative banks participation in call money market decreased significantly after the Reserve Bank’s directive for mandatory membership on NDS-CALL trading platform for call money market activity. It has, however, rebounded in the recent months, following an increase in membership of co-operative banks.

    IV. Household Inflation Expectations in India: Emerging Trends, Determinants and Impact of Monetary Policy

    By Ankit Ruhi, Kanupriya Sharma and Subhadhra Sankaran

    Household inflation expectations rose in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, and have remained largely elevated since. In view of these developments, this article analyses the evolving trends in household inflation expectations. It proposes alternative methods for adjusting higher values of expectations reported in Inflation Expectations Survey of Households and identifies the key macroeconomic factors influencing these expectations. Finally, the impact of policy interventions, especially since the adoption of flexible inflation targeting (FIT) regime, is also examined.

    Highlights:

    • Households’ inflation expectations exhibit systematic upward bias compared to those of professionals and businesses, even in periods of stable or low inflation.

    • Median inflation expectation and the disagreement across demographic groups is gradually moderating since 2023-24.

    • Perceived past inflation expectations add to stickiness in household expectations even as influence of realised inflation dynamics becomes stronger when expectations are adjusted for extreme values.

    • Transition to the FIT regime has successfully aided in stabilising inflation expectations. Monetary policy actions are found to effectively anchor inflation expectations.

    • While headline inflation is more influential than food inflation, volatile and broad-based food inflation may keep overall expectations elevated, underscoring the importance of continued policy emphasis on headline inflation.

    The views expressed in the Bulletin articles are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/769

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • India has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth elements oxide (REO) contained in 13.15 MT monazite (a mineral of Thorium and Rare Earths) occurring in the coastal beach, teri and red sand and inland alluvium in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while another 1.29 MT rare earths are situated in hard rocks in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, is carrying out exploration and augmentation of minerals of rare earth group elements along the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands as well as in hard rock terrains in several potential geological domains of the country, said Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

    Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 MT resources of rare earth elements (REE) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects, the minister informed. The quantum of rare earth minerals exported during the last 10 years is 18 tonnes, while there have been no imports of rare earth minerals, he further stated.

    The minister also said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to alleviate the challenges arising from export restrictions on rare earth magnets imposed by certain countries.

    “There have been continued engagements at bilateral and multilateral level to increase cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including in rare earth minerals and related technologies. These efforts aim to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain and safeguard the interests of Indian importers,” said the minister.

    The Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with the governments of a number of countries such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D’Ivoire and International organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr Singh said.

    The Ministry is also engaging on various multilateral and bilateral platforms such as Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) for strengthening the critical minerals value chain, he explained.

    He further stated that the Ministry of Mines has set up Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint Venture company with the objective to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets that hold critical and strategic significance, specifically targeting minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and others.

    KABIL has already signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN, a state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina for Exploration and mining of Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina. KABIL is also having regular interactions with Critical Mineral Office in Australia with the primary objective of acquiring critical and strategic mineral assets.

    Further, the Ministry has initiated the process of entering into government-to-government (G2G) MoUs with Brazil and Dominican Republic for developing cooperation in the field of rare earth minerals and critical minerals. The broad objectives of these MoUs are to provide an overarching framework for cooperation in research, development and innovation in mining, with a particular focus on REE and critical minerals, the minister pointed out.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Summer ready: MHRA issues updated guidance on medicines and medical devices during holiday season

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Summer ready: MHRA issues updated guidance on medicines and medical devices during holiday season

    As the UK enters the heart of summer – with temperatures rising and families holidaying – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reinforcing essential safety advice for anyone using medicines or medical devices.

    As the UK enters the heart of summer – with temperatures rising and families holidaying – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reinforcing essential safety advice for anyone using medicines or medical devices. The aim is to help everyone enjoy the summer safely, while ensuring their healthcare routine stays effective. 

    Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, commented: 

    “When the sun comes out and the thermometer rises, it’s easy to forget that heat can affect medicines and medical devices, and that some treatments can change how you respond to sun and heat. These refreshed summer tips are vital to help people stay safe and well throughout the summer.” 

    1. Store medicines below 25oC 

    • Avoid leaving medicines in direct sun, hot cars, travel bags, or on sunny windowsills – temperatures can easily exceed safe storage limits and degrade tablets, inhalers, insulin, EpiPens and more.  

    • If you spot changes in smell, colour, texture, or performance of your medicines, consult a pharmacist.  

    • While travelling, keep your medicines in a cool bag or stay in temperature-controlled environments. 

    2. Check your medicines and devices in the heat 

    • Even well-sealed medical devices – like blood glucose monitors – can misread if exposed to excessive heat or humidity.   

    • Stay cool, keep devices dry, and run periodic control checks. 

    • Be alert during heatwaves: some medicines can worsen dehydration or impair temperature regulation, including diuretics, blood pressure drugs, diabetes treatments, antipsychotics, and stimulants.  

    3. Prioritise hydration and heat awareness 

    • Heatstroke and dehydration can happen fast. Watch for dizziness, confusion, headaches or dark urine, especially if you’re on medication that affects fluid balance, such as a diuretic. 

    • Drink water regularly, find shade or cool spaces, and avoid peak sun.  

    4. Be sun-smart with sun-sensitising medicines 

    • Several medicines – such as methotrexate, certain antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, acne or eczema treatments, and even painkillers like ibuprofen –can increase sun sensitivity, leading to severe sunburn and blistering.  

    • Use a high-SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid midday sun (11 am – 3 pm). 

    5. Hay fever alert – stay informed   

    • Avoid unlicensed treatments like Kenalog hay fever injections, which are licensed as a medicine for other conditions, but not for the treatment of hay fever. The benefits of using it to treat people with hay fever have not been shown to outweigh the risks.     

    6. Be aware of implanted medical devices when travelling 

    • For those with implants (e.g. pacemakers), carry your implant ID card at airport security. Most body scanners are safe, but be aware of hand-held wands and device-specific device advice.  

    7. Report safety issues via the Yellow Card scheme 

    • If exposure to heat, sun, or medications seems to have affected your medicine, report it via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme – the UK system for flagging medicine/device safety concerns. 

    • Prompt reporting helps the MHRA identify adverse reactions early and act to protect public health.  

    Notes to editors  

    1. Report any concerns through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, which can be accessed at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ 

    2. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  

    3. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    4. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Once Again Díaz-Balart Delivers for South Florida

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    MIAMI, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation and House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, issued the following statement in celebration of the groundbreaking ceremony for PortMiami’s new Phytosanitary and Cold Chain Processing Facility:

     

    “This groundbreaking is more than just a milestone; it’s a promise fulfilled. In 2020, I secured $44 million in federal funding for the Phytosanitary and Cold Chain Processing facility. This ensures that PortMiami, one of the main economic drivers in South Florida, has the capability to guarantee the safety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers from South America that transit through the port.

    This project is another example of my track record in delivering for our community and the state of Florida. I remain committed to advocating for priorities that foster economic growth, support local jobs, and enhance U.S. national security.

    The efforts today were made possible through partnership with local leaders, including former Port Director Juan Kuryla, former Aviation Director Lester Sola, and then-County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez, as well as current PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb, who helped identify barriers and craft targeted solutions. I look forward to continuing this important collaboration to better serve our region.”

     

    Background

    Recognizing that U.S. ports could not fairly compete for infrastructure funding under national programs, Congressman Díaz-Balart, while Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations, created for the first time ever a dedicated federal funding stream specifically for seaports, known as the Port Infrastructure Development Program in the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations bill. From the $293 million total he secured, he ensured that $93 million would be prioritized for top-tier ports in need of critical infrastructure, like a modern fumigation facility. The funds Congressman Díaz-Balart obtained for the PortMiami Phytosanitary and Cold Chain facility are $44 million.

    The groundbreaking is taking place five years later due to the land being temporarily used for the debris removal and cleanup from the 2021 Surfside condo collapse tragedy.

    Once complete, the facility will support the safe and efficient flow of agricultural products, including the large volume of flowers Florida receives, as well as food products free from pests and diseases. It will offer specialized treatment and cold storage for a wide range of goods, including fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, seafood, frozen items, pharmaceuticals, biological samples, and cosmetics.

    The project will enhance the region’s capacity to handle sensitive commodities and expand PortMiami’s competitiveness in global trade. U.S. seaports are not only drivers of economic growth, but they are also critical to national security.

    For years, PortMiami, one of the busiest and most strategic ports in the country, had been operating at a disadvantage. While other ports could process thousands of pallets at once, PortMiami’s space was limited to fumigating just 20 pallets per trailer, and paying a U.S. Department of Agriculture fee each time. This inefficiency placed our region’s competitiveness and supply chain integrity at risk.

    Former Port Director Juan Kuryla, then-Aviation Director Lester Sola, and the County under then-Mayor Carlos A. Giménez were able to identify land at Miami International Airport for the construction of this renowned facility. A seamless transition for the Port and MIA Cargo, this facility expands capacity for the Port, reduces costs, and ensures faster, safer handling of perishable goods, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Oswaldo Payá Way”: Bill Would Rename Street Outside Cuban Regime’s Embassy in Honor of the Slain Pro-Democracy Activist and Leader

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25) re-introduced a bipartisan bill that renames the street in front of the Cuban Regime’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., as “Oswaldo Payá Way,” in honor of Cuba’s slain pro-democracy activist and leader of the Christian Liberation Movement.

    Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas was murdered on July 22, 2012, in a car crash orchestrated by the Castro regime alongside young activist Harold Cepero, who also perished. Spanish activist Angel Carromero survived and has described the horrific ordeal in detail.

    Last month, his daughter, Rosa María Payá, was elected to serve as a commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). She has dedicated her life to supporting freedom for the Cuban people and others living in tyranny in our hemisphere, while ensuring that we never forget the sacrifice that so many have made, including her father, in the struggle for freedom.

    The original House cosponsors include: 

    María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL-28), Darren Soto (D-FL-9) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11).

    The Senate companion was reintroduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Curtis (R-UT), and Rick Scott (R-FL)

    “Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Harold Cepero’s sacrifice serves as a harsh reminder that the ruthless Cuban regime has no reverence for human life, dignity, or fundamental rights. Renaming the street in front of the embassy in D.C. for Payá will honor those lost while ensuring that their legacy in the struggle for a free Cuba endures. The Cuban people will be free, thanks to courageous heroes who continue to risk everything in the name of freedom,” said Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.

    “Confronted by decades of violence, threats and and intimidation, Oswaldo Payá demanded that Cuba allow more freedom to its people. I proudly join my colleagues in honoring this human rights hero by making his presence permanent, right in front of the Cuban Embassy, as a constant reminder of his work to bring justice to the Cuban people,” said Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

    Bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Díaz-Balart’s Legislation to Create a Unique ZIP Code for the Town of Miami Lakes Passes the House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed his legislation, H.R. 672, to create a unique ZIP code for the Town of Miami Lakes.

    [embedded content]

    “I am thrilled that my legislation to establish a unique ZIP code for the Town of Miami Lakes has passed the U.S. House of Representatives for the third time. The next step is to bring it to the Senate for a vote,” said Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.”Residents of Miami Lakes have long faced delays and issues with mail and package delivery, as well as inaccurate census data that has negatively impacted the Town’s operating revenue. These challenges have affected vital funding intended for services such as senior programs and led to wildly fluctuating insurance rates, including for cars. Miami Lakes has been waiting for over 20 years to secure a stand-alone ZIP code, and with my bill’s passage, we’re one step closer to providing a long-overdue solution.” 

    “It’s high time communities like Miami Lakes receive their own zip code. This simple and common sense change would vastly improve life for customers of the United States Postal Service like Miami Lakers. I urge every member of Congress to continue supporting H.R. 672 to help enhance service for communities like mine. I again want to thank Congressman Diaz-Balart for all his efforts over the years to make our own zip code a reality and I also want to thank Senator Scott for his efforts as the bill makes its way to the United States Senate.” said Mayor Joshua Dieguez.

    Bill text is available here. 

    The Senate Companion bill was introduced by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). 

    Background: 

    In 2016, Díaz-Balart successfully included a provision in H.R. 6303 that would have authorized USPS to establish a dedicated ZIP code for Miami Lakes and several other municipalities. This bill passed the U.S. House and was sent to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. Similarly, in 2018, Diaz-Balart introduced a bill to designate a unique ZIP code for Miami Lakes, which also passed the House and was sent to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. Additionally, in 2019, 2021, and 2023 Rep. Díaz-Balart introduced similar legislation to address this issue.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Díaz-Balart: Doing More for National Security with Less, in the FY 2026 National Security and State Department Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), joined Cheryl Casone on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the NSRP Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill, concerns over a potential Democrat-led government shutdown, and allegations surrounding former President Obama’s role in the Russia collusion hoax against President Trump.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feeling the Heat: Perseverance Looks for Evidence of Contact Metamorphism 

    Source: NASA

    Written by Melissa Rice, Professor of Planetary Science at Western Washington University

    Following a short break for the July 4th holiday, Perseverance drove westward to a site called “Westport,” where the clay-bearing “Krokodillen” unit meets an olivine-bearing rock formation. It is possible that the olivine-rich rocks are an intrusive igneous unit, meaning they could have formed when molten magma from deep within Mars got pushed upwards and cooled under the surface. If that’s the case, Westport could preserve a dramatic moment in Mars’ history when hot, molten material intruded into existing rock formations.  
    Those intrusive processes are common on Earth, and the heat of the intruding magma can fundamentally alter the surrounding geology through a process called “contact metamorphism.” The heat from the intrusion will “bake” nearby rocks, creating new minerals and potentially new environments for microbial life. Conversely, the intrusive rocks get rapidly “chilled” where they meet preexisting solid rock formations. 
    At Westport, Perseverance is looking for evidence that the Krokodillen rocks at the contact were baked, and that the olivine-bearing rocks at the contact were chilled. Images from the Mastcam-Z instrument reveal that the contact is littered with intriguing dark, rubbly rocks alongside lighter-toned, smooth boulders. Both rock types are proving challenging to study. 
    The dark fragments are too small and rough for Perseverance’s standard abrasion techniques, but the rover cleared off the surface of a rock called “Holyrood Bay” with its gas Dust Removal Tool (gDRT). Perseverance also tried to abrade a nearby boulder named “Drake’s Point,” but the rock shifted to the side, causing the abrasion to stop short. The science questions here are compelling enough, however, that Perseverance will keep trying to look within the rocks at this important boundary. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Curiosity Blog, Sols 4607-4608: Deep Dip

    Source: NASA

    Written by Deborah Padgett, MSL OPGS Task Lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
    Earth planning date: Monday, July 21, 2025
    Curiosity continues our exploration of the fractured boxwork terrain on the slopes of Mount Sharp. After a successful 5-meter drive (about 16 feet), our rover is resting in a hollow on its way to a boxwork ridge viewpoint. Over the weekend, Curiosity began an atmospheric observation with the SAM instrument, which will continue into today’s plan. Because the SAM instrument is complex and powerful, it uses a great deal of energy when it operates, causing what we call a “deep dip” in the battery charge level. This means that we have to wait a bit after the SAM observations complete for the battery to recharge enough for Curiosity to observe its surroundings with other science instruments, or move its arm or wheels. For this reason, the plan today does not include a drive, and contact science at this location will be done on the second sol of the plan. 
    On Sol 4607, Curiosity will begin the day with SAM atmospheric composition activity, which will run for several hours. After it finishes, we will use the rover’s navigation camera to perform a cloud altitude observation, looking for cloud shadows on the upper reaches of Mount Sharp, and clouds drifting by overhead at the zenith. Overnight, Curiosity’s battery will recharge, allowing us to perform a targeted science block on the morning of Sol 4608. This starts with Navcam observations of dust opacity across the floor of Gale Crater, then a measurement of dust in the air toward the Sun with Mastcam. Curiosity then turns Mastcam toward the ridge ahead to obtain a 15×1 mosaic on target “Cueva De Los Vencejos Y Murcielagos (Cave of Swifts and Bats).” Afterwards, Mastcam will look back along Curiosity’s tracks, hoping to see freshly broken rocks and determine the texture of disturbed ground. Next, ChemCam’s laser spectrograph will zap a nodular rock pillar named for the famous high-altitude “Lake Titicaca” bordering Bolivia and Peru. A second ChemCam observation with the RMI telescopic camera will study stratigraphy on the Mishe Mokwa butte with a 5×2 image mosaic. Mastcam will finish off this science block by looking at the pits left behind by the ChemCam laser on target “Lake Titicaca.”  
    In the afternoon, Curiosity’s arm will reach out to brush the dust from the bedrock target “La Tranquita,” then observe it with the MAHLI microscopic imager and APXS. MAHLI and APXS will also investigate plate-like rock formations at target “Aqua Dulce.” A third target with more complex rock structures dubbed “Paposo,” after a natural monument along the Pacific Coast of northern Chile, will be imaged only by MAHLI. The next morning will include another targeted science block. Curiosity will then drive away toward the next viewpoint in the boxwork terrain of Mars.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brilliant Bloom in the Baltic Sea

    Source: NASA

    Most summers, phytoplankton populations explode into a full-fledged “bloom” in the nutrient-rich waters of the Baltic Sea. Summer 2025 was no exception, as the tiny plant-like organisms amassed into bright green patches that swirled with the winds and currents.
    The OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9 captured these images of a bloom on July 20, 2025. They show parts of the sea south of the Swedish island of Gotland (above) and southeast of Stockholm (below). The dark, relatively straight lines crossing the detailed image below are the wakes of boats cutting through the bloom-filled waters.

    Identification of the type of phytoplankton within this bloom cannot be determined based on these satellite images alone. But experts from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) reported that surface waters that day contained cyanobacteria—an ancient type of marine bacteria that captures and stores solar energy through photosynthesis. Suspended sediment and pollen can also contribute to the yellow-green color in parts of the sea, but the SMHI maps of cyanobacteria match the locations shown in these images.
    Researchers have shown that cyanobacteria, previously known as blue-green “algae,” typically start to show up in this part of the Baltic Sea sometime between late June and mid-July. They can grow swiftly when nutrients like phosphorus are abundant in warm, stratified waters, and they can take advantage of dissolved nitrogen in the water. Cyanobacteria impact everything from nitrogen cycling and the marine food web to bottom-layer oxygen deficiencies when the phytoplankton are broken down by bacteria.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Kathryn Hansen.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA eClips STEM Student Ambassadors Light Up CNU’s 2025 STEM Community Day

    Source: NASA

    More than 2,000 curious visitors from Newport News and the surrounding Hampton Roads region of Virginia flocked to Christopher Newport University (CNU) on May 31, 2025 for their annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) Community Day, and the NASA eClips team from the National Institute of Aerospace’s Center for Integrative STEM Education (NIA-CISE) made sure every one of them left with their eyes—and imaginations—fixed on the Sun.
    At the heart of the NASA eClips exhibit were NIA’s STEM Student Ambassadors—a team of carefully selected high school students from the Tidewater region of Virginia who underwent extensive training with NASA eClips educators during the summer of 2024. These bright, enthusiastic young leaders are passionate about communicating about and advocating for STEM. The STEM Student Ambassador program is made possible through a Coastal Virginia STEM Hub grant from the Virginia General Assembly and is already having an impact.
    Throughout the day, the Ambassadors engaged learners of all ages with two creative, hands-on experiences that connected STEM and the arts:

    Chalk Corona – Using black construction paper and vibrant chalk, participants recreated the Sun’s corona—the super-hot, gaseous “crown” that’s visible during a total solar eclipse. While they shaded and smudged, the Ambassadors explained why the corona is so important to solar research and handed out certified solar viewers for safe Sun-watching back home.
    Pastel Auroras – Visitors also discovered how solar wind, storms, and coronal mass ejections (aka Sun “sneezes”) spark Earth’s dazzling auroras. Guided by the Ambassadors, budding artists layered pastels to capture swirling curtains of light, tying recent mid-Atlantic aurora sightings to real-time space weather.

    Throughout the day, the Ambassadors’ energy was contagious, turning complex heliophysics into hands-on fun and opening eyes to the opportunities and careers that await in STEM. Judging by the smiles—and the dusting of chalk and pastels—NASA eClips’ presence was, quite literally, the “crowning” touch on an unforgettable community celebration of STEM.
    The NASA eClips project provides educators with standards-based videos, activities, and lessons to increase STEM literacy through the lens of NASA. It is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB91A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    ST

    LOUIS – If you have applied for help after recent disasters in Missouri, stay in touch with FEMA and the U

    S

    Small Business Administration about your on-going recovery needs

    Helpful Tips: Read your letter from FEMA carefully

    Provide contractor estimates for disaster-related repairs

    Must include the contractor’s contact information

    When contacting FEMA, provide your nine-digit FEMA registration ID number

    Keep receipts for disaster-related purchases (items to make repairs to home, hotel receipts, etc

    )

    Contact FEMA if your current housing situation, phone number, or mailing address have changed

     You can stay in touch with FEMA by visiting DisasterAssistance

    gov, calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center

    Visit a Disaster Recovery CenterLOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONUnion Tabernacle M

    B

    Church626 N

    Newstead Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63108Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedUrban League Entrepreneurship and Women’s Business Center 4401 Natural Bridge Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63115Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSumner High School — Parking Lot4248 Cottage Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63113Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSt

    Louis County LibraryMid-County Branch7821 Maryland Ave

    Clayton, MO 63105Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24St

    Louis County LibraryPrairie Commons Branch915 Utz Ln

    Hazelwood, MO 63042Tuesday-Thursday:  8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) CentersIf you do not qualify for FEMA assistance, or to supplement FEMA assistance, a disaster loan from the SBA may be available

    SBA’s Business Recovery Centers and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers serve as a one-stop shop for disaster assistance

    These centers provide in-person support with SBA disaster loan applications, help applicants check their loan status, and offer guidance on funds available to businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted in a declared disaster area

    SBA representatives are also in all Disaster Recovery Centers

    LOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONSBA Business Recovery CenterSt

    Louis Community College – Harrison Education Center3140 Cass Ave

     St

    Louis, MO 63106Monday-Friday: 8:30 a

    m

    -6:30 p

    m

    Saturday and Sunday: ClosedSBA Disaster Loan Outreach CenterSt

    Louis County Library – Florissant Valley Branch195 S New Florissant Rd

     Florissant, MO 63031Monday-Thursday: 9 a

    m

    -6 p

    m

    Friday and Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -5 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSBA Disaster Loan Outreach CenterSt

    Louis County Library – Mid-County Branch7821 Maryland Ave

    Clayton, MO 63105Opening Friday, July 25Monday-Thursday: 9 a

    m

    -6 p

    m

    Friday: 9 a

    m

    -5 p

    m

     Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

    Sunday: Closed Important Deadline – March 14-15 Missouri DisasterHomeowners and renters affected by the March 14-15 disaster in Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St

    Louis, Wayne, Webster and Wright counties may be eligible

    The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 22, 2025

    Important Deadline – May 16 Missouri DisasterHomeowners and renters affected by the May 16 disaster in St

    Louis City, St

    Louis County and Scott County may also be eligible

    The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is August 11, 2025

    You can still ask for additional assistance, as long as you submit an initial application before the deadline

    sara

    zuckerman
    Tue, 07/22/2025 – 20:04

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Challenge Wraps, Student Teams Complete Space Suit Challenges

    Source: NASA

    After months of work in the NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS) challenge, more than 100 students from 12 universities across the United States traveled to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to showcase potential user interface designs for future generations of spacesuits and rovers.  
    NASA Johnson’s simulated Moon and Mars surface, called “the rock yard,” became the students’ testing ground as they braved the humid nights and abundance of mosquitoes to put their innovative designs to the test. Geraldo Cisneros, the tech team lead, said, “This year’s SUITS challenge was a complete success. It provided a unique opportunity for NASA to evaluate the software designs and tools developed by the student teams, and to explore how similar innovations could contribute to future, human-centered Artemis missions. My favorite part of the challenge was watching how the students responded to obstacles and setbacks. Their resilience and determination were truly inspiring.”

    Students filled their jam-packed days not only with testing, but also with guest speakers and tours. Swastik Patel from Purdue University said, “All of the teams really enjoyed being here, seeing NASA facilities, and developing their knowledge with NASA coordinators and teams from across the nation. Despite the challenges, the camaraderie between all the participants and staff was very helpful in terms of getting through the intensity. Can’t wait to be back next year!”

    “This week has been an incredible opportunity. Just seeing the energy and everything that’s going on here was incredible. This week has really made me reevaluate a lot of things that I shoved aside. I’m grateful to NASA for having this opportunity, and hopefully we can continue to have these opportunities.”  
    At the end of test week, each student team presented their projects to a panel of experts. These presentations served as a platform for students to showcase not only their technical achievements but also their problem-solving approaches, teamwork, and vision for real-world application. The panel–composed of NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham, Flight Director Garrett Hehn, and industry leaders–posed thought-provoking questions and offered constructive feedback that challenged the students to think critically and further refine their ideas. Their insights highlighted potential areas for growth, new directions for exploration, and ways to enhance the impact of their projects. The students left the session energized and inspired, brimming with new ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for future development and innovation. Burnham remarked, “The students did such a great job. They’re all so creative and wonderful, definitely something that can be implemented in the future.” 

    NASA SUITS test week was not only about pushing boundaries; it was about earning a piece of history. Three Artemis Student Challenge Awards were presented. The Innovation and Pay it Forward awards were chosen by the NASA team, recognizing the most groundbreaking and impactful designs. Students submitted nominations for the Artemis Educator Award, celebrating the faculty member who had a profound influence on their journeys. The Innovation Award went to Team JARVIS from Purdue University and Indiana State University, for going above and beyond in their ingenuity, creativity, and inventiveness. Team Selene from Midwestern State University earned the Pay it Forward Award for conducting meaningful education events in the community and beyond. The Artemis Educator Award was given to Maggie Schoonover from Wichita State University in Kansas for the time, commitment, and dedication she gave to her team.
    “The NASA SUITS challenge completes its eighth year in operation due to the generous support of NASA’s EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program,” said NASA Activity Manager Jamie Semple. “This challenge fosters an environment where students learn essential skills to immediately enter a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career, and directly contribute to NASA mission operations. These students are creating proposals, generating designs, working in teams similar to the NASA workforce, utilizing artificial intelligence, and designing mission operation solutions that could be part of the Artemis III mission and beyond. NASA’s student design challenges are an important component of STEM employment development and there is no better way to learn technical skills to ensure future career success.”
    The week serves as a springboard for the next generation of space exploration, igniting curiosity, ambition, and technical excellence among young innovators. By engaging with real-world challenges and technologies, participants not only deepen their understanding of space science but also actively contribute to shaping its future. Each challenge tackled, each solution proposed, and each connection formed represents a meaningful step forward; not just for the individuals involved, but for humanity as a whole. With every iteration of the program, the dream of venturing further into space becomes more tangible, transforming what once seemed like science fiction into achievable milestones.
    Are you interested in joining the next NASA SUITS challenge? Find more information here.
    The next challenge will open for proposals at the end of August 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green, First Lady, DHS Director Urge Families to Apply for SUN Bucks

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 22, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., First Lady Jaime Kanani Green and Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Ryan Yamane, gathered today to raise awareness about the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program and encourage families to apply before the fast-approaching August 3, 2025 deadline.

    SUN Bucks is a new and permanent program that provides $177 per eligible child in food benefits to help families during the summer months when access to school meals is limited. The program is a joint effort between the state of Hawai‘i and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that aims to bridge the summer nutrition gap for keiki across the islands.

    “Today is about something simple, but incredibly important — making sure our children have enough to eat,” said Governor Green. “SUN Bucks is a reminder that when we invest in our keiki, we invest in the future of our state. These benefits don’t just help families — they strengthen our local economy by putting dollars directly into our grocery stores, farmers markets and food systems.”

    First Lady Green, who has championed the effort since its launch in 2024, emphasized her commitment to ending childhood hunger across Hawai‘i.

    “In Hawai‘i, we care for one another — we mālama our keiki, our kūpuna and our ‘ohana,” she said. “SUN Bucks reflects those values. It’s about ensuring every child has what they need nutritionally to grow and thrive — not just during the school year, but all year long. No child in Hawai‘i should ever go hungry and this program helps us live up to that kuleana.”

    According to DHS, more than 80,000 children statewide have already received benefits, representing over $14 million in food assistance. However, thousands more may still be eligible.

    “We’re proud of the progress so far — but we also know many families still need support,” said DHS Director Yamane. “If your child was approved for free or reduced-price meals, or your family received SNAP or TANF, you’re already eligible and don’t need to apply. But if you’re not sure, don’t wait — visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov or call 1-888-975-7328. We’re here to help.”

    Eligible families that don’t automatically qualify have until August 3, 2025, to submit an application. Cards are mailed to qualifying households and can be used anywhere EBT is accepted, including local farmers markets through the Da Bux program.

    For more information or to apply, visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov or call 1-888-975-SEBT (7328).

    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.
    Video footage from today’s news conference can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lusophone Compact Presents Investment Opportunities to Accelerate Inclusive Development at 15th Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Summit

    Source: APO – Report:

    The Lusophone Compact Secretariat last week engaged with leaders of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) at their 15th Summit and economic forum in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The July 15-18 meetings provided a strategic platform to showcase the Lusophone Compact’s role in attracting private financing to accelerate sustainable economic development in African member countries. 

    An initiative by the African Development Bank in partnership with the Governments of Portugal and Brazil, the Lusophone Compact supports private sector investment in the six African member states of the CPLP: Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Equatorial Guinea. Representing a community of more than 300 million people across four continents, with a combined GDP of $2.3 trillion in 2024, the CPLP holds immense potential for trade, investment, and inclusive economic transformation. 

    Compact objectives are: promoting inclusive private sector development, mobilizing blended finance and technical assistance, strengthening economic resilience and regional integration, and aligning with national development priorities and the CPLP’s economic agenda. 

    During the summit, officials of the Lusophone Compact secretariat participated in high-level policy dialogues on food security, technology, and sustainability, which align with the thematic focus of the summit under Guinea-Bissau’s rotating presidency. The Compact team also presented its suite of financing tools and eligibility criteria while supporting resource mobilization efforts in member countries. 

    “The 15th CPLP Summit presented a unique opportunity to reinforce the strategic priorities of the Lusophone Compact, particularly in areas of food security, technology, and sustainability,” said Neima Ferreira Coordinator of the Lusophone Compact at the African Development Bank. “With the right tools, partnerships and vision, Portuguese-speaking countries can lead a new era of investment-driven development.” 

    The host country, Guinea-Bissau, reaffirmed its commitment to private sector-led growth and expressed strong interest in aligning the Compact’s support mechanisms with its national development strategy. 

    One of the Compact’s flagship achievements is the Cabeólica Project in Cabo Verde –  a large-scale public-private wind energy project, co-financed by the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. The project supplies more than 20 percent of Cabo Verde’s electricity, avoids the emission of thousands of tons of CO2 annually, and has created more than 150 local jobs. Cabeólica has become a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure and innovative finance in the region. 

    As Portuguese-speaking countries seek new engines for economic growth, the Lusophone Compact offers a robust mechanism for mobilizing private sector capital, fostering regional cooperation, and advancing shared development objectives. 

    Learn more about the Lusophone Compact here (https://apo-opa.co/44ZMHGt). 

    – on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Media contact: 
    Communication and External Relations Department 
    media@afdb.org

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) unveils massive online open course for waterbird management in African wetlands

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    A new massive online open course (MOOC) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and partners is set to support the sustainable management of wetlands and waterbirds in the Sahel and North Africa.

    The new course, ‘Identifying and counting waterbirds in North Africa and the Sahel – how and why?’, provides training in essential skills for international waterbird monitoring and insights into the ecological challenges facing wetland habitats.

    It was produced by the RESSOURCE+ Project as part of the FAO-led Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, and was designed in collaboration with Tour du Valat and the French Biodiversity Agency.

    A MOOC is a free online course that offers unlimited participation and is open to everyone, although this new course targets in particular French-speaking participants from North African and Sahelian countries.

    “By strengthening the national and local capacities in the participating countries, this massive online open course will foster sustainable wetland management and biodiversity conservation,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.

    Skills for waterbird monitoring

    Registration is now open until 1 December 2025 for the first session of the course.

    Participants will learn how to access networks of waterbird observers, collect and interpret data, and identify and count around 210 waterbird species in North Africa and the Sahel region.

    The course provides 40 hours of online training, structured into six modules and featuring 35 animated sequences, 10 video interviews with experts, over 5 000 photos and video clips of birds, and 210 factsheets designed to facilitate species identification, along with numerous quizzes, tests and further learning resources.

    It should take roughly six weeks to complete the training, which is self-paced, enabling participants to fit the course around their schedules. Participants are eligible for certification provided they successfully complete the course within three months.

    During the first six weeks, the course designers will be on call to respond to participants’ questions through the chat function. Additional MOOC sessions are planned for 2026 and beyond. 

    The RESSOURCE+ Project

    The RESSOURCE+ Project supports governments and communities in conserving wetlands and waterbirds in Sahelian countries. The project aims to promote waterbird monitoring, sustainable levels of hunting and effective wetland conservation policies in the Sahel. It is co-funded by the French Facility for Global Environment and the European Union through the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme.

    The RESSOURCE+ Project is led by FAO with support from technical partners recognized for their expertise, in collaboration with national authorities, wildlife institutions, NGOs and local communities.

    – on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Emergency food assistance grinds to a halt in Nigeria amid surging insecurity and record hunger

    Source: APO – Report:

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    The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will be forced to suspend all emergency food and nutrition aid for 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria at the end of July. This is due to critical funding shortfalls which come at a time of escalating violence and record levels of hunger.

    WFP’s food and nutrition stocks have been completely exhausted. The organization’s last supplies left warehouses in early July and life-saving assistance will end after the current round of distributions is completed.

    Without immediate funding, millions of vulnerable people will face impossible choices: endure increasingly severe hunger, migrate, or possibly risk exploitation by extremist groups in the region.  

    “Nearly 31 million people in Nigeria are now facing acute hunger, a record number,” said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director for Nigeria. “At the same time, WFP’s operations in northeast Nigeria will collapse without immediate, sustained funding. This is no longer just a humanitarian crisis, it’s a growing threat to regional stability, as families pushed beyond their limits are left with nowhere to turn.” 

    Children will be among the worst affected if vital aid ends. More than 150 WFP-supported nutrition clinics in Borno and Yobe states will close, ending potentially life-saving treatment for more than 300,000 children under two and placing them at increased risk of wasting. 

    In conflict-affected northern areas, escalating violence from extremist groups is driving mass displacement. Some 2.3 million people across the Lake Chad Basin have been forced to flee their homes, straining already limited resources and pushing communities to the brink.  

    “When emergency assistance ends, many will migrate in search of food and shelter. Others will adopt negative coping mechanisms – including potentially joining insurgent groups – to survive,” added Stevenson. “Food assistance can often prevent these outcomes. It allows us to feed families, help rebuild economies and support long-term recovery.”

    In the first half of 2025, WFP has been able to hold hunger at bay across northern Nigeria, reaching 1.3 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Support for an additional 720,000 people was planned for the second half of the year before funding shortfalls put life-saving programmes in jeopardy.  

    WFP has the capacity and expertise to deliver and scale-up its humanitarian response, but the critical funding gap is paralyzing operations. WFP urgently requires US$130 million to prevent an imminent pipeline break and sustain food and nutrition operations through the end of 2025. 

    – on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: New Bank Leadership, Capital Strategies Drive African Mining Investment Push

    Source: APO – Report:

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    Several African multilateral banks and financial institutions have undergone significant leadership transitions this year aimed at aligning financial strategies with the continent’s evolving development and industrialization goals. In June, the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) appointed Dr. George Elombi as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, succeeding Professor Benedict Oramah after nearly a decade of leadership. Under Dr. Elombi, the bank aims to scale into a $250 billion institution and serve as a key enabler of investment in Africa’s mining sector.

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) also elected new leadership in May, appointing Sidi Ould Tah to replace Akinwumi Adesina. The Bank is now expanding its capital base – reaching $318 billion – while pursuing a $25 billion replenishment round and broadening its bond issuance strategy to support infrastructure and industrialization. Leadership changes have also extended to commercial banks. Standard Bank appointed Sim Tshabalala as interim CEO in April, while Absa Group named Kenny Fihla as CEO in March.

    African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    At this year’s African Mining Week (AMW), a featured panel on The Investor Perspective – Financing Africa’s Mineral Industrialization will explore how these and other institutions are adapting financial strategies to meet the continent’s infrastructure and beneficiation needs.

    Recent deals underscore the sector’s momentum. In June, Afreximbank signed a $3.8 billion agreement with Gabon to fund manganese and gold trading, energy development and rail infrastructure. It also extended a $25 million facility to Lilium Gold for operations at the Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines in Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, AfDB approved $325 million in financing for Mauritania’s state-owned SNIM to upgrade logistics and equipment for its iron-ore corridor.

    In South Africa, Standard Bank provided $300 million to Northam Platinum for a 140 MW wind power plant, ensuring long-term energy security for mining operations. It is also co-financing a $38.5 million deal with Lotus Resources for the Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi. Absa Bank is backing Angola’s Longonjo Rare Earth Project – operated by Pensana – with an $80 million facility. The project is expected to supply up to 5% of the world’s magnet rare earth elements critical to electric vehicle manufacturing.

    AMW 2025 will bring together African financial institutions, mining stakeholders and international partners to forge new investment alliances and accelerate mining sector growth. Held alongside African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025, AMW is the premier platform for engaging with the full spectrum of Africa’s mining opportunities.

    – on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: European Union Commits €1.5m for Victims of Yelwata Crises and Other IDPs in Benue State and Supports Nigeria in Addressing the Nutrition Emergnecy Situation Particularly in the North-West and North-East

    Source: APO – Report:

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    The European Union (EU) has committed 1.5 million Euros (€1.5m) to support victims of the recent Benue State conflict.  The envelope is composed by the rapid humanitarian response from EU Humanitarian Office ECHO (€0.5m) and a repurposing of EU funded SIDPIN project for durable solutions (€1m).  IOM, UNHCR UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT as other international NGOs are among the agencies dealing with the response.

    The European Union (EU) has committed 1.5 million Euros (€1.5m) to support victims of the recent Benue State conflict.  The envelope is composed by the rapid humanitarian response from EU Humanitarian Office ECHO (€0.5m) and a repurposing of EU funded SIDPIN project for durable solutions (€1m).  IOM, UNHCR UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT as other international NGOs are among the agencies dealing with the response.

    This was disclosed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Gautier Mignot during a meeting between the EU delegation with the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Honourable Minister of State Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Permanent Secretary Dr Yakubu Adam Kofarmata and Directors of the Ministry, held in the Minister’s Office in Abuja on 14th July 2025. 

    The delegation was in the Ministry to follow up on the visit to Benue State (24-25 June 2025) and explore ways of support to the victims in the IDP camps in the State as well as discuss on high level of severe malnutrition and food crisis affecting the North East and North West and other emerging hot spots in the country in particular during the ongoing lean season.  Through ECHO, the EU has already brought 35 M€ of humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, mainly focused on nutrition, in 2025 and a possible top-up is being considered, in addition to the assistance also provided by several EU Member States. 

    The Minister, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation of the continuous support of the International Community for vulnerable persons in the country. He said he recently visited Borno and Benue States and the communities are in dare need of humanitarian support “We are in acute need of nutrition for children under five years and lactating mothers” he said.

    He acknowledged EU contributions and Presidential commitment to leaving no one behind and confirmed ongoing food support mobilization and validated needs assessments, especially in Benue state. He stated plans to establish a pooled funding mechanism with Federal, State and donor contributions, advocacy engagement with the Nigerian Governors Forum and commitment to declare malnutrition an emergency.

    The two parties agreed to establish a task force to define roles and accelerate interventions in relation to the current nutrition emergency situation in the northern regions and collaborate on joint food security assessment, streamline supply chain processes and convene a collaborative platform with partners to coordinate humanitarian response to address the high level of malnutrition and food insecurity.

    Finally, on 19-20 July, Minister Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and Ambassador Gautier Mignot went for a joint visit to Sokoto State together with humanitarian partners (UNICEF, ACF, MSF). They paid a courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Sokoto H.E Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and visited nutrition stabilization centers for children under 5 operated by ACF and MSF and with the support of UNICEF, to get a first-hand knowledge of the situation and discuss urgent next steps to face the crisis. 

    – on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Italy: EIB provides €120 million to AGSM AIM to strengthen power grid

    Source: European Investment Bank

    AGSM

    • The agreement will enable power grid modernisation and reliability improvement work in three key municipalities in Veneto, with direct benefits for residents and businesses.
    • The operation will help make the local energy system more efficient and able to meet the challenges of the green transition and digitalisation.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and AGSM AIM have signed a finance contract totalling €120 million to strengthen and modernise the power grid in the three Italian municipalities of Vicenza, Verona and Grezzana, all strategic areas for the group served by the V-RETI S.p.A. business unit.

    The financing – which can be used all at once or split into tranches – is a step forward in promoting the energy transition and the goals of REPowerEU. The funds will be directed to projects improving the grid’s operational efficiency, resilience and sustainability, in line with EU decarbonisation and digitalisation objectives.

    EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “This agreement shows our growing practical commitment to backing investments to make power grids more modern, sustainable and resilient, benefiting local communities and Italy’s energy transition.”

    AGSM AIM Managing Director Alessandro Russo added: “This new EIB financing confirms our commitment to investing in our longstanding operational areas, making them more modern and sustainable. These technical operations are also strategically important to providing residents and businesses with an efficient power supply able to meet future challenges. The support of an institution like the EIB shows the strength of our business plan and the group’s ability to lead the national energy transition.”

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. In the last five years, the EIB Group has provided more than €58 billion in financing for projects in Italy. All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower.

    AGSM AIM Group provides essential services to individuals and products of high added value for the development of businesses, entities and institutions. It operates in the electrical energy, gas, district heating, energy efficiency, street lighting, telecom services, electric mobility and environmental health sectors. Created by the merger of AGSM Verona and AIM Vicenza, the publicly owned group (61.2% owned by the municipality of Verona and 38.8% by the municipality of Vicenza) has positioned itself as a benchmark for the energy, technological, sustainability and digital transitions. Its multi-business model enabled it to record substantial profitability growth in 2024, with solid business performance. Its €1.9 billion in revenue, €182 million EBITDA, over 2 000 employees and 890 000 electricity and gas customers make it one of Italy’s biggest multi-utility companies.

    AGSM AIM ELECTRICITY NETWORK UPGRADE
    EIB provides €120 million to AGSM AIM to strengthen power grid
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    AGSM AIM ELECTRICITY NETWORK UPGRADE
    EIB provides €120 million to AGSM AIM to strengthen power grid
    ©AGSM
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – CONT Mission to Bratislava (Slovakia), 26-28 May 2025 – 26-05-2025 – Committee on Budgetary Control

    Source: European Parliament

    CONT mission to Slovakia © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

    The purpose of this mission was to assess the situation in Slovakia related to ensuring the sound financial Management of EU funds and, more generally, to the protection of the EU’s financial interests.

    MIL OSI Europe News –