In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003[1], targets for the reduction of Salmonella in certain poultry populations have been adopted.
The regulation also lays down trade restrictions in case certain serotypes on Salmonella are present in such populations. To achieve these targets and avoid trade restrictions, Member States have established national control programmes which must include hygiene management at farms, and measures to prevent incoming infections, for instance of people or animals entering the farm.
The regulation’s objective is, thus, to set targets while providing flexibility on how these targets should be achieved by establishing national control programmes, adapted to the situation in each Member State.
Hygiene locks can be part of a national control programme and may represent a key element of such programme to prevent incoming infections.
In line with the regulation, it is up to the Member States to decide if hygiene locks apply to mobile poultry coops, taking into account that reduction targets must be complied with.
Affordable technical solutions for installing hygiene locks have been described in the ‘Guide to Good Hygiene Practices in flocks of broilers’ and the ‘Community Guide for Good Hygiene Practices in pullet rearing and egg laying hens’ developed by European stakeholder organisations, endorsed by the Commission and published on its website[2].
[1] Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents (OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p.1).
In line with Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[1], Member States can take measures that could deviate from EU secondary law.
However, this must be in exceptional and well-defined cases, under stringent conditions controlled by the Court of Justice of the European Union[2]. Such measures must be temporary, necessary and proportionate, limited to what is strictly necessary.
Article 6(3) of the Return Directive[3] allows Member States to take back illegally staying third-country nationals in other Member States under bilateral agreements or arrangements existing on the date of entry into force of the Return Directive (also respecting when applicable the Dublin Regulation[4]).
The Commission’s proposal for a Return Regulation adopted on 11 March 2025[5] includes allowing Member States to conclude new bilateral agreements or arrangements, or to establish bilateral cooperation between Member States to take back illegally staying third-country nationals crossing internal borders without authorisation.
[2] See inter alia judgment of 2 April 2020, European Commission v Republic of Poland, European Commission v Hungary and European Commission v Czech Republic, Joined Cases C-715/17, C-718/17 and C-719/17 EU:C:2020:257; judgment of 17 December 2020, Commission v Hungary, Case C-808/18, EU:C:2020:1029; judgment of 30 June 2022, M.A. v Valstybės sienos apsaugos tarnyba, C-72/22, EU:C:2022:505.
[3] Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals, OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 98-107.
[4] Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person, OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 31-59 .
A key pillar of the REPowerEU plan, setting out the EU’s path to phasing out Russian energy imports, entails the EU diversifying gas imports from global partners, including the United States (US).
The EU and its Member States have made great progress in recent years in terms of gas supply diversification and will continue to strive for a gas supply as diversified as possible, working with partners like Norway, the US, Mediterranean countries and other gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) suppliers worldwide, while accelerating its clean energy transition and stepping up work on affordability and sustainability.
Diversifying energy supplies also entails accelerating deployment of home-grown renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency, which improves the resilience and increase EU’s energy independence while advancing our climate objectives.
The Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Markets Package stipulates that contracts for unabated fossil gas cannot run beyond 31 December 2049[1].
Domestic energy production reduces dependence on external suppliers and reduces the exposure of the EU to external geopolitical instability. Therefore, domestic energy reinforces the security of energy supply of the EU.
Moreover, it is for Member States to decide their supply mix and the energy sources they want to develop, while complying with climate objectives.
Fossil fuel extraction is not eligible for EU financial support. Natural gas infrastructure other than those under Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869 are not eligible for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility.
[1] Article 31(3) of Directive (EU) 2024/1788 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen.
The EU and China held the 39th session of their Human Rights Dialogue in Chongqing, China on 16 June 2024. The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights was informed (in camera) about the discussions held during the Dialogue on 4 December 2024.
The Dialogue was preceded by a side visit to Tibet that was organised by the Chinese authorities. During the side visit and in the Dialogue itself, visiting diplomats of the European External Action Service had access to experts on Tibetan issues and specifically inquired about the whereabouts and wellbeing of the 11th Panchen Lama.
The official reply received was that he ‘currently conducts a normal life and does not wish to be contacted’. It was also stressed by the Chinese side that the identification of the 11th Panchen Lama was done without the approval of China’s central government and that as such, it was considered illegal.
The 30th anniversary of the Panchen Lama’s enforced disappearance will be certainly raised during the next 40th iteration of the Human Rights Dialogue, as will the ongoing suppression of religious freedoms in Tibet.
The EU will continue to speak out against human rights violations occurring across China, including in Tibet in multilateral fora (e.g. the Human Rights Council) and will continue to convey its concerns to the Chinese leadership including at the highest political level during EU-China summits.
The EU will also continue to reiterate the rights of individuals or religious communities to conduct their basic affairs and freely choose their religious leaders without government interference — whether in Tibet, or elsewhere in the world.
The Commission is pursuing consultations with Ukraine to review the reciprocal tariff liberalisation under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement[1] in accordance with Article 29 of that Agreement.
This review will lead to a well-balanced solution that will allow for reciprocal trade between the EU and Ukraine in agricultural goods, while at the same time protecting EU farmers and addressing interests flagged by some Member States and Members of the European Parliament.
Furthermore, the Commission is proposing that the negotiated solution would also include a safeguard clause that would be triggered to prevent any adverse impacts of trade flows on the EU market, including one Member State.
The Commission is working in view of having an outcome in place in time to provide a smooth transition after the expiry of the autonomous trade measures (ATMs) Regulation[2]. If this is not achievable the above-mentioned Association Agreement will provide a bridging solution.
The Commission does not intend to propose the prolongation of the current ATMs Regulation.
The EU and South Africa (SA) have a Strategic Partnership based firmly on democratic values and human rights, as exemplified by the recent EU-SA Summit, which resulted inter alia in the announcement of the Global Gateway Investment Package with SA to which the Honourable Members refer. In the context of this partnership, the EU and SA are engaged in a regular human rights dialogue.
The Commission follows the programming procedures that are outlined in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) — Global Europe Regulation (Articles 13 and 14)[1]. These programming procedures are designed to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of EU external action, ensuring that funding is strategically allocated to support sustainable development and address global challenges.
Applying a human rights-based approach to all interventions is an obligation enshrined in the NDICI — Global Europe Regulation (Article 8). With Global Gateway, the EU aims to embed democratic principles, good governance and transparency in all investments. The EU assesses in each country whether the required pre-conditions for investments exist, including regarding human rights.
The new Financial Regulation[2] requires that the EU budget be implemented in full respect of EU values, including human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and the rights of minorities.
Priority question for written answer P-002042/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Anna Maria Cisint (PfE)
On 21 May, Le Figaro published a report on a study commissioned by three French Government ministries which highlights a terrifying truth that can no longer be ignored: radical Islam is spreading like wildfire throughout Europe, the result of an elaborate, predetermined plan which makes use of religious dissimulation, one of the main tenets of Islamic fundamentalism.
Widely adopted (including by the EU) and favoured by a number of parties, open-door policies have failed miserably, and do not comprehend that we have values and roots which we must defend, and that fundamentalist conspiracies of any kind cannot be allowed to supplant them. This is the biggest challenge of the future, one that institutions must take seriously, especially at the EU level.
We must put a stop to the widespread dissemination of a worldview that is based on principles that are diametrically opposed to western law and values. Organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood preach violence and anti-Semitism, indoctrinate children and are potentially being funded by terrorist organisations: they are the internal enemy that we must fight if our centuries-old culture is to survive.
In the light of the above:
1.Was the Commission aware of the French Government report’s findings? What measures will the Commission implement to tackle the spread of radical Islam?
2.Will the Commission, as a precautionary measure, suspend all forms of funding for initiatives aimed at spreading the Islamic faith?
Mr. Philippe Chantraine, Head of Unit for Transport Investment at DG MOVE’s Directorate B, will present the upcoming CEF implementation report. In line with the CEF regulation, this report — the first to cover the 2021-2024 period — provides the Commission’s regular update on the facility’s implementation and sectoral advancements.
The presentation will specifically address the CEF Transport component, explaining its role in building a more connected, sustainable, and resilient European transport network.
The exchange of views will take place on Tuesday 3 June 2025 and it will be webstreamed.
A Hungarian platform on European identity, a Czech project encouraging young people’s vote and a German legal support for discriminated people were recognised in 2025.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen awarded the 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize in a ceremony in Aachen.
First prize – “Forum Europaeum”, Hungary
The first prize (€7500) went to Forum Europaeum, a pan-European think tank and media outlet which promotes European identity, values, and unity through articles, podcasts, TikTok videos, and interviews. The project’s goal is to explore European identity and societal challenges, through creating spaces for constructive debates on topics relevant to young people.
Second prize – “Thanks That We Can Vote”, Czech Republic
The second prize (€5000) was awarded to the Díky, že můžem volit (Thanks That We Can Vote) initiative. Launched to address the low electoral participation of young people in the Czech Republic, it targeted 18-29-old voters during the 2024 European Elections. The project sought to combat apathy, perceived political inefficacy, and fragmented engagement efforts through education, collaboration, and innovative outreach efforts.
Third prize – Feminist Law Clinic, Germany
The Feminist Law Clinic, a project providing free legal support, won the third prize (€2500). It deals helps those most affected by gender-based discrimination sexualised violence, and legal uncertainty—particularly women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, agender, and queer individuals.
Background
The European Charlemagne Youth Prize, jointly awarded by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, is open to initiatives by young people aged 16-30 involved in projects that strengthen democracy and support active participation. Since 2008, 6,500 projects have competed for the prize.
Every year, national and European juries select a project from each EU member state. 27 national winners were invited to the award ceremony in Aachen on 27 May 2025, where the three overall EU winners were announced.
Question for written answer E-001963/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Paolo Borchia (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Aldo Patriciello (PfE), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE)
Italy has been dogged in recent months by a state of affairs causing discomfort to millions of citizens: ceaseless calls from robots and call centres. This continues to happen despite the fact that many Italian citizens are on the ‘do not call’ register, with an average of two calls per day from call centres[1].
The problem in this case is that the register is ineffective because the calls come from jurisdictions outside Italian law.
At European level, this issue could have been regulated in the reform of the ePrivacy Directive, which, in Article 16, governs ‘unsolicited marketing’. Although published in 2017 it has yet to see the light of day.
Can the Commission therefore say:
1.Whether it is aware of the spread of this phenomenon in Italy?
2.Whether it considers these practices to be compatible with the European legal framework on privacy and direct marketing?
3.Given the deadlock on the proposed ePrivacy Directive, what measures, legislative or otherwise, does it intend to take to protect European consumers from such aggressive forms of marketing?
1. It is the responsibility of the Member States to ensure that payments are disbursed to the beneficiaries in full and within the payment deadlines as laid down by Union law[1]. Member States must ensure that the area and animal-based payments are made between 1 December and 30 June of the calendar year following the applications, after sufficient checks have been carried out by the national authorities. Payments outside the deadlines lead to proportionate reductions from EU financing of up to 100%.
2. Member States are bound by the obligation to protect the financial interests of the Union and, in particular, to ensure effective prevention against fraud. The Commission performs systems audits to obtain assurance on the proper functioning of the governance systems. In order to enhance transparency, Member States have the obligation to publish the beneficiaries on their national websites.
3. The Greek paying agency (OPEKEPE) must maintain an administrative organisation and a governance system which comply with the accreditation criteria[2]. The Ministry of Rural Development and Food (MRDF) is responsible for ensuring OPEKEPE’s compliance with the accreditation criteria. On 10 September 2024, the MRDF placed OPEKEPE’s accreditation on probation for a period of 12 months and initiated an action plan to address the deficiencies identified relating to the compliance with accreditation criteria. The Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development is closely monitoring the implementation of this action plan.
[1] Article 38, Article 44 and Article 59 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 — http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2116/oj.
[2] Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2022/127 — http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2022/127/oj.
The Commission is monitoring labour market trends in Member States, including by using survey data[1]. It also monitors collective redundancies and other large-scale restructuring events, using Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)[2].
At the same time, as highlighted in the communication on a Clean Industrial Deal[3], the Commission believes in the importance of anticipating change and fostering swift interventions when there is a threat of restructuring.
To this end, the Commission will, among other things, establish a European Fair Transition Observatory to improve data collection and forecasting of employment trends at sectoral and regional levels.
One of the main objectives of Directive (EU) 2022/2041[4] is to promote collective bargaining on wage-setting, recognising that well-functioning collective bargaining is essential for achieving adequate minimum wage protection.
The directive obliges Member States with a collective bargaining coverage rate below 80%, such as Poland, to establish an action plan to gradually increase this rate[5].
The action plans are expected to be submitted to the Commission by the concerned Member States by the end of 2025. However, the directive does not regulate the enforcement of collective agreements in matters not related to minimum wage protection, such as collective redundancies.
To date, Poland has not formally applied to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund ( EGF). T he Commission recently proposed an amendment to the EGF Regulation[6], broadening the support to workers at the risk of imminent job loss due to restructuring.
[1] For instance, the Barometer of Professions in Poland.
The Commission is pursuing consultations with Ukraine to review the reciprocal tariff liberalisation under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement[1] in accordance with Article 29 of that Agreement.
This review will lead to a well-balanced solution that will allow for reciprocal trade between the EU and Ukraine in agricultural goods, while at the same time protecting EU farmers and addressing interests flagged by some Member States and Members of the European Parliament.
Furthermore, the Commission is proposing that the negotiated solution would also include a safeguard clause that would be triggered to prevent any adverse impacts of trade flows on the EU market, including one Member State.
The Commission is working in view of having an outcome in place in time to provide a smooth transition after the expiry of the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) Regulation[2]. If this is not achievable, the above-mentioned Association Agreement will provide a bridging solution.
The Commission does not intend to propose the prolongation of the current ATMs Regulation.
1. The Commission is currently not considering a revision of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund[1] (EMFAF). The EMFAF can already support the development and testing of new and innovative solutions for the fleet[2], as well as certain investments to modernise the fleet[3]. Investments in the fleet are subject to strict conditionality, to ensure that there are no resulting harmful subsidies. Given its small budget, the EMFAF can achieve better collective benefits by incentivising, facilitating testing and development, and bringing technology to market, rather than investing in the renewal of a small number of privately owned vessels.
2. The Marine Action Plan[4] promotes sustainable fishing practices with less environmental impact, in accordance with current legislation[5] and policy objectives. It is a component of the European Green Deal and focuses on the implementation of existing legislation[6].
3. The Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation[7] establishes a coordinated EU-wide framework for action to address the adverse impacts of IAS. The marine dimension of IAS can be complemented with more specific EU laws[8]. In the Mediterranean, the EU works closely with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), developing pilot projects and research programmes to address IAS. The GFCM is setting-up a non-indigenous species (NIS) observatory, aimed at data collection and information sharing. Member States can use their EMFAF programme to support monitoring, mitigation and surveillance of NIS.
[1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004.
[3] Improving gear selectivity, safety on board, energy efficiency.
[4] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ‘EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries’, COM(2023) 102 final.
[5] Such as Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869; and Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy.
[6] In this respect, work is expected to continue on implementing the marine action plan.
[7] Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35-55.
[8] Such as the regulation (EC) No 708/2007 of 11 June 2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture; or the directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive).
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Deputy Secretary-General is travelling to Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, later today to take part in the International Conference for Glaciers’ Preservation on behalf of the Secretary-General. At the conference, Ms. Mohammed will emphasize the need to accelerate climate action to achieve the 1.5 degree target, in order to reduce the negative impact of melting glaciers on people and planet. During the trip, the Deputy Secretary-General will also meet with senior government officials to strengthen the UN-Tajikistan partnership, youth and women’s groups and other constituencies to discuss priority action to support SDG acceleration.
On 31 May, she will travel to Marrakech, Morocco, to attend the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend where she will deliver a keynote address at the Opening Ceremony and meet with senior government officials and other stakeholders.
The Deputy Secretary-General will then travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to deliver opening remarks at the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025. The platform is a critical mechanism, held every two years, to identify ways to further accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. She will also meet with senior government officials of Switzerland and heads of delegation at the Global Platform.
The Deputy Secretary-General will return to New York on 4 June.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in Gaza. We have been watching the video coming out of Gaza around one of the distribution points set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and frankly these video images are heartbreaking to say the least. As the Secretary-General noted last week, we and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally sound plan – supported by Member States – to get aid to a desperate population. We continue to stress that a meaningful scale-up of humanitarian operations is essential to stave off famine and meet the needs of all civilians, wherever they are.
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that continued bombardment and shelling across the Strip has had horrific impacts on civilians. Today, the Ministry of Health reported dozens of people killed and over 150 injured in the past 24 hours.
On Sunday night, a school sheltering displaced people in Ad Daraj, in eastern Gaza city, was hit, with the attack igniting a fire and reportedly killing 36 people, including women and children. Many of the bodies were reportedly severely burned.
Amid ongoing hostilities, thousands of people continue to be displaced. Yesterday, another Israeli displacement order was issued, covering about 155 square kilometres in Rafah, Khan Younis and central Gaza and affecting more than 60 neighbourhoods.
This represents over 40 per cent of the Gaza Strip, which overlaps with previous displacement orders.
In North Gaza, our partners tell us that sites for internally- displaced people in Beit Hanoun, Izbat Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, are nearly empty, in the wake of Israeli displacement orders issued for these areas.
In Khan Younis, displaced people continue to live in the open, where they are exposed to the heat and elements. Many are physically exhausted and frail after having walked long distances on damaged roads with no food to sustain them.
Since the renewed escalation of hostilities in March, our partners estimate more than 632,000 people have been forced to flee yet again. They are left to survive on very small areas of the territory, with barely anything to survive on.
OCHA underscores that civilians must be protected, including those fleeing and forced to leave through displacement orders and those who remain despite those orders. Civilians who flee must be allowed to return as soon as circumstances allow. OCHA reiterates that civilians must be able to receive the humanitarian assistance they need, wherever they are. All of this is required by international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, our partners working in health report that there are even fewer health facilities operating this week. Since last Monday, more than two dozen health centres and mobile clinics and one hospital have suspended their services because of hostilities, attacks or displacement orders in their areas.
On the water and sanitation front, some 200 thousand litres of fuel are needed per week across Gaza to sustain those critical facilities. However, the situation in the south of Gaza is particularly concerning, as no fuel is currently available there, and only one third of the required supply was received last week. (…)
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=27%20May%202025
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Watch this Los Angeles footage of ICE agents and officers preparing for a multiagency operation May 20.
In all, we arrested 13 alleged Armenian crime syndicate associates in California and Florida. Charges included kidnapping, attempted murder, firearms offenses and more.
The operation involved 40 federal search warrants and together, we seized: 3 armored vehicles $100K in cash 14 firearms
Many of the illegal aliens arrested had previous felony convictions constituting crimes of moral turpitude — making them removable.
Follow our page to learn more about this investigation & these arrests as the information becomes available to the public.
Multi-hazard events compound and even increase losses beyond the sum of their parts. Analysis of the last century of data recorded in the Emergence Events Database (EM-DAT) maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium shows that while only around 19% of disasters are classified as multi-hazard, these events account for almost 59% of the total economic losses.
Multi-hazard events can also result in compounded costs, eroding coping capacity as affected households contend with multiple threats simultaneously. Understanding multi-hazard risk and building this analysis into cost-benefit analysis can improve the effectiveness of preparedness actions and infrastructure investments. Multi-hazard integrated investments in reducing disaster risk can have cascading benefits on SDG achievement globally from enhancing food security, to improving air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Between 2000 to 2023, five hazards triggered 90 per cent of disaster deaths: earthquakes (50%), extreme heat (18%), storms (14%), floods (8%), and droughts (2%). Reducing the risk to these disasters can act as a powerful lever to accelerate sustainable development.
Annual average losses
Overall, the annual average loss for critical infrastructure sectors due to these three hazards globally is USD 257.2 billion.
There are significant regional differences in losses however, with USD 2.3 billion of losses in Africa, USD 103.7 billion in the Americas, USD 126.9 billion in Asia, USD 56.7 billion in Europe and USD 5.9 billion in Oceania. Lower USD losses in Africa do not necessarily mean less of an impact on GDP or sustainable development.
Taking a multi-hazard approach is important for investment as it helps give a more comprehensive picture of how to better reduce the risk of recurrent disasters. For example, in 2023, North America had by far the greatest economic exposure to disasters overall, with USD 69.57 billion in direct losses. These nevertheless represent a relatively modest share (0.23%) of subregional GDP. Micronesia, on the other hand, incurred only a fraction of these net losses – USD 4.3 billion – but with a far greater relative impact (46.1%) on its subregional GDP.
The impact of a disaster on a country’s economy also depends on its policies, investments and development levels. Disaster-related losses can fluctuate significantly from year to year, depending on conditions. In the case of North America, for instance, while the annual cost of disasters as a proportion of GDP was 0.23% in 2023, in 2005 the proportion was almost seven times higher at 1.74% as storms like Hurricane Katrina exposed vulnerable cities like New Orleans to significant losses that year. However, because many of these losses were covered by insurance, the risk was shared across the public and private sectors.
In contrast, in small island developing states such as Micronesia, where the cost of disasters as a share of national GDP was 0.03% in 2006 and a massive 46% in 2023, risk transfer mechanisms that can share losses across the public and private sector were much less prevalent. As a result, the national economy was much more acutely affected.
For more information see the GAR 2025 chapter 2, 4 and 5.
The global cost of disasters is growing but, just as the costs of disasters have been under-estimated, so have the benefits of investing now to reduce disaster risk.
Drawing on dozens of positive examples from around the globe, the below case studies are selected from the full GAR report and show how effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) investment can accelerate both sustainable development and economic stability at a time when catastrophic risk is increasing globally.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.
Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
GENEVA – Disasters are increasingly expensive and their impacts under-estimated. The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) 2025, highlights how direct disaster costs have grown to approximately $202 billion annually, but that the true costs of disasters is over $2.3 trillion when cascading and ecosystem costs are taken into account. The burden of this cost- and the debt it creates- disproportionately fall on developing countries, but it doesn’t need to be this way.
Published by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the GAR 2025 report titled “Resilience Pays: Financing and Investing for our Future,” outlines how aligning investments with risk realities can break spirals of debt, uninsurability, and increasing humanitarian needs.
“This year’s Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction examines the risks posed by disasters from now to 2050 and presents an indisputable case for action. It shows the eye-watering losses inflicted by disasters today, which hit vulnerable people the hardest. And it demonstrates that, on our current trajectory, costs will continue to mount as the climate crisis worsens. But it also illustrates that, by boosting and sustaining investment in disaster risk reduction and prevention, we can slow that trend and reap economic benefits – saving lives and livelihoods while driving growth and prosperity, to help reach our Sustainable Development Goals,” wrote António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, in his foreword welcoming the report.
The report outlines how the effects of increasing disaster costs are already being felt around the globe, from the emergence of areas deemed too risky for insurance companies to cover, to growing national debts, and recurring humanitarian crises.
However, it also presents case studies and policy recommendations for how investments in resilience can help stop the growing economic cost of disasters, reduce humanitarian needs, and make scarce international assistance resources even more effective.
“Systematic and greater investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience can not only arrest these trends but also reverse them. When riverbank communities have access to scientific tools for planning their land use, when they have resources for building flood protection systems, and when they have early warning systems, they not only reduce damages and losses from floods, but also create conditions for prosperity and sustainable growth in their communities,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of UNDRR.
The findings of GAR 2025 are especially relevant ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, and speak to specific options for enhancing multilateral finance to better protect smaller developing economies. The report also shows how the private sector can play a key role in reducing the economic damage of disasters and in filling the protection gap that leaves many countries in a worsening spiral of repeated disasters.
Increasing the quantity and quality of disaster risk reduction investments, in everything from early warning systems to critical infrastructure and schools, will be a focus of many of the discussions at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which UNDRR is convening from 2 to 6 June, and is hosted by the Government of Switzerland in Geneva.
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) traveled to Ottawa, Canada late last week to meet with Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, the Business Council of Canada, and other leading Canadian companies and business groups. The Senators underscored bipartisan support for a U.S.-Canada partnership and reiterated their commitment to a strong trading relationship between the United States and Canada. The U.S. policymakers released the following joint statement at the conclusion of their visit to Ottawa:
“We were glad to participate in a bipartisan delegation to Canada and meet with Prime Minister Carney, members of his new cabinet and Canadian business leaders. Our engagements in Ottawa served as an important reminder of the deep economic, security and cultural ties that bind our two nations. We held open and honest discussions on issues ranging from tariffs and trade to increasing defense spending and strengthening military cooperation through NATO, as well as continuing support for Ukraine. These conversations are emblematic of the historically constructive relationship the United States has had, and must continue to have, with our northern neighbor. The U.S.-Canada relationship has made us all safer and more prosperous, protecting our continent from foreign threats and transforming North America into a hub of global trade, innovation and investment. The trip has reaffirmed our joint desire to move past current tensions in the bilateral relationship and lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership moving forward,” said Shaheen, Welch, Cramer, Klobuchar, and Kaine.
View photos below:
Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Photo Credit: The Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, Lars Hagberg
On Wednesday, Senator Welch will convene Vermont businesses and manufacturers at the Orvis Rod Shop & Factory in Manchester to discuss President Trump’s tariffs and trade war. Senator Welch has hosted roundtables in Stowe, Newport, St. Albans, and virtually to hear concerns and first-hand stories from Vermont and Canadian leaders impacted by the trade war.
LOGISTICS: Who: Senator Peter Welch; Vermont businesses and manufacturers Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM Location: Orvis Rod Shop & Factory: 4182 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254 (parking in back of lot) Media Note: Press should RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Senators Reverend Warnock and Cassidy are co-chairs of National Seersucker Day
Senator Warnock became a co-chair last year following the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein, who had been a co-chair with Cassidy since 2014
Senator Reverend Warnock: “Seersucker is more than just a fabric, it is a material deeply woven into Southern culture”
Senator Cassidy: “Seersucker Day honors the New Orleans invention that’s made America fashionable—and the summer heat bearable—since 1909”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced a resolution marking Thursday, June 12th as National Seersucker Day. This marks the 12th year that Cassidy has led National Seersucker Day since he revived the tradition in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
“I’m excited to return as the co-chair for the annual Seersucker Day in our nation’s capital and continue celebrating this iconic Senate tradition,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Seersucker is more than just a fabric, it is a material deeply woven into Southern culture. National Seersucker Day is a proud bipartisan tradition, and I look forward to working alongside Senator Cassidy to carry it on.”
“Seersucker Day honors the New Orleans invention that’s made America fashionable—and the summer heat bearable—since 1909. For one day a year, the Capitol looks a little more like the French Quarter,” said Senator Cassidy. “We might not always agree on policy, but we can all agree: wool in June is a mistake.”
Seersucker suits were first popularized in the United States by a New Orleans businessman in the early 1900s. The material is a lighter, more breathable fabric that provides additional air flow in warmer weather compared to classic wool suits—historically making them ideal for wearing during Washington D.C.’s muggy summer months. Seersucker is typically made of cotton, which is one of Georgia’s most important agricultural crops, contributing roughly 53,000 cotton-related jobs throughout the state.
Senators Warnock and Cassidy invite Americans from all over our great nation to don their warm weather finest on this National Seersucker Day. All senators and participating Congressional staff are invited for an official photograph at the Ohio Clock in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The National Seersucker Day resolution text is HERE.
1 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –U.S. Army Spc. Austin Crider, a paratrooper assigned to 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, left, has his T-11 parachute inspected by 1st Lt. Corbin Hoppe, a jumpmaster assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in preparation for an airborne operation during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25), Ben Ghilouf Training Area, April 29, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mariah Y. Gonzalez) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Mariah Gonzalez) VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, leads Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, Ghana Armed Forces, and Hungarian Defence Forces Special Operations soldiers during a field training exercise at African Lion 2025 (AL25), Tifnit, Morocco, May 18, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (Photo altered for security purposes) (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Daniel Alejandro Luna) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Daniel Luna) VIEW ORIGINAL
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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)
AGADIR, Morocco–The 21st edition of African Lion concluded this week with over 10,000 multinational troops from more than 50 nations executing synchronized operations across four countries, marking the largest and most dynamic iteration in the exercise’s over-25-year history.
This year’s exercise featured first-time integration of defensive cyber operations and expanded chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) scenarios, along with rigorous multinational academic instruction. African Lion 25 validated the United States’ commitment to building enduring partnerships, enhancing joint and combined force readiness and strengthening regional security. The exercise included HIMARS fire missions, airborne operations, amphibious landings, maritime interdiction, and planning exercises with partners from Africa, Europe, and the U.S.
Setting the Theater, Building Trust
“African Lion 25 was a clear demonstration that a combined approach of joint and multinational capabilities enhanced the readiness and lethality of our warfighters,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).
“The integration of cutting-edge technologies alongside our partners and allies reinforced our commitment to remain ready to address the most complex strategic challenges.”
Medical Reach with Tactical Impact
Medical professionals treated more than 10,000 patients across Morocco, Ghana and Senegal as part of AL25’s humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) programs.
“This has been one of the most diverse and capable teams we’ve brought to African Lion,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Micah Smith, commander of 151st Medical Group, Utah Air National Guard and HCA commander. “With members from 37 different units and expertise spanning cardiology, dermatology, pulmonology and more, we’ve been able to provide care many here wouldn’t otherwise receive.”
“Working alongside about 180 Moroccan partners, we’ve operated 17 clinics and treated roughly 1,000 patients a day,” added Smith. “The Moroccan people have been incredibly gracious; it’s been an honor to be here with them.”
Logistics at Scale
Logistics efforts moved several thousand short tons of cargo across borders, validating the U.S. military’s ability to set the theater, sustain distributed operations, and integrate movement control teams across multiple entry points.
“The African Lion Exercise gives us the opportunity to put into practice the planning we have completed to set the theater for sustainment operations.” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tim Dowd, lead AL25 sustainment planner for the 79th Theater Sustainment Command.
“The complexity of moving several thousand short tons of cargo to four different countries spanning the distance of the continental United States, demonstrates that we can build, sustain, and adapt our logistical networks in support of any mission, anywhere in Africa.”
Regional Training, Local Impact
In Morocco, U.S. and partner forces conducted the largest array of academic instruction, including joint planning, cyber defense, and public affairs courses. CBRN response and HIMARS missions were integrated alongside a multinational planning exercise and humanitarian civic assistance missions in rural communities.
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire National Guard, fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at Cap Draa during African Lion 25 (AL25) in TanTan, Morocco, May 23, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (Photo by Libby Weiler, AFRICOM Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Libby Weiler) VIEW ORIGINAL
“African Lion enhances the United States’ interoperability with Morocco and other key partners to strengthen our collective ability to address regional security threats,” said Aimee Cutrona, Chargée d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Rabat.
“As a major non-NATO ally and historic security partner, Morocco plays a pivotal role in promoting regional stability and security.”
“Guided by President Trump and King Mohamed VI, our bilateral cooperation benefits both Americans and Moroccans, making us safer and stronger,” added Cutrona.
Innovation and Burden-Sharing in Tunisia
In Tunisia, several notable firsts marked AL25’s evolution: for the first time, cyber offense training expanded beyond the usual defensive focus, enabling red-team experimentation. The 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment employed the Avenger Weapon System, demonstrating mobile short-range air defense with Stinger missiles.
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, operate the Avenger Air Defense System, showcasing the FIM-92 Stinger missile, as part of exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25), at Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, April 25, 2025. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose Lora) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jose Lora) VIEW ORIGINAL
Additionally, the 173rd Airborne Brigade received host-nation approval to deploy drone systems during maneuvers—another milestone in multilateral technological integration.
U.S. Army paratroopers with 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conduct live-fire drills alongside Tunisian troops with a M119 howitzer as part of exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25), at Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, April 26, 2025.
AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose Lora) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jose Lora)
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“Through African Lion, Tunisia aspires to enhance joint coordination among partner countries, exchanging knowledge to achieve desired goals,” said Tunisian Senior Col. Majid Mguidich, the host nation AL25 exercise director.
“This training enables the Tunisian Armed Forces to increase its influence as a training and educational hub at the regional and international levels.”
Partnering for Readiness in Ghana
In Ghana, U.S. and partner forces conducted a multinational medical readiness exercise (MEDREX), a medical civic action program (MEDCAP) and a planning exercise (PLANEX). These engagements strengthened regional health resilience and interoperability among African and U.S. planners.
“Exercises like African Lion are a cornerstone of our bilateral military relationship,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mary Stuever, director of trauma for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the officer in charge of the Ghana MEDREX.
“Ghana continues to be one of our most capable and trusted partners in West Africa.”
Fighting Fit in Senegal’s Extreme Conditions
In Senegal, U.S. Soldiers trained in extreme heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, conducting HIMARS fire coordination, airborne operations, and civil-military engagements.
These conditions showcased the Army’s readiness to operate in austere and climate-challenged environments while validating rapid deployment and sustainment capacity.
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade provide instruction on the M240B machine gun to soldiers from the Senegalese Armed Forces during live-fire training at Centre d’Entraînement Tactique 2 (CET2) in Dodji, Senegal, May 8, 2025. The training session focused on weapons handling and fire control, reinforcing tactical proficiency and multinational cooperation during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by CJay Spence) (Photo Credit: Sgt. C jay spence) VIEW ORIGINAL
“Our primary objectives here in Senegal for African Lion are threefold,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Cederman, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general for the Army Reserve. “First, to achieve lethality and readiness for all participating forces—including the United States, Senegal, the Netherlands, Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire. Second, we’re focused on building true interoperability, so if a crisis occurs on the continent, we can fight together side by side with a shared understanding of command and control, tactics and systems.”
“Finally, we aim to exchange best practices and culture, because every force brings something unique to the fight,” Cederman said. “Together, these efforts help us achieve peace through strength and address regional security challenges as a unified team.”
A Message of Deterrence and Enduring Presence
As AL25 concludes, the scale and complexity of this year’s exercise reflect more than tactical success, they demonstrate enduring strategic value. From live-fire exercises and cyber innovation to humanitarian outreach and multinational planning, the exercise reinforced trust with key partners and proved the U.S. military’s ability to project power, set the theater, and operate decisively alongside allies across the African continent.
U.S. Marines and Soldiers from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces pose for a group photo while F16 fighter jets pass overhead at Cap Draa during African Lion 25 (AL25) in TanTan, Morocco, May 23, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (Photo by Libby Weiler, AFRICOM Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Libby Weiler) VIEW ORIGINAL
“I want to thank Morocco for hosting African Lion and helping strengthen our collective security and readiness through rigorous, multinational training,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command. Exercises like African Lion showcase the value of our relationships with African partners, demonstrating our readiness to confront common threats and promote peace through demonstrated military.”
About African Lion
AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. AL25 is designed to restore the warrior ethos, sharpen lethality, and strengthen military readiness alongside our African partners and allies This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit the African Lion feature page on DVIDS.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.
Alvaro Romero-CalvoGeorgia Tech Research Corporation The reliable and efficient operation of spacecraft life support systems is challenged in microgravity by the near absence of buoyancy. This impacts the electrolytic production of oxygen and hydrogen from water by forcing the adoption of complex multiphase flow management technologies. Still, water splitting plays an essential role in human spaceflight, closing the regenerative environmental control and life support loop and connecting the water and atmosphere management subsystems. Existing oxygen generation systems, although successful for short-term crewed missions, lack the reliability and efficiency required for long-duration spaceflight and, in particular, for Mars exploration. During our Phase I NIAC effort, we demonstrated the basic feasibility of a novel water-splitting architecture that leverages contactless magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces to produce and separate oxygen and hydrogen gas bubbles in microgravity. The system, known as the Magnetohydrodynamic Oxygen Generation Assembly (MOGA), avoids the use of forced water recirculation loops or moving parts such as pumps or centrifuges for phase separation. This fundamental paradigm shift results in multiple operational advantages with respect to the state-of-the-art: increased robustness to over- and under-voltages in the cell stack, minimal risk of electrolyte leaching, wider operational temperature and humidity levels, simpler transient operation, increased material durability, enhanced system stability during dormant periods, modest water purity requirements, reduced microbial growth, and better component-level swap-ability, all of which result in an exceptionally robust system. Overall, these architectural features lead to a 32.9% mass reduction and 20.4% astronaut maintenance time savings with respect to the Oxygen Generation Assembly at the ISS for a four-crew Mars transfer, making the system ideally suited for long-duration missions. In Phase II, we seek to answer some of the key remaining unknowns surrounding this architecture, particularly regarding (i) the long-term electrochemical and multiphase flow behavior of the system in microgravity and its impact on power consumption and liquid interface stability, (ii) the transient operational modes of the MHD drive during start-up, shutdown, and dormancy, and (iii) architectural improvements for manufacturability and ease of repair. Toward that end, we will leverage our combined expertise in microgravity research by partnering with the ZARM Institute in Bremen and the German Aerospace Center to fly, free of charge to NASA, a large-scale magnetohydrodynamic drive system and demonstrate critical processes and components. An external review board composed of industry experts will assess the evolution of the project and inform commercial infusion. This effort will result in a TRL-4 system that will also benefit additional technologies of interest to NASA and the general public, such as water-based SmallSat propulsion and in-situ resource utilization. 2025 Selections
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary in the United States, held a recent news conference and made uninformed comments on autism. His remarks created an uproar, especially among people with autism and other disabilities.
“Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be
suffering like this … And these are kids who will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”
We are researchers whose combined focus covers the rights of people with disabilities in educational systems and the history of disability in medical discourse. One of us is a sibling (Cornelia) and the other a parent (Martha) to people with intellectual disabilities.
Eugenics is the belief that society can and should be “improved” through selective breeding. It is based on a pseudo-scientific ranking of humans in a racist and ableist hierachy that judges non-white and disabled people to be the least desirable.
During the height of the movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eugenics was promoted by scientists, physicians, politicians and clergy, authoritative voices who encouraged the “fittest” to reproduce while recommending that those people with “undesirable” physical or intellectual traits be removed from society. Part of achieving this goal meant people with disabilities were sterilized or institutionalized.
A formal condemnation of Nazi actions in the form of the Nuremberg Trials fostered a popular backlash to these Nazi horrors after the Second World War, resulting in a global repudiation of eugenic ideas and a gradual phasing out of practices such as sterilization and institutionalization of people with disabilities.
Eugenics ideas exist in the form of what bioethicist and humanities scholar Rosemarie Garland-Thomson calls “eugenic logic.” This is the ongoing belief that erasing disability and people with disabilities is a desirable and common-sense objective.
The power of eugenics logic surrounds us. It shapes immigration policy that penalizes disability. It means reproductive technologies and medical practices are used to eliminate certain conditions that cause disabilities.
Neoliberal ableism links human value to their capacity to work, to what disability studies scholars Dan Goodley and Rebecca Lawthom refer to the ability to “productively contribute … bounded and cut off from others, capable, malleable and compliant.”
People with autism, and others who cannot serve society in this way, threaten the neoliberal order and capitalism. They are seen as a detriment to society.
However, some critics unwittingly reinforced his neoliberal and eugenic framing of human value. These critics rightly contradicted Kennedy Jr. by pointing out that many people with autism have capabilities that he denied them. However, focusing on those abilities gave support to the devaluation of people with autism — and others with disabilities — who do not possess them, and who cannot be independent or will never be “productive workers.”
The social model of disability
Uninformed comments about autism by people in official health leadership positions threatens to undo decades of work that led to remarkable gains for people with disabilities.
The 1970s and ‘80s saw the development of what disability activists and scholars discuss as the social model of disability. This shifted the understanding of disability away from the “problem” of individuals’ physical/intellectual conditions. Disability is seen as a mismatch of the interactions between the impairment and the barriers it faces in the (social) environment.
This important shift in how disability is understood rejected the notion that disability is a personal fault or flaw. For the first time, it paid attention to environmental, financial and attitudinal barriers. It allowed people with disabilities unprecedented access to education and other aspects of society.
The progress made remains fragile.
Important to push back
All who value human diversity and the continued expansion of the rights of people with disabilities must push back against eugenics politics.
Political parties and broader society must commit to full participation and belonging of all people with disabilities by continuing to remove physical, attitudinal and financial barriers.
It means we need to heed the voices of disability advocates who have launched a court challenge against a key provision of Medical Assistance in Dying legislation. A recent version of this legislation accepts disability without a terminal condition as a reason to end life. As advocates recently told the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this implies that a disabled life is not worth living.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last week, representatives from The Highland Council’s Waste Services Team joined The Highland Food Bank Team in Inverness for the delivery of £500 worth of food and essential items which was kindly donated by Jett Distribution.
Jett Distribution have been contracted by the Council to deliver wheeled bins as part of the Waste and Recycling Service Change programme and are wheeled bin distribution specialists within the UK and Germany. Since April 2024, they have delivered approximately 115,000 new grey wheeled bins and 25,000 food waste caddies to households across the Highland region as part of the Waste Service Change roll out which has been funded by the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Communities and Place Committee, said, “I would like to thank Jett Distribution for the generous donation of much needed food and essential items to the Highland Foodbank. This is a superb example of where a contract awarded by The Highland Council has not only been delivered on time and within budget but has also provided additional community benefit for the region.”
Jamie Humphries, Director of Jett Distribution, said: “As we near the end of a very successful roll-out of new bins for The Highland Council, we are proud to have donated £500 of food and essentials to the Trussell Trust foodbank in Inverness, as a way to say thank you to the communities across Highland. The Trussell Trust is a charity which is close to our hearts, and this is our way of supporting foodbanks which help local people in times of need.”
Neill Prentice, Fundraising Manager (North Scotland) for Blythswood who manage the Highland Foodbanks, said: “We are so grateful to Jett Distribution for their generous donation of £500 worth of food to local families facing hardship. Last year, Highland Foodbank provided emergency food to over 5,000 people – and support like this is what makes this possible. Your kindness helps us feed families in crisis and on their behalf, we say thank you.”
The final phase of the roll out of the service change will see the new waste and recycling services being delivered in Lochaber from September 2025.
People walking, wheeling and cycling on the Inverness section of the Caledonia Way will now have a smoother and more enjoyable journey, thanks to works carried out by The Highland Council and active travel charity Sustrans.
The Caledonia Way, also known as National Cycle Network (NCN) 78, runs south from Inverness city centre down the Great Glen to Fort William, Oban and on to Campbeltown, a total distance of 234 miles through some of Scotland’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery.
Recent work has rerouted NCN78 between Holm Roundabout and the city centre to separate it from traffic, making the route more welcoming, safer and enjoyable for locals and visitors alike. The previous route ran between Dores Roundabout and Inverness Castle, with people cycling sharing the carriageway with vehicles. From Dores roundabout, the new route follows the shared use path alongside the Southern Distributor Road across the Ness, connects to Ness Hydro on a newly-surfaced and lit ramp, and links from there along the very popular new Riverside Way provision to St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Carole Patrick, Sustrans’ UK NCN Director, said: “This rerouting gives two miles of traffic-free provision on NCN78 for people walking, wheeling and cycling. We know that being separate from traffic hugely increases usage of these key routes for everyday journeys, and for leisure and tourism. We are delighted to fund the improvements on the ramp, made possible by Transport Scotland, and fully expect that this new route will help people to choose active ways of getting around Inverness.”
City Leader, Councillor Ian Brown said: “The route is very popular with walkers and cyclists who are now benefitting from improvements to the lighting and the surface. This kind of comfortable, safe, attractive infrastructure makes it easier for people to choose to leave their car at home for some trips, supports cycle tourism which is a growth area for Highland, and also makes life easier for the many people who do not drive, particularly young people, the least well off, and those with a disability.”
The improvements were carried out on time and on budget by local contractors Pat Munro. The ramp and the Riverside Way works were funded by the Scottish Government via Sustrans through their Network Development / Places for Everyone programmes.
At a Special Meeting of the Badenoch & Strathspey Area Committee this morning it was agreed to revert to an invitation-to-pay donation scheme for short-term pitch lets at the Grantown on Spey Market Square.
A mandatory payment scheme for short-term pitch lets was proposed to grow the Common Good Fund, giving people in Grantown access to funding for the local community. However, in recognition of the weight of the community reaction, Committee has agreed that the Council will withdraw the application to change the use of the Square.
Committee Members expressed a desire for a position of compromise on the matter of the Square between the community and the Highland Council and want to find ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square, harnessing their energy and enthusiasm and help them deliver on their ambitions for the area.
Convener of Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, said “After much consideration, we have decided that it is in the best interests of the local community and the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund to withdraw from the ongoing change of use application process and revert to the previous voluntary donation scheme.
“The intention behind changing the use of the Market Square was to generate additional income for the Grantown on Spey Common Good Fund, in the same way that other areas such as Nairn and Dornoch benefit from their Common Good land. We consulted with community groups, publicised the consultation locally and held local events in Grantown. However, the response to the consultation was extremely low and subsequently it has become clear that there is significant opposition despite the fact that the only people to have benefitted would have been residents of Grantown on Spey. We will continue to listen to and engage with people in Grantown to understand their position.”
Chair of Badenoch and Strathspey Committee, Councillor Russell Jones, said: “In light of the current position, we believe it is of benefit to everyone involved to draw a conclusion to this matter. We do not want hardworking local people to feel they have to raise money to oppose a plan that was intended to generate funding for them. Collaboration with Grantown on Spey Community Council is crucial for community projects to progress and I look forward to working together and finding ways to support the community’s ambitions for the Square.”
The voluntary donation scheme at the Square will take effect immediately.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HANGZHOU, May 27 (Xinhua) — China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China’s Zhejiang Province, the world’s busiest by cargo throughput, on Tuesday announced three initiatives with three major European ports — Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven in Germany and Valencia in Spain — to build green shipping corridors and promote China-Europe cooperation on low-carbon ports.
The international shipping industry, which accounts for around 80% of global trade, is currently facing urgent pressure to reduce emissions. Under the above initiatives to decarbonise international shipping, participating ports will engage with shipping companies, cargo owners, energy suppliers, think tanks and other stakeholders to promote zero-carbon technologies, clean fuels and smart management systems on specific shipping routes.
Key collaborative actions under these initiatives include the construction and use of shore power infrastructure, optimisation of cargo distribution networks, implementation of renewable energy solutions and expansion of clean fuel bunkering capacity to create zero-carbon corridors from port origin to destination.
Currently, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port serves more than 300 marine container lines, including more than 250 international routes, which connect over 600 ports in more than 200 countries and regions around the world.
In recent years, increasing the scale of research, development and promotion of green low-carbon technologies has been a particular focus for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, whose clean energy utilization rate now reaches about 74%.
“We will work closely with seaports and shipping companies associated with the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the global green transformation of ports and shipping,” said Tao Chengbo, chairman of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group, the port operator. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BISHKEK, May 27 (Xinhua) — Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ruslan Mukambetov met with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in Bishkek, the press service of the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed issues of interaction and prospects for military cooperation between the two countries.
It was also reported that the Program of Strategic Partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Russia in the Military Sphere for 2026-2030 was signed. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Vietnam to advance bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation toward higher quality and deeper levels, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Li Qiang made the statement during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Trinh on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China-GCC (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf) summit.
The head of the Chinese government recalled that not long ago, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Vietnam, during which the parties agreed to accelerate the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic importance in accordance with six major goals.
As Li Qiang emphasized, China is ready to work with Vietnam to implement the results of this visit, maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
Pointing out that instability and uncertainty are growing in the current international situation, Li Qiang said China will remain committed to openness and development and hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation with Vietnam, jointly uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard the world economic and trade order and the common interests of countries in the Global South.
Pham Minh Trinh, for his part, noted that President Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Vietnam in April this year. The Prime Minister expressed Vietnam’s intention to join hands with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
The Vietnamese side expresses congratulations on the successful holding of the first ASEAN-China-GCC summit, Pham Minh Trinh said, expressing his country’s readiness to work with China to promote new practical achievements in trilateral cooperation.
The current international situation is full of challenges, the head of the Vietnamese government stated. He stressed that Vietnam expects to strengthen communication and coordination with China to firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests. –0–