Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 10 July 2025 Departmental update WHO Academy and the City of Lyon: a strategic collaboration for global health

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In 2018, when the idea of establishing a global learning centre for health – what would become the WHO Academy – was under discussion between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of France, they didn’t have to look far for its new home. Since the Middle Ages, Lyon has been a European capital for human, animal and environmental health. Doctors from across Europe came to study in Lyon, and it was the first centre of medical literature on the continent in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The city is even the home of the first veterinary school in Europe, opening in Lyon in 1761.

    In more recent times, Marcel Mérieux, a former assistant to Pasteur, opened one of the city’s first pharmaceutical research institutes in 1897, the beginnings of what would become the Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict. The city brings together over 2000 global public institutions, research centres and businesses focused on life sciences and health employing nearly 80 000 people, including the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and a WHO office dedicated to health emergencies.

    “The City of Lyon has demonstrated exceptional leadership in public health, making it an ideal partner for the WHO Academy,” explains Dr David Atchoarena, Executive Director of the WHO Academy. “The local ecosystem provides a myriad of opportunities for collaboration and maximizing the impact of the WHO Academy’s initiatives. Together with the City of Lyon we are committed to advancing global health through innovative approaches that address the complex challenges of our time.”

    Meeting these challenges depends on a well-prepared, highly skilled global health and care workforce. The aim of the WHO Academy is to become a global hub for lifelong learning and to provide health and care workers, and decision-makers, in France and around the world, with access to the knowledge and competencies they need to meet current and future needs. The Academy has developed a comprehensive portfolio of courses across most health topics addressed by WHO and has three flagship programmes: Biomanufacturing, Healthy Cities and One Health.

    Leveraging the local ecosystem for innovative health solutions

    The partnership between the WHO Academy and the City of Lyon has already yielded numerous collaborative activities since the launch of the Academy in December 2024. The Academy is an observer to the Contrat Local de Santé 2022-2027, led by the City of Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency, to reduce health inequalities, improve access to care, promote prevention and integrate the One Health approach to health services in the region. In addition, the Academy acted as an observer to AGORA 2030, a participatory initiative accelerating climate action through collaboration among various city stakeholders.

    In April 2025, the Academy participated in the month-long ‘Explore your Health’ festival, most significantly by hosting a roundtable discussion on ‘Urban Planning through the One Health Lens’ at the WHO Academy campus, featuring experts in health, urbanism and research to discuss sustainable city development.

    Lyon is a committed member of the WHO French Healthy Cities Network, and the city’s municipal strategy aligns with the principles of the Academy’s Healthy Cities flagship: equity, participation, multisectoral governance and sustainability. Most recently the WHO Academy and the City of Lyon co-organized a two-day study visit and knowledge exchange for more than 50 mayors from the Korea Healthy Cities Partnership.

    In May, the Séminaire des directeurs meeting held at the Academy campus raised awareness among the 80 City of Lyon directors of public services about the importance of integrating a One Health approach into their work.

    “The City of Lyon is committed to addressing the key determinants of health, such as nutrition, housing, environmental health, access to care and physical activity for the citizens of Lyon, but also for people around the world,”  said Céline de Laurens, Lyon Deputy Mayor for Health, Prevention, and Environmental Health. “Being able to share our experiences, and hear from others like those in Korea, is critical to creating better health for all. This is why having the WHO Academy in Lyon is so important – it brings global experience to our doorstep and also amplifies our own lessons to the world.”

    Global cooperation supporting local solutions

    The collaboration between WHO and the City of Lyon is set to expand with several initiatives recently implemented or planned in the coming months. The city will begin contributing local case studies and examples of city-led innovation in health, environmental sustainability and social equity to the Healthy Cities and One Health flagship programmes. Plus, the Academy will soon start developing learning content for municipal leaders around the world, to be hosted on its online learning platform, based on Lyon’s experience in health-enabling urban planning, food systems and climate-responsive public health strategies.

    “With the establishment of the WHO Academy campus, the City of Lyon is poised to further its contributions to public health, fostering innovation and collaboration to address global health challenges,” noted Dr Atchoarena. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner for the Academy, and working with the City of Lyon allows us to share a model for other global cities to follow.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Plenty of Water in Prairie Potholes

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Surface water in the prairie potholes is highly responsive to both air temperature and precipitation (Renton et al., 2105). In addition, a strong connection between groundwater and potholes is described as filling and subsequently spilling (Vanderhoof et al., 2016). When aquifers are full, surface water recedes slowly. Throughout the Dakotas, recent wet periods may be a part of natural variability that is likely to be repeated over longer time spans (Nustad et al., 2016; Ryberg et al., 2016; Liu and Schwartz, 2011). 

    Thirty-nine years of Annual NLCD land cover provide two good visual examples of prairie pothole flooding events: the Devils Lake area in northeastern North Dakota and Day County in northeastern South Dakota. Lakes, potholes and wetlands in those areas saw large increases in open water (Newsdakota.com, 2020). The James River, a tributary to the Missouri River that flows through Day County, also had recent flooding events (NASA, 2020).

    Right: This map shows open water in North Dakota and South Dakota from 1985 to 2023. The colors indicate whether the open water areas gained or lost water, fluctuated between gains and losses or remained unchanged during that time period. Areas of special interest to this article are Devils Lake in North Dakota and Waubay Lake and Bitter Lake in South Dakota.

    References:

    Auch, R.F., 2015. Chapter 7, northern glaciated plains ecoregion.In Status and Trends of Land Change in the Great Plains of the United States—1973 to 2000, Taylor, J.L., Acevedo, W., Auch, R.F., and Drummond, M.A. pp. 69-76. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1794-B, Reston, Va. 

    Baulch, H.M., Elliott, J.A., Corderio, M.R.C., Flaten, D.N., Lobb, D.A., and Wilson, H.F., 2019. Soil and water management: opportunities to mitigate nutrient losses to surface waters in the Northern Great Plains. Environ. Rev. 27: 447–477.https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/er-2018-0101

    Blackwell, B.G., Smith, B.J., Kaufman, T.M., and Moos, T.S., 2020. Use of a restrictive regulation to manage walleyes in a new glacial lake in South Dakota. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:1202–1215.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nafm.10486

    Damschen, W.C., and Galloway, J.M., 2016, Water-surface elevation and discharge measurement data for the Red River of the North and its tributaries near Fargo, North Dakota, water years 2014–15: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1139, 16 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20161139

    Hoogestraat, G.K., and Stamm, J.F., 2015, Climate and streamflow characteristics for selected streamgages in eastern South Dakota, water years 1945–2013; U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5146, 35 p., with appendix, https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/sir20155146

    Johnston, C.A., 2013, Wetland Losses Due to Row Crop Expansion in the Dakota Prairie Pothole Region; Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications, 95.https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nrm_pubs/95/  

    Liu, G. and Schwartz, F.W., 2011, An integrated observational and model-based analysis of the hydrologic response of prairie pothole systems to variability in climate; Water Resources Research, 47, W02504,https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2010WR009084

    NASA, 2020,https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146515/relentless-floods  

    Newsdakota.com, 2020,https://www.newsdakota.com/2020/08/07/excess-water-continues-to-plague-prairie-pothole-region/   

    National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA), 2025, Climate at a Glance: National Time Series, published May 2025, accessed May 8, 2025, from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/national/time-series 

    Nustad, R.A., Kolars, K.A., Vecchia, A.V., and Ryberg, K.R., 2016, 2011 Souris River flood—Will it happen again?; U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2016–3073, 4 p.,https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163073

    Renton, D.A., Mushet, D.M., and DeKeyser, E.S., 2015, Climate change and prairie pothole wetlands—Mitigating water-level and hydroperiod effects through upland management: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5004, 21 p.,https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/sir20155004  

    Ryberg, K.R., Vecchia, A.V., Akyüz, F.A., and Lin, W., 2016, Tree-ring-based estimates of long-term seasonal precipitation in the Souris River Region of Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Manitoba, Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques, 41:3, 412-428, 17 p., https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07011784.2016.1164627  

    Shapley, M.D., Johnson, W.C., Engstrom, D.R., and Osterkamp, W.R., 2005, Late-Holocene flooding and drought in the Northern Great Plains, USA, reconstructed from tree rings, lake sediments and ancient shorelines. The Holocene, 15 (1): 29-41.

    Todhunter, P.E. 2018, A volumetric water budget of Devils Lake (USA): non-stationary precipitation–runoff relationships in an amplifier terminal lake. Hydrological Sciences Journal, vol. 63 (9):1275–1291. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02626667.2018.1494385

    Todhunter, P.E., 2021, Hydrological basis of the Devils Lake, North Dakota (USA), terminal lake flood disaster. Nat Hazards 106, 2797–2824 (2021).https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-021-04567-2  

    USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, 2022, Lake levels rise: U.S. Geological Survey Earthshots webpage, 2022, accessed online 6/26/2025, athttps://eros.usgs.gov/earthshots/lake-levels-rise  

    Vanderhoof, M.K., Alexander, L.C., and Todd, M.J., 2016a, Temporal and spatial patterns of wetland extent influence variability of surface water connectivity in the Prairie Pothole Region, United States; Landscape Ecology 31, 805–824 (2016). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10980-015-0290-5

    Vanderhoof, M.K., and Alexander, L.C., 2016b, The Role of Lake Expansion in Altering the Wetland Landscape of the Prairie Pothole Region, United States; Wetlands 36 (Suppl 2), 309–321. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13157-015-0728-1

    Vanderhoof, M.K., Christensen, J.R. and Alexander, L.C., 2017, Patterns and drivers for wetland connections in the Prairie Pothole Region, United States; Wetlands Ecology and Management 25, 275–297. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11273-016-9516-9

    Vecchia, Aldo V., 2011, Simulation of the effects of Devils Lake outlet alternatives on future lake levels and water quality in the Sheyenne River and Red River of the North; 2011; SIR; 2011-5050.

    Wimberly, M.C., Janssen, L.L., Hennessy, D.A., Luri, M., Chowdhury, N.M., and Feng, H., 2017, Cropland expansion and grassland loss in the eastern Dakotas: New insights from a farm-level survey; Land Use Policy, Volume 63, Pages 160-173.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Wildfire smoke can make your outdoor workout hazardous to your health – an exercise scientist explains how to gauge the risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By John C. Quindry, Professor of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training, University of Montana

    Air pollution from wildfire smoke can worsen heart and lung disease. helivideo/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    As the summer’s sunny days take hold, many people turn to outdoor exercise.

    But in parts of North America, pleasant weather often aligns with wildfire season. As summers get drier, both the frequency and the intensity of wildfires have grown, producing more polluting smoke.

    A fire’s smoke can spread across several states, leaving people at risk for the health consequences of air pollution.

    Exercisers and health experts are asking whether the benefits of outdoor exercise are negated when the skies are hazy with wildfire smoke.

    How does air pollution make people sick?

    Air pollution’s components depend on its source. For instance, traffic-related air pollution consists largely of vehicle exhaust and brake and tire wear, while industrial pollution contains significant amounts of ozone.

    Wildfires produce huge quantities of airborne particles, also called fine particulate matter. These particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter – about a tenth the size of a pollen grain.

    Particles of that size, which air quality experts refer to as PM2.5, raise serious health concerns because they are tiny enough to be carried to the air sacs in the deepest parts of the lungs. From there, they can cross into the blood stream, leading to bodywide inflammation – essentially, the immune system’s fight response – which can promote or aggravate multiple chronic illnesses.

    Research shows that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to lung diseases, heart disease and other conditions. Since these illnesses take decades to develop, scientists think that the health problems caused by wildfire smoke inhalation accumulate after years of exposure.

    One-time smoke exposures may have cumulative effects

    My research team and others are investigating how short-term smoke exposure might also influence long-term health outcomes such as heart and lung diseases.

    Particulate matter from wildfire smoke can aggravate chronic illnesses.

    To estimate the effects of exposure from a single fire event, environmental scientists can study a variety of factors such as immune system markers of inflammation, signs of physiologic stress and changes in heart, blood vessel and nervous system function. How exactly smoke exposures worsen disease is still poorly understood, but these immediate responses in the body may also be linked to developing chronic disease.

    In a study published in June 2025, my colleagues and I examined these outcomes in healthy participants who exercised during a wildfire simulation in our air inhalation lab. The air was filtered to contain high concentrations of PM2.5 particles produced by burning local pine trees – the equivalent to being downwind of a major wildfire.

    We asked 20 generally healthy participants in their mid-20s to exercise on a stationary cycle at about half their maximum effort for two hours while breathing the smoke. We found that participants’ blood vessel and nervous system function declined immediately after their smoky exercise session. These stress indicators bounced back to normal within an hour of returning to a clean air environment.

    Half of our study participants had a heightened response to physiological stress, which scientists think may signify a heightened risk of chronic diseases. We selected them based on a stress test administered before the experiment: Specifically, their blood pressure spiked when their hands were dipped in ice water for two minutes. The stress-responsive participants experienced significantly stronger declines in blood vessel and nervous system function than people in the typical response group, suggesting that exercise in a very smoky climate may affect some people more than others.

    While it isn’t possible to predict who is most at risk, our study underscores the need to think carefully about exposure to wildfire smoke.

    How smoky is too smoky for outdoor exercise?

    Unfortunately, precise air quality thresholds based on factors such as age and medical condition do not exist. But some simple guidelines and considerations can help.

    The first step is to check the air quality where you live at the government website AirNow. It uses a scale called the Air Quality Index, created by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1999 – which ranks air quality regionally on a scale from 0 to 500. The website is searchable by ZIP code. The reading for a given region reflects the contribution of several pollutants, including PM2.5 levels.

    The Air Quality Index ranks air quality at six levels.
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

    When the air quality is ranked “good,” the decision is simple – get out there and enjoy the outdoors. And there is little debate that people should generally limit their outdoor exposure when air quality levels cross into the “unhealthy” threshold – or at least be aware that doing so poses health risks.

    The risks and benefits of exercising outdoors when air quality is in the “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive” ranges are less clear, particularly for people who don’t have chronic health conditions.

    Gauging your risk

    One major factor in deciding when and whether to exercise outdoors is your health status. AirNow recommends that people with chronic conditions err on the side of caution and remain indoors when smoke levels cause the air quality rating to approach the “unhealthy for sensitive” category.

    That advice may be obvious for people with diagnosed lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, given that particles from wildfire smoke aggravate the lungs. But studies suggest it’s true for milder disease states, too. For example, a large study of people with elevated but not clinically high blood pressure indicated that those who lived downwind of air pollution were more likely to develop high blood pressure and, ultimately, heart disease.

    Another consideration is the time of day. As the afternoon heats up, the column of air we breathe expands, diluting the particulate counts. And afternoon winds frequently blow stagnant air out of the valleys and downtown areas where particulate matter can concentrate during the cooler parts of the day. That means evening workouts may be safer than early-morning ones, though direct confirmation with air quality readings is key.

    Also important is the intensity at which you exercise. Higher-intensity exercise means deeper, more frequent breathing, which likely elevates your exposure to harmful air. So you might choose a shorter jog over a longer run when air quality is moderate or poor.

    My lab is currently working to quantify how much pollution a person breathes in while exercising in smoky conditions, based on their exercise intensity, exercise duration and local particulate counts. This line of research is still in its infancy, but our early findings and other published research suggest that when wildfire smoke puts air quality into the “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive” range, people can dial down the effects of smoke exposure by decreasing their exercise intensity or the time they spend outside.

    John C. Quindry received funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Institutes of Health – INBRE/RAIN.

    ref. Wildfire smoke can make your outdoor workout hazardous to your health – an exercise scientist explains how to gauge the risk – https://theconversation.com/wildfire-smoke-can-make-your-outdoor-workout-hazardous-to-your-health-an-exercise-scientist-explains-how-to-gauge-the-risk-255812

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI: Ingersoll Rand Celebrates a Landmark Year in Sustainability and Growth in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DAVIDSON, N.C., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE: IR), a global leader in mission-critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions, proudly announces its most impactful year yet in sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence. The company’s 2024 sustainability report, Enabling Growth: Leading Sustainably with purpose,” highlights transformative progress and responsible business practices.

    Key highlights include:

    Sustainability leadership recognized globally

    • Ranked in the top 1% of the industry in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third consecutive year.
    • Named to the “A List” by CDP in the environmental stewardship and the supplier engagement leadership categories for the second year in a row.
    • Validated by the Science Based Targets initiative SBTi for Scope 1, 2, and 3 near-term and net-zero targets aligned to 1.5oC.1

    Environmental impact and operational excellence

    • Achieved 61% progress towards our SBTi validated Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal of 42%.
    • Surpassed water reduction goal (-17%) with a 38% absolute reduction.
    • Achieved 74% progress toward our zero waste to landfill goal, which targets more than 50% of sites achieving zero waste to landfill.

    People-first culture and safety excellence

    • Achieved a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of 0.54, 72% better than the industry average.2
    • Granted equity to approximately 3,900 employees through the company’s Ownership Works program. Since May 2017, more than 25,000 employees have received equity grants.
    • Maintained an employee engagement index score of 81, placing Ingersoll Rand in the top 10% of manufacturing companies.3

    “2024 was a milestone year for Ingersoll Rand,” said Vicente Reynal, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand. “We proved that sustainability and growth are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing. Our commitment to sustainable innovation is accelerating value to customers, improving operational efficiency, expanding market opportunities, and delivering long-term value for shareholders.”

    Visit investors.irco.com to read the full 2024 Sustainability Report.

    Details on Ingersoll Rand’s validated targets are available on the SBTi dashboard: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action#dashboard.
    2Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics 2023 incidence rates of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry and case types data set.
    3Employee Engagement Survey from third-party provider Glint, which administers the survey and provides comparable employee engagement survey figures.

    About Ingersoll Rand Inc.
    Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to Making Life Better for our employees, customers, shareholders, and planet. Customers lean on us for exceptional performance and durability in mission-critical flow creation and life science and industrial solutions. Supported by over 80+ respected brands, our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity, and efficiency. Visit irco.com for more information.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to Ingersoll Rand Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Ingersoll Rand”) expectations regarding the performance of its business, its financial results, its liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “target,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “predict,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “on track to,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “guidance” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements.

    These forward-looking statements are based on Ingersoll Rand’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these current expectations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) adverse impact on our operations and financial performance due to natural disaster, catastrophe, global pandemics (including COVID-19), geopolitical tensions, cyber events, or other events outside of our control; (2) unexpected costs, charges, or expenses resulting from completed and proposed business combinations; (3) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the Company; (4) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of completed and proposed business combinations; (5) the ability of the Company to implement its business strategy; (6) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies; (7) inability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; (8) evolving legal, regulatory, and tax regimes; (9) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; (10) actions by third parties, including government agencies; and (11) other risk factors detailed in Ingersoll Rand’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as such factors may be updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.

    Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Ingersoll Rand undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

    Contacts:
    Investor Relations:
    Matthew.Fort@irco.com 

    Media:
    Sara.Hassell@irco.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: For Restoring Biodiversity Look for Help from the Humble, World-building Muskrat

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In his speech for the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) this past spring, keynote speaker Rodney Butler ’99 (BUS), Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, told an abbreviated version of the Indigenous creation story of Skywoman. 

    “When the world was covered in water, Skywoman fell from an opening in the Skyworld and landed on the back of a giant turtle. Skywoman enlisted the help of many animals to dive deep to retrieve soil from the depths of the ocean in an effort to create land. Many animals attempted to grab the soil, but it was the unlikely muskrat, who was both humble and courageous, that was able to return the soil and place it on the back of the great turtle. As the mud is placed on the turtle’s back, it grows and expands, eventually forming the continents and life-sustaining world we know today.” 

    Butler spoke of how the story emphasizes the importance of working together and that we are all better when we work and learn together. There is also great strength in partnering Indigenous knowledge with science to build a sustainable future. 

    Associate Professor Beth Lawrence has a joint appointment with the Center for Environmental Science and Engineering and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment in CAHNR, and her work adds to the time-honored appreciation of the courageous and humble muskrat. In research published in Freshwater Science, Lawrence and collaborators, including project lead Shane Lishawa and Andrew Monks from Loyola University, and Danielle Fegan and Eric Clark, who are biologists with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, describe how muskrats engineer more biologically diverse marsh ecosystems. 

    The researchers study cattail-dominated marshes and strategies to create more varied, or heterogeneous, ecosystems using methods like mechanical harvesting or by applying herbicides. While out on field research, Lawrence says they made an intriguing observation.

    “We noticed in some years that muskrats were doing naturally what we were doing with our aquatic weed whackers and gas-powered equipment. We thought that maybe we should investigate how muskrats alter cattail and associated species,” says Lawrence. 

    The project focused on a marsh that connects the St. Mary’s River outlet of Lake Superior to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. In vast marshes like this one, the non-native cattail species Typha can take over and make acres of marshland look similar to cornfields in terms of the lack of diversity, says Lawrence. These kinds of monocultures do not support biologically diverse ecosystems. 

    “It homogenizes the wetland, and is not an ideal habitat for birds, macro-invertebrates, fish, and native plants, so over the last 15 years we’ve been interested in how we can manage these invaded cattail marshes of the Great Lakes,” Lawrence says. 

    The researchers have tried a variety of methods to control the cattails, but they are most interested in using mechanical means, rather than chemical control measures. 

    “Cutting the cattail at different intensities and frequencies can reduce its abundance and promote native diversity and also open up habitat that creates heterogeneity in these monotypes. This promotes species diversity overall, and improves habitat for native fish and bird communities,” says Lawrence. 

    Muskrats are semi-aquatic rodents that naturally harvest cattails by cutting them below the water level. This is important because the stems of the plant act almost like a snorkel to provide oxygen to the roots. Cutting stems below the water essentially drowns the cattail by severing the connection between the oxygen-rich atmosphere and the anoxic sediment common to wetlands. The muskrats use the cattails to build their lodges, and the process creates openings that give other plant species a chance to grow. 

    “These important aquatic rodents transform habitats in many ways that some communities, like the Native Americans, have appreciated for 1000s of years, and Western science is just now discovering that importance.” (Adobe Stock)

    Using drones and aerial photography, the researchers identified several lodges and openings where they sampled the vegetation and water quality parameters. They also harvested cattails via mechanical methods or with herbicides to create muskrat disturbance analogs (MDAs) to simulate the muskrat openings. They compared these data with data collected from adjacent non-muskrat-impacted areas.  

    “Then we monitored the vegetation and water quality parameters for two growing seasons after that. We found there was greater biodiversity with the muskrat disturbances and the MDA treatments,” says Lawrence. 

    The muskrats and the MDA methods reduced the presence of the cattails as well as another invasive plant called European frogbit (Hydrocharis), therefore they helped promote more heterogenous communities and the authors note that efforts to increase muskrat populations should be taken as a management strategy in areas where these two invasive plant species dominate. 

    “Restoring biodiversity is critical to our future. Climate change is happening rapidly, and we’re rolling the dice. Maintaining and protecting a diversity of species is important because we don’t know which species will survive or thrive in different climate scenarios,” says Lawrence. “I think of Aldo Leopold’s quote about how an intelligent tinkerer always keeps all the parts. We want to keep all of the parts of the planet because we don’t know exactly what the future is going to look like.” 

    Lawrence also has projects focusing on beavers, which are also vital ecosystem engineers. Like muskrats, beavers transform habitats and act as keystone species that play an important role in creating wetland habitats, 

    “These important aquatic rodents transform habitats in many ways that some communities, like the Native Americans, have appreciated for 1000s of years, and Western science is just now discovering that importance. Beavers are resurging on the landscape after being almost extirpated in New England due to hunting. They were reintroduced after being essentially extinct in Connecticut about 200 years ago and then reintroduced about 100 years ago. Now, their populations are exploding, and they’re transforming our landscape again.”  

    Lawrence also reflects on the significance of teamwork in this project:

    “I think science takes a team. Our relationship with the tribe and across institutions is a big part of the importance of this paper and this project. It was a really satisfying project, both in terms of the relationships that have developed over the years, but also how we’ve gained a lot of insights by studying the system over decades.” 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: AleAnna, Inc. Announces Strong Early Production and Revenue Results at Longanesi Field

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • AleAnna and its partner Societa Padana Energia have recorded more than 6 weeks of continuous production history at the Longanesi Field, with steadily growing daily rates.
    • Results have been above expectations, with a stabilized natural gas production rate of approximately 28 MM cubic feet per day, which was achieved well ahead of the anticipated 3-month timeline for this milestone.
    • Strong natural gas prices in Italy, averaging about $13.50 / Mcf over the last 6 weeks, are providing AleAnna > $100,000 / day in revenues.
    • The European Union’s (EU) stated goal of eliminating Russian natural gas imports by year-end 2027 should create a longer-term demand for domestic natural gas in Italy.

    DALLAS and ROME, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AleAnna, Inc. (“AleAnna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ANNA) is pleased to announce strong early performance from the Longanesi Field. All five wells in the Phase 1 development are contributing to current daily production averaging 28 million cubic feet per day, which was AleAnna’s budgeted maximum rate for 2025. While striving to prevent damage to the reservoirs from early over-production, the impressive growth rate in daily production over the first 6 full weeks of production nonetheless signals potential for the Phase 1 development to outperform initial expectations.

    Combined with average Italian natural gas prices over this 6-week period of about $13.50 per thousand cubic feet, current production is generating in excess of $100,000 in revenue per day net to AleAnna’s account. In addition, the Company expects further expansions of reserves and additional increases in daily production, highlighting Longanesi’s importance as a driver of mid-to-longer term growth for AleAnna.

    Advantaged Natural Gas Environment in the EU
    About 20% of the EU’s natural gas supply continues to come from Russia. As part of a broader plan to improve energy security and independence, the EU has stated an overarching goal to completely eliminate Russian natural gas supply by year-end 2027. The need to replace this supply, combined with gas storage levels at 34% of capacity, has created an increased demand for new sources of domestic natural gas and a near-to-mid-term increase in the price of natural gas in the EU.

    AleAnna is committed to strengthening Italy’s long-term energy security while supporting the global transition to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy. By advancing current and future investments at Longanesi, AleAnna aims to address the gap in natural gas supply left by the loss of Russian natural gas imports.

    Management Commentary
    Marco Brun, Chief Executive Officer of AleAnna, emphasized the importance of the positive early results from Longanesi, stating: “Strong early results from Longanesi are a signal of AleAnna’s growth potential and profitability. With an advantaged environment for natural gas producers in the EU, and the opportunity to further grow our Longanesi production, we are excited about the future of the Company.”

    About AleAnna
    AleAnna is a technology-driven energy company focused on bringing sustainability and new supplies of low-carbon natural gas and RNG to Italy, aligning traditional energy operations with renewable solutions, with developments like the Longanesi field leading the way in supporting a responsible energy transition. With three conventional gas discoveries in Italy already made and fourteen new natural gas exploration projects planned this decade, AleAnna plays a pivotal role in Italy’s energy transition. Italy’s extensive infrastructure, featuring 33,000 kilometers of gas pipelines, three major gas storage facilities, and a strong base of existing RNG facilities, aligns with AleAnna’s commitment to sustainability. AleAnna’s RNG projects’ portfolio includes three plants under development and almost 100 projects representing approximately €1.1 billion potential investment in the next few years. AleAnna operates regional headquarters in Dallas, Texas, and Rome, Italy.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    The information included herein contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein regarding AleAnna’s future operations, financial position, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on AleAnna’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of AleAnna’s control. AleAnna’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those under “Risk Factors” in AleAnna’s definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by AleAnna with the SEC on November 21, 2024, as well as general economic conditions; AleAnna’s need for additional capital; risks associated with the growth of AleAnna’s business; and changes in the regulatory environment in which AleAnna operates. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact AleAnna’s expectations and projections can be found in filings it makes with the SEC, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AleAnna. SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, AleAnna disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Bill Dirks
    wkdirks@aleannagroup.com

    Website
    https://www.aleannainc.com/

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to the latest heatwave

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists react to the latest heat wave in the UK. 

    On buildings:

    Anni Feng, built environment expert at the Institution of Engineering and Technology said:

    “When it’s really hot outside, many of us feel uncomfortable indoors too. That’s not just because of the building itself, but also because of what’s around it.

    “Think of it like this: buildings don’t stand alone. The materials used in roads and nearby buildings can trap heat, making the whole area hotter. This extra heat can make people try to cool things down with fans or turn up air conditioning units.

    “But if too many people do that at once, the local energy system might struggle to keep up. That can lead to problems like cooling systems not working properly, which could even affect things like computers and other equipment inside buildings.

    “When considering how we adapt for hotter temperatures, we should ask the questions like what this might mean for surrounding buildings, the environment and people in the communities – both short term and long term – and are they contributing positively to the future we aspire to create?” 

    On infrastructure:

    John Lawrence, Chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Railway Technical Network said:

    “Heat is a significant issue for the railway, affecting infrastructure and trains alike. The management of it is a cross-industry whole year exercise fitting into the seasonal preparation activities done by maintenance teams and planners across the network. The most noticeable areas affected by heat are also the ones causing the most significant disruption. Ambient temperature and solar gain combine to create very high temperatures at track level and in equipment location cases trackside. Track buckles and dewirements are the most significant thing that keep engineers up at night – even with the amount of focus, investment and improvements made in recent years, situations still arise where rails buckle in the heat. This can lead to potential derailment risks and overhead lines can sag and snag on the pantographs of trains leading to train movements stopping or being rerouted for a significant period of time.

    “There are also hidden failures, too. Much equipment on the railway can suffer heat stress, with signalling control, power supplies and telecoms systems trackside particularly affected, switch-creep caused by rail expansion at points can affect detection and stop trains being routed across them, so where the passenger may see signalling failure, this could very well be caused by overtemperature somewhere on the network. Lineside fires can also be a problem, maybe caused by discarded rubbish, sparks from steam locomotives or maintenance trains, causing significant disruption, whether they arise on the infrastructure or even in a lineside neighbour’s premises.

    “Managing these issues is costly and time consuming and with the greater prevalence of high temperatures, it is becoming more of a hazard over time. You may notice rails being painted white to reflect solar gain at specific risk points on the network, improved tensioning equipment on overhead line gantries to managed dynamic tension, fresh ballast dropped to hold rails in position and rail joints lubricated to enable expansion.

    “What you may not see as a passenger, however, is the hidden technology and processes monitoring condition and taking action to provide early warning of failure. Such as, short, medium and long-term weather reporting to give planners a chance to react. Rail stressing to maintain equal tension for expansion and contraction. Vision systems monitoring pantograph contact, yellow trains on the network monitoring dynamic track stability, critical rail temperature sensors providing warning of danger or signalling systems and points being monitored for a range of defects that can affect operation. You might also be surprised to find thermal imaging drones and helicopters monitoring equipment for overheating and visual inspection and defect correction taking place overnight.

    “Temperature management is a huge issue for the railway and the focus of much research, development and activity across the season. But with the changing climate, it is an ever-present issue for the day-to-day operation of the railway.”

     

    Dr John Easton, an executive panel member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Railway Technical Network, said:

    “One of the key ways that networks prevent tracks from overheating is by painting them white.  This can reduce the track temperature by 5°C and reduces signalling failures which lead to significant disruption. 

    “This technique is also used in countries where high temperatures are more commonplace, such as Italy, where engineers often paint the inside faces of the rails white to reflect the sunlight and lower the risk of buckling.”

     

    On weather and climate:

    Prof Gareth Phoenix, Professor of Plant and Global Change Ecology in the School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, said:

    “With climate change, we are already experiencing hotter and drier summers in the UK, and this trend will continue. Events that we once might have thought of as extreme will start to feel more normal. One of the main problems is that although the amount of rainfall the UK gets over a whole year is expected to stay roughly the same, we are getting more of that rain in winter and less in summer. So, we can expect more droughts, like we are experiencing at the moment, and wetter winters with more flooding – something people will also see they are experiencing more of.

    “Droughts, heatwaves and heavy rainfall are also linked. Warm air holds more moisture, allowing it to build up for longer, which creates bigger gaps between rainfall events and can contribute to drought. But then when it does rain, it can rain a lot more heavily. Also, evaporation from the ground is the Earth’s way of sweating – it helps keep the ground cool. But if there is less moisture in the ground, there can be less evaporation and, consequently, less of a cooling effect, adding to the heatwave.”

    All our previous output on this subject can be seen at this weblink: https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/?s=heatwave&cat=

    Declared interests

    Anni Feng: “No conflicts of interest”

    John Lawrence: “No conflicts of interest”

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

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Have your say on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Have your say on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government

    While the recent inclement weather conditions have reminded us of the power that mother nature wields, it has also served to remind us about how municipalities are run, and their importance.

    As inclement weather often brings damage to homes, roads and other infrastructure, municipalities are often the first port of call for residents in such disasters. They are at the coal face of coordinating help for residents, including shelter, food and clothing.

    Given the importance of matters of local government, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has extended the deadline for submissions on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government.

    The Minister extended the initial deadline that had been set for 30 June to 31 July 2025, due to requests from stakeholders across the country for additional time to prepare and submit inputs. 

    The Ministry said the extension provides an opportunity for broader consultation and deeper reflection while also encouraging interested individuals and organisations to take full advantage of the additional time to submit their views.

    “The Ministry recognises the importance of inclusive participation in shaping a responsive and effective system of local governance and thus welcomes the active engagement from all sectors of society,” the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said.

    These contributions are essential in strengthening the future of local government and it is crucial for citizens to make their comments count.

    Like the weather, local government has an impact on daily life – whether it be refuse collection, the maintenance of roads, or the provision of electricity.

    In the Government Gazette dated 10 April 2025, Minister Hlabisa invited the public, civil society, public institutions and interested stakeholders and all three spheres of government to provide comments towards the review.

    Among others, the review speaks to the challenges brought on by the changing weather patterns.

    This as the Eastern Cape Provincial Government announced that the floods that battered parts of the province last month claimed 103 lives. The victims include 38 children and public servants who were among the first responders. 

    In total, in June, South Africa lost 107 lives because of the disaster, of which three were in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the Western Cape.

    In the aftermath of the disaster, government announced a substantial Disaster Recovery Grant, allocating R1.2 billion to municipalities affected by recent disasters.  

    Climate change is among the nine interconnected priorities for change that are up for discussion in the review document.
    According to the review, the “escalating climate crisis” which has “profoundly reshaped municipal governance priorities,” necessitates that local authorities balance the immediate service delivery demands with long-term resilience planning. 

    While it feels like mother nature is playing a cruel trick on us in the month that South Africa marks Environment Month, the review notes that municipalities are operating in an era in which climate considerations are present in every aspect of urban and rural management.

    “In addition to revealing critical deficits in institutional capacity and resource allocation, this paradigm shift has required structural reforms in financial planning, infrastructure development, and cross-sectoral coordination,” it notes, while also stating that municipalities have been compelled to become frontline responders for climate adaptation.

    According to the document, municipal budgets have borne the brunt of climate-induced disasters, with extreme weather events between 1998 and 2025 increasing emergency expenditures by 320% across South African cities. 

    Flooding in Durban during the 2022 rainy season required R780 million in unplanned drain clearance and road repairs, diverting funds from scheduled housing projects.

    “The frequency of such events has necessitated permanent budget line items for disaster response,” noted the report adding that coastal municipalities like Nelson Mandela Bay have seen 22% decreases in rates income from properties in flood-prone areas since 2018.

    Additionally, critical municipal infrastructure built to 20th-century climate standards now operate beyond their design thresholds.

    According to the document, the key challenges in local government show a breakdown in finance, governance and service delivery resulting in high and growing debt, instability in councils, and a deterioration in and lack of maintenance of infrastructure assets.
    The review notes that local government performance has regressed due to a variety of administrative, governance, service delivery, infrastructure, financial, structural, and systemic challenges.

    “The failure to do the basics well has become a major constraint on attracting investment, fostering growth, creating jobs, promoting human development, and serving citizens,” it said.

    Key areas 

    Government has prioritised the reform of the local government system to ensure it does not continue to be a limiting factor in the country’s development.

    The other eight interconnected priorities for change in the document are: municipal fiscal and financial reform; manipulative conduct, culture and behaviour, unethical practices and poor accountability; overpoliticisation of municipalities; poor oversight over local government at national and provincial level; weak integration of traditional governance systems; poor relationships with citizens; inability of spheres of government to meaningfully collaborate and persistent spatial inequalities.

    Under the issue of municipal fiscal and financial reform, the document states that local government fiscal and financial challenges are multifaceted and impact the delivery of basic services, citizen confidence, and the long-term viability of the local government system.
    The document states that the discussion options for a new local government financial model will need to take into account why levels of local government own revenue have declined, with rising debtors resulting in failure to realise potential revenue.

    It will also need to consider why expenditure is rising above revenue and, at the same time, declining service delivery, as well as persistent weaknesses in internal controls and financial governance, among others.

    On the matter of manipulative conduct, culture and behaviour, unethical practices and poor accountability, the document notes an emergence of “a bureaucratic, hierarchical, command-and-control, and compartmentalised local government institutional culture”.

    This according to the document, has distanced many municipalities from the people they serve with manipulation and methods aiming at maintaining power and/or rapid enrichment having spread, resulting in corrupt, nepotistic, and unethical activity in municipalities.

    “Culture change needs to start with ethical leaders in all three spheres of government who model transparency, accountability, agility, and responsiveness and support strengthening of anti-corruption measures,” noted the review.

    Meanwhile on the priority of poor relationships with citizens, the document states that there is a large divide between many municipalities and their communities (including residential, business, university, and institutional communities). 

    “The fact that as of 2024, households owe municipalities a staggering R230.5 billion (74% of total municipal debt) is an indicator of the broken social contract.”

    It further goes on to say that a three-way partnership between the elected political structure, the administration, and the community is part of the original conceptualisation of municipalities in the 1998 white paper.

    “However, relationships have increasingly become strained and, in some cases, have broken down, hence the need for a focus on ways to improve three-way relational governance at the municipal level, within a whole of government and whole of society framework.”

    Meanwhile on the issue of persistent spatial inequalities, the document noted that the persistence of spatial inequality in South African towns and cities remains one of the most pressing challenges of the post-apartheid era. 

    “Despite three decades of democratic governance, the colonial and apartheid-era urban form, characterised by racial segregation, economic exclusion, and fragmented landscapes, continues to define South Africa’s towns and cities,” it said.

    While adding that policies like the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) and the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) have sought to dismantle this legacy, progress has been hindered by fragmented implementation, among others.

    The document noted that the nine focus areas represent “just some of the initial reflections on the causes of local government system failure; the list is not exhaustive.”

    The document notes that the process of local government reform in South Africa faces the persistent and deepening weaknesses of the local government system itself and policy implementation failure are pressing challenges.

    “These two challenges need to be tackled simultaneously. If the policy reform and implementation processes are not significantly improved and recommendations are not translated into action, the necessary system changes will once again not be made or sustained,” it said.

    Local government achievements

    While the white paper speaks to the challenges the country faces, there have been several achievements since the dawn of democracy, including the devolution and establishment of autonomous municipalities with constitutional powers to manage local development. 

    Other successes include a stable, functional democracy with regular elections established at the local level, including ward committees and other mechanisms for community engagement.

    It also includes the merging of fragmented local authorities into inclusive municipal systems. 
    Other developments include the expanding of access to basic services, including an increase in electricity and water provision as well as the Adoption of the Free Basic Services policies. 

    The document states that the review presents a crucial opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges, and propose policy reforms to enhance local governance. 

    “Central to this process is public participation, ensuring that diverse perspectives contribute to shaping an inclusive and effective local government system,” noted the document.

    The White Paper can be accessed on: https://www.cogta.gov.za/index.php/wplg-page/ .

    Contributions can be submitted via email to WPLG26@cogta.gov.za,  oRichardP@cogta.gov.za  or MaphutiL@cogta.gov.za. 

    Submissions can also be made to the following postal address: 
    Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
    Attention: Mr Thabiso Richard Plank (WPLG26 Policy Review)
    Private Bag X802, Pretoria, 0001
    Alternatively, submission can be dropped off at 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria. 

    SAnews.gov.za

    Neo

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Aircraft, Sensor Technology, Aid in Texas Flood Recovery Efforts

    Source: NASA

    In response to recent flooding near Kerrville, Texas, NASA deployed two aircraft to assist state and local authorities in ongoing recovery operations.
    The aircraft are part of the response from NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System, which is activated to support emergency response for the flooding and is working closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the humanitarian groups Save the Children and GiveDirectly.
    Persistent cloud-cover has made it difficult to obtain clear satellite imagery, so the Disasters Program coordinated with NASA’s Airborne Science Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center in Houston to conduct a series of flights to gather observations of the impacted regions. NASA is sharing these data directly with emergency response teams to inform their search and rescue efforts and aid decision-making and resource allocation.
    The high-altitude WB-57 aircraft operated by NASA Johnson departed from Ellington Field on July 8 to conduct aerial surveys. The aircraft is equipped with the DyNAMITE (Day/Night Airborne Motion Imager for Terrestrial Environments) sensor.
    The DyNAMITE sensor views the Guadalupe River[KA1] [RC2]  and several miles of the surrounding area, providing high-resolution imagery critical to assessing damage and supporting coordination of ground-based recovery efforts. This system enables real-time collection and analysis of data, enhancing situational awareness and accelerating emergency response times.
    In addition, the agency’s Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) is flying out of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, aboard a Gulfstream III. Managed by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the UAVSAR team is planning to collect observations over the Guadalupe, San Gabriel, and Colorado river basins Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Because UAVSAR can penetrate vegetation to spot water that optical sensors are unable to detect, the team’s goal is to characterize the extent of flooding to help with understanding the amount of damage within communities.
    Flights are being coordinated with FEMA, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and local responders to ensure data is quickly delivered to those making decisions on the ground. Imagery collected will be sent to NASA’s Disaster Response Coordination System.
    Additionally, the Disasters Program, which is part of NASA’s Earth Science Division, is working to produce maps and data to assess the location and severity of flooding in the region and damage to buildings and infrastructure. These data are being shared on the NASA Disasters Mapping Portal as they become available.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Wednesday, 9 July 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2025-07-09

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Wednesday, 9 July 2025 – Strasbourg

    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:02.



    2. Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72) (action taken)

    The decisions of the JURI, TRAN, BUDG, ECON, REGI and EMPL committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations had been announced on 7 July 2025 (minutes of 7.7.2025, item 5).

    As no request for a vote pursuant to Rule 72(2) had been made, the committees responsible had been able to enter into negotiations upon expiry of the deadline.



    3. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26 June 2025 (debate)

    European Council and Commission statements: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26 June 2025 (2025/2981(RSP))

    The President provided some clarifications on the way in which the debate would be conducted, as a new format was being tested.

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

    The following spoke: Dolors Montserrat, on behalf of the PPE Group, Kathleen Van Brempt, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicolas Bay, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Bas Eickhout, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Paulo Cunha, Nicola Zingaretti, Paolo Borchia, Carlo Fidanza, Estrella Galán, Milan Uhrík, Kostas Papadakis, Luděk Niedermayer, Dan Nica, Marieke Ehlers, Reinhold Lopatka and Javier Moreno Sánchez.

    IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Anna Bryłka, Gaetano Pedulla’, Seán Kelly, Marta Temido, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, and Csaba Dömötör.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Maria Grapini, João Oliveira, Alexander Jungbluth, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Malika Sorel and Milan Mazurek.

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

    The debate closed.



    4. The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: Parliament’s expectations ahead of the Commission’s proposal (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: Parliament’s expectations ahead of the Commission’s proposal (2025/2803(RSP))

    Marie Bjerre (President-in-Office of the Council) and Piotr Serafin (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Siegfried Mureşan, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Tamás Deutsch, on behalf of the PfE Group, Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group, Fabienne Keller, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, João Oliveira, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Jungbluth, on behalf of the ESN Group, Karlo Ressler, Carla Tavares, Angéline Furet, Johan Van Overtveldt, Lucia Yar, Rasmus Nordqvist, Younous Omarjee, Milan Mazurek, Thomas Geisel, Herbert Dorfmann, Victor Negrescu, Ruggero Razza, Ľubica Karvašová, Andrey Novakov, Nicola Zingaretti, Jaak Madison, Rasmus Andresen, Christian Ehler, Andreas Schieder, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Jean-Marc Germain, Tomasz Buczek, Bogdan Rzońca, Anouk Van Brug, Danuše Nerudová, Sandra Gómez López, Moritz Körner and Janusz Lewandowski.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Georgios Aftias, Thomas Bajada, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Petras Gražulis, Branislav Ondruš, Dariusz Joński, Hélder Sousa Silva and Nina Carberry.

    The following spoke: Piotr Serafin and Marie Bjerre.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:56.)



    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    5. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:00.

    The following spoke: Terry Reintke.



    6. Requests for the waiver of immunity

    The competent Austrian authorities had sent the President a request for Harald Vilimsky’s immunity to be waived in connection with legal proceedings in Austria.

    Pursuant to Rule 9(1), the request had been referred to the committee responsible, in this case the JURI Committee.



    7. Voting time

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



    7.1. European Climate Law ***I (vote)

    European Climate Law (COM(2025)0524 – C10-0137/2025 – 2025/0524(COD)) – ENVI Committee

    REQUESTS FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the Verts/ALE, Renew and S&D groups (Rule 170(5))

    Rejected

    The following had spoken:

    Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Lena Schilling and Tiemo Wölken (movers of the requests), and Jeroen Lenaers (against the requests), before the vote.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 1)



    7.2. Objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add certain countries to the list of high-risk third countries, and to remove other countries from that list (vote)

    Motions for resolutions B10-0311/2025, B10-0315/2025, B10-0316/2025 and B10-0318/2025 pursuant to Rule 114(3) (minutes of 9.7.2025, item I)

    (Majority of Parliament’s component Members required)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION B10-0311/2025

    Rejected

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION B10-0315/2025

    Rejected

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION B10-0316/2025

    Rejected

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION B10-0318/2025

    Rejected

    The following had spoken:

    Maria Luís Albuquerque (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 2)



    7.3. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Deforestation Regulation – list of countries presenting a low or high risk (vote)

    Motion for a resolution tabled by the ENVI Committee pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3), on the draft Commission regulation on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1093 of 22 May 2025 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards a list of countries that present a low or high risk of producing relevant commodities for which the relevant products do not comply with Article 3, point (a) (2025/2739(RPS)) (B10-0321/2025) Member responsible: Alexander Bernhuber

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0149)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 3)



    7.4. Amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing ***I (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing [COM(2024)0407 – C10-0098/2024 – 2024/0224(COD)] – Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Thomas Bajada (A10-0070/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0150)

    Parliament’s first reading thus closed.

    The following had spoken:

    Thomas Bajada, before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

    (‘Results of votes’, item 4)



    7.5. Draft amending budget No 1/2025: entering the surplus of the financial year 2024 (vote)

    Report on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 1/2025 of the European Union for the financial year 2025 entering the surplus of the financial year 2024 [09619/2025 – C10-0125/2025 – 2025/0091(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Victor Negrescu (A10-0116/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0151)

    The following had spoken:

    Victor Negrescu, before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

    (‘Results of votes’, item 5)



    7.6. Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods that occurred in September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods that occurred in October 2024 (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods occurred in September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods occurred in October 2024 [COM(2025)0250 – C10-0102/2025 – 2025/0138(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Andrzej Halicki (A10-0114/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0152)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 6)



    7.7. Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: Application EGF/2025/000 TA 2025 – Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers – EGF/2025/000 TA 2025 – Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission [COM(2025)0680 – C10-0103/2025 – 2025/0135(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Jean-Marc Germain (A10-0115/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0153)

    The following had spoken:

    Jean-Marc Germain, before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

    (‘Results of votes’, item 7)



    7.8. Product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports (vote)

    Report on product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports [2025/2037(INI)] – Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. Rapporteur: Salvatore De Meo (A10-0133/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0154)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 8)



    7.9. 2023 and 2024 reports on Albania (vote)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Albania [2025/2017(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Andreas Schieder (A10-0106/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0155)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 9)



    7.10. 2023 and 2024 reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina (vote)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina [2025/2018(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Ondřej Kolář (A10-0108/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0156)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 10)



    7.11. 2023 and 2024 reports on North Macedonia (vote)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on North Macedonia [2025/2021(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Thomas Waitz (A10-0118/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0157)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 11)



    7.12. 2023 and 2024 reports on Georgia (vote)

    Report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Georgia [2025/2024(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė (A10-0110/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0158)

    The following had spoken:

    – Rasa Juknevičienė, to move an oral amendment to Amendment 9. Parliament had agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote.

    – Urmas Paet, to move an oral amendment to paragraph 16. Parliament had agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 12)



    7.13. Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (vote)

    Report on implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum [2025/2014(INI)] – Committee on Development – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteurs: Robert Biedroń and Nikolas Farantouris (A10-0125/2025)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0159)

    The following had spoken:

    Robert Biedroń and Nikolas Farantouris, before the vote, to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

    (‘Results of votes’, item 13)



    7.14. The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B10-0304/2025, B10-0303/2025, B10-0304/2025, B10-0305/2025, B10-0306/2025, B10-0307/2025 and B10-0308/2025 (2025/2710(RSP))

    The debate had taken place on 16 June 2025 (minutes of 16.6.2025, item 21).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION RC-B10-0304/2025

    Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0160)

    (Motion for a resolution B10-0303/2025 fell.)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 14)

    (The sitting was suspended at 13:01.)



    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    8. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 13:05.



    9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.



    10. Lessons from Budapest Pride: the urgent need for an EU wide anti-discrimination law and defending fundamental rights against right-wing attacks (topical debate)

    The following spoke: Ana Catarina Mendes to open the debate proposed by the S&D Group.

    The following spoke: Marie Bjerre (President-in-Office of the Council) and Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Sven Simon, on behalf of the PPE Group, Klára Dobrev, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alessandro Ciriani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Fabienne Keller, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alice Kuhnke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group (the President reminded the speaker of the rules on conduct), Zsuzsanna Borvendég, on behalf of the ESN Group, Maria Walsh, Marc Angel, Tom Vandendriessche, Paolo Inselvini, Sophie Wilmès, Tineke Strik, Irene Montero, Irmhild Boßdorf (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Michał Wawrykiewicz, Raphaël Glucksmann, András László, Georgiana Teodorescu, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Özlem Demirel, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Evin Incir, Petra Steger, Maciej Wąsik, Moritz Körner, Kim Van Sparrentak, Carolina Morace, Markus Buchheit, Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Birgit Sippel, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová, Marlena Maląg, Hilde Vautmans (the President reminded the speaker of the rules on conduct), Daniel Freund, Li Andersson, Milan Uhrík, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Julien Sanchez, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Mélissa Camara, Mary Khan, Alessandro Zan, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Cristian Terheş, Lukas Sieper on the previous speaker’s remarks (the President took note of this and again reminded the House of the rules on conduct), and Juan Fernando López Aguilar.

    The following spoke: Michael McGrath.

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Marie Bjerre.

    The debate closed.



    11. EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: EU-US trade negotiations (2025/2804(RSP))

    Marie Bjerre (President-in-Office of the Council) and Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Jörgen Warborn, on behalf of the PPE Group, Kathleen Van Brempt, on behalf of the S&D Group, Enikő Győri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Rihards Kols, on behalf of the ECR Group, Karin Karlsbro, on behalf of the Renew Group, Anna Cavazzini, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, Michał Szczerba, Bernd Lange, Séverine Werbrouck, Svenja Hahn, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Lynn Boylan, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Željana Zovko, Brando Benifei, Jorge Martín Frías, Dick Erixon, Dan Barna, Sergey Lagodinsky, Marina Mesure, Kateřina Konečná, Daniel Caspary, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Alex Agius Saliba, Gilles Pennelle, Adrian-George Axinia, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, who also answered a blue-card question from Bruno Gonçalves, Catarina Vieira, Pasquale Tridico, Branislav Ondruš, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Silvia Sardone, Jacek Ozdoba, Sophie Wilmès, Lukas Sieper, Céline Imart, Evin Incir, Pierre Pimpie, Anna Zalewska, Massimiliano Salini, Jean-Marc Germain, Francisco José Millán Mon, Cristina Maestre, Miriam Lexmann, Mika Aaltola, Jessika Van Leeuwen, Nina Carberry, Luděk Niedermayer, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Wouter Beke, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Maria Walsh and Michalis Hadjipantela.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Regina Doherty, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen and Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez.

    The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič and Marie Bjerre.

    The debate closed.



    12. EU Preparedness Union in light of the upcoming wildfire and droughts season (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: EU Preparedness Union in light of the upcoming wildfire and droughts season (2025/2771(RSP))

    Marie Bjerre (President-in-Office of the Council) made the statement.

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

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

    The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group, Antonio Decaro, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sergio Berlato, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Benedetta Scuderi, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Valentina Palmisano, on behalf of The Left Group, Raúl de la Hoz Quintano, Marta Temido, Csaba Dömötör, who also answered a blue-card question from Stine Bosse, Diego Solier, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Elena Kountoura, Nikolaos Anadiotis, Matej Tonin, Leire Pajín, Julien Leonardelli, who also answered blue-card questions from Grégory Allione and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Ruggero Razza, who also answered a blue-card question from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Mārtiņš Staķis, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Ana Miguel Pedro, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Ana Vasconcelos, Ana Miranda Paz, Péter Magyar, Victor Negrescu, Marjan Šarec, Dimitris Tsiodras, Sofie Eriksson, Giusi Princi, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Daniel Buda, Hannes Heide, Sunčana Glavak, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Sérgio Humberto and Michalis Hadjipantela.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Francisco José Millán Mon, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Viktória Ferenc, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ciaran Mullooly, Diana Riba i Giner, Maria Zacharia and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.

    The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib and Marie Bjerre.

    IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
    Vice-President

    The debate closed.



    13. Composition of committees and delegations

    The ECR Group had notified the President of the following decision changing the composition of the committees and delegations:

    – Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly: Galato Alexandraki was no longer a member

    The decision took effect as of that day.



    14. Presentation of stockpiling strategies – strengthening response capacities for a changing risk and threat landscape (debate)

    Commission statement: Presentation of stockpiling strategies – strengthening response capacities for a changing risk and threat landscape (2025/2790(RSP))

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

    The following spoke: Tomislav Sokol, on behalf of the PPE Group, Christophe Clergeau, on behalf of the S&D Group, Valérie Deloge, on behalf of the PfE Group, Kosma Złotowski, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Pär Holmgren, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Catarina Martins, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group, Mirosława Nykiel, Nicolás González Casares, Stine Bosse, Ruth Firmenich, Paulius Saudargas, Marta Temido, Liesbet Sommen and Michalis Hadjipantela.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

    The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.

    The debate closed.



    15. Alleged misuse of EU funds by Members of the far-right and measures to ensure institutional integrity (debate)

    Statements by Parliament: Alleged misuse of EU funds by Members of the far-right and measures to ensure institutional integrity (2025/2808(RSP))

    The following spoke: Niclas Herbst, on behalf of the PPE Group, Chloé Ridel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Moritz Körner, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mélissa Camara, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Arno Bausemer, on behalf of the ESN Group, Tomáš Zdechovský, who also answered a blue-card question from Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Giuseppe Lupo, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, who also answered blue-card questions from Tomáš Zdechovský and Sebastian Tynkkynen, Daniel Freund, who also answered blue-card questions from Arno Bausemer and Moritz Körner (the President reminded the speaker to keep to the subject of the debate), Jonas Sjöstedt, Reinhold Lopatka, Andreas Schieder and Helmut Brandstätter.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar.

    The debate closed.



    16. Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda peace deal agreement (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda peace deal agreement (2025/2792(RSP))

    Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Commission.

    The following spoke: Ingeborg Ter Laak, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marit Maij, on behalf of the S&D Group, Philippe Olivier, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicolas Bay, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mounir Satouri, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Wouter Beke and Francisco Assis.

    IN THE CHAIR: Victor NEGRESCU
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: France Jamet, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Pernando Barrena Arza, Jan Farský and Hannes Heide.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela.

    The debate closed.



    17. Outcome of the Conference on the Financing for Development in Seville (debate)

    Council and Commission statements: Outcome of the Conference on the Financing for Development in Seville (2025/2793(RSP))

    Marie Bjerre (President-in-Office of the Council) and Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

    The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marit Maij, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, Mario Mantovani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marc Jongen, on behalf of the ESN Group, Udo Bullmann, Tiago Moreira de Sá, Beatrice Timgren, Charles Goerens, Leire Pajín, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Robert Biedroń, Murielle Laurent, Francisco Assis and Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela and Marie Bjerre.

    The debate closed.



    18. 51 years after the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus: condemning the continued Turkish occupation and supporting the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution in line with international law, the UNSC resolutions, EU principles and acquis (debate)

    Commission statement: 51 years after the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus: condemning the continued Turkish occupation and supporting the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution in line with international law, the UNSC resolutions, EU principles and acquis (2025/2794(RSP))

    Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Loucas Fourlas, on behalf of the PPE Group, Costas Mavrides, on behalf of the S&D Group, Afroditi Latinopoulou, on behalf of the PfE Group, Geadis Geadi, on behalf of the ECR Group, Kai Tegethoff, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, and Marc Jongen, on behalf of the ESN Group.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela.

    The debate closed.



    19. Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (debate)

    (For the titles and authors of the motions for resolutions, see minutes of 9.7.2025, item I.)



    19.1. Case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai

    Motions for resolutions B10-0328/2025, B10-0333/2025, B10-0336/2025, B10-0340/2025 and B10-0341/2025 (2025/2796(RSP))

    Seán Kelly and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

    IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ
    Vice-President

    Petras Auštrevičius and Catarina Vieira introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

    The following spoke: Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group, and Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission).

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 10 July 2025.



    19.2. Arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

    Motions for resolutions B10-0323/2025, B10-0327/2025, B10-0334/2025, B10-0339/2025 and B10-0342/2025 (2025/2797(RSP))

    Wouter Beke, Francisco Assis, Hilde Vautmans, Saskia Bricmont and Catarina Martins introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

    The following spoke: Kathleen Van Brempt, on behalf of the S&D Group, and João Cotrim De Figueiredo, on behalf of the Renew Group.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission).

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 10 July 2025.



    19.3. Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus

    Motions for resolutions B10-0325/2025, B10-0335/2025, B10-0338/2025, B10-0343/2025, B10-0344/2025, B10-0345/2025, B10-0346/2025 and B10-0347/2025 (2025/2798(RSP))

    Ingeborg Ter Laak, Marco Tarquinio, Nathalie Loiseau, Hannah Neumann, Nikolas Farantouris, Silvia Sardone, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Tomasz Froelich introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

    The following spoke: Sander Smit, on behalf of the PPE Group, Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Matthieu Valet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Michalis Hadjipantela, Evin Incir, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Laurence Trochu, Christophe Gomart, Paolo Inselvini, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński and Geadis Geadi.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Fredis Beleris and Costas Mavrides.

    The following spoke: Jozef Síkela (Member of the Commission).

    The debate closed.

    Vote: 10 July 2025.



    20. Explanations of votes in writing (Rule 201)

    Explanations of votes given in writing would appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.



    21. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 10 July 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.



    22. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

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



    23. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 22:02.



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



    I. Motions for resolutions tabled

    Case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai

    The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

    on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) (B10-0328/2025)
    Rasmus Andresen, Villy Søvndal, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Mélissa Camara, Mounir Satouri, Catarina Vieira, Ville Niinistö
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) (B10-0333/2025)
    Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) (B10-0336/2025)
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) (B10-0340/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Seán Kelly, Tomáš Zdechovský, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Tomas Tobé, Wouter Beke, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Mirosława Nykiel, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the case of Ryan Cornelius in Dubai (2025/2796(RSP)) (B10-0341/2025)
    Adam Bielan, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Marlena Maląg, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Bogdan Rzońca, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Ivaylo Valchev, Anna Zalewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic

    The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

    on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP)) (B10-0323/2025)
    Catarina Martins
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP)) (B10-0327/2025)
    Yannis Maniatis, Kathleen Van Brempt, Francisco Assis
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Saskia Bricmont, Mélissa Camara, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Mounir Satouri, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Ville Niinistö
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP)) (B10-0334/2025)
    Hilde Vautmans, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP)) (B10-0339/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Wouter Beke, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Andrey Kovatchev, Tomas Tobé, Tomáš Zdechovský, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Liudas Mažylis, Vangelis Meimarakis, Loránt Vincze, Seán Kelly, Mirosława Nykiel, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the arbitrary arrest and torture of Belgian-Portuguese researcher Joseph Figueira Martin in the Central African Republic (2025/2797(RSP)) (B10-0342/2025)
    Adam Bielan, Aurelijus Veryga, Carlo Fidanza, Marlena Maląg, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Alexandr Vondra, Bogdan Rzońca, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Ivaylo Valchev, Alberico Gambino, Anna Zalewska, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Assita Kanko, Michał Dworczyk, Waldemar Tomaszewski
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus

    The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0325/2025)
    Nikolas Farantouris, Özlem Demirel
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0335/2025)
    Hannah Neumann, Maria Ohisalo, Katrin Langensiepen, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Mounir Satouri, Catarina Vieira
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0338/2025)
    Tomasz Froelich, Petr Bystron, Alexander Sell, Marc Jongen
    on behalf of the ESN Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0343/2025)
    Silvia Sardone, Susanna Ceccardi, Roberto Vannacci, Matthieu Valet, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, António Tânger Corrêa, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Hermann Tertsch
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0344/2025)
    Nathalie Loiseau, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0345/2025)
    Adam Bielan, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Aurelijus Veryga, Carlo Fidanza, Marlena Maląg, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Bogdan Rzońca, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Alexandr Vondra, Reinis Pozņaks, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Emmanouil Fragkos, Ivaylo Valchev, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Guillaume Peltier, Alberico Gambino, Marion Maréchal, Nicolas Bay, Laurence Trochu, Anna Zalewska, Assita Kanko, Waldemar Tomaszewski
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0346/2025)
    Sebastião Bugalho, Ingeborg Ter Laak, David McAllister, François-Xavier Bellamy, Andrzej Halicki, Wouter Beke, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Andrey Kovatchev, Tomas Tobé, Tomáš Zdechovský, Davor Ivo Stier, Sander Smit, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Eleonora Meleti, Vangelis Meimarakis, Georgios Aftias, Dimitris Tsiodras, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Matej Tonin, Massimiliano Salini, Łukasz Kohut, Loránt Vincze, Seán Kelly, Mirosława Nykiel, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Inese Vaidere, Michalis Hadjipantela, Miriam Lexmann
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus (2025/2798(RSP)) (B10-0347/2025)
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Marco Tarquinio, Hana Jalloul Muro, Evin Incir, Nikos Papandreou
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    Objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add certain countries to the list of high-risk third countries, and to remove other countries from that list

    Motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 114(3) by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, on behalf of the PfE Group, on the Commission delegated regulation of 10 June 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela to the list of high-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the FATF, and to remove Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that list (C(2025)3815) – 2025/2740(DEA)) (B10-0311/2025)

    Motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 114(3) by Rasmus Andresen, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Murielle Laurent, Brando Benifei, Kathleen Van Brempt, Francisco Assis, Raphaël Glucksmann, Aurore Lalucq, Cecilia Strada, Christophe Clergeau, Eric Sargiacomo, Nora Mebarek, Chloé Ridel, Claire Fita, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Birgit Sippel, Gabriele Bischoff, Lucia Annunziata, Sandro Ruotolo, Emma Rafowicz, Pina Picierno, Alessandra Moretti, Pierre Jouvet, Annalisa Corrado, Evelyn Regner, Jean-Marc Germain, Marco Tarquinio, Udo Bullmann, Alessandro Zan, on the Commission delegated regulation of 10 June 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela to the list of high-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the FATF, and to remove Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that list (C(2025)3815) – 2025/2740(DEA)) (B10-0315/2025)

    Motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 114(3) by Damien Carême, Jussi Saramo, on behalf of The Left Group, on the Commission delegated regulation of 10 June 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela to the list of high-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the FATF, and to remove Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that list (C(2025)03815 – 2025/2740(DEA)) (B10-0316/2025)

    Motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 114(3) by Luděk Niedermayer, Javier Zarzalejos, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Isabel Benjumea Benjumea, Maravillas Abadía Jover, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Francisco José Millán Mon, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Gabriel Mato, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Esther Herranz García, Borja Giménez Larraz, Raúl de la Hoz Quintano, Susana Solís Pérez, Alma Ezcurra Almansa, Dolors Montserrat, Elena Nevado del Campo, Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Marco Falcone, Esteban González Pons, Pablo Arias Echeverría, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Danuše Nerudová, David Casa, Tomáš Zdechovský, Kinga Kollár, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Herbert Dorfmann, Christophe Gomart, Ondřej Kolář, Jan Farský, Michalis Hadjipantela, Siegfried Mureşan, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Virgil-Daniel Popescu, Iuliu Winkler, Gheorghe Falcă, Mircea-Gheorghe Hava, Daniel Buda, Paulius Saudargas, Maria Walsh, Loucas Fourlas, Verena Mertens, François-Xavier Bellamy, Karlo Ressler, Laurent Castillo, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Andrzej Halicki, on the Commission delegated regulation of 10 June 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 to add Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela to the list of high-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the FATF, and to remove Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that list (C(2025)03815 – 2025/2740(DEA)) (B10-0318/2025)

    The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0303/2025)
    Özlem Demirel, Danilo Della Valle
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0304/2025)
    Sergey Lagodinsky, Markéta Gregorová, Ville Niinistö, Jutta Paulus, Mārtiņš Staķis
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0305/2025)
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Thijs Reuten
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0306/2025)
    Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Siegfried Mureşan, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Mika Aaltola, Wouter Beke, Krzysztof Brejza, Lena Düpont, Jan Farský, Mircea-Gheorghe Hava, Rasa Juknevičienė, Ewa Kopacz, Andrey Kovatchev, Reinhold Lopatka, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Liudas Mažylis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Paulius Saudargas, Oliver Schenk, Michał Szczerba, Davor Ivo Stier, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Riho Terras, Pekka Toveri, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0307/2025)
    Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (B10-0308/2025)
    Michał Dworczyk, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Anna Zalewska, Reinis Pozņaks, Roberts Zīle, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Bogdan Rzońca, Rihards Kols, Alexandr Vondra, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Aurelijus Veryga, Charlie Weimers, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Assita Kanko, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Adam Bielan, Mariusz Kamiński
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):

    on the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians (2025/2710(RSP)) (RC-B10-0304/2025)
    (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0304/2025, B10-0305/2025, B10-0306/2025, B10-0307/2025 and B10-0308/2025)
    Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Siegfried Mureşan, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Mika Aaltola, Wouter Beke, Krzysztof Brejza, Lena Düpont, Jan Farský, Mircea-Gheorghe Hava, Rasa Juknevičienė, Sandra Kalniete, Ewa Kopacz, Andrey Kovatchev, Reinhold Lopatka, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Ana Miguel Pedro, Paulius Saudargas, Oliver Schenk, Michał Szczerba, Davor Ivo Stier, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Riho Terras, Matej Tonin, Pekka Toveri, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Thijs Reuten
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Michał Dworczyk, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Roberts Zīle, Reinis Pozņaks, Ivaylo Valchev, Aurelijus Veryga, Mariusz Kamiński, Charlie Weimers, Alexandr Vondra, Assita Kanko, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Sergey Lagodinsky
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group



    II. Documents received

    The following documents had been received from other institutions:

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations INF 6/2025 – Section VI – Economic and Social Committee (N10-0026/2025 – C10-0131/2025 – 2025/2123(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations V/INF-01/C/25 – Section V – Court of Auditors (N10-0027/2025 – C10-0132/2025 – 2025/2124(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations V/INF-02/C/25 – Section V – Court of Auditors (N10-0028/2025 – C10-0133/2025 – 2025/2125(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations V/INF-03/T/25 – Section V – Court of Auditors (N10-0029/2025 – C10-0134/2025 – 2025/2126(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations V/INF-04/A/25 – Section V – Court of Auditors (N10-0030/2025 – C10-0135/2025 – 2025/2127(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations V/INF-05/C/25 – Section V – Court of Auditors (N10-0031/2025 – C10-0136/2025 – 2025/2128(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations 1/2025 – Section VIII – European Ombudsman (N10-0032/2025 – C10-0138/2025 – 2025/2129(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG



    III. Delegated acts (Rule 114(2))

    Draft delegated acts forwarded to Parliament

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the minimum contents of the liquidity management policy and procedures for certain issuers of asset-referenced tokens and e-money tokens (C(2025)00602 – 2025/2777(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 27 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Delegated Regulations (EU) 2017/583 and (EU) 2017/587 as regards transparency requirements for trading venues and investment firms in respect of bonds, structured finance products, emission allowances and equity instruments (C(2025)03104 – 2025/2773(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 18 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards an increase of the minimum mesh size when fishing for squid in the North Sea and North Western Waters (C(2025)03720 – 2025/2769(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 16 June 2025

    Extension of the deadline for raising objections: 2 months at the European Parliament’s request

    referred to committee responsible: PECH

    – Commission Delegated Regulation correcting certain language versions of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1366 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing a network code on sector-specific rules for cybersecurity aspects of cross-border electricity flows (C(2025)03833 – 2025/2774(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 19 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ITRE

    – Commission Delegated Directive adapting to scientific and technical progress Annexes I and II to Directive (EU) 2022/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council on uniform procedures for checks on the transport of dangerous goods by road (C(2025)03886 – 2025/2775(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 23 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: TRAN

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 on household tumble dryers regarding information on repairability and clarifying some aspects of the measurements and calculation methods, the product information sheet, the technical documentation and the verification procedure (C(2025)03986 – 2025/2782(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 1 July 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ITRE

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 as regards the correction of the territorial scope of provisions concerning short-necked clam and red seabream (C(2025)04074 – 2025/2778(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 27 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: PECH

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the method for identifying the main risk driver of a position and for determining whether a transaction represents a long or a short position as referred to in Articles 94(3), 273a(3) and 325a(2) (C(2025)04105 – 2025/2781(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 1 July 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the establishment of a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements (C(2025)04133 – 2025/2779(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 30 June 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ITRE
    opinion: TRAN

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards specifying the conditions for assessing the materiality of extensions of, and changes to, the use of alternative internal models, and changes to the subset of the modellable risk factors (C(2025)04338 – 2025/2805(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 3 July 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down the technical conditions and procedures under which providers of very large online platforms and of very large online search engines are to share data with vetted researchers (C(2025)04340 – 2025/2799(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 2 July 2025

    referred to committee responsible: IMCO
    opinion: ITRE, JURI, LIBE

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2178 as regards the simplification of the content and presentation of information to be disclosed concerning environmentally sustainable activities and Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2021/2139 and (EU) 2023/2486 as regards simplification of certain technical screening criteria for determining whether economic activities cause no significant harm to environmental objectives (C(2025)04568 – 2025/2806(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 4 months from the date of receipt of 4 July 2025

    referred to committee responsible: ECON, ENVI

    Draft delegated act for which the period for raising objections had been extended

    – Commission Delegated Regulation on the implementation of the Union’s international obligations, as referred to in Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, as regards picked dogfish C(2025)03715 – 2025/2768(DEA)

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 13 June 2025

    Extension of the deadline for raising objections: 2 months at the request of the European Parliament

    referred to committee responsible: PECH



    IV. Transfers of appropriations and budgetary decisions

    In accordance with Article 31(1) of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve the European Commission’s transfers of appropriations DEC 08/2025, DEC 09/2025 and DEC 10/2025 – Section III – Commission.



    V. Action taken on Parliament’s positions and resolutions

    The Commission communication on the action taken on the resolutions adopted by Parliament during the March 2025 part-session (third part) was available on Parliament’s website.



    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

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

    Excused:

    Burkhardt Delara, Friis Sigrid, Hazekamp Anja

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ETS/FuelEU Maritime and IMO NZF – risk of double taxation – P-002734/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002734/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Paolo Borchia (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Roman Haider (PfE), Vilis Krištopans (PfE), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE)

    At the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) in April 2025, the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) was adopted at the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) as a medium-term measure to reduce emissions from international maritime transport. Its implementing regulations and details will be defined at the MEPC’s extraordinary session in October 2025.

    The NZF encompasses a rigorous path towards reducing the environmental impact of fuels used on board ships, together with ambitious taxation of CO2 emissions, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the European Climate Law. The measure, which the EU has been pushing for, is global and allows for the decarbonisation of the sector without market distortions.

    The EU’s regional measures – the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime – already significantly penalise the EU maritime and port sector compared to third countries and will become redundant, leading to unsustainable double taxation for the sector: they should therefore be abolished.

    The very letter of the EU ETS Directive and FuelEU Maritime Regulation requires the Commission to review the rules should there be an IMO agreement, in order to avoid ‘significant’ double taxation.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.What criteria does the Commission use to judge whether double taxation is significant?
    • 2.Does it agree there is a need to comprehensively ensure a global level playing field for EU companies in the maritime sector?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – New evidence of health risks associated with glyphosate use – E-002696/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002696/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anja Hazekamp (The Left)

    Amid ongoing safety concerns, glyphosate remains the most widely used pesticide in the EU. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found glyphosate to be carcinogenic to animals and probably to humans[1]. A Parliament appeal to ban glyphosate was ignored[2].

    The Commission has stated ‘if evidence emerges that indicates that the approval criteria are no longer fulfilled, a review of the approval at EU level may be initiated at any time and the Commission will take action immediately to amend or withdraw the approval if this is scientifically warranted’[3].

    Now, a new Environmental Health study confirms that glyphosate has probable carcinogenic effects after long-term exposure to ‘safe’ doses[4].

    Considering these findings:

    • 1.Does the Commission maintain its claim that using glyphosate until 2033 is safe, and if so, how is this assessment justified?
    • 2.What steps will it take in response to the study, for example, is it willing to immediately trigger a review of the approval, as provided for in Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, as the study suggests glyphosate meets the cut-off criteria, and to prepare an immediate withdrawal of the approval?
    • 3.Why does the Commission prioritise uncritical, industry-financed studies over impartial research?

    Submitted: 2.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/glyphosate-monograph-now-available/.
    • [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2017-0395_EN.html.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_5793.
    • [4] https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-025-01187-2.
    Last updated: 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expert panel to put science and tech at the heart of clean power

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Expert panel to put science and tech at the heart of clean power

    A new Science and Technology Advisory Council has been set up, to provide expert advice.

    Science and evidence-informed policy will be at the heart of the government’s clean power mission and acceleration to net zero.  

    A group of prestigious scientific leaders has been appointed to the Science and Technology Advisory Council, which met for the first time yesterday (Wednesday 9 July).  

    The Council will provide robust, scientific, evidence-based information to support key decisions as we overhaul our energy system to reach clean power by 2030. 

    It will also offer independent viewpoints and cutting-edge research on topics from climate science, energy networks and engineering, to the latest technologies and artificial intelligence. 

    Their expert advice will allow ministers to access the most up-to-date and well-informed scientific evidence, improving decision-making and effectiveness of policy implementation.  

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    Evidence-based decision-making is fundamental to the drive for clean power and tackling the climate crisis, with informed policymaking the key to securing a better, fairer world for current and future generations. 

    To give our mission the very best chance of success, the Science and Technology Advisory Council will draw on the knowledge and wisdom of some of the finest scientific minds of the nation – because clean power offers a huge prize of energy security, lower bills and good jobs.

    DESNZ Director General Chief Scientific Adviser Paul Monks said: 

    Robust scientific research and evidence is vital to inform decisions, as we break new ground with the mission for clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero. 

    I look forward to working with some of the country’s most esteemed climate and energy scientists, engineers and mathematicians, to provide comprehensive and considered advice to government on some of the greatest challenges of our time.

    The team of 16 highly esteemed academic and industry experts will be co-chaired by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Director General Chief Scientific Adviser, Paul Monks, and Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult at Warwick Manufacturing Group.   

    The group will be commissioned for advice as required and will meet quarterly. They will assist the Energy Secretary and the wider department.  

    Science and Technology Advisory Council members

    • Professor Paul Monks CB, FRMetS, FRSC, FInstP – STAC Co-Chair and Chief Scientific Adviser & Director General, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)   
    • Professor David Greenwood FREng – STAC Co-Chair and CEO of Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre  
    • Professor Julian Allwood FREng – Professor of Engineering and the Environment, University of Cambridge  
    • Professor Feargal Brennan – Professor of Offshore Engineering, University of Strathclyde  
    • Professor Richard Dawson CEng FICE FREng – Professor of Earth Systems Engineering, Newcastle University  
    • Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer FRSE, FEI, FIChemE, FRSA, FRSC – Director, UK Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) and Deputy Principal (Global Sustainability), Heriot-Watt University  
    • Professor Nicholas Pidgeon MBE FBA – Professor of Environmental Psychology and Risk, Cardiff University  
    • Dr Fiona Rayment OBE, FREng, FRSE – Government Advisor, Non-Executive Director and Visiting Professor at University of Manchester  
    • Professor Nilay Shah OBE FREng -Professor of Process Systems Engineering, Imperial College London  
    • Professor Emily Shuckburgh OBE – Director, Cambridge Zero  
    • Professor Benjamin Sovacool Ph.D. FAcSS, FRSA, MAE – Professor of Energy Policy, University of Sussex  
    • Dr Erica Thompson – Associate Professor of Modelling for Decision Making, University College London  
    • Professor Elizabeth Patricia Thornley BSc, DPhil, FREng – Professor of Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, Aston University  
    • Professor Sara Walker SFHEA – Director of Birmingham Energy Institute 
    • Mr Jonathan Wood C. Eng FRSA – Vice President & Chief Technical Officer, Cummins Inc  
    • Dr David Wright FREng, FIET, MIGEM (Ex-Officio STAC Member) – Co-Chair Energy Research Partnership

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ambitious strategy to help nature recover and thrive launches

    Source: City of Leicester

    A BOLD new strategy making space for nature across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland has been officially launched.

    The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been developed by Leicestershire County Council and partners to protect nature and allow it to recover by conserving and improving habitats and biodiversity.

    The launch, at Brooksby College in Melton on Tuesday 8 July, marks a major milestone in the commitment to nature recovery, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders in a collective effort to restore and protect the natural environment.  

    These include farmers, landowners, conservation groups, community organisations and representatives from local authorities – all involved in helping to shape the future of nature and make the vision of the LNRS a reality.

    It sets out practical actions to boost the area’s wildlife and natural spaces including:

    • Tackling habitat loss and shrinking species population – by expanding woodland cover, connecting rivers to their floodplains and controlling invasive plant species
    • Identifying habitats and species that need urgent attention – including barbastelle bats, hazel dormice, adders, palmate newts, European eels and water voles.
    • Building a healthier, more connected natural environment – by protecting existing hedgerows and new native hedgerows and creating wildlife-friendly road verges with native wildflowers and grasses.

    Assistant city mayor for environment, Cllr Geoff Whittle, said: “This strategy and the action plan that will follow are very important to Leicester. They will support the recovery of nature, improve people’s access to it, and help to bring about improvements in health and wellbeing for people.

    “They also support the city’s response to climate change by identifying opportunities for nature-based solutions to the problems we face.”

    Cllr Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for Environment and Flooding, said: “This is about taking positive, practical action to recover nature in every corner of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland – from our rivers and woodlands to our farmlands and towns.

    “The strong support we’ve received shows that the people of Leicestershire. Leicester and Rutland care deeply about the environment and are ready to work together for a greener, healthier future.”

    Cllr Virge Richichi, cabinet member for communities and rural issues, said: “Nature recovery is not something we can do alone – and that’s why this strategy is built on partnership. Everyone in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland has a role to play. Together, we can deliver real change for people, wildlife, and the places we all cherish.”

    Penny Sharp, Strategic Director for Places at Rutland County Council, said: “We know many people in Leicestershire and Rutland feel a strong connection to nature and the rural landscape, which form part of the area’s unique character and identity. This goes hand in hand with an appreciation of climate issues and a desire to protect the environment.

    “Development of this strategy has been welcomed by local communities, who also understand that nature plays a key role in our quality of life and the health of our rural economy. We now have a clear set of priorities that reflect the views of our residents and can support action to bring about positive change.”

    Now, Leicestershire County Council will work with partners to create a delivery plan to:

    • Provide support for farmers delivering nature friendly farming practices and habitat creation.
    • Protect communities from flooding using solutions such as tree planting, re-meandering rivers and connecting rivers to their floodplains.
    • Expand woodland cover and maintain wildlife corridors linking woodlands with other habitats.
    • Safeguard and enhance natural spaces in existing and future urban areas.
    • Create ‘nature corridors’ along historic rail lines and canals allowing wildflower verges, trees, and hedgerows to thrive.
    • Manage grasslands to increase their species richness, providing homes for pollinators, reptiles and rare plants.
    • Deliver tailored management plans to save threatened priority species from extinction.
    • Educate everyone on the importance of local nature recovery and how they can get involved.

    Just under 1,200 responses were received during a consultation held earlier this year with 97 per cent of participants supported the strategy’s aims. Feedback helped to shape the final version of the LNRS, ensuring it reflects local priorities and ideas.

    The most popular suggestions for action were the creation of new habitats, the restoration or expansion of existing habitats and the need to make space for nature in housing, industrial and other developments.

    For more information and to read the strategy, visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/what-is-a-lnrs

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government posts notices of land resumption and acquisition for Development of San Tin Technopole (Phase 1) (First Batch) and Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (First Phase)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Lands Department (LandsD) today (July 10) posted land resumption notices and acquisition notices for the developments of San Tin Technopole (STT) (Phase 1) (First Batch) and Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) (First Phase), in accordance with relevant ordinances.

    Section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) and section 4 of the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance (Chapter 130) will be invoked.

    For STT (Phase 1) (First Batch), 1 309 private lots with an area of about 62 hectares will be resumed by the Government. Government land occupied by 20 graves and 42 urns, as well as 25 fishponds of about 700 square metres and about 7.5 hectares respectively, will also be acquired. In addition, for the establishment of SPS WCP (First Phase), about 85.2 hectares of government land occupied by 110 fishponds will be acquired by the Government. The land will revert to and vest in the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. October 11, 2025).

    The abovementioned land reversion date and land vesting date are not the departure deadlines for the affected households and business undertakings. The LandsD will post notices in relevant areas about three months before the departure deadlines for the affected parties. According to the project programmes, the affected parties are scheduled to depart in batches. The estimated departure date for STT Phase 1 Stage 1 works will be in batches mainly from the first quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2027, whereas the estimated departure date for SPS WCP (First Phase) will be in batches mainly from the fourth quarter of 2026 to 2027. The LandsD and its appointed Community Liaison Service Team will closely liaise with the affected parties to handle compensation and rehousing matters.

    The STT (excluding the Loop), with an area of about 540 hectares, will be developed in two phases, with Phase 1 development of about 365 hectares. The works for Phase 1 development are subdivided into two stages, with an area of about 158 hectares for Stage 1 works and about 207 hectares for Stage 2 works. The Stage 1 works commenced late last year. As previously stated publicly, the Government will not carry out pond filling works before commencing works for SPS WCP in 2026/2027. Upon full development, the STT will provide about 50 000 residential flats, accommodating a new population of more than 150 000. It will also create about 160 000 employment opportunities. The first population intake of about 18 000 under Phase 1 Stage 1 development will start progressively from 2031 onwards.

    SPS WCP, spanning over 300 hectares, will also be developed in two phases. The works of SPS WCP (First Phase) covering an area of about 150 hectares will commence in 2026/2027 (including the abovementioned proposed acquisition of land of about 85.2 hectares) for completion in 2031. The park serves multi-functions to conserve the Deep Bay wetlands, facilitate the modernisation of the aquaculture industry, as well as create environmental capacity and compensate for the impact on ecology and fisheries resources. The entire park is expected to be completed by 2039 to align with the estimated time for full operation of the STT.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government posts notices of land resumption and acquisition for Development of San Tin Technopole (Phase 1) (First Batch) and Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (First Phase)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Lands Department (LandsD) today (July 10) posted land resumption notices and acquisition notices for the developments of San Tin Technopole (STT) (Phase 1) (First Batch) and Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) (First Phase), in accordance with relevant ordinances.

    Section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) and section 4 of the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance (Chapter 130) will be invoked.

    For STT (Phase 1) (First Batch), 1 309 private lots with an area of about 62 hectares will be resumed by the Government. Government land occupied by 20 graves and 42 urns, as well as 25 fishponds of about 700 square metres and about 7.5 hectares respectively, will also be acquired. In addition, for the establishment of SPS WCP (First Phase), about 85.2 hectares of government land occupied by 110 fishponds will be acquired by the Government. The land will revert to and vest in the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. October 11, 2025).

    The abovementioned land reversion date and land vesting date are not the departure deadlines for the affected households and business undertakings. The LandsD will post notices in relevant areas about three months before the departure deadlines for the affected parties. According to the project programmes, the affected parties are scheduled to depart in batches. The estimated departure date for STT Phase 1 Stage 1 works will be in batches mainly from the first quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2027, whereas the estimated departure date for SPS WCP (First Phase) will be in batches mainly from the fourth quarter of 2026 to 2027. The LandsD and its appointed Community Liaison Service Team will closely liaise with the affected parties to handle compensation and rehousing matters.

    The STT (excluding the Loop), with an area of about 540 hectares, will be developed in two phases, with Phase 1 development of about 365 hectares. The works for Phase 1 development are subdivided into two stages, with an area of about 158 hectares for Stage 1 works and about 207 hectares for Stage 2 works. The Stage 1 works commenced late last year. As previously stated publicly, the Government will not carry out pond filling works before commencing works for SPS WCP in 2026/2027. Upon full development, the STT will provide about 50 000 residential flats, accommodating a new population of more than 150 000. It will also create about 160 000 employment opportunities. The first population intake of about 18 000 under Phase 1 Stage 1 development will start progressively from 2031 onwards.

    SPS WCP, spanning over 300 hectares, will also be developed in two phases. The works of SPS WCP (First Phase) covering an area of about 150 hectares will commence in 2026/2027 (including the abovementioned proposed acquisition of land of about 85.2 hectares) for completion in 2031. The park serves multi-functions to conserve the Deep Bay wetlands, facilitate the modernisation of the aquaculture industry, as well as create environmental capacity and compensate for the impact on ecology and fisheries resources. The entire park is expected to be completed by 2039 to align with the estimated time for full operation of the STT.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: LET Mining: The application of cryptocurrency will make your travel more convenient, let cloud mining pay for you

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Now, this future is within reach, because this week Emirates has partnered with leading digital asset platform Crypto.com to explore accepting cryptocurrency payments in all its services. Not only that, there are currently more than tens of thousands of companies around the world accepting cryptocurrency payments, and it has become easier than ever to use Bitcoin or Ethereum to book flights, hotel accommodations, and even a cup of coffee. In the future, you can even complete the entire journey with only cryptocurrency.

    LET Mining: Let your crypto assets pay for your travel
    Now cryptocurrency is no longer just a speculative asset. It is becoming a popular means of payment. And the LET Mining cloud mining platform can make your digital assets gain additional value every day. With just a few simple steps, the platform deploys computing power for you and settles the income daily. The income can be freely withdrawn for investment, savings, or even directly for living expenses or travel expenses.

    The core advantages include:
    √ Daily income, automatic arrival: truly realize passive income, and the income is clearly visible.
    √ Environmentally friendly and sustainable: driven by hydropower and wind energy, supporting the concept of green travel.
    √ 0 technical threshold: no need to install mining machines or understand the principles of mining, everyone can participate.
    √ Flexible withdrawal: supports the withdrawal of multiple crypto assets, which can be used for travel payments or exchange for legal currency.

    Start using LET Mining and start your crypto travel journey
    Step 1: Open the official website: https://letmining.com/, click to register, fill in the registration information, and you will receive a $12 reward after successful registration

    Step 2: The platform provides a variety of high-yield and flexible cloud computing contracts, and users can choose to purchase them freely. The following are some cloud computing contracts ]

    ◆Experience Contract: investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, maturity income: $100 + $8
    ◆BTC Classic Hash Power: investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, maturity income: $500 + $30
    ◆DOGE Classic Hash Power: investment amount: $3,500, contract period: 24 days, daily income of $50.4, maturity income: $3,500 + $1,209.6
    ◆BTC Advanced Hash Power: investment amount: $8,200, contract period: 35 days, daily income of $130.38, maturity income: $8,200 + $4,563.3
    ◆BTC Advanced Hash Power: investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income of $173, maturity income: $10,000 + $7,785
    ◆DOGE Super Hash Power: Investment amount: $30,000, contract period: 48 days, daily income of $555, maturity income: $30,000 + $26,640
    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)

    Step 3: The system will send the daily income of the cloud computing contract you purchased to your account, and you can withdraw it to your wallet address at any time

    By participating in the purchase of LET Mining’s cloud computing power contract, you can get a fixed income every day, which provides additional income guarantee for a free lifestyle, so that you no longer rely on traditional salary income, and you don’t need to worry about international financial barriers such as exchange rates and transfers, and avoid expensive currency exchange fees.

    With the popularity of cryptocurrency applications, innovative models like LET Mining are redefining crypto assets. By intelligently utilizing crypto assets, it can become a self-sustaining lifestyle, making travel no longer just an expense. Let the digital world provide financial support for your real travel and open up a new way of traveling.

    Want to work in an island town in Southeast Asia? Want to write code in a small cafe in a European town? As long as your digital wallet is growing, the world will open its doors to you.

    Official website: https://letmining.com/
    Contact email: info@letmining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain’s countryside

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain’s countryside

    New ban on use of lead in ammunition to protect iconic wildlife and clean up the nation’s waterways

    Red kite perched in a tree

    Red kites and white-tailed eagles will receive greater protection thanks to new restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition, Environment Minister Emma Hardy announced today (Thursday 10 July 2025).

    To protect iconic British wildlife and clean up the nation’s waterways, new measures will ban shot containing more than 1% lead and bullets with a lead content of more than 3%. Beyond limited exemptions, these types of ammunition will no longer be sold to the public.

    The ban will prevent the release of an estimated 7,000 tonnes of the toxic metal into fields, forests and wetlands each year. Up to 100,000 wildfowl, including ducks, swans and waders, die from lead poisoning annually, with birds often confusing the scattered shot for grit and consuming it.

    Evidence from the Health and Safety Executive shows lead poses a risk to at least 1 million birds over the coming decades if usage continues at its current rate, while around 40,000 birds of prey such as red kites and white-tailed eagles are at risk from ingesting lead through carrion.

    Introducing restrictions will also stop lead from contaminating soil and leaching into rivers when guns are discharged and spread the harmful metal, ensuring ecosystems thrive for both wildlife and people alike.

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    Britain is a proud nation of nature lovers, but our rivers are heavily polluted, and majestic birds are declining at an alarming rate.

    This new ban on lead in ammunition for most uses will help reverse this – rejuvenating pride in our countryside by protecting precious birdlife and cleaning up rivers.

    Non-lead alternatives are readily available, and we’ll continue to work closely with the shooting sector throughout this transition.

    Following extensive public engagement, a three-year transition period will support the shooting and hunting sectors to shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives. There will also be a two-year period for outdoor shooting ranges where lead is used to implement measures that prevent pollution from entering the environment.

    Alternatives to lead shot have become more efficient and widely available in recent years, with steel and tungsten-based shot being two popular options. The government will continue to engage with the shooting industry to support the transition to alternative ammunition types.

    In December 2024, the Health and Safety Executive published their Final Opinion proposing restrictions on the supply and outdoor uses of lead in ammunition – and the government has now taken action to reduce toxic substances from entering the environment.

    As part of the restrictions, there will be exemptions in place for the military, police, elite athletes, outdoor target shooting ranges with risk management measures in place, museum collections and other minor uses. Small calibre bullets for live quarry shooting – the outdoor shooting of live animals – and airguns are not in scope of the restriction.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Meeting with Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at Palazzo Chigi

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano chaired a meeting at Palazzo Chigi this evening between the Italian Government and a delegation from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

    The meeting was also attended by: the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli; the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci; the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto; the President of Triennale Milano, Stefano Boeri; the President of the MAXXI Foundation – National Museum of 21st Century Art, Emanuela Bruni; and, the President of the Bambino Gesù Foundation and Paediatric Hospital, Tiziano Onesti.

    The meeting came just a few hours before the start of the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), which will be held in Rome tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, 10-11 July, and will be opened with addresses by the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. In this regard, Undersecretary of State Mantovano thanked Archbishop Shevchuk “for having accepted the invitation for a discussion on the very eve of an international event dedicated to the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine”.

    The meeting reaffirmed the key role played by the Greek Catholic Church in providing the population with spiritual and social support over more than 40 months of conflict. “During these years – underlined Undersecretary of State Mantovano – you have demonstrated that you are a vibrant and united Church and community, able to respond as one, together with the other Christian Churches, to the suffering of your people”.
    There was a significant focus on the prospects for reconstruction and the role local communities and religious institutions can play in the country’s regeneration. “We are convinced – added Undersecretary of State Mantovano – that the ‘local dimension’ will be one of the pillars of Ukraine’s economic recovery. You too are among the representatives of local areas, demonstrating the crucial contribution believers can make in any context”.

    Today’s meeting forms part of a broader cultural and social collaboration programme promoted by the Italian Government which, already since September 2023, has involved institutions such as Triennale Milano and MAXXI in initiatives dedicated to the restoration of war-damaged heritage, including the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, and in training projects in the fields of cultural heritage conservation and management.
    At the end of the meeting, Undersecretary of State Mantovano presented His Beatitude Shevchuk with the bronze medal minted in 2024 by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato [State Printing Works and Mint] to celebrate Ukraine’s resistance and support the ‘Unbroken Kids’ rehabilitation centre at the Saint Nicholas Children’s Hospital in Lviv.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Queensland’s horrific lion attack shows wild animals should not be kept for our amusement

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Georgette Leah Burns, Associate Professor, Griffith School of Environment and Science, Griffith University

    Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Last weekend, a woman was mauled by a lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, and lost her arm. The zoo, which keeps nine lions, has been operating for 20 years and had never experienced an incident such as this.

    The victim was a relative of the zoo owner, Steve Robinson, who told the media the lions were not aggressive and the lioness was thought to be “just playing”.

    Although attacks like this are extremely rare, they are obviously of great concern. The incident should prompt a rethink of our approach to wild animals in captivity, and whether it’s morally acceptable – or safe – to keep them there at all.

    Why do zoos exist?

    Zoos, aquariums and other settings where wild animals are kept captive exist for two main reasons: human entertainment and profit-making.

    Surveys show zoo visitors have a preference for large mammals such as elephants, primates and big cats.

    Some animals are more tolerant of captivity conditions and exposure to humans than others. Fish, for example, seem to respond more neutrally to human presence than most other species.

    But a recent study found captive animals generally demonstrate abnormal behaviour more often than non-captive ones.

    For most wild animals, captivity deprives them of the ability to engage in natural behaviour, which harms their welfare. For example, free-living dolphins and whales have long-range migration patterns which require vast ocean spaces. They are also highly social and display complex communication behaviour.

    Some countries have banned keeping dolphins and whales in captivity for entertainment because it causes the animals to suffer sensory deprivation and stress, among other harms.

    Captive dolphins were once common in aquariums and marine parks across Australia. But now only one facility, Sea World in Queensland, still breeds dolphins for entertainment.

    And earlier this year, the last elephants at Perth Zoo were moved to a 12-hectare habitat in South Australia to improve their welfare.

    Another important welfare question is whether the captive animal has “agency” – that is, whether it can make choices as it would in the wild.

    Can it choose, for example, which other animals it has relationships with? Or whether it has privacy? Having control over such decisions enhances the quality of life for the captive animal.

    It’s important to note that some zoos can deliver positive outcomes for animals. Many play an important conservation role, such as running captive breeding programs for endangered species.

    An example is a long-running program across several Australian zoos and other organisations to recover populations of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The program has released more than 400 zoo-bred birds into the wild.

    However, such conservation programs do not necessarily need to involve zoos to succeed.

    Weighing up the risks

    No matter how domesticated they might seem, some wild animals in captivity will always pose a risk to humans. Their behaviour can be unpredictable and, as the recent Queensland example shows, even a “playing” lioness can cause enormous physical harm to people.

    Wild animals are called wild for a reason. To be kept in captivity, most animals require training so they can be safely handled. The Darling Downs Zoo incident shows despite this precaution, things can still go wrong.

    But humans will, understandably, always be fascinated by other animals, and want to see them up close. So what are the alternatives to zoos?

    Open range-zoos, such as the one to which the Perth elephants were moved, can offer a better option for some animals.

    Another option is to recreate the zoo experience using technology. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality can be used to create images of animals that look and seem real.

    In Australia, examples include Brisbane’s Hologram Zoo and a high-tech puppetry experience touring Australia which replicates a real shark dive.

    Overseas, animatronic displays have been created to replace dolphin shows.

    Questions about animals kept in captivity require us to consider how much risk to human safety we accept, and the extent to which we prioritise human amusement over animal welfare. In searching for answers, we can start by asking whether we need zoos at all.

    Georgette Leah Burns does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Queensland’s horrific lion attack shows wild animals should not be kept for our amusement – https://theconversation.com/queenslands-horrific-lion-attack-shows-wild-animals-should-not-be-kept-for-our-amusement-260805

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior: A reminder of the power of persistence and resistance, hope and action, to change the world

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Auckland, New Zealand – 40 years ago today, Greenpeace’s flagship Rainbow Warrior was bombed and sunk in Auckland Harbour by French secret service agents in an operation that murdered photographer Fernando Pereira. The commemoration coincides with Greenpeace resisting a new wave of attacks from the billionaires and corporate polluters who plunder our precious planet. 

    The bombing was an attempt to silence anti-nuclear protests in the Pacific. It backfired, igniting a global outcry and galvanising a movement. “You Can’t Sink a Rainbow” became a rallying call for resistance. It was a call to courage, putting hope into action for a better world.

    Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International Executive Director, said:

    “Whether forty years ago or today, Greenpeace will resist, we will persist, and we will win. Alongside our allies, and inspired by the courage of those who came before us, the global community of people working together in hope and for each other will prevail over those who plunder the planet for profit and power.”

    “This anniversary is a moment to remember Fernando Pereira. It is a moment to remember that when we join together, we can, and have changed the world for the better.”

    “In 1985, the French government wasn’t just trying to sink a ship – it was attempting to sink a movement, to attack activism, and to silence the voice of hope. They failed. They blew wind in our sails.”

    “Greenpeace and the movement refused to back down and continued to campaign against nuclear testing until, in 1996, we won.”

    “In 2025, civil society is under increased attacks from billionaires and fossil fuel companies trying to silence dissent, but we will show again that hope rises as we join together to meet this moment with increased unity and courage”.

    In 1985, the Rainbow Warrior had just helped relocate the people of Rongelap to Mejatto. The 300 Marshall Islanders were suffering severe health effects – including radiation sickness, birth defects, and high cancer rates – as a consequence of the fallout from the notorious 1954 US Castle Bravo nuclear weapons test at Bikini Atoll.

    The crew then sailed to Auckland to join protests against French nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. The Rainbow Warrior was to lead a flotilla of boats into the test zone to disrupt and draw international attention to atmospheric nuclear tests.

    In the wake of the bombing protests and international pressure against nuclear weapons testing continued to build. Greenpeace mounted three further protest expeditions to Mururoa in 1990, 1992 and 1995 on board the Rainbow Warrior II.

    In 1995 the Rainbow Warrior sailed into the test zone, defying exclusion orders and attempting to disrupt the tests, drawing global media attention and support. French forces seized the ship and arrested the crew, sparking widespread international condemnation. Although six tests went ahead, the intense backlash contributed to President Jacques Chirac announcing a permanent end to nuclear testing and signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 1996.

    ENDS

    Notes:

    Pictures and video of the Rainbow Warrior lit up as a “beacon of resistance”

    Contacts:

    Simon Black, Greenpeace International:  +61 420 488 219, [email protected]

    Nick Young, Greenpeace Aotearoa: +6421707727, [email protected]

    Greenpeace International Press Desk, [email protected], phone: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Body recovered – Edith Falls

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The body of a 57-year-old man has been recovered by the Search and Rescue Section today at Edith Falls.

    The man had not been seen since entering a plunge pool at Edith Falls at around 3pm on Tuesday 8 July.

    Police located and recovered the man’s body a short time ago near one of the waterfalls.

    At this stage, police do not believe the death to be suspicious and was the result of a medical incident.

    A report will be prepared for the coroner.

    The Northern Territory Police Force would like to pass on our condolences to the family and thank the members of the public, Parks and Wildlife, NT Life Saving, Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water for their support.

    A report will be prepared for the coroner.

    The upper and lower pools of Edith Falls and the walking track to the upper pool are expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 10, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 10, 2025.

    How can we stay safe after data breaches? Step 1 is to change the cybersecurity laws
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Andreotta, Lecturer, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University Moor Studio / Getty Images Last week, Australian airline Qantas announced cyber attackers had accessed personal data about some of its customers. The company later confirmed that 5.7 million customer records were involved. The attackers targeted an

    Cyber crime and real-world crime are converging in a dangerous new way – here’s how to stay safe
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jongkil Jay Jeong, Senior Fellow, School of Computing and Information System, The University of Melbourne It starts with a call from someone claiming to be your bank. They know your name. They know your bank. They even know your credit card number. There’s been “unusual activity” on

    Labor leads in two Victorian state polls, but Premier Jacinta Allan’s approval tanks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor leads in Victorian state polls by Newspoll and Redbridge, but Premier Jacinta Allan is very unpopular. Two federal polls give Labor big leads and a Tasmanian

    Cannabinoid products may reduce total sleep time in adults with insomnia: new study
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Camilla Hoyos, Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, Macquarie University Lysenko Andrii/Shutterstock You might have heard cannabis and cannabinoid products can help people sleep. Data shows one of the top reasons people use cannabis is to help them sleep. But there’s a dearth of

    Planning a ‘Euro summer’ or cruise? Why another flu shot might save your holiday
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia DavideAngelini/Shutterstock Are you escaping a southern hemisphere winter by heading off for a “Euro summer”? Maybe you’re planning a cruise through the Mediterranean. Or you’re dreaming of a white Christmas overseas later in the year. Maybe

    Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Almost two-thirds of the world’s population is affected by the monsoon – the annual

    Earth’s ‘oldest’ impact crater is much younger than previously thought – new study
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Cavosie, Senior Lecturer, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University Outcrops of shocked rocks from the Miralga impact structure. Aaron Cavosie Ever been late because you misread a clock? Sometimes, the “clocks” geologists use to date events can also be misread. Unravelling Earth’s 4.5-billion-year

    Where do giant volcanic eruptions come from? New study finds missing link to ‘blobs’ deep within Earth
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicolas Flament, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow, Environmental Futures, School of Science, University of Wollongong Volcanic eruptions at Earth’s surface have significant consequences. Smaller ones can scare tourists on Mount Etna or disrupt air traffic. Giant, large-scale eruptions can have more serious impacts. One such event

    Defence spending is like insurance – how will NZ pay the higher premiums?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Hickson, Lecturer in Economics and Director, Business Taught Masters Programme, University of Canterbury Getty Images Defence spending is like insurance – you have to pay for it but you hope you never have to use it. And the higher the risk you face, the higher your

    The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives shatters the church’s century-long effort to curate its own image
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenton Griffin, Casual Lecturer and Tutor in History, Indigenous Studies, and Politics, Flinders University Hulu Reality TV series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows a number of social media influencers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who rose to prominence through social media,

    We interviewed 205 Australians convicted of murder and manslaughter. Alcohol’s role was alarming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Li Eriksson, Senior Lecturer, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University We’ve long known there’s a link between alcohol and violence, but when it comes to homicide the stories behind the statistics are harder to grasp. Our study sheds rare light on what actually happens when

    Thirsty future: Australia’s green hydrogen targets could require vastly more water than the government hopes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madoc Sheehan, Adjunct Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering, James Cook University totajla/Shutterstock Green hydrogen is touted by some as the future – a way for Australia to slowly replace its reliance on fossil fuel exports. The energy-dense gas has the potential to reduce emissions in sectors challenging

    Israel’s Rafah camp – ‘humanitarian city’ or crime against humanity?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a controversial plan to move up to 600,000 Palestinians in Gaza into a designated “humanitarian area” on the ruins of the southern city of Rafah. Access to the camp would be through

    Ice baths are booming in popularity – but they come with health risks
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Michele Ursi/Getty Images Walk through any trendy suburb and you might find a new “wellness” studio offering ice baths or “contrast therapy” (a sauna and ice bath combo). Scroll social media,

    Can’t fill your ADHD script? Here’s why, and what to do while the shortage persists
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Janetzki, Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South Australia Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses are rising across Australia. But after finally getting a diagnosis, many people are discovering the medicine they’ve been prescribed isn’t available at the pharmacy. Australia faces a nation-wide shortage of methylphenidate

    Medicinal cannabis is big business. But the latest clampdown won’t curb unsafe prescribing
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carmen Lim, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland Nuva Frames/Shutterstock Australia’s key regulator of health professionals has announced it’s clamping down on unsafe prescribing of medicinal cannabis in the wake of surging patient demand. The Australian Health Practitioner

    Are ‘ghost stores’ haunting your social media feed? How to spot and avoid them
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology CC BY The offer pops up in your social media feed. The website is professional and the imagery illustrates an Australian coastal region, or chic inner-CBD scene. The brand name indicates this exclusive fashion retailer

    NZ Post is the latest company to drop its climate targets – another sign business is struggling to decarbonise
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Associate Professor, School of Business, Eastern Institute of Technology Getty Images NZ Post committed to cutting its emissions by 32% by 2030 (based on 2018 levels), but recently announced it would abandon its climate target. The company was part of the Science Based Target initiative

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Applaud Senate Reapproval of VA Medical Facility Leases, Including for New Outpatient Clinic in Hampton Roads

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to approve updated authorizations for 18 Veterans Affairs (VA) major medical facility leases, including a proposed lease for an outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads:
    “We are very encouraged to see the Senate EPW Committee heed our request to quickly reauthorize 18 VA medical facility leases, including one for a new outpatient clinic in Hampton Roads. This facility would fill a critical gap, providing broader access and more convenient services for veterans on the south side of the region, who currently represent over 60 percent of the Hampton VA Medical Center’s patient base. We will continue to press our colleagues in the House of Representatives to finalize the reauthorization process and ensure that our nation’s veterans are not forced to endure unacceptable wait times or travel burdensome distances to access the high-quality care they have earned through their sacrifice and dedication.”
    While these leases were originally authorized under the PACT Act, which both senators strongly supported, updated cost estimates and rent bids prompted the VA and the General Services Administration (GSA) to seek reauthorization from four congressional committees. To date, the leases have been reapproved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One final approval, from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, remains.
    Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand health care and benefits for Virginia’s nearly 700,000 veterans. Warner and Kaine began raising the alarm about the significant backlog of unapproved VA leases in 2016. After putting significant pressure on officials across the federal government, Congress unanimously passed the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation written by Warner and supported by Kaine, to cut the backlog and get over two dozen delayed VA medical facilities’ leases approved.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 9th, 2025 Heinrich Urges Trump DOE and DOI Nominees to Lower Energy Costs, Keep Americans Safe, and Maintain America’s Competitive Edge

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — In his opening statement, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, grilled several pending Trump Administration nominees on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget request and his Big, Beautiful Betrayal bill, which will raise costs on American families by gutting investments in energy efficiency and clean energy programs. Ranking Member Heinrich additionally sought commitments to enforce surface mining laws and regulations, and pressed the nominees on the need to maintain U.S. competitiveness and secure global economic alliances with our allies.

    The hearing considered the nominations of Lanny Erdos to be the Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement of the Department of the Interior; Audrey Robertson to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Timothy Walsh to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management, and David Eisner to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs.

    VIDEO: Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks on the nominations of several pending Trump Administration officials before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, July 9, 2025.

    “One of President Trump’s first acts after being sworn in for his second term was to abandon our efforts to transition to a clean energy economy,” Heinrich said in his opening remarks, zeroing in on how Republicans will raise utility costs on American families with their cuts to critical programs. “The Department has announced plans to cut dozens of energy efficiency rules that save consumers hundreds of dollars on their utility bills annually. It has proposed a 74 percent reduction in next year’s budget for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. These cuts combined with the rollback of the clean energy tax credits in the reconciliation bill that Republicans supported will undoubtedly drive up energy prices.”

    Heinrich continued, “The reconciliation bill alone is estimated to increase annual energy costs more than $16 billion in 2030 and more than $33 billion by 2035. And American families will bear those increased costs.  I need to ask you, Ms. Robertson, whether you intend to continue the Department’s longstanding efforts to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources or whether you plan to abandon those programs.”

    A video of Heinrich’s opening remarks is here.

    A transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below:

    Thank you, Chairman Lee.  And welcome Mr. Erdos, Ms. Robertson, Mr. Walsh, and Mr. Eisner.

    The Committee meets today to consider nominations to four very different offices.

     They range from expertise in coal mining to energy efficiency and renewable energy; from cleaning up nuclear weapons sites to international affairs.

    Two things that the four jobs have in common, however, is their importance and the responsibility the office holders will have to do well by the American people.

    Our task this morning, as in every confirmation hearing, is to determine how the nominees we are asked to entrust with these important offices plan to use them to do well by the American people. 

    Mr. Erdos has the advantage of having been nominated and confirmed to the position 5 years ago.  

    And while much may have changed in the past 5 years, the need for the Office of Surface Mining to protect communities and the environment during mining, to restore the land after mining, and to reclaim abandoned mine lands remains as great as ever.

    Indeed, the need may be even greater as this Administration seeks to increase coal production.

    We need your assurance, Mr. Erdos, that you remain committed to enforcing our surface mining laws and regulations and to restoring and reclaiming abandoned mine lands.

    Similarly, we seek assurances from you, Mr. Walsh, that you will work diligently to clean up the environmental legacy of the Manhattan Project and Cold War weapons sites.

    Secretary Wright testified last month that the Department remains committed to the cleanup program, and we want to hear that commitment from you as well.

    I harbor greater concerns for your offices, Ms. Robertson and Mr. Eisner. One of President Trump’s first acts after being sworn in for his second term was to abandon our efforts to transition to a clean energy economy. 

    The Department has announced plans to cut dozens of energy efficiency rules that save consumers hundreds of dollars on their utility bills annually. 

    It has proposed a 74 percent reduction in next year’s budget for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

    These cuts combined with the rollback of the clean energy tax credits in the reconciliation bill that Republicans supported will undoubtedly drive up energy prices.

    The reconciliation bill alone is estimated to increase annual energy costs more than $16 billion in 2030 and more than $33 billion by 2035. And American families will bear those increased costs.

    I need to ask you, Ms. Robertson, whether you intend to continue the Department’s longstanding efforts to improve energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources or whether you plan to abandon those programs.

    I am similarly concerned by the 40 percent reduction in the Department’s budget request for International Affairs and this Administration’s apparent disdain for our allies and global alliances. 

    The work of DOE’s International Affairs office is critical to maintaining U.S. competitiveness and securing economic alliances with our allies.

    And I will seek your assurance, Mr. Eisner, that the Department will remain committed to working with our allies on international energy issues.

    I look forward to hearing from our nominees on these and other issues this morning, and I appreciate their willingness to take on these important and challenging responsibilities.

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University

    Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Almost two-thirds of the world’s population is affected by the monsoon – the annual arrival of intense rains in areas north and south of the Equator. These drenching rains tend to arrive during each hemisphere’s summer.

    The East Asian monsoon north of the equator is the best known and best studied, because it affects the largest land area and the most people. But the southern Indo-Australian monsoon is vitally important to northern Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. To date, it has been studied much less.

    To help fill this gap in knowledge, we analysed deep sediment from an unusual lagoon near Darwin in northern Australia. We looked at ancient pollen and chemical isotopes (different versions of the same chemical element) to look about 150,000 years back in time and glimpse changes to the monsoon. When types of pollen change, it tells us the monsoon has changed. Drier conditions favour the emergence of grasslands, while wetter climates favour forests.

    Our new research suggests as the world gets hotter, the Indo-Australian monsoon will intensify and northern Australia will get wetter. This finding is consistent with research suggesting the East Asian monsoon could weaken, threatening agriculture and nature in heavily populated countries.

    Location of Girraween Lagoon in monsoonal north Australia. Insert shows approximate dominant flows of the East Asian and Indo-Australian summer monsoons.
    Corey Bradshaw/Flinders University, CC BY-NC

    The past held in a single lagoon

    To examine how monsoons change over time, researchers drill sediment cores to track changes in pollen and chemical isotopes. For example, changes in hydrogen isotopes indicate changes in the intensity of the monsoon rain.

    The problem is, these cores have to come from long-undisturbed lake sediments, because such places provide a continuous record of change.

    To reconstruct past changes in monsoon patterns, undisturbed sediments have to be sampled carefully by extracting a thin “core” from the bottom sediments. Once researchers have this precious core, they can examine the changing proportions of pollen, chemical isotopes and other properties. The deeper you drill the core, the farther back in time you can look.

    These exacting requirements are one reason the Indo-Australian monsoon is not as well understood as its northern cousin.

    Fortunately, we have found one place which has kept a detailed environmental record over a long period: Girraween Lagoon on the outskirts of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

    This lagoon was created after a sinkhole formed more than 200,000 years ago. It has contained permanent water ever since, and is slowly filling with sediment and pollen blown in from the surrounding landscape.

    The 18-metre core from Girraween’s sediments gave us a 150,000-year record of environmental change in Australia’s northern savannahs.

    It took hard work to extract the core from Girraween Lagoon.

    Dipping into the past

    If you walk around Girraween Lagoon today, you’ll see a tall and dense tree canopy with a thick grass understory in the wet season. But it hasn’t always been that way.

    During the last ice age 20,000–30,000 years ago, the sea level was much lower and the polar ice caps much larger. As a result, the lagoon was more than 300 kilometres from the coast. At that time, the lagoon was surrounded by an open, grassy savannah with fewer, shorter trees.

    A schematic showing the depth of the Girraween core and the associated time periods.
    Emma Rehn/Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, CC BY-NC

    About 115,000 years ago (and again 90,000 years ago), Australia was dotted with gigantic inland “megalakes”. At those times, the lagoon expanded into a large, shallow lake surrounded by lush monsoon forest, with almost no grass.

    At times, tree cover changed radically. In fact, over one 3,000-year period, the percentage of tree pollen soared from 15% to 95%. That suggests a sweeping change from grassland to dense forest – meaning a switch from drier to wetter climate at a rate too fast to be explained by changes in Earth’s orbit.

    Some of these changes are linked to the shifting distance between coastline and lagoon as well as predictable variation in how much solar energy reaches Earth.

    A connection to the North Atlantic

    Huge ice sheets covered large areas of the Northern Hemisphere during previous ice ages.

    Remarkably, the evidence of their melting at the end of previous ice age was there in the sediment core from Girraween Lagoon.

    When glacial ice melts rapidly, huge volumes of fresh water flood into the North Atlantic. These rapid pulses are known as Heinrich events. These pulses can shut down the warm Gulf Stream current up the east coast of North America. As a result, the Northern Hemisphere cools and the Southern Hemisphere warms.

    Over the last 150,000 years, there have been 14 of these events. We could see evidence of them in the sediment cores. Every gush of fresh water in the Atlantic triggered higher rainfall over northern Australia because of the buildup of heat in the Southern Hemisphere as the Gulf Stream slowed.

    What does this mean for the monsoon?

    All this suggests the Indo-Australian monsoon will get more intense as the world gets hotter and more ice melts.

    That would mean a wetter northern Australia. It could also bring more rainfall to other Australian regions, and neighbouring countries. At this stage, it’s too uncertain to predict what an intensifying monsoon would do to the southern parts of Australia.

    We might already be seeing this shift. Weather records since the 1960s show northern Australia getting steadily wetter, and less rain in Australia’s southeast and southwest.

    Trends in total annual rainfall in Australia from 1960 to 2020.
    Commonwealth of Australia Bureau of Meteorology, CC BY

    What would this mean for people? Australia’s tropical north is not densely populated, which would reduce the human impact of an intensifying monsoon.

    But while our research suggests the Indo-Australian monsoon strengthens during Heinrich events, earlier research has shown the East Asian and other Northern Hemisphere monsoons will weaken. Without reliable monsoonal rains, food and water supplies for billions of people could be at risk.

    Corey J. A. Bradshaw receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Cassandra Rowe receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Michael Bird receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    ref. Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator – https://theconversation.com/melting-ice-will-strengthen-the-monsoon-in-northern-australia-but-cause-drier-conditions-north-of-the-equator-259992

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-Evening Report: Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Node Leader in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures, Flinders University

    Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Almost two-thirds of the world’s population is affected by the monsoon – the annual arrival of intense rains in areas north and south of the Equator. These drenching rains tend to arrive during each hemisphere’s summer.

    The East Asian monsoon north of the equator is the best known and best studied, because it affects the largest land area and the most people. But the southern Indo-Australian monsoon is vitally important to northern Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. To date, it has been studied much less.

    To help fill this gap in knowledge, we analysed deep sediment from an unusual lagoon near Darwin in northern Australia. We looked at ancient pollen and chemical isotopes (different versions of the same chemical element) to look about 150,000 years back in time and glimpse changes to the monsoon. When types of pollen change, it tells us the monsoon has changed. Drier conditions favour the emergence of grasslands, while wetter climates favour forests.

    Our new research suggests as the world gets hotter, the Indo-Australian monsoon will intensify and northern Australia will get wetter. This finding is consistent with research suggesting the East Asian monsoon could weaken, threatening agriculture and nature in heavily populated countries.

    Location of Girraween Lagoon in monsoonal north Australia. Insert shows approximate dominant flows of the East Asian and Indo-Australian summer monsoons.
    Corey Bradshaw/Flinders University, CC BY-NC

    The past held in a single lagoon

    To examine how monsoons change over time, researchers drill sediment cores to track changes in pollen and chemical isotopes. For example, changes in hydrogen isotopes indicate changes in the intensity of the monsoon rain.

    The problem is, these cores have to come from long-undisturbed lake sediments, because such places provide a continuous record of change.

    To reconstruct past changes in monsoon patterns, undisturbed sediments have to be sampled carefully by extracting a thin “core” from the bottom sediments. Once researchers have this precious core, they can examine the changing proportions of pollen, chemical isotopes and other properties. The deeper you drill the core, the farther back in time you can look.

    These exacting requirements are one reason the Indo-Australian monsoon is not as well understood as its northern cousin.

    Fortunately, we have found one place which has kept a detailed environmental record over a long period: Girraween Lagoon on the outskirts of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

    This lagoon was created after a sinkhole formed more than 200,000 years ago. It has contained permanent water ever since, and is slowly filling with sediment and pollen blown in from the surrounding landscape.

    The 18-metre core from Girraween’s sediments gave us a 150,000-year record of environmental change in Australia’s northern savannahs.

    It took hard work to extract the core from Girraween Lagoon.

    Dipping into the past

    If you walk around Girraween Lagoon today, you’ll see a tall and dense tree canopy with a thick grass understory in the wet season. But it hasn’t always been that way.

    During the last ice age 20,000–30,000 years ago, the sea level was much lower and the polar ice caps much larger. As a result, the lagoon was more than 300 kilometres from the coast. At that time, the lagoon was surrounded by an open, grassy savannah with fewer, shorter trees.

    A schematic showing the depth of the Girraween core and the associated time periods.
    Emma Rehn/Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, CC BY-NC

    About 115,000 years ago (and again 90,000 years ago), Australia was dotted with gigantic inland “megalakes”. At those times, the lagoon expanded into a large, shallow lake surrounded by lush monsoon forest, with almost no grass.

    At times, tree cover changed radically. In fact, over one 3,000-year period, the percentage of tree pollen soared from 15% to 95%. That suggests a sweeping change from grassland to dense forest – meaning a switch from drier to wetter climate at a rate too fast to be explained by changes in Earth’s orbit.

    Some of these changes are linked to the shifting distance between coastline and lagoon as well as predictable variation in how much solar energy reaches Earth.

    A connection to the North Atlantic

    Huge ice sheets covered large areas of the Northern Hemisphere during previous ice ages.

    Remarkably, the evidence of their melting at the end of previous ice age was there in the sediment core from Girraween Lagoon.

    When glacial ice melts rapidly, huge volumes of fresh water flood into the North Atlantic. These rapid pulses are known as Heinrich events. These pulses can shut down the warm Gulf Stream current up the east coast of North America. As a result, the Northern Hemisphere cools and the Southern Hemisphere warms.

    Over the last 150,000 years, there have been 14 of these events. We could see evidence of them in the sediment cores. Every gush of fresh water in the Atlantic triggered higher rainfall over northern Australia because of the buildup of heat in the Southern Hemisphere as the Gulf Stream slowed.

    What does this mean for the monsoon?

    All this suggests the Indo-Australian monsoon will get more intense as the world gets hotter and more ice melts.

    That would mean a wetter northern Australia. It could also bring more rainfall to other Australian regions, and neighbouring countries. At this stage, it’s too uncertain to predict what an intensifying monsoon would do to the southern parts of Australia.

    We might already be seeing this shift. Weather records since the 1960s show northern Australia getting steadily wetter, and less rain in Australia’s southeast and southwest.

    Trends in total annual rainfall in Australia from 1960 to 2020.
    Commonwealth of Australia Bureau of Meteorology, CC BY

    What would this mean for people? Australia’s tropical north is not densely populated, which would reduce the human impact of an intensifying monsoon.

    But while our research suggests the Indo-Australian monsoon strengthens during Heinrich events, earlier research has shown the East Asian and other Northern Hemisphere monsoons will weaken. Without reliable monsoonal rains, food and water supplies for billions of people could be at risk.

    Corey J. A. Bradshaw receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Cassandra Rowe receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Michael Bird receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    ref. Melting ice will strengthen the monsoon in northern Australia – but cause drier conditions north of the Equator – https://theconversation.com/melting-ice-will-strengthen-the-monsoon-in-northern-australia-but-cause-drier-conditions-north-of-the-equator-259992

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Environment – EPA bans crop insecticide after reassessment

    Source: Environmental Protection Authority

    The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is banning a crop insecticide, chlorpyrifos, after reassessing the chemical.
    The ban will come into effect progressively during an 18-month phase-out period.
    Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide used to control pests in pasture and grain crops such as wheat and for biosecurity treatment of pests.
    The chemical is banned in the European Union and Canada, and its use is heavily restricted in Australia. It is in the process of being phased out internationally via the Stockholm Convention, of which New Zealand is a signatory.
    As part of the reassessment, the EPA considered new information, called for submissions, and held a public hearing. A decision-making committee found that risks to people and the environment of using the insecticide outweighed the benefits.
    “Operators spraying the insecticide and bystanders are most at risk from immediate and long-term health issues,” says Dr Shaun Presow, Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager. “New evidence shows that even full personal and respiratory protective equipment don’t fully mitigate the health risks.
    “The health risks for children exposed to chlorpyrifos in particular are concerning, which is why we have put in place an immediate ban on using the chemical in public places,” says Dr Presow.
    “Chlorpyrifos also has harmful effects on plants and animals on land and in waterways.”
    An EPA decision-making committee set an extended phase-out period for the use of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-containing substances to allow users to transition to alternative products.
    “We acknowledge the concerns of some farmers who will need to find alternatives to chlorpyrifos products to control New Zealand grass grub,” says Dr Presow. “This is why we have approved and extended the 18-month phase-out period for farmers to find other ways to manage native grass grub.
    “We are equally mindful of the risks to human health and the environment, and that the phasing out of chlorpyrifos is supported by some industry groups. Furthermore, our international trade partners are already imposing restrictions on the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops.”
    From 10 July 2025 the use of chlorpyrifos will be phased out:
    – over 18 months for those using the active ingredient to control grass grub
    – over six months for all other industries
    – immediately in public places.
    Notes:
    – Chlorpyrifos is used only by professional users.
    – Pronunciation guide for “chlorpyrifos”: clore-pir-ee-fos 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Announces Staff Additions, Trump Admin Appointments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) announced 6 additions to his staff in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. Hagerty’s team continues to be fully operational and serving the great state of Tennessee.
    Brian McCormack will soon assume the role of Chief of Staff. McCormack is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for the National Security Council at the White House. Previously, he served at the White House Office of Management and Budget responsible for nearly a dozen agencies and as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Energy. The current Chief of Staff, Adam Telle, was nominated in March by President Trump to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works where he will oversee the Corps of Engineers.
    “I’m glad to have someone of Brian’s caliber and experience to lead this exceptional team. He brings a set of highly-relevant perspectives to the role where the paramount focus is to serve the people of Tennessee and the interests of our nation,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “Brian’s background and relationships within the Trump Administration will support my objective of making the federal government work for the American people.”
    “I’m thankful for the many years of service Adam has put in leading our team from day one in the Senate, which has helped me build a strong foundation for success here in the U.S. Senate going forward,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “I’m so proud of the opportunity he’s been given to once again serve as an outstanding member of President Trump’s administration, and his management of the Corps of Engineers will bring the responses we’ve seen in my Senate office to bear on an organization central to Tennessee and our nation.”
    Robert Donachie is now serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. Donachie served as Vice President of a Washington, DC-based public relations and literary agency. He spent several years working in the House of Representatives. He also served as the White House correspondent for The Washington Examiner and as a political reporter for The Daily Caller. Donachie has appeared on Fox News Channel, nationally syndicated radio programs, and provided commentary for The New York Times, POLITICO, Newsweek, The Hill, and other outlets.
    Tiffany Delgado recently joined as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, replacing Jim Durrett.  Delgado served as Senior Vice President of a Washington, DC-based marketing agency specializing in custom targeted voter contact, fundraising and issue advocacy programs, where she was recognized with the Rising Star Award from Campaigns and Elections.  Previously she worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee as the Director of Direct Response.  Tiffany holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and is currently pursuing her MBA from Georgetown University.
    Michael Sullivan will become Senior Advisor to Senator Hagerty, where he will continue to be involved in state operations while also providing strategic advice on the Senator’s larger operation, leveraging Sullivan’s experience to benefit Hagerty’s broader mandate.
    Alec Richardson will become the State Director for Senator Hagerty. Currently, he serves as Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Lee and Director of External Affairs at the State of Tennessee. In this role, Richardson is responsible for overseeing strategic operations, managing federal relations, and advising on key legislative issues. He formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Personal Aide to the Governor. He resides in Nashville with his wife and their one-year-old son.
    Kalleigh Ahern is now serving as Press & Digital Assistant in the office of U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. Prior to joining the Senate, she worked as a Public Relations and Communications Intern at a national PR agency, where she contributed to strategic campaign planning, media monitoring and cross-sector client research. Ahern also gained firsthand experience in federal outreach and constituent services while working in her home congressional district in Tennessee. She graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama with a focus in public relations and political science.
    Serving in the Trump Administration
    Adam Telle has been advanced out of the Armed Services Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Telle has served as Hagerty’s Chief of Staff over the last four years and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Telle served during the first Trump Administration as the White House’s Senate lead in its Office of Legislative Affairs.  Prior to that role, Telle served as the top staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security and as the top policy advisor to the late Senator Thad Cochran. Telle holds degrees in computer science and journalism from Mississippi State University.
    Jim Durrett is now the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Operations for Senator Hagerty. Durrett is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee.
    Luke Pettit has been advanced out of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. Pettit has served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Previously, he worked at the Senate Banking Committee, Bridgewater Associates, and the Federal Reserve. Luke holds a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania, and graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and Johns Hopkins University.
    Jonathan Greenstein is nominated to be Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Finance. Previously, he served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor. Greenstein is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale Law School.
    Daniel Zimmerman has been confirmed to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Zimmerman previously served in a Congressional Executive Fellowship in the office of Senator Hagerty. He previously has held many roles in the agency realm, and holds both a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a master’s degree from the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky.
    Julia Hahn is serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department for the Office of Public Affairs. Hahn joins the Department after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for Senator Hagerty. Prior to the Senate, Hahn served in the first Trump White House over all four years, most recently as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Communications Director. Before that, she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Rapid Response and Surrogate Operations. Hahn has also worked in media as the Executive Producer of The Laura Ingraham Show and a reporter at Breitbart News. She also worked on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary to former Congressman Dave Brat. Hahn graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Philosophy.
    Clark Milner is serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Policy, focusing primarily on domestic policy. Milner formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Chief Counsel to Senator Bill Hagerty. Milner previously served as Deputy Counsel to Governor Bill Lee.
    Natalie McIntyre currently serves as a Special Assistant to the President for the Office of Legislative Affairs where she handles the Healthcare, Education, Labor, Banking, and Agriculture portfolio. Previously, she was Senator Hagerty’s Legislative Director overseeing the legislative team and managing the Health, Education, Labor, Pension, and Veterans portfolio. Prior to her role in Hagerty’s office, she was part of the legislative office at OMB where she managed the Senate offices. She also served as a Senior Policy Advisor and White House liaison at ONDCP.
    Jason Hoffman is currently the Executive Secretary at the White House Office of Management and Budget. Hoffman formerly served as a Policy Advisor for Senator Hagerty, focusing on homeland security and judiciary issues. Previously, he worked at the Office of Management and Budget during President Trump’s first term and as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.Nels Nordquist is serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Nordquist was Senior Fellow for Economic Policy in the office of Senator Hagerty. In addition, his prior service includes as Staff Director for the National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. From 2018-2021, Nordquist worked in the National Security Council and National Economic Council, first as Director for Trade & Investment and later as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Policy. Nordquist graduated from Stanford and earned an MBA from the University of Virginia.
    Joel Rayburn is the Trump Administration’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He is a historian, former diplomat, and retired military officer who previously served as special advisor for Middle East affairs in the office of Senator Hagerty. Rayburn is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. In the first Trump Administration, he served as a senior director on the National Security Council staff and, from July 2018 to January 2021, as the U.S. special envoy for Syria. Before joining the State Department, Rayburn served 26 years as a US Army officer and co-authored the Army’s official history of the Iraq War. He holds an MA in history from Texas A&M University and an MS in strategic studies from the National War College.
    Kevin Kim serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He previously worked as a National Security Fellow for Senator Hagerty. Kim was also the Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea as part of the U.S. delegation to the 2020 U.S.-Russia arms control negotiations.  From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Special Representative for North Korea and the Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and worked closely with then-U.S. Ambassador to Japan Hagerty as he participated in various rounds of U.S.-DPRK nuclear negotiations. Kim received a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
    Daniel Tirosh now serves on the National Security Council. Tirosh previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Counsel for Senator Hagerty. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Cruz, and graduated from Stanford Law School.
    Walton Stivender Mears has taken on a new role as scheduler for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Mears joined HUD earlier this year after serving as Director of Scheduling for Senator Hagerty. She previously handled scheduling and assisted the chief of staff for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and as a Staff Assistant for Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Mears is a graduate of Auburn University.
    J. Cal Mitchell is serving as Special Advisor for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury. He joins the Treasury Department after serving as Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. Mitchell is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College.
    Nick Checker, a former national security fellow for Senator Hagerty, currently serves as Deputy Executive Secretary on the National Security Council. In that role, Checker provides senior-level review of NSC products for substance, policy relevance, and appropriateness for the President and senior White House officials. Checker has spent the last decade prior to his service on Senator Hagerty’s staff at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a military analyst covering conflicts in the greater Middle East. Most recently, Checker worked in CIA’s office of Congressional Affairs, where he supported the confirmation process for Director John Ratcliffe. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.
    Nicholas Elliot is the Confidential Assistant and Policy Advisor to the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets. Previously, Elliot worked on Senator Hagerty’s 2020 campaign team and spent nearly four years working for Senator Hagerty on the Senator’s financial services and banking portfolio, where he advanced the Senator’s work on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Elliot is a graduate of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business where he received a BS in Business Administration with a major in Finance and a minor in Mandarin.
    Taylor Asher serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Chairman Paul Atkins. From April 2023 to January 2025, Asher served as Policy Advisor and Confidential Assistant to Commissioner Uyeda. Prior to his time at the SEC, Asher was Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. His tenure in public service began with Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Office, where he served as Staff Assistant and Intern Manager. Asher is currently pursuing a Master of Economics at George Mason University. He holds a Master of Finance with an Energy Specialization as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. He is originally from Nashville, Tennessee.
    Cole Bornefeld will be serving as Director of Correspondence for the Office of the Vice President. He previously served as a Legislative Aide to Hagerty, assisting in the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Rules portfolio. Bornefeld previously served as a Legislative Correspondent, Staff Assistant, and Intern in Senator Hagerty’s office. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City calls for groups to be part of 2025 Seniors Festival

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo wants to hear from local community groups and organisations interested in holding a free or low-cost event or activity as part of this year’s Greater Bendigo Seniors Festival set to take place from October 5 to October 12, 2025.

    This year’s festival will celebrate with the theme Connect Create Celebrate!

    City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Healthy Communities and Environments Andie West said the City is calling on local community groups and organisations to hold an event or activity during this year’s festival, to showcase their group, provide entertainment, activities and a chance for older adults to connect with others.

    “We are looking for groups to hold activities and events that older people will enjoy such as, craft and gardening activities, tours, morning teas, entertainment, information sessions, learning opportunities, come and try days or exercise programs and events that promote positive ageing,” Ms West said.

    “The annual Seniors Festival recognises and celebrates the valuable contribution of older adults to our community and encourages them to discover new activities and interests in our community.

    “It’s a great way for groups and organisations to connect with older adults who make up a large part of our population.

    “If you think your group or organisation can host a great event for older adults in the spirit of the festival then we want to hear from you.

    “We have limited space in the printed program but would love to include as many events as possible that meet the broad needs of the community.

    “Community events and activities registered by Wednesday August 6, 2025, where possible, will be listed and promoted in the printed and online festival program.

    “Groups and organisations are also encouraged to promote events through their own networks and on the Connect Greater Bendigo events calendar.”

    MIL OSI News