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  • MIL-OSI Economics: Members address trade concerns, current trade tensions at Goods Council meeting

    Source: World Trade Organization

    Trade concerns

    The CTG reviewed 36 trade concerns, with a new concern raised by Australia regarding India’s certification process for cotton bales (Quality Control Order) 2023. It also considered, under other business, a request by the Republic of Korea to discuss the United Kingdom’s safeguard measure on certain steel products.  

    Trade concerns previously raised in the CTG have covered a wide range of measures relating to trade in goods across the WTO membership, including non-tariff barriers, environmental policies, import taxes, import/export restrictions, national security measures, halal certification, subsidy schemes, export controls, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, discriminatory domestic taxes, administrative procedures and reciprocal tariffs.

    They have also encompassed a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, semi-conductors and semi-conductor-manufacturing equipment, shipbuilding and food products as well as specific products, such as critical minerals, electric vehicles, electric batteries, liquors, air conditioners, apples and pears, cheese, pulses, cosmetics and tyres.

    Current trade tensions

    The United States made a statement in response to the notifications by the European Union, India, Japan and the United Kingdom proposing to suspend concessions under Article 8.2 of the WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards in response to US tariff measures (G/C/W/863, G/C/W/864, G/C/W/865, G/C/W/866).

    The United States said the tariffs imposed by President Trump were taken under Section 232, a national security statute, and the US was maintaining these actions pursuant to the essential security exception in Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994. As these actions are not safeguard measures, the US said, the suspension of concessions under the Agreement on Safeguards was not applicable.

    The EU, India, Japan and the United Kingdom took the floor to explain that they considered the characteristics of the measures as those of safeguards and thus had reserved their rights to suspend concessions under the Safeguards Agreement, without prejudice to ongoing negotiations.

    Canada, the European Union and Norway made statements regarding the fragmentation of global trade through tariffs and the resulting global costs. They said the recent tariffs announced or implemented by the United States continued to severely disrupt global trade and undermine predictability in the international trading system, with rising economic costs across the globe for consumers and companies. They also voiced their support for the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, but also recognized the need for reform of the organization and its rules to reflect today’s economic realities.

    Thirteen other WTO members took the floor to comment on the item, including the United States, which considered that the trading system had been unable to address trade imbalances and non-market policies and practices.  The US called for WTO reform, based on fairness and reciprocity.

    Improving the functioning of the Council for Trade in Goods

    The Chair of the CTG, Ambassador Gustavo Nerio Lunazzi (Argentina), reported on his consultations with members on improving the functioning of the CTG. Recommendations from members included enhancing the value of trade concerns discussions by focusing on their political aspects, avoiding repetition on technical issues raised at subsidiary bodies, and encouraging bilateral engagement. Members also proposed improving transparency through better use of digital tools, more effective notification processes and regular reporting on thematic sessions.

    The Chair recommended continuing discussions in an informal meeting in September to further explore these ideas and foster inclusive, member-driven engagement. Ten members made statements under this agenda item, supporting the Chair’s report and suggestions.

    Following on from discussions that took place earlier in the year, the CTG adopted a decision on the recording of the resolution of trade concerns, which takes into account the practices of the WTO’s Committees on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Three members took the floor to express their support for the draft as a positive symbol and move towards the Council’s further efficiency. 

    Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act

    Members considered a request from the United States for a waiver from WTO rules for trade preferences provided under the Caribbean Basin Recovery Act.  The United States noted the waiver is similar to the one the CTG approved in 2019, except for programmes related to Haiti that have yet to receive the necessary legislative re-authorization. The initiative creates opportunities to expand trade between the United States and the Caribbean, thus promoting economic opportunity and growth in the region, the US added.

    Several Caribbean members took the floor, encouraging members to favourably consider the request.  The CTG agreed to forward the draft decision to the General Council so it can be considered at its upcoming meeting.

    Next meeting

    The next formal meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods will take place on 27-28 November, and the next informal meeting is scheduled for 24 September.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Career Built on Helping Others: Cory Chovanec’s Journey in Weatherization

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Researcher Uses His Field Experience To Help Increase Energy Affordability for Americans Through the Weatherization Assistance Program

    Cory Chovanec leans on a ladder outside a house he is weatherizing. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    At 17 years old, NREL researcher Cory Chovanec was traveling door to door in his hometown of Berlin, Wisconsin. His mission: to sell enough vacuum cleaners to qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to Lake Tahoe. At around $1,000 dollars a pop and in a town of just over 5,000 people, it was no easy feat.

    Yet he managed to sell them all—sending both him and his sister on a free vacation.

    “I think if you can sell Kirby vacuums at that price in the ’90s, you can do just about anything,” Chovanec said.

    After following a career path in the weatherization and home performance industry from entry level to a position at a national laboratory, Chovanec found that he really could do just about anything—from crawling through cold, uninsulated subspaces and hot attics to inspecting hundreds of homes with advanced diagnostic equipment.

    Now serving as weatherization team lead at NREL, Chovanec has worked in many different roles supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing home energy efficiency. Weatherization saves money for families and enhances health, home comfort, and safety.

    In his nearly four years at NREL, Chovanec has contributed to and led technical assistance, research, and resource development to support WAP, leveraging his extensive experience to ensure these activities benefit field staff and aid in their work improving energy affordability across the country.

    Bit by the Weatherization Bug

    Chovanec did not even know what weatherization was until after high school, when he started working for a local temporary employment agency. One day, they placed him at a community action agency, where he filled in as a weatherization technician.

    Cory Chovanec holds up the damaged door of a manufactured home and the new one he replaced it with. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    “I didn’t see this as a career. I thought these people were crazy, crawling around attics and everything,” Chovanec said.

    Chovanec was in a Wisconsin farmhouse in the middle of winter when he began to feel the impact of the work “click” for him. It was his first time insulating an attic on his own, and the space was almost unbearably hot because of the lack of insulation. This meant that a large amount of heat was escaping out from the living space, ultimately costing the kind, elderly owners more money to warm their home. As he carried out his work, blowing 13 to 14 inches of insulation over the attic floor, he noticed the attic change from hot to cold. With less heat escaping into the attic, the owners would need less energy to warm their home—greatly reducing their energy bills. 

    Chovanec was hooked. “It was then I could actually feel that this work really does make a difference,” he said.

    Workers in the industry describe this feeling as “getting bit by the weatherization bug.” The work is physically taxing, but Chovanec feels the reward goes far beyond a paycheck. Weatherization technicians and energy auditors are regularly exposed to the extreme heat and cold, exploring all the unseen and potentially hazardous places in a home. Yet Chovanec believed strongly in the WAP mission, saving money on energy bills, and helping people be comfortable and safe in their homes.

    Without prior knowledge of building science or weatherization work, Chovanec learned on the job. Absorbing skills and knowledge through every task and mentorship experience, he accepted a full-time role and climbed the career ladder at the community action agency, eventually accepting a position at a weatherization training center.

    Weatherization training centers provide structured hands-on training opportunities to workers in the weatherization and home performance industry. Chovanec’s main roles at the center were to provide building science training and perform quality control inspections for the state. These inspections help ensure the appropriateness and quality of the work completed on the home by installers and technicians. Chovanec estimates he visited all 72 counties of Wisconsin at least once to perform inspections during his 10-plus years at the center.

    “One of the best things was going back to do a post-weatherization inspection and hearing nothing but good things,” Chovanec said. “Their bills are going down, their house is more comfortable, they physically feel better—it’s just a dose of good news.”

    For Chovanec, home energy auditing is a passion, not just a job. An energy audit consists of a thorough examination to identify potential comfort or safety problems and energy-saving opportunities. He works on his field skills in his free time, taking the four-hour energy auditor recertification field exam every three years. He has now passed the exam five times and enjoys providing home assessments for his friends and family.

    While an energy audit might provide homeowners with the most comprehensive look at ways to cut energy costs in their home, Chovanec emphasized that there are simple steps people can take to minimize energy use and lower bills. Even just ensuring that lights are off in empty rooms and the thermostat is adjusted when you are out of the house can make a difference.

    “When you were a kid and your parents told you to turn the light off when you’re not in the room: That is real, and it helps,” Chovanec said. “We all have control over small things like that, and if we want to save some money on a utility bill, we can achieve that without extensive training.”

    Translating Field Experience Into Valuable Workforce Resources

    In keeping with his unique ability to simplify complex concepts, Chovanec’s favorite projects examine the most technical aspects of weatherization work to streamline them or make them easier to understand.

    One of these projects includes the development of two interactive 3D houses, providing virtual examples of a single-family and manufactured home. These learning tools allow users to explore relevant retrofit strategies and common weatherization measures for different areas of the home, all with a few clicks of their mouse. Chovanec used his field experience to accurately represent the spaces.

    “When thinking about developing resources for the weatherization network, you have to think about how it will look in the hands of the people actually doing the work,” Chovanec said.

    Cory Chovanec explains how to inspect a crawlspace to fellow NREL employees Juliana Williams and Alexa Carrera. Photo by Janna Babad, NREL

    Chovanec also assists volunteer expert committees with updating job task analyses for energy auditor and quality control inspector certification schemes, the role that introduced him to NREL when he volunteered to serve on the update committee as a subject matter expert. These resources are updated roughly every five years with weatherization industry feedback.

    “We are really working to improve the foundational components of credentials through each update cycle, and this is clear with each iteration,” Chovanec said. “The program is always evolving in a way that puts an emphasis on high-quality work that saves people money.”

    Over the years, Chovanec has seen WAP grow in a variety of ways, providing more robust, formalized education and incorporating new technologies as they emerge, like infrared imaging, which helps identify air leaks and thermal anomalies in homes. As research continues, Chovanec knows that there will always be something new to improve homes and lives, and he is excited that NREL can play a key part in those discoveries and enhancements.

    When reflecting on his career journey—from his first WAP agency to NREL—Chovanec said it is important to reach out and take hold of opportunities as they come.

    “The stepping stones are there, you just have to follow the path: volunteer for those committees, go to extra trainings, try to make the most of it,” Chovanec said. “No matter what my role was, I just felt really fortunate to work in WAP and have been mentored by so many incredible and brilliant people, some of whom were around when the program first began in 1976. It is a privilege to continue to support this program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Career Built on Helping Others: Cory Chovanec’s Journey in Weatherization

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL Researcher Uses His Field Experience To Help Increase Energy Affordability for Americans Through the Weatherization Assistance Program

    Cory Chovanec leans on a ladder outside a house he is weatherizing. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    At 17 years old, NREL researcher Cory Chovanec was traveling door to door in his hometown of Berlin, Wisconsin. His mission: to sell enough vacuum cleaners to qualify for an all-expenses-paid trip to Lake Tahoe. At around $1,000 dollars a pop and in a town of just over 5,000 people, it was no easy feat.

    Yet he managed to sell them all—sending both him and his sister on a free vacation.

    “I think if you can sell Kirby vacuums at that price in the ’90s, you can do just about anything,” Chovanec said.

    After following a career path in the weatherization and home performance industry from entry level to a position at a national laboratory, Chovanec found that he really could do just about anything—from crawling through cold, uninsulated subspaces and hot attics to inspecting hundreds of homes with advanced diagnostic equipment.

    Now serving as weatherization team lead at NREL, Chovanec has worked in many different roles supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households by increasing home energy efficiency. Weatherization saves money for families and enhances health, home comfort, and safety.

    In his nearly four years at NREL, Chovanec has contributed to and led technical assistance, research, and resource development to support WAP, leveraging his extensive experience to ensure these activities benefit field staff and aid in their work improving energy affordability across the country.

    Bit by the Weatherization Bug

    Chovanec did not even know what weatherization was until after high school, when he started working for a local temporary employment agency. One day, they placed him at a community action agency, where he filled in as a weatherization technician.

    Cory Chovanec holds up the damaged door of a manufactured home and the new one he replaced it with. This photo was taken early in Chovanec’s career, between 1998 and 2008. Photo from Cory Chovanec, NREL

    “I didn’t see this as a career. I thought these people were crazy, crawling around attics and everything,” Chovanec said.

    Chovanec was in a Wisconsin farmhouse in the middle of winter when he began to feel the impact of the work “click” for him. It was his first time insulating an attic on his own, and the space was almost unbearably hot because of the lack of insulation. This meant that a large amount of heat was escaping out from the living space, ultimately costing the kind, elderly owners more money to warm their home. As he carried out his work, blowing 13 to 14 inches of insulation over the attic floor, he noticed the attic change from hot to cold. With less heat escaping into the attic, the owners would need less energy to warm their home—greatly reducing their energy bills. 

    Chovanec was hooked. “It was then I could actually feel that this work really does make a difference,” he said.

    Workers in the industry describe this feeling as “getting bit by the weatherization bug.” The work is physically taxing, but Chovanec feels the reward goes far beyond a paycheck. Weatherization technicians and energy auditors are regularly exposed to the extreme heat and cold, exploring all the unseen and potentially hazardous places in a home. Yet Chovanec believed strongly in the WAP mission, saving money on energy bills, and helping people be comfortable and safe in their homes.

    Without prior knowledge of building science or weatherization work, Chovanec learned on the job. Absorbing skills and knowledge through every task and mentorship experience, he accepted a full-time role and climbed the career ladder at the community action agency, eventually accepting a position at a weatherization training center.

    Weatherization training centers provide structured hands-on training opportunities to workers in the weatherization and home performance industry. Chovanec’s main roles at the center were to provide building science training and perform quality control inspections for the state. These inspections help ensure the appropriateness and quality of the work completed on the home by installers and technicians. Chovanec estimates he visited all 72 counties of Wisconsin at least once to perform inspections during his 10-plus years at the center.

    “One of the best things was going back to do a post-weatherization inspection and hearing nothing but good things,” Chovanec said. “Their bills are going down, their house is more comfortable, they physically feel better—it’s just a dose of good news.”

    For Chovanec, home energy auditing is a passion, not just a job. An energy audit consists of a thorough examination to identify potential comfort or safety problems and energy-saving opportunities. He works on his field skills in his free time, taking the four-hour energy auditor recertification field exam every three years. He has now passed the exam five times and enjoys providing home assessments for his friends and family.

    While an energy audit might provide homeowners with the most comprehensive look at ways to cut energy costs in their home, Chovanec emphasized that there are simple steps people can take to minimize energy use and lower bills. Even just ensuring that lights are off in empty rooms and the thermostat is adjusted when you are out of the house can make a difference.

    “When you were a kid and your parents told you to turn the light off when you’re not in the room: That is real, and it helps,” Chovanec said. “We all have control over small things like that, and if we want to save some money on a utility bill, we can achieve that without extensive training.”

    Translating Field Experience Into Valuable Workforce Resources

    In keeping with his unique ability to simplify complex concepts, Chovanec’s favorite projects examine the most technical aspects of weatherization work to streamline them or make them easier to understand.

    One of these projects includes the development of two interactive 3D houses, providing virtual examples of a single-family and manufactured home. These learning tools allow users to explore relevant retrofit strategies and common weatherization measures for different areas of the home, all with a few clicks of their mouse. Chovanec used his field experience to accurately represent the spaces.

    “When thinking about developing resources for the weatherization network, you have to think about how it will look in the hands of the people actually doing the work,” Chovanec said.

    Cory Chovanec explains how to inspect a crawlspace to fellow NREL employees Juliana Williams and Alexa Carrera. Photo by Janna Babad, NREL

    Chovanec also assists volunteer expert committees with updating job task analyses for energy auditor and quality control inspector certification schemes, the role that introduced him to NREL when he volunteered to serve on the update committee as a subject matter expert. These resources are updated roughly every five years with weatherization industry feedback.

    “We are really working to improve the foundational components of credentials through each update cycle, and this is clear with each iteration,” Chovanec said. “The program is always evolving in a way that puts an emphasis on high-quality work that saves people money.”

    Over the years, Chovanec has seen WAP grow in a variety of ways, providing more robust, formalized education and incorporating new technologies as they emerge, like infrared imaging, which helps identify air leaks and thermal anomalies in homes. As research continues, Chovanec knows that there will always be something new to improve homes and lives, and he is excited that NREL can play a key part in those discoveries and enhancements.

    When reflecting on his career journey—from his first WAP agency to NREL—Chovanec said it is important to reach out and take hold of opportunities as they come.

    “The stepping stones are there, you just have to follow the path: volunteer for those committees, go to extra trainings, try to make the most of it,” Chovanec said. “No matter what my role was, I just felt really fortunate to work in WAP and have been mentored by so many incredible and brilliant people, some of whom were around when the program first began in 1976. It is a privilege to continue to support this program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH Recommends Reopening the Swimming Area at George Washington Campground

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening the swimming area at the George Washington Campground in Chepachet for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels.

    RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line (401-222-2751).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the 2025 United Nations Population Award Ceremony

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    I am pleased to represent the Secretary-General at this important celebration. I will now read his remarks.

    Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Friends,

    I am honoured to share a message of profound respect and heartfelt congratulations to this year’s laureates of the United Nations Population Award.

    The work we celebrate today – from advancing population science to protecting reproductive rights – is central to sustainable development.

    Because when every person can make informed decisions about their body and their future, we unlock opportunities, strengthen communities, and accelerate progress for all.

    I thank Dr. Natalia Kanem for her dedication and leadership, as Secretary of the United Nations Population Award Committee and Executive Director of UNFPA.

    I also salute the Chair, Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf, of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, along with the committee members, for selecting this year’s honourees.

    In the individual category, we celebrate Ms. Varsha Deshpande of India.

    In a village in Maharashtra, young girls once faced futures decided for them.

    Child marriage.

    No education.

    No choice.

    But Varsha Deshpande stood up and said no.

    For over 30 years, she has been a force for change. 

    Preventing hundreds of child marriages.

    Providing legal aid to over 10,000 women.

    And transforming the simple phrase “Lek Ladki Abhiyan”, “the cherished girl child”, into a movement of hope.

    Halfway around the world in France, the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, has spent nearly a century bridging the gap between data and dignity.

    Every four years, they gather global experts to take a deep look at some of our most pressing population challenges, including migration, aging societies, and climate displacement.

    The IUSSP ensures lives are not only counted – but understood and supported.

    On behalf of the Secretary-General and the United Nations, congratulations. 

    We are all inspired by the work of today’s honourees and the future they help to shape.

    A future of dignity, equality, and opportunity, for every woman, every child, and every person, everywhere.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ICC ICC Moot Court Competition 2025 – Chinese version winners announcement ENG

    Source: International Criminal Court (video statements)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QsLagbfyE0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Putting the X-59 to the Test

    Source: NASA

    Researchers from NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently tested a scale model of the X-59 experimental aircraft in a supersonic wind tunnel located in Chofu, Japan, to assess the noise audible underneath the aircraft. The model can be seen in the wind tunnel in this image released on July 11, 2025.
    The test was an important milestone for NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59, which is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without causing a loud sonic boom. When the X-59 flies, sound underneath it – a result of its pressure signature – will be a critical factor for what people hear on the ground. 
    This marked the third round of wind tunnel tests for the X-59 model, following a previous test at JAXA and at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The data will help researchers understand the noise level that will be created by the shock waves the X-59 produces at supersonic speeds.
    Image credit: JAXA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Provide Coverage of Axiom Mission 4 Departure from Station

    Source: NASA

    NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Axiom Mission 4 private astronaut mission from the International Space Station.
    The four-member astronaut crew is scheduled to undock from the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at approximately 7:05 a.m. EDT Monday, July 14, pending weather, to begin their return to Earth and splashdown off the coast of California.
    Coverage of departure operations will begin with hatch closing at 4:30 a.m. on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
    Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary, will have spent about two weeks in space at the conclusion of their mission.
    The Dragon spacecraft will return with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted throughout the mission.
    NASA’s coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
    Monday, July 14
    4:30 a.m. – Hatch closing coverage begins on NASA+.
    4:55 a.m. – Crew enters spacecraft followed by hatch closing.
    6:45 a.m. – Undocking coverage begins on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels.
    7:05 a.m. – Undocking
    NASA’s coverage ends approximately 30 minutes after undocking when space station joint operations with Axiom Space and SpaceX conclude. Axiom Space will resume coverage of Dragon’s re-entry and splashdown on the company’s website.
    A collaboration between NASA and ISRO allowed Axiom Mission 4 to deliver on a commitment highlighted by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. The space agencies participated in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
    The private mission also carried the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.
    The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth orbit economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit provides the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.
    Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-space
    -end-
    Claire O’SheaHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
    Anna SchneiderJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 to Support Health Studies for Deep Space Travel

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission is set to launch a four-person crew to the International Space Station later this summer. Some of the crew have volunteered to participate in a series of experiments to address health challenges astronauts may face on deep space missions during NASA’s Artemis campaign and future human expeditions to Mars.
    The research during Crew-11 includes simulated lunar landings, tactics to safeguard vision, and other human physiology studies led by NASA’s Human Research Program.
    Select crew members will participate in a series of simulated Moon landings, before, during, and after their flight. Using a handheld controller and multiple screens, the astronauts will fly through simulated scenarios created to resemble the lunar South Pole region that Artemis crews plan to visit. This experiment allows researchers to evaluate how different gravitational forces may disorient astronauts and affect their ability to pilot a spacecraft, like a lunar lander.
    “Even though many landing tasks are automated, astronauts must still know how to monitor the controls and know when to take over to ensure a safe landing,” said Scott Wood, a neuroscientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston coordinating the scientific investigation. “Our study assesses exactly how changes in gravity affect spatial awareness and piloting skills that are important for navigating these scenarios.”
    A ground control group completing the same tasks over a similar timeframe will help scientists better understand gravitational effects on human performance. The experiment’s results could inform the pilot training needed for future Artemis crews.
    “Experiencing weightlessness for months and then feeling greater levels of gravity on a planet like Mars, for example, may increase the risk of disorientation,” said Wood. “Our goal is to help astronauts adapt to any gravitational change, whether it’s to the Moon, a new planet, or landing back on Earth.”
    Other studies during the mission will explore possible ways to treat or prevent a group of eye and brain changes that can occur during long-duration space travel, called spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).  
    Some researchers suspect the redistribution of bodily fluids in constant weightlessness may increase pressure in the head and contribute to SANS. One study will investigate fluid pressure on the brain while another will examine how the body processes B vitamins and whether supplements can affect how astronauts respond to bodily fluid shifts. Participating crew members will test whether a daily B vitamin supplement can eliminate or ease symptoms of SANS. Specific crew members also will wear thigh cuffs to keep bodily fluids from traveling headward.
    Crew members also will complete another set of experiments, called CIPHER (Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research), which measures how multiple systems within the human body change in space. The study includes vision assessments, MRI scans, and other medical exams to provide a complete overview of the whole body’s response to long-duration spaceflight.
    Several other studies involving human health and performance are also a part of Crew-11’s science portfolio. Crew members will contribute to a core set of measurements called Spaceflight Standard Measures, which collects physical data and biological samples from astronauts and stores them for other comparative studies. Participants will supply biological samples, such as blood and urine, for a study characterizing how spaceflight alters astronauts’ genetic makeup. In addition, volunteers will test different exercise regimens to help scientists explore what activities remain essential for long-duration journeys.
    After landing, participating crew members will complete surveys to track any discomfort, such as scrapes or bruises, acquired from re-entry. The data will help clarify whether mission length increases injury risks and could help NASA design landing systems on future spacecraft as NASA prepares to travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
    NASA’s Human Research Program pursues methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel. Through science conducted in laboratories, ground-based analogs, and aboard the International Space Station, the program investigates how spaceflight affects human bodies and behaviors. Such research drives NASA’s quest to innovate ways that keep astronauts healthy and mission-ready.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: X-59 Model Tested in Japanese Supersonic Wind Tunnel

    Source: NASA

    Researchers from NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently tested a scale model of the X-59 experimental aircraft in a supersonic wind tunnel located in Chofu, Japan, to assess the noise audible underneath the aircraft. 
    The test was an important milestone for NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59, which is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without causing a loud sonic boom.  
    When the X-59 flies, sound underneath it – a result of its pressure signature – will be a critical factor for what people hear on the ground. 
    The X-59 is 99.7 feet long, with a wingspan of 29.7 feet. The JAXA wind tunnel, on the other hand, is just over 3 feet long by 3 feet wide.  
    So, researchers used a model scaled to just 1.62% of the actual aircraft – about 19 inches nose-to-tail. They exposed it to conditions mimicking the X-plane’s planned supersonic cruising speed of Mach 1.4, or approximately 925 miles per hour. 
    The series of tests performed at JAXA allowed NASA researchers to gather critical experimental data to compare to their predictions derived through Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling, which include how air will flow around the aircraft.  
    This marked the third round of wind tunnel tests for the X-59 model, following a previous test at JAXA and at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio. 
    The data will help researchers understand the noise level that will be created by the shock waves the X-59 produces at supersonic speeds.  
    The shock waves from traditional supersonic aircraft typically merge together, producing a loud sonic boom. The X-59’s unique design works to keep shock waves from merging, will result in a quieter sonic thump. 
    The X-59 was built in Palmdale, California at contractor Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and is undergoing final ground tests en route to its historic first flight this year.   
    NASA’s Quesst mission aims to help change the future of quiet supersonic travel using the X-59. The experimental aircraft allow the Quesst team to gather public feedback on acceptable sound levels for quiet supersonic flight.  
    Through Quesst’s development of the X-59, NASA will deliver design tools and technology for quiet supersonic airliners that will achieve the high speeds desired by commercial operators without creating disturbance to people on the ground. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1582, GENIUS Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Legislation Summary

    S. 1582 would define payment stablecoin to mean a digital asset issued for a payment or settlement that is pegged to a reference asset, such as the U.S. dollar, and redeemable at a fixed amount. The act also would establish a regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers. Nonbank entities or subsidiaries of insured depository institutions could apply to become issuers; within three years of enactment only those approved issuers would be authorized to offer stablecoin. Once approved, an issuer would be subject to supervision by appropriate federal or state regulators and would be required to hold at least one dollar of permitted reserves for every dollar issued in stablecoin.

    Under S. 1582, the responsible federal financial regulators would be the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Reserve.

    S. 1582 would permit nonbank entities with less than $10 billion in issuance to opt in to a state regulatory system, provided that the state’s system is substantially similar to its federal counterpart; state regulators could choose to cede their authority to the Federal Reserve. The act would require federal and state regulators to issue specific capital, liquidity, and risk management rules for federal and state stablecoin issuers and to report on stablecoins. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) would be required to issue anti-money-laundering rules for stablecoin issuers.

    Estimated Federal Cost

    The estimated budgetary effect of S. 1582 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 370 (commerce and housing credit) and 750 (administration of justice).

    Basis of Estimate

    Enacting S. 1582 would impose additional administrative costs on the federal financial regulators, CBO estimates. We expect that during the two years after enactment, the regulatory agencies would conduct rulemaking, develop industry and examiner guidance, train examiners, and establish processes for state and federal regulation of small issuers of stablecoins. After that, the agencies would incur additional administrative costs for examinations, risk monitoring, enforcement, and certifying state regulators. Using information from the affected agencies, CBO estimates that, on average, the annual cost in 2025 of employing a financial regulatory staff member at the FDIC, NCUA, OCC, and Federal Reserve is $270,000. Costs in later years are adjusted to account for anticipated inflation.

    Table 1.

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 1582
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2035

    2025-2030

    2025-2035
     

    Increases in Direct Spending

    		    

    Estimated Budget Authority

    *

    2

    3

    5

    4

    5

    5

    5

    6

    6

    6

    19

    47

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    2

    3

    5

    4

    5

    5

    5

    6

    6

    6

    19

    47
     

    Decreases in Revenues

    		    

    Estimated Revenues

    0

    -1

    -1

    -2

    -1

    -29

    -7

    -8

    -8

    -8

    -8

    -34

    -73
     

    Net Increase in the Deficit

    From Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues

    		    

    Effect on the Deficit

    *

    3

    4

    7

    5

    34

    12

    13

    14

    14

    14

    53

    120

    Direct Spending

    The administrative costs of the FDIC, NCUA, and OCC are classified in the federal budget as direct spending. Using information from those agencies, CBO estimates that enacting the legislation would increase gross direct spending by $77 million over the 2025-2035 period. However, OCC and NCUA collect fees from financial institutions to offset their costs; those fees are treated as reductions in direct spending. Thus, CBO estimates that, on net, enacting the legislation would increase direct spending by $47 million over the same period.

    Revenues

    Costs incurred by the Federal Reserve reduce remittances to the Treasury, which are recorded in the budget as revenues. CBO estimates that enacting S. 1582 would decrease revenues by $73 million over the 2025-2035 period. Changes in costs for the Federal Reserve banks have historically resulted in changes to remittances during the same year. However, since fiscal year 2023, the central bank has recorded a deferred asset to account for accrued net losses from expenses in excess of income. As a result, remittances largely have been suspended. In CBO’s projections, remittances from the Federal Reserve will generally be suspended until 2030, and until they resume, most changes in costs incurred by the system will not be recorded as changes in remittances.

    Spending Subject to Appropriation

    S. 1582 would require FinCEN to write anti-money-laundering rules for stablecoin issuers. That agency’s administrative costs are funded through annual appropriations. CBO estimates that implementing the provision would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    Uncertainty

    Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit

    Joshua Shakin
    Chief, Revenue Projections Unit

    Kathleen FitzGerald 
    Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit

    H. Samuel Papenfuss 
    Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 306, Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 306 would authorize the appropriation of specific amounts for each fiscal years from 2026 through 2030 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a fire weather services program to support wildfire forecasting, responsiveness, and local collaborations.

    Under the bill, NOAA would be required to:

    • Develop modeling and data systems for fire weather predictions,
    • Maintain a public website to promote the program’s services and data,
    • Award grants to non-federal entities for program development,
    • Conduct pilot projects and research on unmanned systems for fire weather observations,
    • Establish an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service, and
    • Report to the Congress on the program’s implementation.

    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 306
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    0

    15

    20

    27

    36

    50

    148

    Estimated Outlays

    0

    4

    12

    18

    26

    35

    95

    Enacting the bill would increase direct spending by less than $500,000 over the 2025-2035 period.

    CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted in 2025 and that the authorized amounts will be provided in each year. Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $95 million over the 2025-2030 period and $51 million after 2030.

    The bill also would authorize additional premium pay in calendar year 2025 for Department of Commerce employees involved in emergency wildfire suppression and whose earnings, including premium pay, exceed a specified threshold. Under current law, employees can earn premium pay only to the extent that their combined base and premium pay does not exceed the greater of the GS-15 maximum or Executive Schedule Level V salary level. Because the additional pay would apply to work already completed, that spending is treated as direct spending. Using information from the Forest Service, CBO estimates that enacting S. 306 would increase direct spending by less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kelly Durand. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 11th, 2025 Heinrich Blasts U.S. Forest Service Chief for Trump Budget that Guts Funding for Wildfire Response and Public Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, blasted U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz for the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26) budget request. The budget cuts funding for the Forest Service by 65% and would gut funding for critical firefighting programs, forcing cash-strapped states and local communities to fend for themselves and bear the cost of wildfires, endangering families and communities.

    VIDEO: Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) grills U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, July 10, 2025.
    On Cuts to U.S. Forest Service Programs That Keep Families Safe
    Heinrich opened his questions, “Chief, you’ve talked recently about how your budget is constrained because you need to pay out accrued vacation time for the 5,000 Forest Service employees who opted into the Deferred Resignation Program, basically 5,000 people that we’re paying not to do work in our forests. Which programs are being affected this year because of the need to pay out that leave?”
    Schultz responded, “Senator Heinrich, we’re using primarily IRA and IIJA funds to pay those out. Those are the funds that are being used for that.”
    Heinrich followed, “So it had no impact on the decision to zero out the State and Volunteer Fire Assistance Program?”
    Schultz denied, “Sir, no. Those funds were not used directly. They were not directly earmarked for SFA and VFA funding. Those were not those funds.”
    Heinrich pushed back, “You told the Senate Appropriations Committee a few weeks ago that the Forest Service would be quickly releasing the FY 25 funds for these programs for state and state and volunteer fire assistance. But now we’re hearing that states have been told to prepare to receive zero funding this year. Is that correct?”
    Schultz responded, “Sir, you’re correct in what my testimony was, and what we’re telling states right now is we don’t have an answer just yet. But we’re not telling them they’re not going to get it. We’re saying we’re still in discussion on that. So, we’re not saying they’re not going to get it, but we’re still in discussion.”
    Heinrich challenged Schultz’s claims, “Well, what I would say, is that states need that funding. That is an example of a successful partnership. If we don’t have that funding, that’s not shared responsibility – that’s abdicating our federal responsibility. And not every state has even an agency in place to sort of replace that capacity at the state level, at a time when their budgets are also being decimated by Medicaid cuts thanks to the ‘Big Whatever Bill.’ So, I would think very seriously about our responsibility to continue to maintain positive relationships with those states and meet our federal responsibility. You have any thoughts?
    Schultz responded, “So I can tell you is your sentiments have been reflected by the State Foresters, and we’re in close communication with them, and we’re aware of their concerns, and we’re taking those into consideration as we work through this issue. Yes, sir.”
    On Forest Management and Reorganization
    Heinrich asked, “Last year, the Forest Service predicted it would accomplish about 4 million acres of hazardous fuels reduction in 2025. You’re three quarters of the way through the Fiscal Year. What’s your number right now?”
    Schultz failed to provide a number, “Sir, I don’t have that number at, with—but I’ll give it to you.”
    Heinrich responded, “I think I have the number, and you can tell me if I’m wrong. It’s about 1.7 million acres, so not even 50% of the way towards our goal, despite the fact that we’re almost through the Fiscal Year. So, I, you know, one of the things we agree on in this Committee, is we’d like to see more fuels reduction as a way to deal with our fire risk, and yet, we are abysmally behind our goals. We have 5,000 fewer people working for the Forest Service now, and there are many of us on this Committee that are worried that the current budget is a recipe for more trees burned and fewer trees cut. What would you say to my constituents who are worried that this budget blueprint is going to result in fewer hazardous fuels being treated?”
    Schultz responded, “Senator Heinrich, what I would say is that, overall, we’re still going to maintain our fuels program, as we have done. This budget, what it does, though, is it transfers fuels program to Department of Interior. So that work would be done in the future by Department of Interior. That’s part of what happens in this budget. That fuels program goes there. So, we would be working with Department of Interior to accomplish those objectives on Forest Service grounds. So, the intent is we still have the same amount of funding. The funding doesn’t shift for fuels, it just shifts from Forest Service to Department of Interior. So the intent would still be to accomplish those goals.”
    Heinrich replied, “So as the firefighting efforts are shifted to Interior, would the hazardous fuels treatments go with them?”
    Schultz stated, “Senator Heinrich, yes, sir. So, the funding for that program, the 170 million does transfer Interior so the large bulk of that would transfer with that program, yes, sir.”
    On the Administration’s New Firefighting Approach:
    Heinrich asked for details, “When are we going to get a detailed blueprint of what this new firefighting approach is going to look like?”
    Schultz answered, “Senator, we have been requested through the Executive Order within the next 90 days to develop a plan that would identify the structure of this. So, that’s something that we’ve just started discussions internally and with Department of Interior. So, we will meet the timelines that are established in the Executive Order. So, as you work through that, in 90 days, we’ll have a plan of what this would look like.”
    Heinrich concluded, “Irrespective of how long it takes to put that plan together, I think there are many of us who are more concerned about the adequacy of that plan and would like to see that plan before we start making budgetary decisions about whether it’s a good idea or not. I am very open to different ways of organizing how we fight fires on our national forests and our public lands, but I want to see the plan because peoples’ lives and livelihoods are at stake. We have to get that right. And irrespective of whether the White House wants it in two weeks or 90 days, I know that members of this Committee are going to want to see the details, and know that this has actually been thought through, unlike some of the you know, early decisions about letting people go who are critical to the management of our public lands.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Members Schatz and Shaheen Introduce Legislation to Prevent Lifesaving U.S. Aid from Going to Waste

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Operation Appropriations, introduced the “Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act,” legislation to prevent the unnecessary destruction and waste of foreign assistance commodities—including food, medicine and medical devices—by ensuring that they are delivered to intended recipients before they spoil or expire. The bill would prohibit the destruction of any such commodities unless all efforts to sell or donate them have been exhausted and requires reporting to Congress on any destroyed goods. 
    Specifically, the “Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act” seeks to prevent the State Department’s planned destruction of $9.7 million in family planning commodities instead of donating them to intended beneficiaries. It would also impose requirements to prevent the imminent spoilage of emergency food commodities in warehouses, including a USAID warehouse in Houston, Texas. 
    “This bill will save lives and prevent the wasting of taxpayer dollars by ensuring that already paid-for life-saving commodities, like food and medicine, are delivered to people in need instead of being pointlessly trashed,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “At a moment when the Trump Administration has made devastating cuts to foreign assistance it is disappointing that the State Department would sign off on spending money to actually destroy paid-for commodities that would save lives and are waiting to be deployed. Food and family planning commodities are desperately needed in conflict affected countries, like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo where famine is taking hold. Women are at high risk for sexual violence in conflict settings. This is sadly yet another example of how Elon Musk and the DOGE boys have simultaneously managed to cost lives and undercut America’s influence abroad without saving the taxpayer a single cent.” 
    “Intentionally destroying health care products or letting food and medication that the United States government has already paid for as part of our foreign assistance efforts rot and expire in warehouses is absurd. It’s a total waste of taxpayer dollars and is needlessly costing lives around the world,” said Ranking Member Schatz. “Our bill requires the administration to follow common-sense and distribute foreign assistance commodities before they expire.” 
    Last week, Ranking Member Shaheen sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to reverse the State Department’s decision to destroy more than $9 million dollars in family planning commodities intended to support women in crisis settings globally. U.S. family planning assistance reaches 47.6 million women and couples every year, preventing 8.1 million unintended pregnancies, 5.2 million unsafe abortions and 34,000 maternal deaths. 
    Full text of the bill can be found HERE. 
    The “Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act” would:  
    Require that foreign assistance commodities, including food, medicine, and medical devices be made available to intended beneficiaries before the commodities spoil or expire.   
    Prevent the destruction of any commodity procured or held by the United States unless every effort has been made to sell or donate the commodity before the applicable spoilage or expiration date.   
    Require reporting to Congress on any destroyed commodities, including the market value of any product or commodity destroyed; and the cost incurred to destroy the commodity. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Hungary and the Commission – E-001468/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is committed to protect the financial interests of the EU and to ensure the correct application of EU law and implementation of the EU budget. Commitments and payments to Hungary, as for any Member State, follow the relevant rules.

    As regards discrimination in taxation, since 3 October 2024, an infringement procedure against Hungary is ongoing for non-compliance of its retail tax regime with the freedom of establishment[1].

    The Commission also closely monitors the use of authorisation procedures and the enforcement of restrictive measures, particularly in the construction, mining and retail sectors.

    Under the European Semester, the Commission follows related developments, notably on disproportionate burdens through sector-specific taxes and complaints of foreign firms about unequal and arbitrary treatment, and reports on them[2].

    The concentration of awards was taken into consideration when adopting measures under the general regime of conditionality, which led to a suspension of 55% of three Cohesion Policy programmes in Hungary[3].

    Within that procedure, Hungary committed to implement remedial measures to reduce the share of public procurements with single bids, monitor concentration and increase transparency of the public procurement market.

    Moreover, Hungary’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) includes the same commitments as milestones and targets[4]. The Commission monitors the correct implementation of remedial measures and will — once Hungary submits a payment request under its RRP — assess the fulfilment of the related milestones and targets.

    Until then, all RRP funds are suspended. EU funding to Hungary is also blocked under the horizontal enabling condition regarding the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights[5] related to the programmes under the Common Provisions Regulation[6].

    The Commission follows closely the developments in Hungary via its annual Rule of Law Report[7], and will not hesitate to make use of the available tools to protect the financial interests of the EU and enforce EU law.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT.
    • [2] https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/2024-european-semester-country-reports_en.
    • [3]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOL_2022_325_R_TOC, OJ L 325, 20.12.2022, p. 94-109.
    • [4] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/hungarys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en#documents .
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012P/TXT.
    • [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1060.
    • [7] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Hungary and the Commission – E-001468/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is committed to protect the financial interests of the EU and to ensure the correct application of EU law and implementation of the EU budget. Commitments and payments to Hungary, as for any Member State, follow the relevant rules.

    As regards discrimination in taxation, since 3 October 2024, an infringement procedure against Hungary is ongoing for non-compliance of its retail tax regime with the freedom of establishment[1].

    The Commission also closely monitors the use of authorisation procedures and the enforcement of restrictive measures, particularly in the construction, mining and retail sectors.

    Under the European Semester, the Commission follows related developments, notably on disproportionate burdens through sector-specific taxes and complaints of foreign firms about unequal and arbitrary treatment, and reports on them[2].

    The concentration of awards was taken into consideration when adopting measures under the general regime of conditionality, which led to a suspension of 55% of three Cohesion Policy programmes in Hungary[3].

    Within that procedure, Hungary committed to implement remedial measures to reduce the share of public procurements with single bids, monitor concentration and increase transparency of the public procurement market.

    Moreover, Hungary’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) includes the same commitments as milestones and targets[4]. The Commission monitors the correct implementation of remedial measures and will — once Hungary submits a payment request under its RRP — assess the fulfilment of the related milestones and targets.

    Until then, all RRP funds are suspended. EU funding to Hungary is also blocked under the horizontal enabling condition regarding the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights[5] related to the programmes under the Common Provisions Regulation[6].

    The Commission follows closely the developments in Hungary via its annual Rule of Law Report[7], and will not hesitate to make use of the available tools to protect the financial interests of the EU and enforce EU law.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT.
    • [2] https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/2024-european-semester-country-reports_en.
    • [3]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOL_2022_325_R_TOC, OJ L 325, 20.12.2022, p. 94-109.
    • [4] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/hungarys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en#documents .
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012P/TXT.
    • [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R1060.
    • [7] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-communication-and-country-chapters_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cronyism at EU Agency for Asylum – E-001964/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The management board of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), of which the Commission is a member, addressed the matter referred to by the Honourable Members, and thoroughly discussed and examined all findings and recommendations made by the European Anti-Fraud Office as a result of its investigation.

    The management board has addressed a warning to the Executive Director of the EUAA, together with a formal request for concrete proposals of corrective actions to ensure more efficient and transparent procedures and to strengthen the overall human resources management in the Agency.

    The Commission will follow closely the implementation of the corrective actions by the Executive Director.

    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cronyism at EU Agency for Asylum – E-001964/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The management board of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), of which the Commission is a member, addressed the matter referred to by the Honourable Members, and thoroughly discussed and examined all findings and recommendations made by the European Anti-Fraud Office as a result of its investigation.

    The management board has addressed a warning to the Executive Director of the EUAA, together with a formal request for concrete proposals of corrective actions to ensure more efficient and transparent procedures and to strengthen the overall human resources management in the Agency.

    The Commission will follow closely the implementation of the corrective actions by the Executive Director.

    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Exempting Poland from the migrant relocation mechanism – E-001204/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation[1] (AMMR) foresees a mandatory but flexible solidarity mechanism, whereby each Member State has full discretion to choose between the available forms of solidarity, namely relocation, financial contributions and alternative measures (in-kind support).

    The AMMR also foresees possible deduction of solidarity contributions in cases of migratory pressure or significant migratory situations.

    As Guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the correct application, implementation and enforcement of EU law and may take appropriate legal action in line with the treaties to ensure compliance.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1351/oj/eng.
    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group moves forward to strengthen transparency, accountability and workplace well-being

    Source: European Investment Bank

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has been taking decisive steps to strengthen transparency, accountability, and workplace well-being. These include a 14-point Action Plan, launched in July 2024, developed with staff representatives to address priority areas identified through staff surveys.

    To date, the Group has delivered several concrete measures as part of this change:

    • Appointment of an independent Ombudsperson that will join the EIB Group on 1 October to serve as a neutral resource and support confidential conflict resolution.
    • Completion of a 360° feedback exercise for senior and middle managers, with the participation of over 3 000 staff members to improve the working atmosphere and foster leadership excellence.
    • Performance objectives for managers have incorporated the need to ensure a safe working environment, promote a speak-up culture, and support the development, performance and well-being of staff.
    • Compulsory trainings have been rolled out covering the EIB Group Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing Policy and the prevention and detection of workplace harassment for all staff and management.
    • Concrete measures are being taken to promote horizontal mobility and inclusion throughout the Group.
    • Procedures are being streamlined and processes digitalised to reduce red tape, increase efficiency and improve the working experience. The time to market (from first contact to signature of a deal) has been reduced by 20% and reporting by more than 30%, with a further material reduction expected in 2025.
    • A working group, which includes staff representatives, has been established to enhance career development opportunities for support staff. Also, engagement sessions and a survey have been launched to modernise the non-salary welfare benefits system, in view of making it more flexible and fairer to respond to individual needs and situations. The findings from these initiatives will inform the working group’s discussions in autumn.
    • Recruitment processes have become more efficient and management appointments are communicated in a more transparent manner. Feedback is given to non-successful candidates with a view to improving opportunities for career development within an efficient organization with a modern governance structure.
    • A talent review is ongoing to modernise Human Resources policies and accompany all staff in their career development.
    • A revision of the Dignity at Work Policy is ongoing to increase efficiency and speed of decision-making and action.
    • Mediation is promoted as a constructive approach to resolving workplace conflicts and issues.
    • A “Work Well Together Week” has been organised in September 2024, along with an interinstitutional Ethics Day October 2024 to reinforce shared values and a senior management away day.

    In May and June 2025, a new staff survey has been carried out. Designed and run by an external independent firm and following consultation with all relevant stakeholders, the survey achieved a record 78% participation rate with responses from over 3 900 colleagues.

    The survey identifies strengths and improvements in key areas, as well as opportunities for improvement in areas where action is already taken to strengthen the work culture and atmosphere at the EIB group. The staff survey provides valuable insights to steer next steps.

    Survey results show strong alignment with the Group’s mission and values, high appreciation for managers, and a supportive working atmosphere among colleagues. Staff also reported a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work and outcomes and demonstrated good knowledge of the EIB Group Staff Code of Conduct.

    Compared to the 2022 survey, there is considerable improvement in perceptions of leadership setting an ethical example, as well as significant improvement in views of the Group’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and recognising support from other teams.

    Areas identified for further improvement include decision-making speed, removing barriers to more efficient working, and improving mobility and promotion processes.

    These areas had already been identified as priorities, and the EIB Group is stepping up action to improve the working experience for everyone. Feedback from the survey will be discussed with staff representatives to follow up on the findings and continue strengthening the work environment for all EIB Group employees.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group moves forward to strengthen transparency, accountability and workplace well-being

    Source: European Investment Bank

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has been taking decisive steps to strengthen transparency, accountability, and workplace well-being. These include a 14-point Action Plan, launched in July 2024, developed with staff representatives to address priority areas identified through staff surveys.

    To date, the Group has delivered several concrete measures as part of this change:

    • Appointment of an independent Ombudsperson that will join the EIB Group on 1 October to serve as a neutral resource and support confidential conflict resolution.
    • Completion of a 360° feedback exercise for senior and middle managers, with the participation of over 3 000 staff members to improve the working atmosphere and foster leadership excellence.
    • Performance objectives for managers have incorporated the need to ensure a safe working environment, promote a speak-up culture, and support the development, performance and well-being of staff.
    • Compulsory trainings have been rolled out covering the EIB Group Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing Policy and the prevention and detection of workplace harassment for all staff and management.
    • Concrete measures are being taken to promote horizontal mobility and inclusion throughout the Group.
    • Procedures are being streamlined and processes digitalised to reduce red tape, increase efficiency and improve the working experience. The time to market (from first contact to signature of a deal) has been reduced by 20% and reporting by more than 30%, with a further material reduction expected in 2025.
    • A working group, which includes staff representatives, has been established to enhance career development opportunities for support staff. Also, engagement sessions and a survey have been launched to modernise the non-salary welfare benefits system, in view of making it more flexible and fairer to respond to individual needs and situations. The findings from these initiatives will inform the working group’s discussions in autumn.
    • Recruitment processes have become more efficient and management appointments are communicated in a more transparent manner. Feedback is given to non-successful candidates with a view to improving opportunities for career development within an efficient organization with a modern governance structure.
    • A talent review is ongoing to modernise Human Resources policies and accompany all staff in their career development.
    • A revision of the Dignity at Work Policy is ongoing to increase efficiency and speed of decision-making and action.
    • Mediation is promoted as a constructive approach to resolving workplace conflicts and issues.
    • A “Work Well Together Week” has been organised in September 2024, along with an interinstitutional Ethics Day October 2024 to reinforce shared values and a senior management away day.

    In May and June 2025, a new staff survey has been carried out. Designed and run by an external independent firm and following consultation with all relevant stakeholders, the survey achieved a record 78% participation rate with responses from over 3 900 colleagues.

    The survey identifies strengths and improvements in key areas, as well as opportunities for improvement in areas where action is already taken to strengthen the work culture and atmosphere at the EIB group. The staff survey provides valuable insights to steer next steps.

    Survey results show strong alignment with the Group’s mission and values, high appreciation for managers, and a supportive working atmosphere among colleagues. Staff also reported a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work and outcomes and demonstrated good knowledge of the EIB Group Staff Code of Conduct.

    Compared to the 2022 survey, there is considerable improvement in perceptions of leadership setting an ethical example, as well as significant improvement in views of the Group’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and recognising support from other teams.

    Areas identified for further improvement include decision-making speed, removing barriers to more efficient working, and improving mobility and promotion processes.

    These areas had already been identified as priorities, and the EIB Group is stepping up action to improve the working experience for everyone. Feedback from the survey will be discussed with staff representatives to follow up on the findings and continue strengthening the work environment for all EIB Group employees.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on combating the establishment of transnational Islamist networks in Europe – B10-0279/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    12.6.2025 

    pursuant to Rule 149 of the Rules of Procedure

    Jordan Bardella, Jean Paul Garraud, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Aleksandar Nikolic, Alexandre Varaut, András Gyürk, András László, Angéline Furet, Anna Bryłka, Anna Maria Cisint, Anne Sophie Frigout, António Tânger Corrêa, Barbara Bonte, Catherine Griset, Christophe Bay, Csaba Dömötör, Enikő Győri, Ernő Schaller Baross, Fabrice Leggeri, Filip Turek, Gerald Hauser, Gerolf Annemans, Gilles Pennelle, György Hölvényi, Hermann Tertsch, Isabella Tovaglieri, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Jorge Martín Frías, Julie Rechagneux, Julien Leonardelli, Julien Sanchez, Kinga Gál, Marie Dauchy, Marieke Ehlers, Marie Luce Brasier Clain, Mathilde Androuët, Matthieu Valet, Mélanie Disdier, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Nikola Bartůšek, Ondřej Knotek, Pál Szekeres, Paolo Borchia, Pascale Piera, Philippe Olivier, Pierre Pimpie, Pierre Romain Thionnet, Roberto Vannacci, Rody Tolassy, Roman Haider, Séverine Werbrouck, Silvia Sardone, Susanna Ceccardi, Thierry Mariani, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Valérie Deloge, Viktória Ferenc, Vilis Krištopans, Virginie Joron, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión

    B10‑0279/2025

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on combating the establishment of transnational Islamist networks in Europe

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the information available on the pan-European structure of the Muslim Brotherhood,

    – having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas the Muslim Brotherhood has set up an associative, educational and religious network to promote political Islam in Europe;

    B. whereas this organisation uses EU instruments to establish its influence in certain territories and in various local institutions;

    C. whereas several Member States have identified risks of radicalisation linked to these networks;

    D. whereas there is evidence that certain structures close to this movement benefit from public or EU subsidies, with no checks on how these funds are used;

    1. Calls on the Commission to draw up an action plan to combat Islamist infiltration into Europe;

    2. Calls for increased cooperation and exchange of information between Member States on Islamist networks;

    3. Demands that all EU funding for structures close to the Muslim Brotherhood be cut;

    4. Calls for EU funds to only be granted on condition of respect for the principles of neutrality, transparency and religious non-interference;

    5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Inadmissible political statement by Commissioner Marta Kos on the future Prime Minister of Slovenia – E-002641/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002641/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Milan Zver (PPE)

    In an interview with the Slovenian weekly Mladina, Commissioner Marta Kos said that she ‘would not want Janez Janša to become Prime Minister of Slovenia after the upcoming elections’.[1] This is an extremely controversial and politically biased statement representing direct interference by the Commissioner in the internal affairs of a Member State.

    It is clearly at odds with the provisions of Article 17(3) of the Treaty on European Union, which requires members of the Commission to be completely independent, impartial and restrained in expressing their opinions, and could undermine the legitimate democratic processes in a Member State. The Code of Conduct for Commissioners clearly prohibits political interference and the expression of personal preferences regarding the outcome of elections in the Member States.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider Marta Kos’ statement about who she wants or does not want as Prime Minister of a sovereign Member State to be compatible with her obligations under the Treaties and the Code of Conduct for Commissioners?
    • 2.Will the Commission take action over this clear political bias and breach of the duty of neutrality by one of its members?
    • 3.What measures will the Commission take to prevent this kind of political abuse of office in future by Commissioners who are blatantly assuming the right to publicly influence the electoral choices of the citizens of the Member States?

    It sets a precedent that not only damages the Commission’s reputation as a neutral institution, but also directly undermines the democratic processes in Slovenia.

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.mladina.si/241984/napad-sds-zaradi-intervjuja-v-mladini-nad-evropsko-komisarko-marto-kos/
    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Press conference on the MFF with MEPs Mureşan and Tavares on Tuesday, 15 July

    Source: European Parliament

    Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will brief journalists on the expectations for the next EU budget ahead of the Commission’s proposal.

    Co-rapporteurs Siegfried Mureşan and Carla Tavares will hold a press conference on Tuesday, 15 July at 09.30 CET on Parliament’s priorities and expectations for the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget ahead of the Commission’s proposal, which is due to be unveiled on Wednesday (16 July).

    Who? Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal), co-rapporteurs for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

    When? Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 09.30 CET

    Where? Anna Politkovskaya press conference room at the European Parliament in Brussels (SPAAK building, room 0A50).

    Journalists online wishing to actively participate and ask questions, please connect via Interactio.

    You can also follow the press conference online via webstreaming. It will remain available as a recording as well.

    Also …

    On Wednesday, 16 July at 14.30 CET in room SPAAK 3C50, journalists are invited to attend the Budgets Committee meeting with Commissioner Piotr Serafin as he presents the Commission’s proposals to MEPs. The co-rapporteurs will hold a press point immediately afterwards outside the meeting room. You can follow both the hearing and the press point online via webstreaming.

    Background

    Parliament adopted its priorities on the post-2027 EU long-term budget at the May plenary. MEPs call for a more ambitious budget than the current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income given the urgent need to address future security concerns and raise Europe’s competitiveness in the global economy without undermining support for the European Union’s efforts to support its regions and rural communities. To be adopted, the next long-term budget will need the approval of the Parliament, granted by a majority of its component members.

    Information for the media – Use Interactio to ask questions

    Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser).

    When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields.

    For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary.

    When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Students in Malta denied recognition of qualifications due to education authority’s exclusion from the European register – E-002455/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002455/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Peter Agius (PPE)

    The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority has recently been denied entry to the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education following administrative and procedural shortcomings.

    Such shortcomings are certainly not attributable to students who dedicate time and money to their studies.

    Should students pay the price for government incompetence?

    They are indeed paying the price.

    Hundreds of Maltese and foreign students studying in private colleges in Malta are, in fact, facing huge uncertainty and distress as their studies are no longer recognised abroad.

    This situation poses a threat to the free movement of professionals and the mutual recognition of qualifications (Article 53(1) TFEU) to facilitate access to professional activities and to grant the conditions for the single market (Article 26 TFEU).

    Given the above:

    • 1.What urgent measures could the Commission take to resolve the situation in time for students’ graduation in September this year?
    • 2.In the absence of a speedy solution guaranteeing students’ rights to enjoy free movement through the recognition of their qualifications, will the Commission immediately consider further action for the effective implementation of EU law in Malta, without delay?

    Submitted: 18.6.2025

    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Follow-up question on the classification of extra virgin and virgin olive oil under EU law – P-002272/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission confirms that extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil are agricultural products under Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products[1].

    As this regulation does not define processed, first-stage processed or unprocessed agricultural products, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the definition of virgin olive oils, in point 1 part VIII, Annex VII of the regulation.

    This definition clarifies that virgin olive oils are obtained directly from olives using either ‘mechanical or other physical means’.

    Given the definition of agricultural products in paragraph 1 of Article 38 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the definition in Regulation (EU) 1308/2013, extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil can be considered ‘products of first-stage processing’.

    For the purposes of food hygiene, Regulation (EU) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs[2] does define processing and processed and unprocessed products under points (m), (n) and (o) of Article 2(1).

    For the purposes of fair trade, Regulation (EU) No 510/2014 on trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products[3], point (b) of Article 2 defines ‘processed agricultural products’.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/2023-01-01.
    • [2] Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/852/oj.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) No 510/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 1216/2009 and (EC) No 614/2009; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/510/oj.
    Last updated: 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of MCM Strategy by Florika Fink-Hoijer, Director General of DG HERA – Committee on Public Health

    Source: European Parliament

    Public health © Miguel Ángel RM/Adobe Stock

    On the 16th of July, Florika Fink-Hoijer, Director General of DG HERA, will present Medical Countermeasures Strategy (MCM). This strategy, that was presented by the Commission on 8 July 2025, has been urgently awaited and is an important part of the EU policy in the area of public health.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the priorities of the Danish Presidency – Committee on Public Health

    Source: European Parliament

    Danish Council Presidency © European Union (2025)

    On the 16th of July, Sophie Løhde, Danish Minister for Interior and Health will present the priorities of the Danish Presidency in the field of public health. This presentation will be followed by the exchange of views with the SANT committee members.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Vote on draft opinion on EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities – Committee on Public Health

    Source: European Parliament

    Disability © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

    On the 16th of July, Members of SANT committee will vote of the draft opinion to EMPL on ‘EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024’.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the escalation in the Middle East following Israel’s attack on Iran – B10-0301/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Siegbert Frank Droese, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Milan Mazurek, Petar Volgin, Volker Schnurrbusch

    B10‑0301/2025

    Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the escalation in the Middle East following Israel’s attack on Iran

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the principles of international law and the UN Charter,

    – having regard to Rule 149 of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas the recent military action by Israel against Iran has escalated tensions in the Middle East;

    B. whereas this escalation threatens Europe’s security and risks drawing the EU into a conflict that is neither in its interest nor in line with its principles of non-intervention;

    1. Express deep concern about the escalation of violence in the Middle East and its repercussions for Europe’s security;

    2. Call on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions;

    3. Emphasises the need to protect the EU’s borders and internal security against repercussions of the conflict, including terrorism and migration;

    4. Rejects attempts to involve the EU militarily or politically in this conflict, which threatens to destabilise the region;

    5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Knesset and Government of Israel, and the Islamic Consultative Assembly and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –