NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 9 May 2025 News release Safer walking and cycling crucial for road safety and better health

    Source: World Health Organisation

    As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week kicks off around the world under the theme “Make walking and cycling safe,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new toolkit to help governments promote active mobility – by making it safer.

    Each year, nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on the roads, more than a quarter of them while walking or cycling. Yet, only 0.2% of the roads worldwide are equipped with cycle lanes, and far too many communities lack basics like sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings.

    “Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable. Every step and every ride help to cut congestion, air pollution and disease,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.”

    Despite their benefits, fewer than one-third of countries have national policies to promote walking and cycling. WHO’s new toolkit aims to fill that gap with practical, evidence-based guidance for policymakers, urban planners, health advocates and civil society. The toolkit calls for bold action including:

    • integrating walking and cycling into transport, health, environmental and education policies;
    • building safe infrastructure like sidewalks, crossings and protected cycle lanes;
    • setting and enforcing safer speed limits aligned with global best practices;
    • promoting safe road use through public awareness and behaviour change campaigns; and
    • using financial incentives to encourage active mobility.

    While global pedestrian deaths dropped slightly and cyclist deaths plateaued between 2011 and 2021, regional trends show growing danger:

    • In the WHO South-East Asia Region, pedestrian deaths rose by 42%.
    • In the European Region, cyclist deaths surged by 50%.
    • In the Western Pacific Region, cyclist deaths soared by 88%.

    This week, WHO joins hundreds of organizations and governments worldwide to demand urgent action on road safety. The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety is mobilizing over 400 member organizations in 100 countries to support the campaign.

    “It is urgent to make, what should be our most natural means of transport, safer. This is paramount for road safety, but also health, equity and climate,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Social Determinants of Health. “We’re calling on all sectors – transport, health, education and beyond – to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Green Army gears up for LiveLighter® round

    Source: South Australia Police

    Catch the excitement at the RAC Arena as the West Coast Fever hit the court at tomorrow’s LiveLighter® round, inspiring its ‘Green Army’ of supporters to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

    Healthway Chief Executive Officer Colin Smith said the LiveLighter® round – promoted by Healthway in partnership with the West Coast Fever – highlighted the importance of healthy eating, hydration, movement and overall wellbeing.

    “Fans will be guaranteed plenty of exciting on-court action, along with a lively silent disco in Fever Alley and a LiveLighter® challenge at quarter time, launched by the Minister for Preventative Health, the Hon. Sabine Winton MLA,” he said.

    Beyond this match day activity, the LiveLighter® campaign is visible at all West Coast Fever games, and players encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting nutrition education at community events.

    Ms Winton said West Coast Fever was a leading example of a national sporting team actively and visibly promoting healthy lifestyles.

    “The Fever are powerful female role models, inspiring young netballers and fans both on and off the court, and that’s what truly makes a difference,” she said.

    “Through educational initiatives, interactive events, and community-driven programs, the LiveLighter® campaign is empowering individuals to make informed, healthier lifestyle choices.”

    Mr Smith said Healthway had provided nearly $4.5 million in funding to support West Coast Fever promote various health messages since 2009.

    “Through our 17-year partnership with the West Coast Fever we have successfully eliminated all unhealthy sponsorships at the elite level of netball in WA,” he said.

    “This has reduced the community’s exposure to junk food advertising, creating a safe environment for families to enjoy the sport.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Kiwi heart surgeon, his wife and the film maker in Palestine

    Auckland film maker Paula Whetu Jones has spent nearly two decades working pro bono on a feature film about the Auckland cardiac surgeon Alan Kerr, which is finally now in cinemas.

    She is best known for co-writing and directing Whina, the feature film about Dame Whina Cooper.

    She filmed Dr Kerr and his wife Hazel in 2007, when he led a Kiwi team to Gaza and the West Bank to operate on children with heart disease.

    What started as a two-week visit became a 20 year commitment, involving 40 medical missions to Gaza and the West Bank and hundreds of operations.

    Paula Whetu Jones self-funded six trips to document the work and the result is the feature film The Doctor’s Wife, now being screened free in communities around the country.

    20 years of inspirational work in Palestine

    Pacific Media Watch reports that Paula Whetu Jones writes on her film’s website:

    I met Alan and Hazel Kerr in 2006 and became inspired by their selflessness and dedication. I wanted to learn more about them and shine a light on their achievements.

    I’ve been trying to highlight social issues through documentary film making for 25 years. I have always struggled to obtain funding and this project was no different. We provided most of the funding but it wouldn’t have been possible to complete it without the generosity of a small number of donors.

    Others gave of their time and expertise.

    Film maker Paula Whetu Jones . . . “Our documentary shows the humanity of everyday Palestinians, pre 2022, as told through the eyes of a retired NZ heart surgeon, his wife and two committed female film makers.” Image: NZ On Film

    Our initial intention was to follow Dr Alan in his work in the West Bank and Gaza but we also developed a very special relationship with Hazel.

    While Dr Alan was operating, Hazel took herself all over the West Bank and Gaza, volunteering to help in refugee camps, schools and community centres. We tagged along and realised that Dr Alan and his work was the heart of the film but Hazel was the soul. Hence, the title became The Doctor’s Wife.

    I was due to return to Palestine in 2010 when on the eve of my departure I was struck down by a rare auto immune condition which left me paralysed. It wasn’t until 2012 that I was able to return to Palestine.

    Wheelchair made things hard
    However, being in a wheelchair made everything near on impossible, not to mention my mental state which was not conducive to being creative. In 2013, tragedy struck again when my 22-year-old son died, and I shut down for a year.

    Again, the project seemed so far away, destined for the shelf. Which is where it sat for the next few years while I tried to figure out how to live in a wheelchair and support myself and my daughter.

    The project was re-energised when I made two arts documentaries in Palestine, making sure we filmed Alan while we were there and connecting with a NZ trauma nurse who was also filming.

    By 2022, we knew we needed to complete the doco. We started sorting through many years of footage in different formats, getting the interviews transcribed and edited. The last big push was in 2023. We raised funds and got a few people to help with the logistics.

    I spent six months with three editors and then we used the rough cut to do one last fundraiser that helped us over the line, finally finishing it in March of 2025.

    Our documentary shows the humanity of everyday Palestinians, pre-2022, as told through the eyes of a retired NZ heart surgeon, his wife and two committed female film makers who were told in 2006 that no one cares about old people, sick Palestinian children or Palestine.

    They were wrong. We cared and maybe you do, too.

    What is happening in 2025 means it’s even more important now for people to see the ordinary people of Palestine

    Dr Alan and his wife, Hazel are now 90 and 85 years old respectively. They are the most wonderfully humble humans. Their work over 20 years is nothing short of inspiring.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to consider the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on next Wednesday (May 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         The Second Reading debate on the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         On Government motion, the Secretary for Justice will move a proposed resolution under the Fatal Accidents Ordinance. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 1.
     
         On Member’s Bill, the Second Reading debate on the City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
     
         On Members’ motions, Michael Tien will move a motion on “Actively dovetailing with national and global trends and studying the reform of the curriculum framework for primary and secondary schools”. The motion is set out in Appendix 2.
     
         Yiu Pak-leung will move a motion on “Reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international tourism hub and consolidating its position as a world-class premier tourism destination”. The motion is set out in Appendix 3.
     
         Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
     
         The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Schrier, Members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus Slam Republican Proposal to Gut Medicaid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

    WASHINGTON, DC– Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), alongside her colleagues in the Democratic Doctors Caucus, held a press conference to call out Republican attempts to slash Medicaid funding by $880 billion. Approximately 80 million Americans, including 37 million children, get their health care coverage through Medicaid. The current Republican budget calls for historic cuts to Medicaid that would decimate the program, leaving countless Americans without the health care they need, and affect the broader health care system, causing longer wait times and reduced care in emergency rooms, increased health care costs, and the closure of nursing homes and hospitals.

    View the full press conference HERE.

    Background on the Democratic Doctors Caucus

    All six Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives joined together this year to launch the first-ever Democratic Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy, and providing fellow Members with insights on critical health issues.

    Other members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus include:

    • Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) – Internal Medicine
    • Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) – Internal Medicine
    • Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) – Pulmonary & Critical Care
    • Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03) – Obstetrics & Gynecology
    • Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) – Emergency Medicine 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China trade hub hospital launches bilingual medical report service for foreign patients

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

    China trade hub hospital launches bilingual medical report service for foreign patients

    A hospital in Yiwu, a bustling trade hub in east China’s Zhejiang Province, has launched an AI-powered bilingual medical examination report service as part of its latest efforts to break language barriers for foreign patients.

    The new service offered by the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, allows foreign patients to apply for free English versions of their medical examination reports.

    Dubbed “the world’s supermarket,” the city of Yiwu is an international hub for the production and trade of small commodities. The hospital’s bilingual initiative is part of efforts to improve healthcare services for the city’s large community of foreign traders and residents.

    Earlier this year, the hospital deployed the popular AI model DeepSeek into its outpatient and inpatient systems, which has assisted doctors in keeping medical records. In April, it added the AI-powered medical examination report translation service, streamlining the process that has been traditionally reliant on time-consuming human translation.

    The service leverages AI to instantly generate English translations of medical reports, which are then checked and reviewed by doctors and medical experts to ensure accuracy.

    “Just one click and the draft translation is done immediately,” said Zhang Yunyun from the hospital’s ultrasound department. “Doctors then check the content, followed by expert review to finalize the report.”

    The bilingual service is currently available across multiple departments, including radiology, pathology, ultrasound, and electrocardiography.

    A patient from Lebanon, who was identified as Nesir, recently received English versions of five medical reports at the hospital. He said the service finally enabled him to understand the medical examination reports on his own when seeing doctors in China.

    A foreign doctor working at the hospital introduced the service to Nesir. With the English versions, Nesir’s doctors back in Lebanon can also participate in treatment discussions.

    In addition to English-version reports, the hospital also offers international commercial insurance direct billing and medical escort services. It has signed agreements with 22 global insurance companies to expand the one-stop direct billing service.

    Last year, the hospital offered medical services for 19,950 foreign patients, the highest number among hospitals in Zhejiang Province. The hospital also has an international outpatient department with English-speaking doctors, an English version hospital appointment registration system, as well as medical escorts and volunteers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? A dietitian explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

    Simply Amazing/Shutterstock

    If you walk through your local pharmacy or supermarket you’re bound to come across probiotics and prebiotics.

    They’re added to certain foods. They come as supplements you can drink or take as a pill. They also occur naturally in everyday foods.

    You might have a vague idea that probiotics and prebiotics are healthy. Or perhaps you’ve heard they’re good for your “microbiome”.

    But what actually is your microbiome? And what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics anyway?

    First, some definitions

    The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization, define probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit”. These microorganisms are the bacteria and yeasts in food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kombucha, and in supplements.

    But prebiotics refer to the “food” probiotics need to survive and replicate.

    Prebiotics are better known as dietary fibre. They include specific types of fibres called inulin-type fructans, galacto-oligosaccahrides, resistant starch and pectin. Prebiotics occur naturally in plant foods, are added to foods (such as bread and breakfast cereals) and come as supplements.

    Dietary fibre remains undigested in your stomach and small intestine until it reaches the large intestine. There, microorganisms (probiotics) break down (or ferment) the fibre (prebiotics), converting it into metabolites or nutrients linked to better health.

    How are they related to your microbiome?

    Both probiotics and prebiotics are said to encourage a healthy microbiome. That’s a healthy community of different microorganisms that live in or on your body. This includes those in the mouth, gut, skin, respiratory system and the urogenital tract (which handles urine, and has reproductive functions).

    Everyone’s microbiome is different and varies throughout your life. For instance, changing your diet, physical activity, hygiene, taking antibiotics or having an infection all affect your microbiome.

    These factors can change the diversity of your microbiome, that is how many different types of microorganisms you have. These factors can also alter the ratio of healthy microorganisms to unhealthy ones.

    Everyone’s microbiome is different and this community of microorganisms varies throughout your life.
    Elif Bayraktar/Shutterstock

    When your microbiome is less diverse or when the number of unhealthy microorganisms outgrow the number of healthy ones, this is known as dysbiosis. This can lead to problems including diarrhoea or constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bleeding gums, atopic dermatitis (eczema) or acne.

    Probiotics and prebiotics are marketed as ways to support a healthy, diverse microbiome, and help to reduce the chance of dysbiosis.

    As taking antibiotics can alter your microbiome, they’re also marketed as a way of improving its microbial diversity when taking antibiotics or afterwards.

    Do probiotics work?

    The microbiome plays a crucial role in our health. For instance, a healthy microbiome has been linked to reduced risk of cancers, cardiovascular (heart) diseases, allergy diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

    But how about taking probiotic supplements to boost your microbiome?

    A review of clinical trials looked at probiotic supplements in healthy people. It found no increase in the diversity of their microbiome.

    Another review of clinical trials looked at the impact of probiotic supplements while people were taking antibiotics. The diversity of their microbiome did not improve.

    Another study not included in these two reviews found probiotics could make microbial diversity worse in the short term. It found probiotic supplements delayed restoring the microbiome after taking antibiotics.

    Trying probiotics around the time you take antibiotics doesn’t seem to help your microbiome.
    one photo/Shutterstock

    What about prebiotics?

    There have been few studies on the impact of healthy people just taking prebiotic supplements. However, there are studies of people taking prebiotics with probiotics on particular aspects of health.

    For instance, one large review looked at various neuropsychiatric outcomes, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, when people took prebiotics and probiotics (together or separately). Another review looked at the effect of prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics (supplements that contain both prebiotics and probiotics) on people with diabetes.

    But their findings are not conclusive. So we need more research to routinely recommend these supplements. They are also no replacement for standard medication and a healthy, balanced diet.

    So how do I keep my microbiome healthy?

    You’re better off getting your probiotics from everyday fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi.
    Tatjana Baibakova/Shutterstock

    Naturally occurring probiotics and prebiotics are in everyday foods.

    Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as cheese, sauerkraut, yoghurt, miso, tempeh and kimchi.

    Prebiotics are in the foods that contain fibre – all plant foods. It is important to have a variety of plant foods in your diet. This will ensure you get all the different types of fibre needed to keep your healthy bacteria alive, and to increase the diversity of your microbiome.

    Eating foods rather than consuming supplements also means you get the extra nutrients in the food.

    The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating recommends a diet rich in plant foods, and promotes eating fermented foods (in the form of cheese and yoghurt). This combination is ideal for maintaining a healthy microbiome.

    Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

    – ref. What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? A dietitian explains – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-probiotics-and-prebiotics-a-dietitian-explains-248653

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Blasts Trump’s Attack on Resources to Close Digital Divide: “Republicans Will Have to Explain Why Middle Schoolers in Rural Districts Shouldn’t Get Laptops”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray first authored and introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019 and got it passed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and author of the Digital Equity Act responded to a statement from President Trump on Truth Social where he falsely attacks Murray’s law as unconstitutional and loudly announces that he intends to break the law by blocking Digital Equity Act funds.
    “As usual the President has no idea what he’s talking about. I wrote the Digital Equity Act to help close the digital divide in America—it’s about making sure seniors can get online and equipping every student in every classroom with the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s a hotspot to take home or a laptop. My law provides maximal flexibility to cities, states, and Tribes so every local community can decide for themselves how they invest Digital Equity dollars—that’s why it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.  Let’s be clear, every time President Trump refuses to spend funding appropriated by Congress, he’s stealing from the American people.  
    “It is absolutely insane that resources meant to help red and blue communities—everyone from local school districts and libraries to workforce training programs and Tribes—close the digital divide will be illegally blocked because the President doesn’t like the word equity. Americans are sick and tired of extremist right-wing culture wars being forced down our throats. Republicans will have to explain to their constituents why this Republican administration doesn’t believe their local library should get funding to help seniors navigate telehealth options or why middle schoolers in rural districts shouldn’t get laptops.”
    Senator Murray first introduced the Digital Equity Act in 2019 and worked hard to build a robust coalition of 100+ organizations to secure strong bipartisan consensus and support for her legislation, ultimately passing it into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Murray’s Digital Equity Act provided $2.75 billion to establish three federal grant programs, administered by the NTIA, to promote digital equity nationwide by:
    Building Capacity within States through Formula Grants: Creates a five-year $300 million per year formula grant program for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to fund the creation and implementation of comprehensive digital equity plans in each State.
    Spurring Targeted Action through Competitive Grants: Creates a five-year $250 million per year competitive grant program to support digital inclusion projects undertaken by individual groups, coalitions, and/or communities of interest.
    Supporting Research and Evidence-Based Policymaking: Tasks NTIA with evaluating digital equity projects and providing policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels with detailed information about which projects are most effective.
    Digital equity funds can be used in all kinds of ways to support Washington state families and our economy:
    Workforce: supporting the work of local workforce boards, community and technical colleges, and community-based organizations by increasing access to devices across underserved populations, increasing the digital skills of Washington’s current and future workforce, and by increasing the accessibility of state and local resources to workers.
    Education: supporting Washington’s public schools, community and technical colleges, and community-based organizations as they work to integrate technology literacy and fluency in their curriculum, reducing barriers and advancing access to technology, including digital devices, internet connection, and digital skills training.
    Health Care: supporting the Washington Department of Health and the Washington State Health Care Authority in expanding opportunities for Washingtonians to access telehealth services, reducing the need to travel long distances in rural areas for preventative and specialist care. Additionally, the digital equity funds could be used to work with partner organizations to expand the availability and awareness of culturally sensitive and linguistically accessible online healthcare resources and services.
    And much more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Questions Nominee for Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services During HELP Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) questioned Dr. James O’Neill, the nominee for the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the most recent Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) hearing.

    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full exchange with Dr. O’Neill.
    Highlights from the hearing include: 
    On how Dr. O’Neill will innovate at HHS:
    Senator Marshall: “You mentioned in your testimony that you’re anxious to reform our food system, to prioritize health.  Just kind of tell me what that vision looks like, and how can you work with Dr. Means and the other folks there at HHS.”
    Dr. O’Neill: “I know that you mentioned the word mitochondria. I’ve noticed that three years ago, people didn’t know anything about that. They remember from high school biology, oh yes, mitochondria the powerhouse of the cell. But in the past few years, thanks to a lot of smart people talking about metabolism, much more than the past, people are starting to be interested.
    “You know, infectious disease is still a very serious challenge to a lot of people, but metabolism, metabolic disorders, chronic diseases, are getting more attention. I think that’s wonderful. I hope they continue to get attention from researchers, from physicians, from patients.
    “Regarding the food system, the unfortunate situation today is that a lot of families really try hard to be healthier and have healthier habits, and it’s not easy. They go to the grocery store, and junk food is much cheaper than healthy food. They’re not even sure which food is healthy. Nutrition labels can be confusing. Official government nutrition advice, the dietary guidelines that two departments issue every five years often seem to lag by decades.
    “Actual nutrition science, real nutrition science, is so hard to do because there’s so many stakeholders with an interest in particular outcomes. I think it’s essential that we have good nutrition research that is free from outside influence.”
    On the mental health problems caused by excessive technology usage:
    Senator Marshall: “You also mentioned prioritize health for our children and children, and I want to just focus for a second on mental health. I’m not sure if you had the option to read the book ‘The Anxious Generation,’ but if you haven’t, surely would recommend that you do that. What role do you think social media apps have played in this, in the mental health of our children and young adults?”
    Dr. O’Neill: “Thank you, Senator, that’s a great concern. So, companies that develop apps have an interest in maximizing the amount of time that users spend on the apps, the amount of engagement try to hook them into it. That’s expected, given that they’re, you know, trying to grow their business. But that’s not necessarily what’s best for users, especially young users.
    “And so, there’s more and more awareness that social media can be an addiction and that it’s it especially could have a profound, lasting influence on young, developing brains. Brains seem to keep developing until age 25 so people that don’t even think of themselves as children could still be well. Adults could also suffer negatively. So yes, that is a concern that HHS should have a role in researching and communicating best practices.”
    On the need for unbiased, repeatable testing:
    Senator Marshall: “I just want to emphasize the importance of replicating previous studies. Again, you mentioned that in your testimony over 20 years ago. An NIH study on Alzheimer’s took us down the wrong direction, and that study was never replicated. So, what does that look like? I mean, you don’t want your best buddy to do the replication of that surgery. It needs to be another nonbiased person. So how do you implement that plan?”
    Dr. O’Neill: “Absolutely. So, there’s two ways a study could lead us on the wrong road. One is outright fraud, which has happened in Alzheimer’s research. And the other is, you know, it’s kind of bad luck.
    “You do one study, there was no intention of fraud, but the results, you know, were an unusual combination. The stars were in a certain alignment, and it’s also not going to replicate. So, you know, there’s a lot of talk about the replication crisis in all of science about 10 years ago, and it’s still an unsolved problem. I think NIH should devote and the problem is no one has a financial interest in replicating studies, so NIH should do that.
    “And I think that would be something that NIH can do best, whether that should be conducted operationally. As one whole division of NIH focused on replication, or where there should be a replication branch in each institute, I’m open to arguments both ways.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff Press for Meeting with HHS Secretary Kennedy to Remedy Wrongful CDC Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff Press for Meeting with HHS Secretary Kennedy to Remedy Wrongful CDC Firings

    Senator Reverend Warnock has repeatedly stood up in defense of CDC workers, including joining them at a rally, delivering a floor speech opposing Secretary Kennedy’s nomination, demanding answers from Admin nominees at Congressional hearings, and more
    Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff: “The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) led an effort requesting a meeting with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss the recent firing of Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees.
    “The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health. These unjust firings purge years of public health research and expertise, make America less healthy, and make America less safe,” wrote the Senators.
    The letter requests that the meeting take place on Wednesday, May 14, when Secretary Kennedy will be on the Hill to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 
    “As Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have a responsibility to be transparent about the destruction of a critical public health agency that has received years of bipartisan support throughout administrations from both parties and through Congressional appropriations and authorization of public health programs,” the Senators continued.
    Several of Senator Warnock’s letters to Secretary Kennedy have gone unanswered, an issue the Senator raised to Jim O’Neill, the nominee to be Secretary Kennedy’s second in command during a hearing this week. The Senators are also requesting that Secretary Kennedy follow up to the letter they sent on March 14 urging the Trump Administration to reconsider its plans to fire CDC employees due to national health and security concerns.
    “We sent you a letter on March 14, 2025, requesting specific information on the initial rounds of firings of probationary employees. We have still not received a response. The letter came before the Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on April 1, and we are outraged that you have not been “radically transparent” with us, nor have you been sufficiently responsive to the elected representatives of the thousands of fired employees at CDC,” the Senators added.
    During Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s nomination hearing in committee, Senator Warnock spoke at length defending the importance of the CDC, which employs over 10,000 hardworking Georgians. Shortly after, the Senator spoke for nearly an hour on the Senate floor, in large part in defense of the CDC’s critical work to defend public health and national security. The Senator has continued to pressure HHS Secretary Kennedy to reverse the CDC firings. Most recently, Senator Warnock questioned Jim O’Neill, the nominee to be Secretary Kennedy’s second in command at the Department of Health and Human Services, about the unjust firings of thousands of CDC employees.
    Since CDC employees became a target of this administration, Senator Warnock has led several efforts defending their employment and the crucial role they play in keeping the nation safe. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter to the Acting Director of the CDC about the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), asking for updates on operations. He also sent two additional letters to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, respectively, urging the administration to reconsider any plans to eliminate the Division of HIV Prevention at the CDC and requesting additional information about the termination of 20,000 full-time staff and organizational restructuring at HHS. Senator Warnock also spoke at a rally organized by current and former CDC employees to support Georgians who have been callously fired from the public health institution. And his staff hosted a round table with fired CDC employees to brainstorm ways to push back on the administration. 
    Senator Ossoff has fought back against the Trump Administration’s “foolish” attacks on Georgia’s CDC, warning they put Georgians’ health at risk. In February, Senator Ossoff joined former CDC leaders and health experts to sound the alarm on the dire threat to public health in Georgia, across the country, and around the world by the Trump Administration’s unprecedented partisan political attacks on the CDC. Senator Ossoff spoke on the Senate floor against RFK Jr.’s nomination, highlighting his attacks on the CDC and shared the story of a CDC employee who was targeted on a “DEI watchlist” website. In March, Senator Ossoff joined Senator Reverend Warnock in fighting back against CDC firings and joined Senator Reverend Warnock and colleagues in demanding answers about the shutdown of a critical Maternal Health data system within the CDC.
    The senators’ letter can be found HERE and the text is below.
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We understand that on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, you have agreed to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As Georgia’s senators who are proud to represent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we write to request a meeting with you while you are in the Senate to address our urgent concerns regarding your management and policies with regard to the CDC, including the unjust firing of thousands of CDC workers in Georgia.
    The CDC has been a pillar of public health prevention and surveillance for more than 80 years. However, under your leadership, the agency has been eviscerated by the unjust firings of thousands of our constituents who have spent years, and in many cases decades, of their careers in public health. These unjust firings purge years of public health research and expertise, make America less healthy, and make America less safe.
    We sent you a letter on March 14, 2025, requesting specific information on the initial rounds of firings of probationary employees. We have still not received a response. The letter came before the Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on April 1, and we are outraged that you have not been “radically transparent” with us, nor have you been sufficiently responsive to the elected representatives of the thousands of fired employees at CDC.
    As Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have a responsibility to be transparent about the destruction of a critical public health agency that has received years of bipartisan support throughout administrations from both parties and through Congressional appropriations and authorization of public health programs.
    Please respond to our offices to schedule an appropriate time to meet on May 14, 2025. We look forward to meeting you in person.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 9, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 9, 2025.

    What is grounding and could it improve my sleep? Here’s the science behind this TikTok trend
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Alexey Demidov/Pexels Have you ever felt an unexpected sense of calm while walking barefoot on grass? Or noticed your stress begin to fade as you stood ankle deep in the ocean? If so, you may

    Google is rolling out its Gemini AI chatbot to kids under 13. It’s a risky move
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University Studio Nut/Shutterstock Google has announced it will roll out its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to children under the age of 13. While the launch starts within the next week in

    PNG’s Gorethy Kenneth: 23 years of fearless journalism and unwavering truth
    PROFILE: By Alu J Kalinoe At Papua New Guinea’s Post-Courier, our senior journalists often operate in the shadows, yet their courageous efforts are often overlooked — continuously pushing boundaries to bring us important stories that shape our lives and venturing outside their comfort zones to deliver top-notch content. This is the tale of one of

    ‘Peace be with all of you’: how Pope Leo XIV embodies a living dialogue between tradition and modernity
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University When Robert Francis Prevost appeared on the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV, he set three precedents. He is the first pope from North America, the first Augustinian to occupy the throne of Peter, and the

    Experts split on Australia’s Papua New Guinea military recruitment plan
    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Australia’s plan to recruit from Papua New Guinea for its Defence Force raises “major ethical concerns”, according to the Australia Defence Association, while another expert thinks it is broadly a good idea. The two nations are set to begin negotiating a new defence treaty that is expected to see

    Hidden connections of more than 100 migratory marine species revealed in interactive map
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lily Bentley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock From the enormous blue whale to the delicate monarch butterfly, animals of all shapes and sizes migrate across the globe. These migrations connect distant habitats, from the tropics to the poles. They

    As Filipinos prepare to vote, ex-strongman Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is dividing families – all the way to the president
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Noel Morada, Visiting Professor, Nelson Mandela Centre, Chulalongkorn University; and Research Fellow, Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Chulalongkorn University It’s been two months since former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face potential prosecution

    How the word ‘incel’ got away from us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Farid Zaid, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Monash University Javier Bermudez Zayas/Shutterstock Imagine a young man whose voice has been worn down by years of feeling invisible. Plain, numb and bitter, the “incel” tries to explain the kind of hopelessness most of us would rather not confront: I believed

    Kiwi kids once led the world in reading – this 1950s primary school syllabus still has lessons for today
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Boyask, Director of LitPlus, AUT School of Education, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images There is a well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb) that goes: “Ka mua, ka muri” – “walking backwards into the future”. It applies to many areas of life, but in education the idea of

    Some Reddit users just love to disagree, new AI-powered troll-spotting algorithm finds
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, Associate Professor in Behavioral Data Science, University of Technology Sydney ginger_polina_bublik/Shutterstock In today’s fractured online landscape, it is harder than ever to identify harmful actors such as trolls and misinformation spreaders. Often, efforts to spot malicious accounts focus on analysing what they say. However, our

    To split Moscow from Beijing, Trump is reviving Nixon’s ‘madman diplomacy’. It could backfire badly
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Langford, Executive Director, Security & Defence PLuS and Professor, UNSW Sydney When United States President William McKinley advocated high‑tariff protectionism in 1896, he argued squeezing foreign competitors behind a 50% wall of duties would make America richer and safer. That logic framed US trade debates for

    A community-led health program in remote Arnhem land is showing promising results for First Nations locals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hasthi Dissanayake, Research Fellow in Indigenous Health, The University of Melbourne The Doherty Institute Indigenous Australians are more than twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to suffer from disease, particularly chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. The health disparities are worse in remote

    Why it’s important to read aloud to your kids – even after they can read themselves
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn Cox, Professor of Literacy Education, University of Tasmania Mart Production/Pexels , CC BY Is reading to your kids a bedtime ritual in your home? For many of us, it will be a visceral memory of our own childhoods. Or of the time raising now grown-up children.

    Old drains and railways are full of life. Here’s how to make the most of these overlooked green spaces
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Stanford, Researcher Associate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Much of the old circular railway line in Paris, La Petite Ceinture, or Little Belt, has been turned into a public park. ldgfr photos, Shutterstock Across Australian cities, leftover and overlooked green spaces are everywhere. Just think

    Ever wanted to ditch the 9-to-5 and teach snowsports? We followed people who did it for 10 years
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marian Makkar, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, RMIT University Konstantin Shishkin/Shutterstock Workplace burnout – a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion – and the COVID pandemic have sparked a rethink of the traditional 9-to-5 job. It’s been estimated 30% of the Australian workforce is experiencing some degree

    Stepmums, alien mums, robot mums, vengeful mums: 7 films to watch this Mother’s Day
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Gildersleeve, Professor of English Literature, University of Southern Queensland With Mother’s Day around the corner, you may be wondering what gift you’ll give mum – or any of the mums in your life. This year, why not skip the fancy dinner and offer one of the

    Pope Leo XIV faces limits on changing the Catholic Church − but Francis made reforms that set the stage for larger changes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Doyle, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, University of Dayton Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been picked to be the

    Grattan on Friday: Bitter struggle in Liberals for likely poisoned chalice, as Jacinta Price defects from Nationals
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra By late last week it was clear Labor would win the election, but it came as more of a surprise when Peter Dutton lost the Queensland seat of Dickson he’d held since 2001. Nor did many anticipate Greens leader Adam

    Fiji media’s Stan Simpson blasts ‘hypocrites’ in social media clash over press freedom
    Pacific Media Watch Barely hours after being guest speaker at the University of the South Pacific‘s annual World Press Freedom Day event this week, Fiji media industry stalwart Stanley Simpson was forced to fend off local trolls whom he described as “hypocrites”. “Attacked by both the Fiji Labour Party and ex-FijiFirst MPs in just one

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: David Pocock wants us to aim for up to 90% reduction in emissions by 2035
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the new parliament the government is expected to need only the Greens to pass the legislation opposed by the Coalition. Counting is not finished but on present indications it won’t require any other Senate crossbenchers. Given Labor’s enhanced position

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Leading the way for women’s comfort and hygiene

    Source:

    CFA is leading the way in providing comfort for volunteers who are women, actively engaging with them to address their needs on and off the truck.

    Not only will CFA be the first emergency service agency in Australia to provide firefighting boots and gloves designed specifically for women, 3,100 appliances were also recently fitted out with feminine hygiene packs that saw the distribution of more than 18,000 tampons and 12,000 pads.

    CFA General Manager of Infrastructure Services, active volunteer and lead member of CFA’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee Paul Santamaria said extensive consultation with volunteers on the ground who are women has largely driven these important initiatives, which are just two of many.

    “Right across CFA, we have been fostering open dialogue through various events, forums and working groups to encourage diversity of thought and acknowledgement of the needs of all our volunteers,” Paul said. 

    “We have undergone a comprehensive review of our CFA facilities and design standards so members feel safe, respected and welcomed without discrimination.

    “As a result, we are starting to roll out upgrades to our fire stations and three training campuses to be more gender neutral and to provide greater physical privacy for all members.

    “We’ve also seen two mechanical apprentices who are women enter a traditionally male dominated industry and join our District Mechanical Workshops. These are amazing women who are paving the way for others to join.”

    To celebrate the rollout completion of the feminine hygiene packs and officially mark the beginning of the expansion of firefighting boot and glove options available to women, Malmsbury Fire Brigade members gathered at the fire station today (9 May) alongside CFA leaders.

    Malmsbury Fire Brigade Captain Linda Krive said the packs have been well received within their 10-women strong brigade but is particularly excited about the new Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) that is coming their way.

    “Both initiatives have positively supported the wellbeing of our volunteers who are women and have provided us with the resources we need in challenging situations,” Linda said.

    “Having the packs on board certainly makes it one less thing we have to think about and allows a sense of comfort knowing that if we do need something on the fireground, it will be okay.

    “They will come in handy when we’re out on strike teams, as sanitary items are often overlooked when packing quickly for deployment, especially if you don’t need them at the time of departure.

    “As we know though, things can change quickly, and you don’t know how long you’ll be gone for.”

    CFA has already received several expressions of interest from several suppliers to deliver the new fit-for-purpose boots and gloves for women and will formally go to tender for a supply partner next month.

    Linda said most women in her brigade, and some men, have struggled with boots in the past and are looking forward to having the option of clothing that is designed to fit different shapes.

    “Some of us have long, thin feet and although my feet are used to my boots after 20 years, it will make such a difference.

    “I’ve also got some members who have very small hands, and even the extra small gloves are too big which makes some tasks harder to complete.

    Through CFA’s Diversity and Inclusion Program, initiatives continue to recognise individuality and inclusivity, while working closely with the Champions for Change Network to share experiences and learn more about what is being done across the Emergency Services and Allied Health sectors to support women.

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is grounding and could it improve my sleep? Here’s the science behind this TikTok trend

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia

    Alexey Demidov/Pexels

    Have you ever felt an unexpected sense of calm while walking barefoot on grass? Or noticed your stress begin to fade as you stood ankle deep in the ocean? If so, you may have unknowingly “grounded” yourself to the earth.

    Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of making direct physical contact with the Earth’s surface. Our ancestors embraced this trend without knowing it. But with the invention of indoor homes, footpaths, roads, and even shoes, we have become less physically connected with the earth.

    Grounding has been suggested to have a number of benefits, such as improving mood, and reducing stress and pain. But overall, there’s limited conclusive evidence on the benefits of grounding.

    Somewhat ironically, the concept of grounding in 2025 is heavily influenced by technology, rather than getting out into nature. Consumers are being hit with social media reels promoting a range of technologies that ground us, and improve our health.

    Among the most common are promises of improved sleep with the use of a grounding sheet or mat. But is this just another TikTok trend, or could these products really help us get a better night’s sleep?

    Bringing the outdoors in

    The human body is conductive, which means it can exchange electricity with Earth and artificial sources, such as electronic devices or objects. (Sometimes, this exchange can result in an electric or static shock.)

    Proponents of grounding claim the practice reconnects “the conductive human body to the Earth’s natural and subtle surface electric charge”.

    They credit this process with physiological and psychological benefits (but again, the evidence is limited).



    Read more:
    Why do I get static shocks from everyday objects? Is it my shoes?

    Grounding technologies can vary in type (for example, under-desk foot mats, mattress toppers and bed sheets) but all are designed to provide a path for electric charges to flow between your body and the earth.

    The bottom prong you see in your three-prong wall socket is a “ground” or “earth” terminal. It provides a direct connection to earth via your building’s wiring, diverting excess or unsafe voltage into the ground. This protects you and your devices from potential electrical faults.

    Grounding technology uses this terminal as a pathway for the proposed electrical exchange between you and earth, while in the comfort of your home.

    Could grounding improve your sleep?

    The research in this area is still emerging.

    A 2025 study from Korea recruited 60 participants, gave half of them a grounding mat, and gave the other half a visually identical mat that didn’t have grounding technology. The researchers used a “double-blind” protocol, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers knew which participants were given grounding mats.

    All participants wore sleep trackers and were asked to use their mat (that is, sit or lie on it) for six hours per day. The researchers found that after 31 days, participants in the grounding mat group slept longer on average (as measured by their sleep trackers) than those in the control group.

    The researchers also used questionnaires to collect measures of insomnia, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and stress. After 31 days, participants in both groups improved on all measures.

    There were no differences between the grounded and ungrounded groups for sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and stress. And while grounded participants showed significantly lower insomnia severity after the intervention, this difference was also present at the start of the study. So it’s unclear if grounding had a tangible impact on sleep.

    Could grounding technologies really help you sleep better?
    Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

    In another double-blind study, published in 2022, researchers in Taiwan examined the effectiveness of using grounding mats to improve sleep among patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings indicated that spending 30 minutes on a grounding mat five times per week resulted in improved sleep quality.

    While previous research has suggested using grounding technologies may lead to improvements in mood, no differences were seen in measures of anxiety and depression in this study.

    Grounding for gains?

    Grounding technology has also been touted as having other benefits, such as reducing pain and inflammation.

    A 2019 study found participants who slept on a grounding mat after intense exercise felt less sore and showed lower levels of inflammation in their blood compared to those who were ungrounded.

    Grounding after a workout may help you feel better and recover faster, but it’s still unclear whether and how grounding affects long-term training results or fitness gains.

    There’s some evidence grounding could help with exercise recovery.
    Monster Ztudio/Shutterstock

    Add to cart?

    So should you cash in on your favourite influencer’s discount code and grab a grounding mat? At the risk of spouting a common cliche of cautious scientists, our answer is that we don’t know yet.

    What we do know is the existing research, albeit emerging, has shown no evidence grounding technology can negatively affect your sleep or recovery after exercise. So if you love your grounding mat or grounding sheet, or want to see if grounding works for you, feel free to give it a go.

    Keep in mind, grounding products can retail for anywhere from around A$30 to $300 or more.

    On the other hand, grounding on the grass in the great outdoors is free. While there’s limited evidence that grounding outdoors can improve sleep, spending time in outdoor light may itself benefit sleep, regulate circadian rhythms, and improve mood.

    Finally, while grounding could be an interesting strategy to try, if you’re experiencing ongoing problems with your sleep, or suspect you may have a sleep disorder, the first step should be reaching out to a medical professional, such as your GP.

    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.

    – ref. What is grounding and could it improve my sleep? Here’s the science behind this TikTok trend – https://theconversation.com/what-is-grounding-and-could-it-improve-my-sleep-heres-the-science-behind-this-tiktok-trend-253347

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone to Trump Admin: Stop 9/11 Health Program’s Care Disruptions, Staff Terminations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    NJ 6th District Congressman says Trump has disrupted cancer treatment for 9/11 first responders

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today sent a letter to Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers about the recent staffing upheaval and treatment delays at the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides medical care to more than 132,000 9/11 responders and survivors.

    Pallone voiced concern that while the Trump administration has partially walked back some terminations, “the chaos you are inflicting upon the program is extremely troubling.”

    The New Jersey Congressman wrote that despite the alleged reinstatement of some employees, “16 World Trade Center Health Program staff members were informed of their termination, effective by early summer,” disrupting critical operations including “enrollment, health condition certification, research oversight, and contract management.”

    “These actions, coupled with the mass terminations of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced in February, severely disrupt mission critical operations for the World Trade Center Health Program,” Pallone continued in his letter to Kennedy. “These actions break our nation’s vow to the 9/11 first responder and survivor community to provide the injured and their families the aid they need and deserve.”

    The letter also cites alarming real-world consequences, including testimony from Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer for the New York City Fire Department and Director of its World Trade Center Health Program, who said a 9/11 responder with life-threatening pancreatic cancer was told he couldn’t start chemotherapy, while others with new cancer diagnoses were also denied care.

    “There were potentially more than 1,200 condition certifications paused, including for cancer,” Pallone wrote.

    Pallone called on Secretary Kennedy to “cease any additional actions to terminate staff, providers, or limit any WTCHP program operations,” and to provide “a comprehensive briefing on the recent actions you’ve taken regarding the World Trade Center Health Program and the specific actions you, as Secretary, will take to ensure the program remains fully equipped to deliver life-saving care.”

    The World Trade Center Health Program provides essential treatment and monitoring to responders and survivors from Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, crash site. It provides care in all 50 states and nearly every congressional district.

    The full letter can be found here and below:

    Secretary Kennedy, 

    I write to you today to strongly protest the latest staffing reductions for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).  The Department’s actions have caused chaos and confusion, leading directly to the denial of cancer treatments and the prevention of hundreds more from accessing medical treatment. 

    Despite reporting of the alleged reinstatement of 15 employees of the originally terminated 16 employees, the chaos you are inflicting upon the program is extremely troubling.[1]  The most recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the WTCHP provides essential medical treatment, monitoring, and research to more than 132,000 first responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site.  The program serves individuals in all 50 states and nearly every Congressional district.[2]  These actions, coupled with the mass terminations of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced in February, severely disrupt mission critical operations for the WTCHP.  These actions break our nation’s vow to the 9/11 first responder and survivor community to provide the injured and their families the aid they need and deserve.[3]

    On May 2, 2025, 16 WTCHP staff members were informed of their termination, effective by early summer.[4]  These career civil servants perform vital functions, including enrollment, health condition certification, research oversight, and contract management for the WTCHP.  They were placed on administrative leave despite previous assurances from you that no such terminations would occur.[5]  Meanwhile, it is my understanding that until there was public outrage, Dr. John Howard’s role overseeing the program remained in limbo.  He was recently reinstated to his post, but only until June 2, 2025.  This is no way to run this critical health care program.

    Your reckless decisions have devastating real-world consequences. Alarmingly, Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and Director of its World Trade Center Health Program, stated that a 9/11 responder with life-threatening pancreatic cancer was told that he couldn’t start chemotherapy.[6]  There are also at least three FDNY employees who have been diagnosed with cancers believed to be related to their service at Ground Zero, who have not been able to get approval for care.[7]  There has even been reports of a full halt to enrollment of any new responders and survivors.[8]  Furthermore, there were potentially more than 1,200 condition certifications that were paused, including for cancer, preventing patients from accessing medical treatment and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.[9]  This is a travesty. 

    As a result of your chaos and confusion, the WTCHP will continue to remain severely understaffed and deeply destabilized.  By design, the program is meant to be science-driven, apolitical, and survivor-focused.  It is now being subjected to opaque internal decisions and political interference that put the health and safety of thousands of Americans in jeopardy.  To date, your department has not provided a clear or honest explanation.  The Department’s communications have denied basic facts already confirmed by internal documents and public reporting.[10]  The lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable.

    This is not a partisan issue. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, along with survivors, advocates, and 9/11 families, are united in their deep concern and outrage.  The World Trade Center Health Program must be preserved, fully staffed, and protected—not hollowed out under the Trump Administration’s false flag of ending waste.  

    I demand you cease any additional actions to terminate staff, providers, or limit WTCHP program operations.  I demand transparency in the Department’s decision making on past and future administrative actions to this program.  As such, please  provide me and my staff with a comprehensive briefing no later than May 22 on the recent actions you have taken regarding the WTCHP and the specific actions you will take to ensure the program remains fully equipped to deliver life-saving care to current participants and future enrollees.

    I look forward to your prompt response to this critical issue to our 9/11 heroes.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Applauds Court Decision Rejecting Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s Meritless Attempt to Block California’s Lawsuit, Reiterates Commitment to Protecting Emergency Abortion Care

    Source: US State of California

    Thursday, May 8, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement in response to the Humboldt County Superior Court’s decision to deny Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s (Providence) attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit, which alleges that the hospital violated multiple laws by refusing to provide emergency abortion care to people experiencing obstetric emergencies. Located in Eureka, California, Providence is the only available option for women in Humboldt County to seek emergency abortion care.  

    “There was no legal basis to dismiss our lawsuit against Providence, and we are grateful that the court agreed with us on every ground,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California is committed to protecting reproductive rights and let me be clear: that includes emergency abortion care. For those who are unfamiliar with Anna Nusslock’s harrowing story and Providence’s refusal to treat her, I encourage you to watch this video. I’m thinking of her today. Denying emergency abortion care to pregnant patients who need it is both traumatic and unlawful under multiple laws. My team and I look forward to seeing this case through and holding Providence accountable.”  

    In its demurrer, or attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit, Providence argued that California’s Emergency Services Law (the state-level analogue to the federal EMTALA statute) infringed on its religious right to free expression and that the State had not sufficiently pled a claim under the Unruh Civil Rights Act or the Unfair Competition Law, among other things. The court overruled Providence’s demurrer on those grounds, and all others. 

    On October 29, 2024, Attorney General Bonta secured a stipulation from Providence that ensures the hospital follows California law while the case proceeds. On February 14, 2025, the Humboldt County Superior Court held oral argument on Providence’s demurrer and took the matter under submission.  

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

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: PersonalLoans Under Review: Best Instant Payday Loans Online with Guaranteed Approval

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In This Article, You’ll Discover:

    • How instant payday loans online can help in urgent financial situations
    • Why guaranteed approval payday loans are in high demand in 2025
    • The benefits of using PersonalLoans.com as a trusted digital lending platform
    • Key differences between no-credit-check payday loans and traditional lending
    • Step-by-step instructions for applying through PersonalLoans.com
    • What to expect regarding loan terms, APRs, and funding timelines
    • Real-life borrower examples highlighting how fast cash loans online have been used effectively
    • The most important financial wellness tips for responsible borrowing
    • What to look out for when comparing same-day payday loan providers
    • Disclaimers and pricing information to help protect borrowers and ensure transparency

    TL;DR: PersonalLoans Under Review – Best Instant Payday Loans Online with Guaranteed Approval

    If you’re looking for instant payday loans online with guaranteed approval, PersonalLoans.com stands out as one of the top digital lending platforms in 2025. With access to a network of vetted lenders, the site offers users a simple way to apply for fast cash loans, even with bad credit. This review explores how same-day payday loans, no credit check options, and emergency payday loan solutions can help address real financial pain points when time is critical. Readers will find a detailed walkthrough of the application process, loan eligibility, flexible repayment options, and tips for borrowing responsibly.

    Introduction

    The Growing Demand for Fast and Accessible Financial Relief

    In today’s unpredictable economy, many Americans face sudden expenses that they can’t wait for payday. Whether it’s a surprise car repair, a medical co-pay, or an overdue utility bill, the need for immediate financial support is becoming more common. Unfortunately, traditional bank loans aren’t always an option, especially for people with bad credit or no established financial history.

    The process of applying at a local bank or credit union often includes long wait times, extensive paperwork, and high eligibility thresholds. That’s where the demand for instant payday loans online and guaranteed approval loan platforms has surged, offering quick and more accessible alternatives through digital lending platforms.

    Introducing a Trusted Solution: PersonalLoans.com

    For those in need of same-day payday loans, PersonalLoans.com serves as a leading online marketplace, streamlining the loan matching process for borrowers across various credit backgrounds. The platform doesn’t issue loans directly but connects users with a wide network of lenders offering fast cash loans online, often without the hassle of traditional credit checks. This approach has made PersonalLoans.com a go-to resource for individuals seeking emergency payday loans and quick approval without the high interest rates or risks typically associated with predatory lenders.

    With loan amounts ranging from $250 up to $35,000, and flexible repayment terms, PersonalLoans.com supports financial empowerment and smart borrowing strategies for those navigating life’s unexpected financial hurdles.

    Disclaimer: PersonalLoans.com does not directly issue loans. All loan terms and approval decisions are made by participating lenders. “Guaranteed approval” refers to the high likelihood of being matched with a lender, not an assured loan offer.

    Understanding the Financial Struggles

    Why Consumers Are Turning to Instant Payday Loans Online

    Millions of individuals in the U.S. today live paycheck to paycheck. When a sudden financial emergency arises—whether it’s a medical expense, utility shutoff, home repair, or auto issue—it often becomes a crisis. The inability to cover unexpected bills on time can lead to cascading consequences such as late fees, credit score damage, and increased stress. For many, the traditional financial system doesn’t offer fast enough solutions.

    Conventional lending channels, such as banks and credit unions, typically involve lengthy approval processes, detailed documentation, and rigid credit score requirements. These limitations exclude many working adults from accessing the help they need when they need it most. In contrast, instant payday loans online offer a streamlined, accessible option to get fast cash without the usual friction.

    The Challenges of Poor Credit or No Credit History

    One of the biggest financial pain points is being denied help based on a poor or nonexistent credit history. For borrowers who’ve faced hardship, medical debt, or unstable employment in the past, banks may see them as high-risk. This is where no credit check payday loans become a lifeline—offering guaranteed approval options that prioritize real-time needs over legacy credit evaluations.

    Platforms like PersonalLoans.com use a wide network of lenders who consider multiple data points, not just a borrower’s FICO score. This approach makes online payday loans for bad credit far more attainable than traditional borrowing, especially in emergency scenarios.

    The Emotional and Practical Cost of Waiting

    Time is critical in financial emergencies. Waiting days—or even weeks—for a loan to process can be devastating. Not being able to pay rent, utilities, or medical bills on time can lead to eviction notices, service disconnections, or a lack of access to care. This often adds anxiety and a sense of helplessness on top of the financial burden.

    Same-day payday loans and emergency payday loans solve this timing issue by offering quick decisions and funding, sometimes in as little as 24 hours. Platforms like PersonalLoans.com prioritize speed, convenience, and borrower access through a secure digital lending platform that works across devices.

    Financial Gaps in the Current Economy

    Even those with steady jobs can be underprepared for surprise expenses. The gig economy, rising inflation, and high healthcare costs contribute to an environment where even a minor disruption—like losing a shift at work or needing to travel for a family emergency—can cause serious strain. According to recent fintech trends, more consumers are looking for mobile-friendly loan services that provide fast cash loans online without requiring in-person appointments or long waits.

    This growing need has made PersonalLoans.com a trusted name in fintech solutions for short-term lending, delivering more equitable access to funds for a broader range of consumers.

    Disclaimer: Not all applicants will qualify for the same-day funding. Loan approvals and terms are determined by participating lenders and are subject to change. Always verify full details on the official website before making financial commitments.

    Need fast cash? Apply on PersonalLoans.com now and get matched with lenders offering up to $35K—no hidden fees, no delays, even with bad credit!

    Introducing PersonalLoans.com

    A Trusted Gateway to Fast, Flexible Loan Options

    PersonalLoans.comisn’t a direct lender—it’s an advanced digital lending platform that connects borrowers with a wide network of reputable lenders. Since its launch in 2001, the platform has built a strong reputation for helping individuals quickly and efficiently find instant payday loans online with guaranteed approval potential, especially during urgent financial circumstances.

    By simplifying the borrowing experience and offering access to multiple lenders in one place, PersonalLoans.com has become a preferred destination for those looking for same-day payday loans, even with bad credit or a limited financial history.

    Key Product Features at a Glance

    Through PersonalLoans.com, borrowers can apply for a range of unsecured personal loans. Here’s a breakdown of the loan features typically available through its network of lenders:

    • Loan Amounts: $250 – $35,000
    • APR Range: 5.99% – 35.99% (subject to lender)
    • Repayment Terms: 3 to 72 months
    • Credit Types Accepted: Good, fair, poor, and limited credit history
    • Funding Timeframe: Often by the next business day
    • Fees: No application or prepayment penalties

    Disclaimer: Rates, amounts, and approval timeframes vary by lender. Always verify individual loan terms on the official website. Pricing and terms may change at any time.

    Simple and Secure Application Process

    The platform emphasizes financial empowerment through ease of use. Here’s how the process works:

    1. Start Online: Visit PersonalLoans.com and complete a brief online application.
    2. Match With Lenders: The platform searches its network to match you with lenders most likely to approve your request.
    3. Review Offers: If matched, you’ll receive one or more conditional offers with interest rates, loan terms, and repayment plans.
    4. Finalize Your Choice: Select a loan offer and complete the lender’s required steps, such as identity or income verification.
    5. Get Funded: If approved, funds are deposited directly into your account, sometimes as quickly as the next business day.

    This process is mobile-optimized, encrypted for security, and designed to ensure access 24/7—supporting users who may need emergency payday loans at any time, from any device.

    Types of Loans Offered

    While the platform is commonly associated with fast cash loans online, it supports multiple use cases:

    • Debt Consolidation: Merge multiple high-interest debts into one manageable loan
    • Emergency Expenses: Medical bills, urgent travel, car repairs, or home fixes
    • Major Purchases: Appliances, technology, or large household items
    • Unexpected Bills: Utilities, childcare, or last-minute obligations

    In each case, PersonalLoans.com helps make funds accessible without collateral, which is why it’s become a trusted option among those seeking no credit check payday loans or quick payday loans online.

    Support for All Credit Profiles

    PersonalLoans.com is one of the few platforms designed to support borrowers across the full credit spectrum. Whether you have excellent credit or have faced setbacks in the past, the platform seeks to find suitable matches based on your financial profile and income, not just a number.

    This makes it ideal for:

    • Bad credit borrowers looking for real options
    • Self-employed individuals or gig workers without traditional pay stubs
    • Young adults building credit from scratch
    • Those recently denied by traditional banks

    By working with lenders that employ modern underwriting practices, such as AI-driven loan approvals and real-time decision-making, PersonalLoans.com helps more people access the funds they need responsibly.

    Disclaimer: Matching with a lender does not guarantee loan approval or funding. Lender requirements vary. Always confirm loan terms directly on the lender’s site before accepting any offer.

    Emergency expense? Apply in minutes at PersonalLoans.com for instant payday loan options with same-day approval potential. No credit check? No problem!

    Why PersonalLoans.com Stands Out

    A Modern Fintech Solution for Urgent Borrowing Needs

    When compared to traditional loan avenues or even other online lending platforms, PersonalLoans.com distinguishes itself through convenience, speed, flexibility, and inclusivity. As a fintech solution committed to supporting real-world borrowing needs, the platform uses advanced digital infrastructure to streamline approvals while eliminating the frustration and friction of conventional loans.

    For borrowers navigating time-sensitive expenses—especially those needing fast cash loans online—PersonalLoans.com delivers what many cannot: real-time lender matches, high approval potential, and flexible loan structures, all within a mobile-friendly environment.

    Fast Matching Across a Broad Network of Lenders

    Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all underwriting, PersonalLoans.com connects users with a broad spectrum of vetted lenders. This significantly increases the odds of finding a loan match tailored to your personal credit profile and income situation. Whether you’re seeking no credit check payday loans, same-day payday loans, or something longer term, the platform’s diverse lender network offers a wide variety of options.

    In practice, this means that even applicants with poor credit or inconsistent employment histories may find access to essential short-term financial relief—especially in times of urgent need.

    Flexibility to Fit Real Life

    Borrowers who are approved through PersonalLoans.com can typically choose from a variety of:

    • Loan amounts ranging from $250 to $35,000
    • Repayment terms between 3 and 72 months
    • Funding timelines as soon as the next business day
    • Fixed APRs that are clearly disclosed in loan offers

    This flexibility helps users address their specific financial situation—whether they need to consolidate debt, cover an unexpected expense, or simply bridge a cash flow gap.

    Disclaimer: Loan features, repayment timelines, and interest rates are determined by the individual lender and may vary. Always review full details before accepting any loan offer.

    Transparent Borrowing Without Hidden Fees

    One of the key frustrations borrowers face is the presence of hidden fees or misleading interest terms. PersonalLoans.com helps alleviate these concerns by offering a transparent application process with no upfront charges, no obligation to accept offers, and clear terms provided by lenders.

    Because the platform itself does not charge borrowers for matching services, users can review offers and walk away at no cost if none meet their expectations.

    Secure and Private Application Experience

    Borrowers are often concerned about sharing sensitive financial information online, and rightfully so. PersonalLoans.com uses bank-level encryption and data protection protocols to ensure that your personal details remain secure throughout the application and matching process. The platform is also compliant with relevant data privacy standards, which adds an additional layer of trust.

    This focus on digital security positions PersonalLoans.com as a leading example of responsible fintech infrastructure, making it easier and safer for users to access emergency payday loans online.

    Responsive Customer Support

    Though the entire platform is designed for self-service convenience, PersonalLoans.com does offer responsive customer assistance for those needing additional help. Whether you have questions about the application steps, a specific lender match, or post-application concerns, the support team is available to guide users through the process.

    This attention to service is especially helpful for first-time borrowers or those feeling unsure about navigating the world of online payday loans for bad credit.

    Get the funds you need—up to $35,000—with a simple, secure application. Start now at PersonalLoans.com and receive offers in just minutes!

    Addressing Common Concerns

    Will Applying for an Online Payday Loan Hurt My Credit?

    One of the most frequent questions from potential borrowers is whether using platforms like PersonalLoans.com will negatively impact their credit score. Here’s the good news: the initial application process typically involves a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score.

    Once a borrower accepts a loan offer and proceeds with a specific lender, a hard inquiry may be performed. This is standard across the industry and may temporarily reduce a credit score by a few points. However, successfully repaying a loan on time can actually help build or improve your credit over time.

    Disclaimer: Credit score impact varies depending on the lender’s practices and your personal financial history. Always review how your chosen lender reports to credit bureaus before accepting a loan offer.

    Understanding Interest Rates and Repayment Terms

    A common concern among those seeking instant payday loans online is the potential for extremely high interest rates. While this is often the case with traditional payday lenders, the PersonalLoans.com platform provides access to a range of lenders offering competitive APRs, typically from 5.99% to 35.99%, based on creditworthiness.

    Borrowers can also select repayment terms that range from a few months up to six years. This flexibility allows users to better manage their budgets and avoid the trap of short-term, high-interest debt.

    Key repayment benefits:

    • No prepayment penalties if you decide to pay off early
    • Clear repayment schedules are provided upfront
    • Fixed monthly payments so there are no surprises

    Disclaimer: All APR ranges and repayment options are determined by individual lenders. Be sure to review the official loan agreement carefully before signing.

    Can I Get a Loan Without a Credit Check?

    Borrowers with poor credit—or no credit history—are often rejected by banks, making no credit check payday loans highly appealing. While PersonalLoans.com does not guarantee a lender will skip credit evaluation altogether, many lenders on the platform use alternative data like income, employment status, and bank history to evaluate risk.

    This means even those with bad credit have a high likelihood of matching with a lender through the platform. These flexible assessments are part of why PersonalLoans.com is considered one of the best options for online payday loans for bad credit in 2025.

    Is Collateral Required?

    No. All loan types available through PersonalLoans.com’s lender network are unsecured personal loans, which means you won’t need to put up a vehicle, property, or other asset as collateral. This makes the application process faster and less stressful, especially in emergency scenarios.

    What About Loan Fees?

    One of the standout advantages of using PersonalLoans.com is that there are no application fees. Borrowers pay nothing to submit their request or get matched with lenders. The only costs incurred are those associated with the loan itself (i.e., interest or lender-specific fees), which are disclosed in full during the offer process.

    • No sign-up or pre-screening charges
    • No broker or referral fees
    • No penalties for rejecting a loan match

    Disclaimer: PersonalLoans.com is not a lender. All loan fees, interest rates, and repayment terms are established by third-party lenders. Always verify any applicable fees directly on the lender’s website.

    Don’t let bills pile up—get the payday loan relief you need fast. Apply now at PersonalLoans.com and see real offers in seconds with no obligation!

    Step-by-Step Guide to Applying

    A Simple Process for Fast Cash Loans Online

    One of the major advantages of using PersonalLoans.com is how streamlined the loan request process is. With no need to visit a bank, fax documents, or endure lengthy wait times, the entire journey from application to approval can happen within hours, sometimes minutes. Whether you’re seeking instant payday loans online, no credit check payday loans, or emergency payday loans, the process is designed to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible.

    Here’s how it works from start to finish:

    Step 1: Start with the Online Form

    Visit PersonalLoans.com and click on the “Get Started” or “Apply Now” button. You’ll be prompted to fill out an online form that includes:

    • Your full name and contact information
    • Employment and income details
    • Banking information for deposit
    • Desired loan amount and purpose

    The form is mobile-friendly, allowing you to apply on your phone, tablet, or computer—anytime, anywhere.

    Step 2: Receive Instant Lender Matches

    Once the form is submitted, the system scans a broad network of lenders to find the best match for your financial situation. This process takes only a few minutes and does not impact your credit score at this stage.

    The platform is designed for AI-driven loan approvals and intelligent lender routing, ensuring that even borrowers with bad credit or nontraditional employment get a fair shot.

    Step 3: Review Offers and Terms Carefully

    If matched, you’ll receive one or more loan offers to review. Each will include the lender’s:

    • Loan amount
    • APR (annual percentage rate)
    • Repayment terms
    • Monthly payment schedule
    • Any applicable fees

    There is no obligation to accept an offer. You can compare options and choose the one that best aligns with your needs and repayment ability.

    Disclaimer: All loan offers are provided by independent lenders. APRs, fees, and terms are subject to change. Always review the official terms on the lender’s website.

    Step 4: Accept and Complete Final Steps

    Once you’ve selected an offer, you’ll be directed to the lender’s secure website to complete final steps, such as identity verification or e-signing the loan agreement. This ensures both compliance and security.

    Some lenders may request:

    • Proof of income (pay stub or bank statement)
    • Social Security number
    • Valid ID

    Most borrowers find this part of the process fast and hassle-free.

    Step 5: Get Funded—Often by the Next Business Day

    If approved, your funds will be deposited directly into your bank account, typically within one business day. Some lenders may offer same-day funding depending on the time of approval and your bank’s processing policies.

    For those facing immediate expenses, this level of speed is what sets PersonalLoans.com apart in the crowded field of fast cash loans online platforms.

    Disclaimer: Funding timelines are determined by individual lenders and bank processing speeds. Same-day funding is not guaranteed. Always check with the lender for exact timing.

    Stuck in a cash crunch? PersonalLoans.com offers instant matches to lenders—even with bad credit. Apply today and get funded by tomorrow!

    Real-Life Testimonials

    How PersonalLoans.com Helped Borrowers When It Mattered Most

    The value of a platform like PersonalLoans.com is best illustrated through the real stories of everyday people who needed fast financial relief—and got it. From single parents handling emergency expenses to gig workers managing income gaps, these examples highlight the real-world impact of instant payday loans online with guaranteed approval potential.

    A Lifeline During a Health Emergency

    Jessica, a part-time retail worker from Ohio, was faced with an unexpected out-of-pocket medical bill following an emergency room visit. With no savings and poor credit, her bank declined her personal loan request. Desperate for options, she applied through PersonalLoans.com. Within minutes, she was matched with a lender offering a $2,000 loan at a 24% APR with a 24-month repayment. The funds were deposited the next day, allowing her to cover the hospital fees and avoid collections.

    Disclaimer: Individual experiences vary. Loan offers depend on lender policies, credit profile, and income verification.

    Consolidating Credit Card Debt Without Judgment

    Mark, a freelance photographer in Arizona, found himself juggling three high-interest credit cards. Traditional banks weren’t an option due to his irregular income. Through PersonalLoans.com, he secured a $5,000 loan with a 36-month term—offered by a lender that understood freelance income documentation. Mark used the funds to consolidate his debt into a single payment, helping him manage cash flow and reduce his overall interest burden.

    This use of online payday loans for bad credit allowed Mark to stay current on all obligations while regaining financial control.

    A Safety Net Between Paychecks

    Amber, a gig economy driver in Texas, needed funds to fix her vehicle, the very tool she depended on for income. Unable to work until the repair was done, she applied for a same-day payday loan through PersonalLoans.com. She was quickly matched with a lender who offered a $750 short-term loan, enough to pay for the repairs and get her back on the road.

    Because of the platform’s speed and mobile accessibility, Amber was able to get back to earning income within 48 hours.

    Comparing Alternatives

    Traditional Banks vs. Digital Lending Platforms

    For many borrowers, the first instinct when financial trouble strikes is to turn to a bank. However, traditional banks often have strict lending requirements that disqualify individuals with limited credit history, lower credit scores, or nontraditional employment. In addition, approval processes can take days—or even weeks—making banks ill-suited for urgent borrowing needs.

    Banks may offer lower interest rates to highly qualified applicants, but their application requirements typically include:

    • A high credit score (typically 680 or above)
    • Proof of steady employment
    • Extensive financial documentation
    • Collateral for larger loans

    These hurdles exclude millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck or working as freelancers, gig workers, or independent contractors.

    Credit Unions and Peer Lending Platforms

    Credit unions are known for offering slightly more lenient terms and community-focused lending practices. However, membership restrictions, slower approval timelines, and lower loan amounts may make them a poor fit for those seeking emergency payday loans or fast cash loans online.

    Similarly, peer-to-peer lending services can be an option for some, but they often involve longer approval periods, more paperwork, and significant credit reviews. If time is of the essence, these alternatives may fall short.

    Traditional Payday Lenders: Fast, but Risky

    Brick-and-mortar payday lenders often promote same-day payday loans with guaranteed approval, but these come with notoriously high fees and short repayment windows. Borrowers may be required to repay the loan in full within two weeks, sometimes with fees equivalent to APRs exceeding 300%—a cycle that can quickly spiral out of control.

    Drawbacks of storefront payday lenders:

    • Exorbitant fees and interest rates
    • Predatory collection practices
    • Requirement to return in person for future transactions
    • Risk of debt traps due to rollover practices

    For consumers looking for more financial empowerment and less risk, these options are typically considered a last resort.

    How PersonalLoans.com Measures Up

    Unlike traditional or predatory alternatives, PersonalLoans.com offers a middle ground: fast access to a range of loan types, flexible repayment plans, and a high chance of approval through a broad lender network—all without the downsides of payday storefronts.

    Key advantages:

    • Instant online application—no need to visit a branch
    • Mobile-friendly experience—apply anytime, from anywhere
    • Soft credit checks initially—minimizing impact on your credit
    • No hidden fees—full transparency from application to disbursement
    • Access to a wide variety of lenders with competitive rates and terms

    And unlike banks, the platform doesn’t disqualify applicants solely due to low credit scores or nontraditional income. Instead, its fintech infrastructure helps match borrowers to lenders that fit their exact financial profile.

    Disclaimer: Loan approval, APR, and funding timelines are determined by individual lenders. Be sure to review the full terms before accepting any loan. Pricing and terms are subject to change. Visit the official website for the latest details.

    Medical bill? Rent due? Apply now for a fast cash loan online at PersonalLoans.com—no fees, no stress, and approval even with less-than-perfect credit.

    Financial Wellness Tips

    Borrow Smart, Repay Smarter

    While instant payday loans online can offer crucial financial relief in emergencies, using them responsibly is key to avoiding long-term debt issues. Whether you’re borrowing $500 or $5,000, having a plan can make all the difference in how you repay your loan—and how it impacts your overall financial health.

    Below are several actionable tips to help ensure your borrowing decisions through platforms like PersonalLoans.com align with your long-term goals.

    Create a Basic Budget

    Before taking out a loan, it’s essential to understand your cash flow. Create a simple monthly budget that outlines your:

    • Income (from employment, side gigs, benefits, etc.)
    • Fixed expenses (rent, utilities, insurance)
    • Variable expenses (groceries, gas, subscriptions)
    • Disposable income available for loan repayment

    Knowing your repayment capacity ensures that your new loan won’t overextend your finances. Many borrowers using same-day payday loans underestimate their future cash flow and struggle with repayments as a result.

    Only Borrow What You Need

    It might be tempting to apply for the highest amount you qualify for, but that can result in unnecessarily high interest charges and longer repayment periods. Borrow only what you need for the intended purpose—whether it’s emergency expenses, debt consolidation, or home repair.

    This is especially important with fast cash loans online where funds may arrive quickly and feel like disposable cash. Always treat the loan as a debt to be repaid, not “extra” money.

    Set Up Automated Repayments

    If your lender offers it, enroll in auto-pay features. Not only does this help you avoid missed payments and late fees, but some lenders also offer small APR reductions or fee waivers for consistent repayment history.

    Pro tip: Set calendar reminders for payment due dates if you’re not using auto-pay. Staying organized supports your credit score and financial stability.

    Build or Rebuild Your Credit

    For those using online payday loans for bad credit, consistent on-time payments can help rebuild your credit. Make sure your selected lender reports repayment behavior to major credit bureaus. If they do, your responsible borrowing could improve your score over time.

    This can lead to access to lower-interest loans in the future, potentially replacing the need for short-term borrowing altogether.

    Disclaimer: Not all lenders report to credit bureaus. Confirm with your lender before assuming credit score benefits from repayment activity.

    Start an Emergency Fund (Even Small)

    Once your loan is paid off, begin saving a small portion of your income for future emergencies—even $10 per week adds up over time. This safety net can help reduce dependence on borrowing in the future.

    Pairing these strategies with the accessible structure of PersonalLoans.com ensures you’re borrowing responsibly, even when urgent needs arise.

    Conclusion

    Empowering Borrowers With Flexible, Fast Financial Options

    In a financial landscape where timing, credit history, and accessibility often determine who gets approved and who doesn’t, PersonalLoans.com emerges as a powerful tool for those who need instant payday loans online with guaranteed approval potential. The platform’s secure, easy-to-use interface, wide network of lenders, and commitment to transparency set it apart from both traditional banks and high-risk payday storefronts.

    By offering a range of loan types—including no credit check payday loans, fast cash loans online, and same-day payday loans—PersonalLoans.com meets borrowers where they are, providing a more modern, mobile, and inclusive alternative to outdated lending systems.

    When Life Happens, Access Matters

    This article outlined why individuals turn to emergency payday loans and how financial disruptions—like medical bills, job gaps, or home repairs—can happen to anyone. Through a fintech-driven solution, PersonalLoans.com helps borrowers face these challenges without judgment and with real choices.

    Whether you’re navigating a credit rebuild, a cash-flow pinch, or an unexpected expense, this platform provides options that align with today’s on-demand expectations. With fast processing times, inclusive eligibility criteria, and no obligation to accept offers, users stay in control of their financial future.

    A Final Note on Responsible Borrowing

    It’s important to view any short-term or unsecured loan as a tool—not a solution to chronic financial strain. Use loans wisely, borrow only what you can repay, and follow the smart borrowing strategies outlined above to minimize risks and optimize your financial outcome.

    If you’re in need of a reliable, transparent, and efficient way to secure funds quickly, PersonalLoans.com is worth considering as one of the best online payday loan providers in 2025.

    Why wait for payday? Apply for a same-day loan now on PersonalLoans.com and access up to $35K from trusted lenders. Quick, secure, and confidential!

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What is PersonalLoans.com and how does it work?

    PersonalLoans.com is a secure, online lending marketplace that connects borrowers with a wide network of lenders. It does not issue loans directly. Instead, it matches users with loan offers based on their profile, credit status, and financial needs. The platform supports borrowers looking for instant payday loans online, fast cash loans, and personal loans for bad credit, often with flexible repayment terms.

    Can I really get instant payday loans online with guaranteed approval?

    While guaranteed approval typically means a high likelihood of being matched with a lender, actual loan approval is still based on each lender’s criteria. That said, PersonalLoans.com increases your chances by sharing your request with a broad network of lenders, including those that accept applicants with bad credit or no credit history.

    Disclaimer: Approval is not guaranteed and depends on income, lender criteria, and verification of submitted information.

    Are there payday loans with no credit check available through PersonalLoans.com?

    Some lenders in the PersonalLoans.com network may offer no credit check payday loans or use alternative credit data for assessment. However, most legitimate lenders will still perform at least a soft credit inquiry to evaluate risk. These checks do not impact your credit score.

    How fast can I receive my payday loan through PersonalLoans.com?

    Many borrowers receive funding within one business day, depending on lender approval and bank processing times. Same-day payday loans may be possible if the application is completed early in the day and processed quickly by the lender.

    Disclaimer: Timing varies by lender and bank. Always confirm estimated funding time on the lender’s official terms.

    What types of loans can I apply for through PersonalLoans.com?

    You can request various loan types including:

    • Emergency payday loans
    • Short-term personal loans
    • Debt consolidation loans
    • Fast cash loans online for unexpected expenses

    Loan amounts typically range from $250 to $35,000, with terms from 3 to 72 months.

    What are the credit score requirements for using PersonalLoans.com?

    There is no minimum credit score required to submit a loan request. PersonalLoans.com works with lenders that accept a wide range of credit profiles, including poor credit, fair credit, and limited credit history.

    Is PersonalLoans.com safe to use for borrowing money online?

    Yes, the platform uses bank-level encryption and adheres to strict data privacy standards. Your personal information is only shared with participating lenders during the matching process, and you are under no obligation to accept any offer.

    Are there fees to use PersonalLoans.com?

    No. There are no fees to submit a loan request on PersonalLoans.com. If you accept a loan offer, any applicable fees or interest rates are disclosed clearly by the lender before you sign.

    What happens if I can’t repay my payday loan on time?

    If you anticipate difficulty repaying your loan, contact your lender immediately to discuss options. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees or negatively affect your credit. Many lenders offer flexible terms, but it’s essential to understand your obligations before borrowing.

    Get matched with top lenders offering flexible loans—even with poor credit. Start your application now at PersonalLoans.com for near-instant decisions!

    • Company: PersonalLoans
    • Email: support@personalloans.com
    • Phone Support: 1-800-772-2274

    Disclaimer and Legal Disclosure

    Customer Notice: A personal loan is an online installment loan, typically ranging from $250 to $35,000. A personal loan may serve as a financial option for customers seeking funds for purposes such as a wedding, home improvement project, or family vacation. The online application process is designed for customer convenience, allowing individuals to apply without visiting a physical branch.

    Legal Disclaimer: The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. The publisher, content creators, and syndication partners make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any information presented herein. All information is provided “as is,” without any warranty of any kind. Any reliance placed on the material is strictly at the reader’s own risk. The publisher and all parties involved disclaim any responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages arising from the use of or reliance on the content of this publication.

    PersonalLoans.com’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy govern the use of its website and services. PersonalLoans.com connects borrowers with lenders or lending partners; any loan obtained is subject to the specific terms and conditions of the lender or lending partner. The operators and publishers of this article are not lenders, do not broker loans, and do not make loans or credit decisions. Nothing contained in this publication constitutes an offer or solicitation to lend or a guarantee of loan approval.

    Any loan-related information, including but not limited to APR, loan amounts, interest rates, fees, funding timelines, and repayment terms, are estimations only. Actual loan details will vary by lender or lending partner and individual borrower qualifications. Please note that some lenders or lending partners may perform credit checks as part of their approval process. Borrowers are encouraged to compare all available offers and read all terms carefully before accepting any loan.

    Borrowers may be connected with a tribal lender. Loans from tribal lenders are governed by federal and tribal laws, not state laws, and may carry higher rates or fees than state-licensed lenders. Borrowers should consult with the lender directly for full details.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pixmeo OsiriX MD

    News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

    View CSAF

    1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • CVSS v4 9.3
    • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
    • Vendor: Pixmeo
    • Equipment: OsiriX MD
    • Vulnerabilities: Use After Free, Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information

    2. RISK EVALUATION

    Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to cause memory corruption, resulting in a denial-of-service condition or to steal credentials.

    3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

    3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

    The following Pixmeo products are affected:

    • OsiriX MD: Versions 14.0.1 (Build 2024-02-28) and prior

    3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

    3.2.1 USE AFTER FREE CWE-416

    The affected product is vulnerable to a use after free scenario, which could allow an attacker to upload a crafted DICOM file and cause memory corruption leading to a denial-of-service condition.

    CVE-2025-27578 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

    A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-27578. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

    3.2.2 USE AFTER FREE CWE-416

    The affected product is vulnerable to a local use after free scenario, which could allow an attacker to locally import a crafted DICOM file and cause memory corruption or a system crash.

    CVE-2025-31946 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

    A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-31946. A base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

    3.2.3 CLEARTEXT TRANSMISSION OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION CWE-319

    The Osirix MD Web Portal sends credential information without encryption, which could allow an attacker to steal credentials.

    CVE-2025-27720 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).

    A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-27720. A base score of 9.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

    3.3 BACKGROUND

    • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Healthcare and Public Health
    • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
    • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland

    3.4 RESEARCHER

    Chizuru Toyama of TXOne Networks and Canaan Kao of TXOne Networks reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

    4. MITIGATIONS

    Pixmeo recommends users to download the latest version of OsiriX MD.

    For additional support regarding OsiriX MD, users should contact Pixmeo directly.

    CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this these vulnerabilities, such as:

    • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the Internet.
    • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
    • When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

    CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

    CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

    CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

    Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

    Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

    CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

    No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

    5. UPDATE HISTORY

    • May 8, 2025: Initial Publication

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Debates – Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Strasbourg – Revised edition

    Source: European Parliament
    Verbatim report of proceedings
     490k  558k
    Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Strasbourg
    1. Opening of the sitting
      2. Composition of political groups
      3. Composition of committees and delegations
      4. 80 years after the end of World War II – freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate)
      5. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (debate)
      6. Resumption of the sitting
      7. Voting time
        7.1. Arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania (RC-B10-0260/2025, B10-0260/2025, B10-0261/2025, B10-0262/2025, B10-0263/2025, B10-0264/2025, B10-0265/2025) (vote)
        7.2. Return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia (RC-B10-0249/2025, B10-0247/2025, B10-0249/2025, B10-0250/2025, B10-0252/2025, B10-0255/2025, B10-0258/2025) (vote)
        7.3. Violations of religious freedom in Tibet (RC-B10-0248/2025, B10-0248/2025, B10-0251/2025, B10-0253/2025, B10-0254/2025, B10-0256/2025, B10-0259/2025) (vote)
        7.4. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (A10-0066/2025 – Jacek Protas) (vote)
        7.5. CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 (vote)
        7.6. The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) (vote)
        7.7. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (A10-0079/2025 – Borys Budka) (vote)
        7.8. Screening of foreign investments in the Union (A10-0061/2025 – Raphaël Glucksmann) (vote)
        7.9. Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union (A10-0059/2025 – Karin Karlsbro) (vote)
        7.10. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (A10-0071/2025 – Lara Wolters) (vote)
        7.11. Banking Union – annual report 2024 (A10-0044/2025 – Ralf Seekatz) (vote)
        7.12. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 (B10-0244/2025) (vote)
        7.13. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (B10-0246/2025) (vote)
      8. Resumption of the sitting
      9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
      10. EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles (debate)
      11. Explanations of vote
        11.1. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (A10-0066/2025 – Jacek Protas)
        11.2. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (A10-0079/2025 – Borys Budka)
        11.3. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (A10-0071/2025 – Lara Wolters)
        11.4. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (B10-0246/2025)
      12. Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted
      13. Dates of the next part-session
      14. Closure of the sitting
      15. Adjournment of the session

       

    FORSÆDE: CHRISTEL SCHALDEMOSE
    Næstformand

    		  
    1. Opening of the sitting

       

    (Mødet åbnet kl. 9:00)

    		  

    2. Composition of political groups

    		 

      President. – Volker Schnurrbusch is a member of the ESN Group as of 8 May 2025.

    		  

    3. Composition of committees and delegations

    		 

      President. – The ESN Group has notified the President of a decision relating to changes to appointments within committees. This decision will be set out in the minutes of today’s sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

    		  

    4. 80 years after the end of World War II – freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate)


    		 

      Sebastião Bugalho, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, in the history books, the post-war world means not just the world after the war, but a world without it.

    Today, 80 years after the surrender of the Nazi regime, we live in a world that faces a darkness most of us can’t recall. 50 million lives in six years made us say ‘never again’. The Second World War confronted mankind with humanity, patriotism with fascism, truth with anger. The Great War was brought to an end with peace, with a hard lesson. Those who chose to resist forgave those who refuse to forget.

    And that, dear colleagues, is the founding principle of our Union. That those who weld against invasion are here bounded together with those who commit, never to commit it again. That those who said we shall never surrender are here side by side with those who say, we shall always remember.

    The Ukrainian people know as we know, that the courage to carry on is the same courage not to let history be rewritten. And we are to keep that in our minds that their fight was once our fight. That their freedom is also our freedom. That their victory will be our peace. They may not be our fathers or our sons, but they are our brothers, our brothers in arms and in rights, our brothers in their hope and in their defiance.

    In this world, in this war, we may be lonely but never alone. 80 years ago we too faced that loneliness and defeated a great evil on this VE Day. Today it’s the survival of freedom, of democracy now and then at stake in our continent.

    So today, from this time and place, let it be known that victory for Europe Day stands not only for the victory that once was, but also for the victory that must be. Let it be known that the torch of history lights this common cause, that the words VE Day will also, and soon enough mean, Slava Ukraini.

    		  
       

    		 

      Marc Angel, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, dear colleagues, 80 years ago, the guns fell silent across Europe, marking the end of the most devastating war our continent has ever known. And today we honour the memory of those who were murdered, who suffered and perished. And we reflect also on the long, difficult path from destruction to peace.

    Out of the ashes of conflict, Europe chose reconciliation over revenge. Former enemies reached out in solidarity, laying the foundations for a united, peaceful continent. The European Union stands today not only as a political and an economic alliance, but as a powerful symbol of what unity, mutual respect and shared values can achieve.

    Today, this legacy is under threat. Across our continent, the far right and nationalism are once again gaining ground, fuelling hatred and division. But we must not forget where such ideologies once led us. The horrors of the past are not just history – they are warnings.

    On this important anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a strong, united Europe, one that champions peace, democracy, equality and the dignity of all its people. Let our history be our guide and our unity be our strength.

    Today we must also pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, victims of the brutal aggression of Russia’s autocratic regime.

    		  
       

    		 

      Kinga Gál, a PfE képviselőcsoport nevében. – Elnök Asszony! A második világháború elképzelhetetlen pusztítása és szenvedése után Európa romokban hevert. Soha többé! Az alapító atyák, felismerve a pusztítás következményeit, létrehozták a közös Európát, melynek fő célja a tartós béke, biztonság és jólét biztosítása kontinensünkön. A májusi örömünnepnek nyolcvan éve, a háború vége viszont nem hozott valódi békét és jólétet minden európai nemzetnek. Hiszen Közép-Kelet-Európában, így nekünk, magyaroknak nem ért véget a szenvedés. A kommunizmus sötét évei következtek, férfiak és nők ezreinek gulágra hurcolása, kitelepítések, megtorlás, politikai tisztogatások és a szabadság korlátozása tartották félelemben az embereket még évtizedekig.

    Szüleink és nagyszüleink, de még a mi emlékezetünkben is ezek az érzések ma is élénken élnek. Méltán vágytak tehát az Unióba, a vasfüggönyön túlra, ami a szabadság, béke, biztonság és jólét szimbóluma volt számukra. Erre viszont még sokáig, 2004-ig várni kellett, ezért érint meg minket különösen fájdalmasan, ha úgy érezzük, hogy ezek az értékek most veszélyben vannak, hiszen béke helyett háború dúl a szomszédunkban. Biztonság helyett az illegális migráció egyre nagyobb fenyegetést jelent a közbiztonságra. Jólét helyett pedig gazdasági gyengüléssel kell szembenéznünk. Vissza kell térnünk az alapokhoz: a kölcsönös tiszteletre és szuverén nemzetek jóhiszemű együttműködésére épülő Unióhoz. Amely nem kioktat, hanem tisztel és támogat. Csak így maradhat Európa továbbra is a béke, a biztonság és a jólét otthona.

    		  
       

    		 

      Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Madam President, on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, you are talking about responsibility, courage, justice. But those are only words. We are still waiting for action. Poland, the country where the war was started, was divided between Germany and Russia after the Ribbentrop‑Molotov Pact. From the first to the last day of the war, Poland was on the right side. It had no institutional collaborators and lost almost 30 % of its pre-war resources – the most in Europe – and six million citizens. One third of this territory was taken and given to Russia.

    Until today, Poland has not received any reparation – no real compensation, only symbolic. Instead of giving justice and equal chances to Polish citizens, instead of helping new generations of Poles who should not pay for the fact that their parents stayed on the right side and did not collaborate with evil, the EU spent billions on silly ideology because the Earth will burn. This is not responsibility or justice which you are talking about so much. This unfair advantage built through a barbaric attack on the other nations must finally be reduced. This is not only about Poland, but also about Greece, the Baltic states and other victims.

    This 80th anniversary should finally bring real action to clean this stain. It is time to create compensation and an equal‑opportunity budget in Europe instead of a special budget for green ideology. To make up for the guilt, the effects of the evil must be removed completely.

    		  
       

    		 

      Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, au nom du groupe Renew. – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, héritière de celles et de ceux qui ont vécu la guerre et la barbarie au plus profond de leur chair, héritière du silence autour de ces blessures enfouies et longtemps tues, je commémore aujourd’hui et avec vous, ici, dans cet hémicycle de Strasbourg, les héros dont les noms traversent nos manuels et nos rues, comme les anonymes restés dans l’ombre de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

    Être héritière de ces morts et traumatismes, c’est se voir conférer une responsabilité sacrée: celle de ne jamais être un simple témoin, ni dans le présent, ni dans l’avenir. Être héritière de celles et de ceux qui ont œuvré pour la liberté, un projet de réconciliation, c’est se voir assumer un devoir exigeant, celui de ne jamais céder au «deux poids, deux mesures».

    Être héritière d’une anonyme, en ce 8 mai 2025, c’est faire entendre, en se tenant devant vous, que cet anniversaire nous engage, nous, parlementaires européens. C’est un appel à regarder en face la réalité brutale du monde, un appel à nous battre à notre tour pour la démocratie, pour la liberté, pour la sécurité, pour l’universalisme, et ceci pour tous nos héritiers.

    		  
       

    		 

      Thomas Waitz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, colleagues, the Second World War was raw brutality. It was demonisation and dehumanisation of big parts of society. It was devastating warfare, total destruction and mass murder. That’s what it was. Fascism didn’t happen overnight. It was carefully woven into parts of society or into society, piece by piece, many years before the Nazis took over Germany and Austria, driven by blind hatred, by white supremacy and racism. Countless people were targeted and killed.

    But based on acknowledgement of crime, reconciliation and forgiveness, we are building this, our European Union. Yes, to forgive, but never to forget. Because remembrance is not an act of the past, it’s a pact with the future.

    But, colleagues, somehow I have the impression that we did not learn. Once again, strong men have returned – in the US, in Russia, in China, in Hungary. Based on hatred and on disrespect for human rights, we once again see the rising forces of anti-democratic and anti-human policies. Even here in this House we hear hate speech, we hear blunt, fearmongering propaganda.

    But freedom is still strong and the fight for freedom is still strong. The freedom to love who you love, the freedom to decide over your own body, the freedom to live the life that you want to live, and the freedom to learn from history and the freedom to strive for peace. Because ‘never again’ is now!

    		  
       

    		 

      Konstantinos Arvanitis, εξ ονόματος της ομάδας The Left. – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, 80 χρόνια από τη λήξη του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου αλλά και 80 χρόνια από τη μεγάλη αντιφασιστική νίκη. Ας θυμηθούμε, λοιπόν, τις αιτίες. Να ξαναδιαβάσουμε την ιστορία· να μην ξαναγράψουμε την ιστορία όπως επιτάσσουν συμφέροντα, ώστε να μην επαναλάβουμε τα ίδια λάθη γιατί αυτό θα συνιστά έγκλημα στο έγκλημα.

    Να θυμηθούμε πως οι αντιθέσεις του κεφαλαίου σε Ευρώπη και Αμερική ενίσχυσαν, χρηματοδότησαν και γιγάντωσαν τον φασισμό και τον ναζισμό στην ήπειρό μας. Να θυμηθούμε και να τιμήσουμε τα θύματα αυτής της θηριωδίας: τους Εβραίους, τους κομμουνιστές, τους σοσιαλιστές, τους δημοκράτες, τους δημοκράτες αντιναζί, τη ΛΟΑΤΚΙ κοινότητα, τους διαφορετικούς, τους ανήμπορους. Θύματα στο ιδεολόγημα της αθλιότητας περί καθαρής φυλής, αρίας φυλής. Να τιμήσουμε τα εκατομμύρια των θυμάτων, απλούς στρατιώτες, νέα λαϊκά παιδιά που δεν χάρηκαν τη ζωή. Να τιμήσουμε τους παρτιζάνους, τους αντάρτες, τις γυναίκες, τους άνδρες που βγήκαν στα βουνά για να αντισταθούν και να αντιμετωπίσουν τη ναζιστική φασιστική θηριωδία.

    Η χώρα μου, μια μικρή χώρα, έχασε το ένα έβδομο του πληθυσμού της. Τουλάχιστον 650.000 εκτελέστηκαν, πέθαναν από την πείνα, δολοφονήθηκαν. Κλάπηκε όλος ο ελληνικός θησαυρός και έμειναν πίσω καμένες εστίες, καμένα χωριά, μαρτυρικά χωριά.

    Με αφορμή τη σημερινή επέτειο, εδώ, από το βήμα του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου, επαναφέρω το θέμα των ελληνικών αξιώσεων που αφορούν αποζημιώσεις και επανορθώσεις για ζημιές που υπέστη η χώρα μου και οι πολίτες της κατά τον Α΄ και Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, για πολεμικές αποζημιώσεις για τα θύματα, τους απογόνους των θυμάτων της γερμανικής Κατοχής, την αποπληρωμή του κατοχικού δανείου και την επιστροφή των κλοπιμαίων και παράνομα αφαιρεθέντων αρχαιολογικών και πολιτιστικών αγαθών. Από τη χώρα μου, την Ελλάδα, που σήκωσε το ανάστημά της απέναντι στον ναζισμό και τον φασισμό. Είναι δίκαιο· και η Ευρώπη χωρίς δικαιοσύνη δεν υπάρχει.

    		  
       

    		 

      René Aust, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin! Am 8. Mai 1945 endete mit der bedingungslosen Kapitulation der Wehrmacht die militärische Herrschaft des Nationalsozialismus. Auch in diesem Jahr gedenken wir der Millionen gefallenen Soldaten und getöteten Zivilisten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Wir erkennen zunehmend auch die doppelte Bedeutung dieses Tages an: Der 8. Mai bedeutete für Westeuropa langfristig Freiheit, für Mittel‑ und Osteuropa jedoch die Zementierung einer 45-jährigen russischen Gewaltherrschaft.

    Richard von Weizsäcker verwies in seiner berühmten Rede am 8. Mai 1985 zu Recht darauf, dass dieser Tag untrennbar mit dem 30. Januar 1933, dem Beginn der nationalsozialistischen Diktatur, verbunden sei. Aber das ist nur ein Teil. Denn so gewiss der 8. Mai das Ende der NS‑Diktatur markierte, so gewiss schuf er zugleich die Grundlage für kommunistische Diktaturen. Ohne den 8. Mai 1945 hätte es durch Russland keine Verschleppung zehntausender baltischer Familien im März 1949 gegeben, keine russische Niederschlagung des Volksaufstandes in der DDR am 17. Juni 1953, keinen russischen Einmarsch in Ungarn 1956, keine russischen Panzer in Prag 1968 und keine Unterdrückung der Solidarność‑Bewegung in Polen.

    Heute gedenken wir der Opfer des Zweiten Weltkriegs vom 1. September 1939 bis zum 8. Mai 1945. Zugleich danken wir allen Männern und Frauen, die in Mittel‑ und Osteuropa nach dem 8. Mai 1945 mutig gegen die kommunistische Diktatur und die russische Vorherrschaft aufgestanden sind. Ihr Einsatz für Freiheit und nationale Selbstbestimmung bleibt ein unverzichtbarer Teil des europäischen Erbes.

    		  
       


    		 

      Javi López (S&D). – Señora presidenta, hoy conmemoramos el 80.º aniversario del fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la guerra que desoló Europa, que mostró la cara más cruel del ser humano y de los espeluznantes horrores de los que somos capaces, de los que el hombre es capaz. La guerra no solo asesina a los vivos, acaba perdurando sobre las futuras generaciones.

    Hoy enormes cicatrices de esta guerra perduran aquí, en Europa. De aquella oscuridad y de las cenizas de esa guerra construimos las instituciones que hoy disfrutamos, la Europa de la paz y la dignidad, de la democracia y las libertades: la Europa de la reconciliación.

    Es una Europa que vuelve a estar amenazada por el totalitarismo y el autoritarismo que padecimos entonces, de líderes autoritarios que desde fuera amenazan la seguridad europea, de líderes autoritarios que también tienen peones aquí, en las instituciones europeas, y que amenazan con liquidar la democracia y las libertades que hoy disfrutamos. Son autoritarios que utilizan las mismas ideas e instrumentalizan el aislamiento, el miedo y la mentira para sembrar el odio frente a lo que nosotros reivindicamos: la verdad, la justicia y la memoria. Una Europa unida es la única respuesta frente a la barbarie.

    		  
       

    		 

      Hermann Tertsch (PfE). – Señor presidente, hace ochenta años la derrota militar del nacionalsocialismo alemán cerró una de las páginas más monstruosas de la historia de la humanidad, generada, recuérdenlo, en Europa y por Europa. Fue la nación de los poetas y los pensadores la causante del genocidio industrializado que fue el Holocausto del pueblo judío y el incendio de todo el continente. Fue la arrogancia del idealismo totalitario la que prima la utopía humana sobre la sacralidad de la vida hasta caer al agujero negro del crimen total.

    Iban al mundo ideal. «Am deutschen Wesen soll die Welt genesen»: la esencia alemana sanará al mundo. Resuena inquietante en la arrogancia de los que hoy marginan al discrepante. Aquella guerra mató a sesenta millones de personas. El nazismo sucumbió en doce años, pero quedó el comunismo, la otra ideología redentora en pos del ideal que solo genera infiernos. El comunismo asesinó a más de cien millones, sigue hoy vivo y presente y está también aquí en esta sala. Porque el 8 de mayo se liberó una parte de Europa, pero, en la otra, solo se cambió una tiranía por la otra.

    El comunismo se transformó y, si en Rusia tenemos una oligarquía agresora y criminal, hoy en Occidente lo tenemos disfrazado de ingeniería social, del igualitarismo colectivista, del socialismo que persigue los mismos fines. En honor de tantos millones de víctimas, defendamos la libertad y la verdad, las armas supremas frente a ideologías redentoras, totalitarias y criminales siempre.

    		  
       

    		 

      Adrian-George Axinia (ECR). – Doamnă președintă, există un citat anonim celebru care descrie cumva ciclicitatea războiului pe tărâm european: „Vremurile bune creează oameni puternici, oamenii puternici creează vremuri bune. Vremurile bune creează oameni slabi și oamenii slabi creează vremuri grele.”

    Într-o Europă a prosperității, la 80 de ani de la sfârșitul celui de-al Doilea Război Mondial, cu o inconștiență veselă, proiectul nostru se îndreaptă pe bâjbâite către un nou conflict paneuropean. Și asta din cauza unei conduceri a Uniunii Europene rupte de realitate și de voința cetățenilor europeni.

    M-am bucurat să aud vorbindu-se despre ce am reușit să construim în ultimii 80 de ani pe continent: libertate, prosperitate, securitate. Era bine dacă insistam pe cuvântul pace, care lipsește din descrierea acestui eveniment. Cât despre democrație, aș fi vrut să văd în ultima jumătate de an mai multe reacții față de abuzurile antidemocratice comise de puterea politică din România. Nu cum a făcut Bruxelles-ul, care a închis ochii sau chiar a aplaudat anularea voinței cetățenilor români. Din fericire, vocea lor s-a făcut auzită pe 4 mai și se va face auzită și pe 18 mai.

    		  
       

    		 

      Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew). – Frau Präsidentin! „Es ist geschehen, und folglich kann es wieder geschehen.“ – So warnte der italienische Schriftsteller und Auschwitzüberlebende Primo Levi davor, den Zivilisationsbruch der Nazis zu vergessen, denn das Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs erinnert an die Befreiung vom nationalsozialistischen Terror. Und daher erinnern wir auch an die Jahre vor 1945. Wie konnten zivilisierte Menschen zu diesem Grauen fähig sein? 80 Jahre später wird in Deutschland die AfD vom Verfassungsschutz als rechtsextrem eingestuft. Rechte Kräfte sind in ganz Europa seit Jahren auf dem Vormarsch. In den USA regiert ein Präsident, der offensichtlich das Autoritäre liebt.

    Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die EU ist das größte und wunderbarste Friedensprojekt der Welt. Gerade uns sollte die Vergangenheit mahnen, was passieren kann, wenn Demokratien zerbrechen und autoritäre Regime an ihre Stelle treten. Lassen Sie uns deswegen wehrhaft sein, nach außen wie nach innen, damit das, was geschehen ist, nie wieder geschieht.

    (Die Rednerin ist damit einverstanden, auf mehrere Fragen nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“ zu antworten.)

    		  
       

    		 

      Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR), pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Pani Poseł! Jest Pani przedstawicielką narodu, państwa, które wywołało II wojnę światową, wyrządziło ogromne cierpienia dla mojego narodu, dla Polski, ale również dla innych narodów europejskich, dla Grecji.

    Dlaczego Niemcy nie chcą zapłacić reparacji wojennych Polsce – odszkodowania za II wojnę światową?

    Państwa naród, naziści, wymordowali 6 milionów Polaków, zniszczyli Polskę i do dzisiaj nie chcą się z Polską rozliczyć. Kiedy zapłacicie swój dług wobec Polski i Grecji?

    		  
       

    		 

      Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Vielen Dank für Ihre Einlassung. Deutschland hat gerade nach dem Fall der Mauer mit Unterstützung der Vereinigten Staaten, der Franzosen und auch der Briten gelernt, was Demokratie bedeutet. Ich glaube, wenn ich zurückschaue nach 80 Jahren, dass wir im Austausch mit unseren Nachbarn, mit unseren Nationen alles getan haben, was man tun muss, um in Frieden und Freiheit gemeinsam zu leben. Und deswegen: Ja, ich stehe hier als deutsche Staatsbürgerin, und ich war seinerzeit noch nicht geboren. Wir haben in Deutschland die Geschichte 80 Jahre lang – und das ist gut so – aufgearbeitet, bis heute. Ich bezweifle, dass es Länder gibt, wo die Geschichte des Mittuns aufgearbeitet worden ist. Wir haben es getan, und wir werden in Deutschland dafür sorgen, dass nie vergessen wird, was die Nazis diesem Kontinent und darüber hinaus angetan haben. Denn es ist richtig: Über 60 Millionen Menschen haben das Leben verloren. Deutschland ist ein demokratischer Staat, und wir sind in Verantwortung. Wir sind glücklich, hier Teil der Europäischen Union zu sein.

    		  
       


    		 

      Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Sie sind Mitglied einer Partei, die als gesichert rechtsextrem gilt. Ich glaube, Ihre Immunität ist gerade aufgehoben worden – korrigieren Sie mich, wenn das falsch ist. Dass Sie überhaupt die Traute haben, so zu sprechen. Ich habe gerade, wenn Sie zugehört haben, gesagt, in den USA regiert ein Präsident, der offensichtlich das Autoritäre liebt, so wie Sie es lieben. Und ich sage Ihnen: Die Mehrheit in diesem Hause wird nicht zulassen, dass Politiker wie Sie und Ihre Partei – die hier sitzt, die hier sich hat reinwählen lassen, nicht um Europa nach vorne zu bringen, sondern um dieses Europa von innen zu zerstören – diese Europäische Union zerstören. Deswegen sage ich: Wir haben nicht nur nach außen wehrhaft zu sein, sondern auch nach innen, damit solche Politiker wie Sie diese Europäische Union nicht zerstören.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nela Riehl (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, what is the most important EU value to you? To that question, young Europeans answered: human rights, democracy and peace. Eighty years after World War II, these values are still our most important heritage.

    But as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown, peace and democracy are not a given – they call for a commitment. A commitment to not remain silent when extremist regimes deliberately starve civilians and commit war atrocities. A commitment from democratic forces to raise strong firewalls against the far right in Europe. And a commitment to remain vigilant when our allies progressively turn their back on democracy, censoring researchers and activists or threatening the rights of minorities and women.

    But what does this actually mean for us? It means we cannot compromise on the freedom of our artists, our universities, our citizens. Europe must remain a hub of creativity, of knowledge and also of democracy, providing equal opportunities for all. It means we cannot let foreign forces interfere in our democratic processes, be it in the ballots or on social media. And it means we cannot be complicit when fundamental rights are being walked over, all in this very Union.

    Turning a blind eye would be a betrayal to the lessons our grandparents painfully learned. Our European Union youth is rightfully demanding us to stay loyal to this heritage. More than a celebration, today’s anniversary is a reminder of Europe’s responsibility.

    		  
       

    		 

      Marina Mesure (The Left). – Madame la Présidente, chers collègues, nous ne devons jamais oublier l’horreur de cette guerre. Ne jamais oublier le visage de tous ces innocents qui ont péri dans les camps ou sur les champs de bataille, ni celui de celles et ceux qui ont résisté avec courage pour notre liberté. Ne jamais oublier que cette guerre totale fut provoquée par des régimes d’extrême droite, car, oui, ce qui fait le ciment de nos sociétés européennes est de nouveau menacé. Le retour en force de l’extrême droite met en péril l’unité des peuples en désignant, comme en 1940, des ennemis de l’intérieur et en rejetant l’état de droit, garant des libertés fondamentales. En s’alimentant sur la montée des inégalités, en banalisant les discours de haine, ils créent le ferment de la division.

    Face à cette menace, rappelons-nous que du chaos de la Seconde Guerre mondiale est sorti un héritage commun, celui des Nations unies, un internationalisme guidé par un idéal de paix, de coopération, de solidarité entre les peuples. Un héritage qui nous montre la voie et qu’il convient de protéger.

    Ainsi, en cette journée de commémoration, ne laissons pas l’oubli envahir nos cœurs. Gardons cette mémoire vive et continuons à lutter avec force et détermination pour un projet humaniste et universaliste.

    		  
       


    		 

      Ruth Firmenich (NI). – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! Heute vor 80 Jahren wurde Deutschland vom Faschismus befreit. Heute ist der Tag, den Befreiern aus der Sowjetunion, den USA, Großbritannien und Frankreich sowie den Partisanen zu danken, die für unsere Freiheit gekämpft haben. Es war die Sowjetunion, die die Hauptlast im Kampf gegen den Hitlerfaschismus getragen hat. Über 27 Millionen Sowjetbürger, die meisten davon Zivilisten, starben beim Feldzug der Nazis, der die slawischen Völker versklaven und vernichten sollte – mehr als eine Million allein bei der Blockade Leningrads. Doch die deutsche Bundesregierung weigert sich, dieses Verbrechen als Völkermord anzuerkennen.

    Die Erinnerung an die Geschichte ist in Gefahr. Leider gibt es – auch hier im Haus – Versuche, den Anteil der Sowjetunion am Sieg über Nazideutschland kleinzureden. Aber es war die Rote Armee, die das Vernichtungslager Auschwitz und das Konzentrationslager Sachsenhausen bei Berlin befreite. Es ist eine Schande, wenn Vertreter Russlands, des größten Nachfolgestaats der Sowjetunion, am 80. Jahrestag der Befreiung vom Gedenken ausgeschlossen werden. Wir dürfen es nicht zulassen, dass die Geschichte verfälscht wird. Das sind wir auch den Millionen Opfern des deutschen Faschismus schuldig.

    		  
       

    		 

      Łukasz Kohut (PPE). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Wojna nie jest rozwiązaniem – zawsze jest okrucieństwem. Wojna niszczy to, co piękne, poddaje w wątpliwość to, co słuszne, i nie pozostawia wyboru dla tego, co konieczne. Wojna nie nauczyła nas niczego, co wartościowe. Uświadomiła nam jednak, na co już nigdy nie możemy pozwolić i co za wszelką cenę musimy powstrzymać.

    80 lat temu zakończyły się działania wojenne. Nie wszędzie przyniosły pokój. Są miejsca w Europie, gdzie Armia Czerwona kontynuowała to, co rozpoczął Adolf Hitler. Tak było na Śląsku, gdzie Sowieci popełniali najobrzydliwsze zbrodnie na miejscowej ludności. Takich miejsc jak Śląsk było więcej. Jeden terror zastąpił drugi.

    Wojna w Ukrainie przypomina nam, że nic nie jest dane raz na zawsze, że pokój nie spada z nieba. Więcej: pokój wymaga ciągłej pracy, ciągłej walki, nieustannych kompromisów czy rezygnacji z wybujałych ambicji.

    80 lat temu okrucieństwa wojny zmieniły nie tylko układ sił, granic, wygląd miast, ale także nas samych, Europejczyków. Wolność, demokracja, bezpieczeństwo – te trzy elementy składają się na nasze wspólne europejskie dziedzictwo, któremu nadaliśmy konkretną nazwę: Unia Europejska.

    To jest droga, którą podążamy. Może bywa wyboista i trudna, bo nic, co wartościowe, nie przychodzi łatwo, ale nie ma większego sukcesu Europejczyków niż pokój, który nam zapewnia.

    		  
       


    		 

      António Tânger Corrêa (PfE). – Senhora Presidente, caros colegas, celebra-se hoje — e é motivo para celebrar — o fim da Segunda Guerra Mundial, a maior guerra que o mundo já conheceu até hoje.

    Não, não foram 50 milhões, não foram 60 milhões, foram 75 milhões, entre militares, civis e genocídios. 3 % da população mundial na altura morreu devido à guerra. Isto não se pode repetir.

    Mas, se o fim da guerra foi uma boa notícia, a melhor notícia foi a criação de um espaço de paz e prosperidade chamado União Europeia. E a União Europeia tem de ser reforçada, mas tem de ser reforçada com países soberanos, e não com estruturas federais ou federalistas que nos querem impor soluções. Nós somos diferentes uns dos outros e temos muita honra nessas diferenças, e queremos mantê-las — pela positiva, com colaboração, mas cada um de nós é diferente do outro, e isso é altamente positivo para a criação de um corpo como a União Europeia.

    Por outro lado, em termos de defesa, é bom que não inventemos muito. Nós temos a NATO, que é uma organização fiel a si própria e a nós próprios, e que tem sempre acorrido quando nós precisamos dela. E não nos esqueçamos de que os Estados Unidos da América do Norte têm sido o garante da nossa liberdade, e nós, a partir de agora, temos de ser também os garantes da nossa liberdade, para que nunca mais se repitam os horrores desta guerra cujo fim agora celebramos.

    		  
       


    		 

      Michał Kobosko (Renew). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Jestem z Polski, kraju, który najbardziej ucierpiał podczas II wojny światowej. Miliony istnień ludzkich – Polaków, ale i Żydów – zostało zabitych w imię nienawiści i podziałów – społeczność, która od wieków znajdowała swoje miejsce właśnie w Polsce, w kraju porozumienia i tolerancji.

    Po zagładzie milionów ludzi, destrukcji setek miast i traumie na pokolenia przyszedł pokój. To właśnie dlatego dokładnie 75 lat temu zaczęła powstawać Unia Europejska. By budować pokój i wspólnotę.

    Nie łudźmy się: eurosceptycyzm karmiony radykalizmem, napędzany pieniędzmi z Moskwy, to droga w przeszłość, droga do katastrofy. Dlatego z całą mocą potępiam dziś haniebne antysemickie wystąpienia posła Grzegorza Brauna. To nie tylko mowa nienawiści, to atak na wartości, na których zbudowana jest Europa.

    Apeluję też do eurosceptyków: otwórzcie podręczniki historii, zobaczcie, jak wiele dał nam projekt europejski – gwarantuje wolność, bezpieczeństwo i współpracę, jak nigdy wcześniej w dziejach Europy.

    		  
       

    		 

      Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, la Seconda guerra mondiale non è arrivata per la mera follia di un paio di dittatori: è stato anche il calcolo miope di chi, pur di fermare l’avanzata delle istanze sociali, ha preferito cedere spazio ai fascisti.

    Liberali e popolari pensavano di poterli usare come argine e usare la loro violenza a favore di un proprio profitto momentaneo. Il capitale ha scelto di sostenerli. Ma l’argine ha ceduto e si sono ritrovati complici di una catastrofe, il cui prezzo l’hanno pagato milioni di persone.

    Chi scioperava o dissentiva veniva schedato, perseguito. La polizia entrava nelle università, i giornalisti venivano spiati. L’odio diventava linguaggio politico, i diritti una concessione temporanea, le donne ancor più discriminate, l’omosessualità sempre più illegale. La corsa al riarmo venne definita giustificata, inevitabile. E poi la pagina più buia: il genocidio, coperto da un silenzio complice.

    Never again, abbiamo detto. Eppure questa descrizione potrebbe essere il telegiornale di oggi. Contro quella guerra, quegli orrori, il fascismo nasce questa istituzione; un’istituzione che doveva proteggere la pace, il disarmo, l’unione tra popoli, combattere per il diritto internazionale e contro ogni genocidio. Lo stiamo facendo?

    Colleghi e colleghe, rileggiamo la storia e guardatevi bene dentro e ditemi se pensate che questa sia la direzione giusta. Ogni volta che scegliete di stare dalla parte di chi priva della libertà e dello Stato di diritto, la parte di Meloni, Orban, Trump, Putin e tutti gli altri, state svendendo libertà, pace e democrazia.

    		  
       

    		 

      Danilo Della Valle (The Left). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, forse c’è un piccolo misunderstanding nella discussione di oggi. Noi festeggiamo la fine della Seconda guerra mondiale: ma non dobbiamo mai dimenticare che è stata l’Europa che ha partorito il mostro del nazifascismo. Hitler e Mussolini non erano dei pazzi venuti da Marte ma il prodotto di un’ideologia suprematista che sopravvive ancora oggi e non sopravvive solo in chi aderisce alle formazioni estremiste.

    Dobbiamo ricordare perché solo con la memoria possiamo evitare di ricadere nel baratro del passato. Dobbiamo ricordare cosa accadde nei lager e il genocidio che ne scaturì, nei quali persero la vita 6 milioni di ebrei, mezzo milione di sinti e milioni di cittadini sovietici. Oggi qualcuno vorrebbe riscrivere quella storia, escludendo dai festeggiamenti gli ex popoli sovietici, i russi e i popoli slavi, ma per pure ragioni di convenienza geopolitica.

    Quello che accade oggi in Ucraina non può essere la scusa per cancellare il contributo di vite umane che i russi, i polacchi, i popoli slavi e sovietici tutti hanno pagato per liberare tutti noi dal nazifascismo: 27 milioni di sovietici, uomini, donne e bambini massacrati, bruciati vivi nei villaggi, mandati al fronte a difendere un’Europa che forse non li considerava neanche dei pari, ma che hanno contribuito a liberare.

    Quelle morti meritano il rispetto e il nostro ricordo. La memoria ci obbliga alla pace, alla verità e al rispetto di tutti i popoli che hanno pagato il prezzo per la libertà.

    		  
       

    		 

      Zsuzsanna Borvendég (ESN). – Elnök Asszony! A történelmi bűnökből okulni kell, nem megismételni. Miközben a békét hirdetik, az emberiséget egy újabb világháború felé sodorják. Magyarországon a második világháború vége szovjet megszállást hozott. A nagyhatalmak a megkérdezésünk nélkül döntöttek a sorsunkról. Megtanultuk, hogy a háborúk soha nem az igazságról, hanem a pénzről, a hatalomról és a politikai érdekekről szólnak, ahogy sajnos a békék is. Mégis, mindent meg kell tennünk a fegyvernyugvásért.

    De Európa nem tanult a múltból, újra fegyverkezéssel akarja megoldani a gazdasági problémáit, természetellenes ideológiákkal harcol a gondolatszabadság ellen, asszisztál a politikai ellenvélemények elhallgattatásához, és tagadja a realitásokat. Európa alapvető érdeke a békés gazdasági együttműködés Oroszországgal. Ahányszor ez megvalósulóban volt a történelem során, kitört egy háború. Most is ez történt. Idegen érdekek rángatják dróton Európát, miközben a végromlásba döntenek minket. Vessünk végre véget ennek! Ne beszéljünk a békéről, hanem valósítsuk meg!

    		  
       

    		 

      Ondřej Dostál (NI). – Paní předsedající, vážení kolegové, za vítězství nad nacismem položily své životy miliony spojeneckých vojáků. Bohužel zapomínáme na ty, kteří přinesli obětí nejvíce. Stydím se za kolegy, kteří tvrdí, že Československo osvobodili jen Američané. Řekli byste to matkám sovětských padlých při osvobození naší země? Řekli byste zbídačelým vězňům v Osvětimi, že příchodem sovětské armády nebyli osvobozeni, ale okupováni? Stydím se za svou vládu, že neuctí padlé z řad sovětské armády, a jsem rád, že tak za bývalé Československo učiní premiér Robert Fico, ač je za to ostouzen. Rozhodl jsem se proto, že i já zítra položím květy k hrobu Neznámého vojína v Moskvě. Činím tak ze tří důvodů. Zaprvé, z osobního přesvědčení, že na padlé se nezapomíná. Za druhé, z vůle mých voličů, kteří mají hrůzy nacismu stále v paměti. Zatřetí, z vůle po míru. Oslava 80. výročí porážky nacismu nás spojuje a může otevřít cestu k míru, k diplomacii, k vyřešení nynějšího konfliktu, který vojenské řešení nemá. Přeji šťastnou cestu všem státníkům, ať už míří na oslavy kamkoli, a prosím je, aby šířili vůli po míru v souladu s principy Charty OSN. Já tak zítra učiním.

    		  
       

    		 

      Wouter Beke (PPE). – Voorzitter, vandaag herdenken we het einde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Tachtig jaar geleden, in de puinhopen van 1945, kozen visionaire leiders zoals Adenauer, Schuman en De Gasperi voor verzoening, verzoening boven wraak, samenwerking boven conflict, democratie boven dictatuur.

    Hun radicale antwoord legde de kiem van waar wij vandaag nog steeds de vruchten van plukken. Een Europese Unie van gedeelde soevereiniteit, democratie en menselijke waardigheid. Die keuze blijft brandend actueel, want extremen in Europa – we hebben het hier vandaag in het debat opnieuw gezien – willen onze rechtsstaat ondermijnen en proberen de banden te breken die ons juist samenhouden.

    En de agressie tegen Oekraïne dwingt ons tot een sterker defensiebeleid, juist om een nieuwe oorlog te voorkomen. Een slagkrachtiger Europa is niet de vijand van de subsidiariteit, maar het is juist de voorwaarde van subsidiariteit. Alleen via samenwerking kunnen we onze veiligheid, onze grondrechten en onze welvaart garanderen.

    Ik heb drie kinderen en ik hoop dat ze kunnen opgroeien in een Europa waarin vrijheid, democratie en menselijke waardigheid geen uitzondering zijn, maar de regel blijven. Laten we daarom vastberaden verder investeren in de Unie. Een Unie die uit deze puin verrezen is, want het is de beste garantie voor onze toekomst.

    		  
       

    		 

      Francisco Assis (S&D). – Senhora Presidente, em 18 de junho do já longínquo verão de 1940, um general do exército francês, à revelia do poder instituído, lançou um repto aos seus compatriotas: «não se rendam.» Charles de Gaulle constitui uma das mais sugestivas manifestações do papel do indivíduo na história e da importância da ação livre no curso dos acontecimentos humanos.

    Hannah Arendt, depois de assistir ao julgamento de Adolf Eichmann em Israel, desenvolveu a ideia da banalidade do mal. O homem que aceita ser uma peça acrítica num mecanismo institucional monstruoso torna-se irremissivelmente um agente do mal. Não há inocência na aceitação pacífica da perfídia. Eichmann, na sua pavorosa normalidade, representa o ser humano burocratizado e reduzido a uma condição não moral.

    De Gaulle representa o contrário de tudo isto. Ele sabia os riscos que corria. Numa conversa com amigos, terá dito «vão tomar-me por um aventureiro e, contudo, nunca fui um aventureiro. Dirão que sou um rebelde porque me recuso a obedecer a certas ordens. Mas os verdadeiros rebeldes são os que não obedecem ao dever mais sagrado: defender o seu país até à derradeira possibilidade, ao lado do seu último aliado. Vão talvez condenar-me à morte. Até aqui, os generais condenavam à morte os simples soldados que iam abandonar o campo de batalha. Desta vez vão condenar um general que se recusou a fugir desse mesmo campo de batalha».

    Essa é a grande lição de Charles de Gaulle. Nós, em certas circunstâncias, não podemos fugir do campo de batalha.

    (O orador aceita responder a uma pergunta «cartão azul»)

    		  
       


    		 

      Francisco Assis (S&D), Resposta segundo o procedimento «cartão azul». – Caro Deputado Sebastião Bugalho e caro amigo, eu julgo que há determinadas circunstâncias em que nós temos de saber transcender aquilo que são os nossos posicionamentos políticos. Há momentos para a disputa política mais banal e mais quotidiana, e há outros momentos em que temos de estar acima disso.

    E, se há exemplo na Europa — e neste último século há vários —, um deles foi e é indiscutivelmente o do general De Gaulle. Estando hoje aqui em Estrasburgo, estando hoje aqui em França, parecer-me-ia uma enorme injustiça que neste Parlamento ninguém se referisse a essa figura absolutamente extraordinária do século XX europeu que foi o general Charles de Gaulle.

    De Gaulle representa tudo, representa o que de mais relevante um homem de Estado pode representar, a luta pela liberdade, a coragem, a disponibilidade para correr o risco de vida em nome de valores mais altos.

    		  
       

    		 

      Anders Vistisen (PfE). – Fru formand! I dag markerer vi 80-året for nazisternes kapitulation. Et historisk øjeblik, hvor Europas frie nationer og modige folk besejrede en af de mest brutale ideologier, som verden har kendt. Det burde være en dag dedikeret til de, der kæmpede, led og døde for et frit Europa. Men i stedet for har huset her lavet det om til en trang til at promovere jeres eget føderale projekt. Intet symboliserer det bedre end den bevilling, I har givet til Huset for Europæisk Historie. Et såkaldt museum, som I har brugt mere end 400 millioner kroner af skatteborgernes penge på. Her forsøger I at skrive historien om. Det fremstår som om, at Europas historie begynder i 1945 og som om, at det ikke er nationalstaterne, der er udgangspunktet for den civilisation, fred og fremgang, Europa har kendt. Det er historisk manipulation og ideologisk propaganda, og det er en hån imod de generationer, der i over tusinde år har opbygget de nationer, kæmpet for den frihed og skabt den kulturarv, som Europa udgør. EU er ved at udvaske det hele i jagten på en føderal superstat.

    		  
       

    		 

      Rihards Kols (ECR). – Madam President, dear colleagues, for Western Europe World War Two ended in May 1945, but for millions in Central and Eastern Europe, Latvia included, the end of the tyranny meant the beginning of another. Soviet tanks replaced Nazi boots. Freedom was postponed for nearly five decades.

    Nazi crimes were prosecuted at Nuremberg, justice was served, and rightly so. But there was no Nuremberg for Communism, no tribunal for the gulags, the deportations, the erasure of Baltic independence.

    Europe’s memory remains divided. This is no accident; it’s by design. The Kremlin today wages war not only on Ukraine, but on historical truth itself. It denies the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, glorifies Stalinism under the banner of liberation, and brands our resistance as fascism.

    Historical revisionism is a weapon, a tool to legitimise aggression, blur guilt and erase the suffering of nations. A united Europe demands a united memory, one that condemns all totalitarian regimes. There can be no reconciliation without truth and no security if lies go unchallenged.

    		  
       

    		 

      Charles Goerens (Renew). – Madame la Présidente, voici ce que nous inspire le 80ᵉ anniversaire de la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale: premièrement, de la reconnaissance en saluant les mérites de ceux qui nous ont libérés. J’entends par là, bien entendu, la résistance dans tous nos États membres, l’apport des Américains et aussi celui de l’Armée rouge – l’Armée rouge, dans le temps, était différente de ce que font les soldats russes en Ukraine actuellement.

    Deuxièmement, retenir les leçons de l’histoire. L’«appeasement» ne peut en aucun cas être le fil conducteur de la politique extérieure de l’Union européenne aujourd’hui. Nous avons vu où cela a mené dans les années 1930.

    Troisièmement, dans un monde où seul semble compter le rapport de force, nous devons être plus solidaires et développer davantage le projet européen.

    Quatrièmement, l’Europe est seule, mais elle est encore là. Il faut continuer à travailler sur le projet.

    Ce matin, en venant ici, j’ai entendu sur Deutschlandfunk une phrase historique prononcée par Richard von Weizsäcker il y a 40 ans:

    „Der 8. Mai war ein Tag der Befreiung.“

    Je crois qu’il faut que nous nous inspirions de cette phase, qui a une profondeur historique exemplaire.

    		  
       


       

    IN THE CHAIR: ESTEBAN GONZÁLEZ PONS
    Vice-President

    		  
       


    		 

      Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE). – Señor presidente, hoy no basta con recordar. Hay que reconocer el mal cuando se repite con otras víctimas y con otros rostros. La memoria debe servir para prevenir el mal, no como coartada para practicarlo. Eso nos lo recuerdan algunos intelectuales judíos de Israel como Idith Zertal o Meir Margalit cuando nos dicen que Israel utiliza el pasado como escudo para no rendir cuentas con el presente y que Europa —y especialmente Alemania— se aferra a su culpa histórica para seguir manteniendo su lealtad a un Gobierno que está practicando otro genocidio, y así traiciona precisamente aquello que prometió no volver a repetir: nunca más el exterminio de un pueblo, nunca más la complicidad de las democracias europeas.

    Pero ahora, a diferencia de entonces, no podemos decir que no sabíamos nada, porque Europa sigue mandando armas, sigue manteniendo el acuerdo comercial con Netanyahu. ¿Qué culpa tienen los palestinos de lo que hicieron en el pasado los europeos, de lo que hicieron algunos, que son los padres ideológicos de los que están hoy aquí sentados y que justifican otra vez otro genocidio? Como entonces, la historia les está mirando a ustedes y les va a volver a juzgar.

    		  
       

    		 

      João Oliveira (The Left). – Senhor Presidente, a evocação dos 80 anos do dia da vitória sobre o nazifascismo tem de servir para lembrar as duras lições aprendidas pela humanidade com a tragédia dessa guerra, para que os povos possam evitar a sua repetição.

    O legado da barbárie nazifascista é uma destruição sem precedentes — o genocídio, os campos de concentração, as dezenas de milhões de mortos. Com 20 milhões de mortos, foi a União Soviética quem suportou o maior sacrifício do conjunto da coligação de países aliados formada durante a guerra.

    Democratas de vários quadrantes construíram a luta de resistência. O papel destacado assumido pelos comunistas foi determinante e, por isso, ainda hoje, os herdeiros das forças nazifascistas e os seus cúmplices destilam ódio anticomunista.

    Nos 80 anos do dia da vitória, é imprescindível relembrar que o combate ao nazismo e ao fascismo, às forças reacionárias e obscurantistas também se faz dando resposta aos problemas dos trabalhadores e dos povos, com a melhoria das suas condições de vida, a garantia dos direitos sociais, o respeito pelo direito dos Estados ao seu desenvolvimento, com a defesa intransigente da paz e da cooperação.

    O rasto de morte e destruição da barbárie nazifascista tem de ser suficiente para que hoje façamos tudo para defender a paz, a segurança coletiva e a resolução política dos conflitos. Estas são lutas que partilhamos com as gerações anteriores e, tal como há 80 anos, os comunistas cá continuarão para as travar.

    		  
       


    		 

      Danuše Nerudová (PPE). – Pane předsedající, kolegové, dnes si připomínáme konec druhé světové války. Den vítězství, odvahy a naděje těch, kteří bojovali za svobodu a demokracii, protože věřili, že po porážce nacismu přijde svobodný svět. Jenže do střední a východní Evropy místo svobody přišla další temnota. Ti, kterým jsme desítky let museli říkat osvoboditelé, přinesli jen nový teror, popravy, lágry a totalitu. Zlo vystřídalo jen další zlo. Jejich oběťmi se stali skuteční hrdinové, letci RAF, legionáři nebo odbojáři. Ti všichni byli pronásledováni, vězněni a trestáni, protože pro totalitní režim znamenali vše, co moskevské loutky neměly – svobodu, hrdinství a lásku k demokracii. Dnes, 80 let poté, se kolaborace se zlem znovu stává závažným problémem celé Evropy. Naše demokracie dokonce umožňuje, že někteří podporovatelé fašismu a komunismu pořád sedí s námi tady v Evropském parlamentu a mají tu drzost šířit ruskou propagandu a lež. Přála bych si, abychom i my, stejně jako naši váleční hrdinové, měli odvahu čelit zlu. Začněme nazývat věci správnými jmény. Skutečný osvoboditel nikdy nemůže přinést novou totalitu. Svůj proslov věnuji všem československým hrdinům, včetně letců RAF, kteří po skončení druhé světové války byli zavražděni a umučeni komunisty.

    		  
       

    		 

      Cecilia Strada (S&D). – Signor presidente, onorevoli colleghi, se l’Europa si occuperà solo dei problemi interni dei singoli Paesi, resteranno in piedi le cause di conflitti, di militarismi, di guerre. Così scrivevano Altiero Spinelli e gli altri fondatori del Movimento federalista europeo nel pieno della Seconda guerra mondiale, finita 80 anni fa. Una triste profezia.

    Oggi i ragazzi e le ragazze d’Europa studiano gli orrori della Seconda guerra mondiale, il genocidio degli ebrei, lo sterminio di disabili, rom, sinti, omosessuali e si chiedono: qualcuno poteva fermare questo orrore e non l’ha fatto?

    Fra qualche anno anche noi saremo sui libri di storia: Commissione, Consiglio, questo Parlamento. Saremo su una pagina nera. Ottant’anni dopo l’Olocausto i cittadini del mondo guardano il genocidio della popolazione palestinese teorizzato e portato avanti dal governo di Israele e ci chiedono: perché non fermate la strage? Perché continuate a vendere armi a Israele? Perché siete complici di tutto questo? Perché?

    Sono passati 80 anni e, come diceva Gramsci, la storia insegna ma non ha scolari. Che vergogna!

    		  
       

    		 

      Alexandre Varaut (PfE). – Monsieur le Président, au moment d’évoquer l’anniversaire de la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, je veux d’abord évoquer les soldats, les civils, les résistants français, acteurs ou victimes de cette guerre, et avoir une pensée personnelle pour mon grand-père, décoré de la Croix de guerre pour sa contribution à la Résistance.

    Nous commémorons aujourd’hui la liberté comme patrimoine pour l’Europe; pour l’Europe, mais pas pour les millions d’Européens de l’Est livrés à Staline, qui fut l’allié de Hitler jusqu’à l’été 1941, ne l’oublions pas. Aujourd’hui, le soviétisme a disparu à son tour, mais à quel profit?

    La liberté et la démocratie sont refusées par les libéraux et les démocrates prétendus à leurs adversaires en Roumanie ou en Hongrie, montrant que, dans leur bouche, ces principes universels sont un capital politique qu’ils exploitent, mais ne respectent pas. La sécurité est absente de nos sociétés fracturées par l’immigration de masse. Les crimes se multiplient.

    Ce bilan prouve que les leçons de la guerre n’ont pas été tirées. Il prouve que les idéologues modernes persistent à sacrifier des hommes et des vies à leurs utopies désastreuses. Il prouve que, de plus en plus contestés dans leur dogme, c’est à la répression idéologique ou juridique qu’ils recourent et qu’ils n’hésiteront pas, pour édifier leur paradis terrestre, à faire de l’Europe un purgatoire.

    		  
       


    		 

      Dan Barna (Renew). – Domnule președinte, comemorăm astăzi 80 de ani de la Al Doilea Război Mondial, dar lecțiile sale sunt mai actuale ca niciodată. În ’38, când Germania nazistă anexa Austria, nu a fost doar un act de forță, el fusese pavat de o campanie neîncetată de propagandă și dezinformare. Regimul nazist a portretizat o narațiune falsă a unui popor austriac dornic de unire, fabricând crize și suprimând orice știre care contrazicea povestea oficială. Naziștii controlau informația și controlau percepția, făcând agresiunea lor să pară justificată, ba chiar binevenită.

    În zilele noastre, lupta pentru adevăr s-a mutat pe ecranele din viața noastră. Dezinformarea, amplificată de viteza și amplitudinea rețelelor sociale, erodează încrederea în instituții și în democrație și poate destabiliza societăți. Tacticile evoluează – de la emisiuni radio și fotografii trucate, la deepfake-uri și bule conduse de algoritmi – dar scopul de a manipula adevărul pentru putere rămâne înfiorător de familiar.

    Trecutul ne oferă o lecție dură și urgentă: trebuie să fim consumatori critici de informație. Trebuie să punem întrebări, trebuie să verificăm și trebuie să înțelegem agendele care se pot ascunde în spatele narațiunilor care ne sunt prezentate. Istoria ne arată că atunci când adevărul este compromis, libertatea și pacea sunt grav periclitate. Trebuie să învățăm din tenebrele trecutului pentru a proteja prezentul și viitorul.

    		  
       

    		 

      Anna Strolenberg (Verts/ALE). – Mr President, ‘never again’ are words often spoken, but difficult to uphold. We are here amongst Europeans and we all have different war traumas, be it Nazism, Fascism, Communism or colonialism. These stories make us who we are, and these histories also put a great responsibility upon us to act when we see that freedom is taken away from others.

    We are not doing that enough, Europe is not doing it enough. We are too silent about Netanyahu’s war crimes in Gaza. We are too timid in supporting Ukraine in defeating Russian imperialism.

    We can do so much more, and I am proud that I can stand here and be critical, because this freedom is a luxury for some. I am proud that I am European, and that we managed to turn our history into the biggest peace project there is.

    But I would be even prouder if we managed to live up to our responsibility and to show actions that speak louder than these words. Let’s live up to our responsibility, and let’s remember that ‘never again’ is not a prayer to the past, but a promise to the future.

    		  
       


    		 

      Paulius Saudargas (PPE). – Mr President, honourable colleagues, eighty years ago Europe rose from the ashes of the most brutal war in human history. However, in some European countries, the suffering was not over. For Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Ukrainians, Poles and many other nations occupied by the Soviet Union, it was the beginning of the new wave of Stalin’s repressions. Imprisonment in gulags, mass deportations to extreme exile demolished millions of lives. But we resisted; we fought the enemy. We fought alone. In Lithuania and Ukraine the partisan war lasted for a decade, taking away thousands of the bravest.

    We must remember this in the context nowadays, because the enemy is the same. The peacemakers of the Second World War declared ‘we will never let this happen again’. Well, today these very foundations are under attack once more. The unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine, war crimes, genocide of the Ukrainian people and mass propaganda mirrors the aggression and the suffering we once said would never be tolerated.

    I ask everyone here today to keep that promise. Not any peace, but a just peace must be our ultimate goal, and only then, for the final time, can we say ‘never again’.

    		  
       

    		 

      René Repasi (S&D). – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! 80 Jahre nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs verlassen uns die letzten Überlebenden der Schoah, der Konzentrationslager des Krieges. Mit ihnen verlieren wir nicht nur Zeitzeugen. Wir verlieren Stimmen, die aus erster Hand gewarnt haben, was passieren kann, wenn Hass und Gleichgültigkeit zusammenkommen. Wir dürfen niemals zulassen, dass ihre Erlebnisse verstummen. Wir müssen ihre Augen, ihre Herzen, ihre Gedanken sein. Sie haben das Unfassbare gesehen. Sie haben gelitten. Sie haben gewarnt. Und sie haben auf uns gehofft.

    Jetzt mehr denn je ist es Zeit, diese Erinnerung nicht in Vergessenheit geraten zu lassen. Für uns Deutsche war das Ende des Weltkrieges eine Niederlage – nicht im Sinne nationaler Schmach, sondern als notwendiger Bruch mit einem verbrecherischen System. Die europäische Integration, die auf den Trümmern des Weltkrieges entstand, wurde geboren, um den Nationalismus, der nur das Trennende kennt und uns auf den Weg zum Krieg führt, zu überwinden. Es ist unsere Verantwortung, dieses Friedenswerk zu schützen und zu stärken. Denn Frieden ist nicht alles, aber ohne Frieden ist alles nichts!

    (Der Redner ist damit einverstanden, auf mehrere Fragen nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“ zu antworten.)

    		  
       


    		 

      René Repasi (S&D), Antwort auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Herr Kollege! Das, was Nazideutschland der Welt angetan hat, ist im Sinne von Kompensation niemals wiedergutmachbar. Dieses Verbrechen hat eine Intensität, dass es uns Deutsche, aber mit uns Deutschen uns Europäerinnen und Europäer und alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger dieser Welt niemals verlassen kann, weil es eine Verantwortung für unser alltägliches Handeln darstellt. Deswegen kann man sich von dieser Verantwortung auch nicht freikaufen, auch nicht freireden und heute auch nicht sagen, alles wäre jetzt wieder gut. Das ist es nicht, und das wird es nie sein. Das ist die politische Verantwortung, die wir als Deutsche, aber eben auch als Bürgerinnen und Bürger dieser Europäischen Union für immer tragen werden.

    		  
       

    		 

      Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR), pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Mam pytanie, czy ma Pan świadomość, że obecnie polskie ofiary II wojny światowej nie mają dostępu do drogi sądowej, nie mają możliwości dochodzenia roszczeń? Znam osobiście takie ofiary poszkodowane przez Pana dziadków, pradziadków. Czy ma Pan świadomość, że Niemcy nie zawarły nigdy z Polską żadnej umowy o naprawie szkód i zadośćuczynieniu ofiarom? Czy ma Pan świadomość, że Niemcy nie zapłaciły nic polskim ofiarom ani Polsce? Czy nie jest Wam, Niemcom, wstyd? Czy nie jest wstyd Unii Europejskiej za to, że odwraca głowę od tej sprawy?

    		  
       



    		 

      Aurelijus Veryga (ECR). – Ponas pirmininke, 45-ųjų metų gegužės aštuntą dieną pasirašytas kapituliacijos aktas Lietuvai ir kitoms Baltijos šalims nereiškė nei karo pabaigos, nei laisvės. Save pristatantys išlaisvintojais sovietai „pamiršo“ išeiti iš išlaisvintų šalių, ir išlaisvintojai ėmėsi uoliai naikinti visus bent kiek pilietiškai nusiteikusius žmones. Tūkstančiai gyvuliniais vagonais buvo išvežti į Sibirą. Atimta žemė ir namai, sunaikinta pilietinė visuomenė, nevyriausybinės organizacijos bandė pasipriešinti ginklu miškuose, buvo nukankinti kalėjimuose, nužudyti ir išniekinti miestų aikštėse. Buvo bandoma sunaikinti kalbą, ribojama religijos laisvę, žiniasklaida tapo propagandos ruporais, klastojama istorija ir klastotėmis plaunamos vaikų smegenys. Tą teko patirti ir man, tuomet dar vaikui, augusiam sovietų okupuotoje Lietuvoje. Deja, Sovietų Sąjunga už visus nusikaltimus savo Niurnbergo neturėjo, o komunizmas visuotinai nebuvo pasmerktas. Vadinamasis išlaisvinimas mums virto ilgais dešimtmečiais okupacijos. Todėl raginame pasaulį išmokti Antrojo pasaulinio karo pamokas ir jų nekartoti.

    		  
       


    		 

      Sunčana Glavak (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, kolegice i kolege, 80 godina od najkrvavijeg rata u ljudskoj povijesti Europa je podigla najhrabriji projekt mira, ali danas taj projekt je na iskušenju. Dok rat ponovo tutnji na europskom tlu gledamo porast populizma i autoritarizma. Strah zamjenjuje razum. Moramo se zapitati hoćemo li braniti ono što nas čini Europljanima.

    Europa nije samo zajednica tržišta, već zajednica vrijednosti. Europa nije samo geografski prostor. Europa je ideja, ideja da razlike nisu slabost, već snaga i da se sloboda ne podrazumijeva. Mi to dobro znamo u Hrvatskoj. Kada govorimo o slobodi i o miru znamo koliko su sloboda i mir dragocjeni jer, nažalost, iskusili smo brutalnost velikosrpske agresije na Hrvatsku prije samo tridesetak godina. I pobijedili smo. Ali sjećamo se i žrtava nakon Drugog svjetskog rata. Sjećam se Macelja, Bleiburga i križnog puta.

    Stoga svi moramo imati na umu da Europa nije gotova priča. Europa se piše svakog dana, a pitanje je jednostavno: hoćemo li biti njezini autori ili promatrači?

    		  
       

    		 

      Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D). – Labai ačiū, gerbiamasis posėdžio pirmininke, gerbiamas komisare, kolegos, išties kalbėsiu kaip laisvės kovų dalyvis, disidentas, kurį septynis kartus tardė KGB, du kartus suėmė, kuris devyniasdešimtųjų kovo vienuoliktąją pasirašė Nepriklausomybės deklaraciją, Petrai Gražuli. Taigi keturiasdešimt pirmų metų birželio keturioliktą Hitleris okupavo Paryžių. Tą pačią dieną Stalinas pateikė ultimatumą Lietuvai ir mano tėvai 17 metų praleido Stalino gulaguose. Džiaugiuosi, kad mano tėvas buvo 45 pabaltijiečių memorandumo signataras. Ir ačiū Europos Parlamentui, kuris 1983 m. sausio 13 d. priėmė rezoliuciją dėl Estijos, Latvijos, Lietuvos laisvės. Džiaugiuosi ir dėl to, kad šiame Parlamente skamba dvi pavardės: Simone Weil ir Altero Spinelli. Ir taigi šios dvi pavardės didingai mums primena, ką mes turime padaryti. For Free and United Europe – taip vadinosi Altiero Spinelli manifestas. Ir šiandien reikia aiškiai pasakyti: istorija man neskolinga, aš skolingas istorijai, kad būtų taika, demokratija ir laisvė.

    		  
       

    		 

      Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR). – Mr President, in an alternative reality we would be living today under Hitler’s rule – not just all of Europe, but maybe even the whole world.

    In that reality, I wouldn’t be standing here. I would have been killed in a gas chamber, my ashes drifting in the air. Many of you also would not be here, because of your ethnicity, your sexuality or disability.

    That reality nearly came true. Too many in Europe believed Hitler would stop on his own. They spoke of peace and diplomacy. But reality struck, and the price was great, far greater.

    Now, 80 years later, Europe faces its worst attack since World War Two, and history is repeating itself. Today, it is the Left who lives in an alternative reality. You oppose European militarisation and sending weapons to Ukraine, and call for peace talks with Putin.

    But you should never negotiate with dictators – you must stop them!

    (The speaker declined to take a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis)

    		  
       

    		 

      Martin Hojsík (Renew). – Vážený pán predsedajúci, pred osemdesiatimi rokmi v Európe skončili hrôzy vojny. Ak však chceme chrániť mier, nesmieme si pripomínať len koniec, ale myslieť aj na to, prečo táto vojna začala. Vojna, ktorú môj dedo prežil v Mauthausene, kde moja babička musela počúvať zvuky vychádzajúce z gestapáckych výsluchovní. A ona začala už v roku 39. Keď Hitler spolu áno, aj s klérofašistickým Slovenským štátom, a áno, aj so Sovietskym zväzom napadol Poľsko. Ona začala preto, že sa Západ díval preč, keď takpovediac ustupoval diktátorom, pretože obetoval tých menších a slabších. Dnes stojíme znova na križovatke. Na križovatke, ktorá bude znamenať to, že či sa Európa znova rozdelí, či Putin získa znovu sovietsku sféru vplyvu, alebo bude silná a jednotná. Aby sa nestalo to, čo po druhej svetovej vojne zažil napríklad pán Skúpi z Moravského Lieskového, keď ho NKVD odviedlo do gulagu len preto, že pomáhal americkému letcovi.

    		  
       

    		 

      Evin Incir (S&D). – Mr President, colleagues, today, 8 May, is the time to commemorate. This is a time to remember, but also a moment to reflect on the lessons – the evil the Second World War emerged from. And it is a time to warn against the far-right ideologies that once drove our continent to the edge of complete self-destruction. The same ideology that, unfortunately, is embraced by some – even here in this Parliament, in Europe in 2025.

    The generations that survived the Second World War, those who knew the very essence of ‘never again’, understood that the tragedy of the 20th century did not begin with bombs or bullets. It began with words, with rising intolerance, and it continued to mass killing of men, women and children by the thousands, by the millions.

    In our European society today, we are once again witnessing this rise of political forces that set people against people. Colleagues, do not forget that EU was built to ensure that ‘never again’ means ‘never again’. Let’s ensure that ‘never again’ is transferred into words every day, with every action that we take.

    (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

    		  
       

    		 

      Bogdan Rzońca (ECR), pytanie zadane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki. – Bardzo uważnie słuchałem Pani wypowiedzi. Chciałem w ciągu 20 sekund opowiedzieć Pani pewną historię i na końcu zadam pytanie.

    Jest 1944 rok. Jasło, moje miasto, w którym mieszkam, jest pod okupacją niemiecką. Walter Gentz, starosta niemiecki, wydaje rozkaz: wysiedlić kilkanaście tysięcy ludzi. Drugi rozkaz: zaminować całe Jasło. Trzeci rozkaz: okraść całe Jasło. Wszystko, co ukradli, spisali i wywieźli w ponad tysiącu wagonów. Wszystko wiemy – wiemy, dokąd te rzeczy pojechały, do których miast niemieckich.

    I pytanie: czy Pani uważa, że Niemcy powinni te rzeczy zwrócić albo przynajmniej zapłacić odszkodowanie za spalenie, zburzenie i okradzenie miasta Jasła?

    		  
       


    		 

      Adam Bielan (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! 8 maja 1945 r. zakończyła się II wojna światowa, najbardziej krwawa i wyniszczająca wojna w dziejach ludzkości. Dla Europy Zachodniej jest to dzień zwycięstwa odniesionego dzięki pomocy Stanów Zjednoczonych. Dla narodów Europy Centralnej i Wschodniej to symboliczny początek niemal półwiecznej okupacji przyniesionej przez Armię Czerwoną.

    Tę rocznicę obchodzimy w cieniu innej wojny, wojny toczonej na Ukrainie. Wczoraj na ten temat debatowaliśmy. Rozmawialiśmy również o tym, w jaki sposób agresor, czyli Rosja, powinna zadośćuczynić i wynagrodzić Ukrainie szkody, które wyrządziła. Ja te głosy oczywiście wspierałem, ale zastanówmy się, czy po II wojnie światowej agresor, czyli Niemcy, zadośćuczyniły szkodom, które one wyrządziły.

    Niemcy zamordowali ponad 6 mln polskich obywateli. Wyrządzili szkody – według oficjalnego polskiego raportu polskiego rządu – na ponad półtora biliona euro. Do dzisiaj nie zapłaciły reparacji. A wczoraj nowy kanclerz w Warszawie po raz kolejny postanowił nas upokorzyć i w obecności polskiego premiera oświadczył, że ta sprawa dla Niemiec jest zakończona. Otóż, panie kanclerzu Merz, nie jest zakończona. Będziemy się domagać zadośćuczynienia, a proniemiecki premier Donald Tusk prędzej czy później straci władzę.

    (Mówca zgodził się na pytanie zasygnalizowane przez podniesienie niebieskiej kartki)

    		  
       

    		 

      Petras Gražulis (ESN), pakėlus mėlynąją kortelę pateiktas klausimas. – Gerbiamas pranešėjau, jau 80 metų kaip Europa išsivadavo iš nacistinės Vokietijos, tačiau mūsų šalis Lietuva, tame tarpe ir Lenkija, pateko į Sovietų Sąjungos įtaką, kur taip pat buvo persekiojamas tikėjimas, žodžio laisvė. Kovojo lietuviai ir lenkai įvairiose organizacijose už savo laisvę. Atgavus mums nepriklausomybę, mes patekome į kitą ideologinę priespaudą – genderizmą. Kaip manot, ar Europa išsivaduos iš tos genderistinės ir leftistinės ideologijos, ar jinai joje ir mirs?

    		  
       


    		 

      Engin Eroglu (Renew). – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrter Herr Kommissar Séjourné! Vielen Dank, dass Sie heute bei uns sind. 80 Jahre nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges erinnern wir uns und gedenken wir hier im Parlament einer sehr wichtigen Sache. Millionen von Menschen, Millionen von unschuldigen Menschen wurden brutalst ermordet aufgrund von Ideologien. Sie wurden überfallen. Ihnen wurde alles weggenommen – am Ende auch das Leben. Und dieses Gedenken muss uns eine Mahnung sein – eine Mahnung sein, was Ideologien anrichten. Und viele – auch in diesem Haus – haben scheinbar dieses Gedenken nicht richtig wahrgenommen, denn sie sind in ihren Mitgliedstaaten wieder mit Hass, Ideologien und einfachen Lösungen unterwegs, spalten die Europäische Union und verraten ihr eigenes Volk, indem sie sagen: Wir haben die einfache Lösung.

    Ich appelliere daran: Wir müssen gemeinsam – gerade jetzt in der heutigen Zeit, wo die Bedrohung an den Grenzen der Europäischen Union wieder so groß ist wie noch nie – die Gemeinsamkeiten der Europäischen Union suchen und aufhören mit der Mahnung, die wir heute hier in diesem Haus gehört haben. Wir müssen gemeinsam die Lösung suchen ohne Ideologien.

    		  
       

    		 

      Nils Ušakovs (S&D). – Priekšsēdētāja kungs! Cienījamie kolēģi! Šajās dienās cilvēki visā Eiropā svin uzvaru pār nacismu, piemin antihitleriskās koalīcijas karavīrus, pretošanās dalībniekus, partizānus, katru, kas cīnījās un krita, karojot pret šo absolūto ļaunumu. Eiropas Savienība tika izveidota tieši šīs uzvaras rezultātā, un viss, kas ir labs Eiropā, ir, pateicoties karavīriem, kas uzvarēja Hitleru.

    Viss, kas mums ir slikts, tas ir jau mūsu pašu neveiksmju un kļūdu rezultāts. Katru reizi, kad mums kaut kas neizdodas, cīnoties ar pavisam cita mēroga izaicinājumiem, ar ko saskaras patreiz Eiropas Savienība, mēs pieminam tos, kas pirms 80 gadiem upurēja absolūti visu, lai mēs un mūsu bērni varētu dzīvot mierā un drošībā. Veidojot labāku Eiropu, dzīvosim un strādāsim tā, lai mums nav kauns šo karavīru priekšā, ka mēs neizdarījām, nebijām spējīgi. Paldies antihitleriskās koalīcijas karavīriem, pretošanās dalībniekiem, partizāniem. Jūs esat un būsiet vienmēr mūsu varoņi.

    		  
       

    		 

      Christophe Grudler (Renew). – Monsieur le Président, le 8 mai marque la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale en Europe en 1945. Il est de notre devoir d’honorer la mémoire des soldats et de tous ceux qui, au prix de leur vie, se sont battus pour défendre la liberté et retrouver le chemin de la paix.

    Le 8 mai 1945 annonçait la victoire des Alliés sur le nazisme. N’oublions jamais les actes de barbarie dont ont été victimes les peuples d’Europe, perpétrés par des régimes autoritaires sans scrupule, avant et après 1945.

    Aujourd’hui, que voit-on, 80 ans après? Une montée en puissance des nationalismes, des autoritarismes, de la violence, des volontés d’hégémonie les plus primitives. Ils menacent directement la stabilité, la liberté et l’état de paix connus des citoyens européens.

    Ne reproduisons pas les erreurs du passé. Ces prédateurs n’auront pas raison de la belle Europe, car nous, fervents défenseurs de la démocratie, saurons nous tenir prêts pour la protéger. Restons unis pour ne jamais oublier! Restons unis pour ne jamais répéter!

    		  
       

    		 

      Nikos Papandreou (S&D). – Mr President, I find it very interesting that just a few minutes ago we had a Member who was born in the gulag who spoke here. We have two Members whose families were involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler. This Chamber is haunted by those memories. My grandmother told me stories of the Great Famine in Athens in 1941. My grandfather was chased by Kurt Waldheim and escaped to Egypt, and then was lucky enough to be prime minister on Liberation Day and lift the Greek flag over the Acropolis. So those are the memories that haunt us.

    Yet we still have this big divide, and it happens to be Russia and the Soviet Union. The problem with that – and that’s my problem – is that, yes, the Soviet Union helped defeat the Nazis, and that’s a plus, but then they dominated Eastern Europe and made a totalitarian world. So that tears us in half; it’s a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’, and we have to condemn atrocities whenever we see them if we are democratic people and believe in the European values. It does not matter if they had a victory star; they also have something very bad.

    Today we have a Fifth Column. It is not necessarily with weapons, it’s with suits, tweets and explosions of falsehoods. It promises easy solutions to complex problems. We see little men and little women who want to use freedoms to abolish freedoms. Our speeches today are part of the act of resistance.

    		  
       

    		 

      Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, quand j’avais dix ans, mon regard interrogea les lignes blanches et rouges d’un drapeau qui flottait dans le vent de ma Normandie natale. Je savais déjà ce qu’était la Seconde Guerre mondiale, mais ce drapeau-là, je ne le connaissais pas.

    Aujourd’hui, je pense aux soldats polonais de la première division blindée du général Maczek. Au mont Ormel, ils se battirent avec une bravoure rare. Sur les 1 500 soldats engagés, 60 seulement étaient encore en état de combattre après leur victoire. Je sais ce que je leur dois. Je sais qu’ils ont permis à mon grand-père de vivre dans une France libre. Je sais aussi que beaucoup d’entre eux n’ont jamais revu la Pologne libre.

    L’histoire ne se répète pas, mais les criminels d’hier ont leurs héritiers, qui sont aujourd’hui tentés par la récidive. Vladimir Poutine et Donald Trump trouvent des appuis ici même, au Parlement européen, dans cette extrême droite héritière des pires heures de notre histoire.

    Dans le combat pacifique que nous menons aujourd’hui pour la démocratie, rappelons-nous de ces héros polonais tombés au mont Ormel. Montrons-nous dignes de leur courage.

    		  
       

    		 

      Matjaž Nemec (S&D). – Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, these days we celebrate a victory day. But considering the world around us, there isn’t really much to celebrate. Much of the responsibility for this lies with the inaction of the European institutions led by the Commission President von der Leyen.

    When the allies fought for peace 80 years ago, our common European project was born. Europe was meant to safeguard peace, freedom, rule of law and human rights. It was not meant to become a project of double standards and opportunistic political interests. Instead of demanding accountability, Europe’s top officials only repeat hollow rhetoric about upholding anti-fascist and anti-Nazi values. This is not the way forward.

    This anniversary must serve as a wake up call for the European Union to break free from the grip of hypocrisy. Europe was able to call out war crimes in Rwanda, Yugoslavia and Ukraine. Your leadership must clearly condemn and stop a genocide enfolding before our eyes in Gaza. A war crime is a war crime, whether done by Russia or by Israel.

    Europe must again become a source of pride, not shame. We owe this to our people and those who fought and died for Europe 80 years ago. We must end all wars. Peace must prevail again.

    		  
       

       

    Catch-the-eye procedure

    		  
       

    		 

      Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). – Señor presidente, se cumplen ochenta años de la derrota del horror nazi, pero no del fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, cuya devastación fue planetaria, porque solo concluyó después de dos bombas atómicas en Japón en agosto de 1945. Nie wieder. Never again. Nunca más.

    Este no puede ser un mantra para esta Unión Europea, que recibió el Premio Nobel de la Paz en 2012, exactamente para avivar nuestra conciencia de que tenemos que estar permanentemente alerta contra el rebrote del autoritarismo y del totalitarismo en Europa y, por supuesto, de la guerra en todas partes. Ahí donde se perpetra un genocidio —como en Gaza— o una guerra —como la de agresión de Rusia contra Ucrania—, la Unión Europea tiene que tener una propuesta de paz activa.

    Por tanto, no puede ser un mantra repetir una y otra vez «Nie wieder» si no tenemos una política de la memoria que nos ayude a estar permanentemente contra cualquier forma de totalitarismo, contra cualquier amenaza a los valores fundadores de la Unión Europea. Allí donde el Consejo de Europa nació para la paz ha conocido la guerra entre miembros del Consejo de Europa. No puede pasar que la Unión Europea, círculo duro de integración basado, precisamente, en valores y en la paz, no tenga una política y un proceso de paz activo en la guerra contra Ucrania.

    		  
       

    		 

      Viktória Ferenc (PfE). – Elnök Úr! Ma a második világháború lezárására emlékezünk, és azokra az áldozatokra, katonákra és civilekre, akik átélték és megszenvedték történelmünk egyik legsötétebb időszakának borzalmait. Mennyire ironikus, hogy miközben a 80 évvel ezelőtt beköszöntött békét méltatjuk az Unió szomszédságában, a több mint három éve dúló orosz-ukrán háború még mindig emberéleteket követel.

    Nincs béke párbeszéd nélkül – hangzik Ferenc pápa üzenetében, aki élete utolsó napjáig azért küzdött, hogy békét teremtsen a világban, azon belül Ukrajnában is. Magyarország is a kezdetektől ezen az állásponton van. Diplomáciai eszközökkel, politikai támogatással és közös összefogással azért kell dolgoznunk, hogy elhallgattassuk a fegyverek zaját. Ukrajna lakossága már túl régóta szenved.

    		  
       

    		 

      Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR). – Panie Przewodniczący! Pani Komisarz! Wysoka Izbo! II wojna światowa to wciąż nierozliczona karta w relacjach europejskich. Mój kraj, Polska, w wyniku agresji niemieckiej poniósł niewyobrażalne straty: 6 mln zamordowanych polskich obywateli. 11 mln musiało wyjechać na emigrację. 50% terytoriów, które Polska utraciła. 40% PKB, które zostało zniszczone. Miliony kalek, miliony sierot, 200 tysięcy zgermanizowanych dzieci. 2 mln Polaków było wywiezionych na pracę przymusową. Miliony Polaków, które zginęły w obozach koncentracyjnych w wyniku chorób. Niemcy nigdy nie zapłaciły za swoje zbrodnie wojenne. To jest wyzwanie dla Unii Europejskiej, żeby nie odwracać oczu od tej sprawy, bo i Polska, i Grecja domagają się od Niemiec reparacji wojennych. Ja, Pani Komisarz, przekażę ten raport o polskich stratach wojennych. Oczekuję, że Unia Europejska stworzy mechanizm do zachęcenia Niemiec do rozmów o zapłacie odszkodowania dla Polski i Grecji. Nie odwracajcie Państwo od tego oczu ani głowy.

    		  
       


    		 

      Λευτέρης Νικολάου-Αλαβάνος (NI). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, 80 χρόνια από την 9η Μάη 1945, όταν η ναζιστική Γερμανία παραδόθηκε άνευ όρων. Δεν πρόκειται για Ημέρα της Ευρώπης, όπως ισχυρίζεται η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, αλλά για τη μεγάλη αντιφασιστική νίκη των λαών. Οι λαοί δεν ξεχνούν τα εκατομμύρια που έπεσαν στον αγώνα για να συντριβεί ο φασιστικός άξονας. Τιμούν την τεράστια προσφορά του Κόκκινου Στρατού, του σοβιετικού λαού, των εθνικοαπελευθερωτικών κινημάτων όπου πρωτοστάτησαν οι κομμουνιστές, όπως στην Ελλάδα.

    Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση προκλητικά κάνει την ανήξερη για πολεμικές επανορθώσεις της ναζιστικής Γερμανίας. Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο απέρριψε αναφορά της ΠΕΑΕΑ, την οποία στήριξε το ΚΚΕ, για τις δίκαιες αξιώσεις του ελληνικού λαού. Σέρνετε τους λαούς στον πόλεμο, μπροστά σε νέα κρίση και σφοδρούς ανταγωνισμούς με Κίνα, Ρωσία αλλά και τις ΗΠΑ, που πληρώνουν οι εργαζόμενοι.

    Με τη διαστρέβλωση της ιστορίας, τον αντικομμουνισμό, την ταύτιση φασισμού και σοσιαλισμού, μάταια στοχεύετε να κρύψετε ότι υπάρχει διέξοδος σήμερα από την καπιταλιστική βαρβαρότητα, που η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και οι αστικές κυβερνήσεις υπερασπίζονται. Απέναντι στο σκοτάδι των πολέμων, της εκμετάλλευσης, των κρίσεων, φωτεινό μέλλον της ανθρωπότητας είναι ο νέος κόσμος· ο σοσιαλισμός.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Herr Präsident, liebe Menschen Europas! Wir Deutschen kennen unsere Geschichte. Wir kennen die Verbrechen unseres Volkes unter den Nationalsozialisten. Und deshalb haben wir manchmal eine menschliche, aber gefährliche Angewohnheit: Wir erzählen uns, unsere Vorfahren hätten nicht mitgemacht, hätten nichts gewusst. Wir erzählen uns, wir selbst hätten im Widerstand gekämpft. Aber die Wahrheit ist: Die meisten deutschen Familien hatten Mitglieder in der SS, und die meisten von uns wären dabei gewesen.

    Schauen Sie auf mich. Meine Vorfahren haben ausschließlich in Deutschland gelebt. Ich habe mich nach der Schule freiwillig zum Militärdienst gemeldet. Ich liebe mein Land, meine Sprache, meine Kultur. Wäre ich, Lukas Sieper, vor 100 Jahren geboren, ich hätte wahrscheinlich die Propaganda geglaubt. Ich wäre wahrscheinlich ein weiterer Soldat in Hitlers Armeen gewesen. Wir sind immer nur eine Wahl von einer Diktatur entfernt. „Nie wieder“ ist nicht Erinnerung. „Nie wieder“ ist jetzt.

    		  
       

       

    (End of catch-the-eye procedure)

    		  
       

    		 

      President. – The debate is closed.

    		  

    5. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (debate)


    		 

      Anna Cavazzini, author. – Mr President, dear colleagues, we are facing numerous challenges in the EU. Looming trade wars, high energy prices, a lack of innovation and public investment, the China shock and shortages of skilled labour makes businesses suffer and results in rising costs of living for consumers. The climate crisis is accelerating and adding additional risks.

    The good news is the single market remains our best answer to geopolitical insecurity and to tackle those challenges. Nearly 450 million citizens, 23 million businesses with a GDP of EUR 17 trillion. These numbers make the single market one of the three largest economies in the world, and we need to use this unique resource to the benefit of people, businesses and the planet.

    Let me make four points on how the IMCO Committee in this resolution sees the way forward for the single market.

    One, reinforcing the single market. We need to make it easier, especially for small and medium sized enterprises to operate in it. Simplification is the core idea embedded in the creation of the single market. One rule instead of 27 means less administrative burden, less costs, and a better level playing field.

    But currently diverging implementation and fragmentation of legislation by the Member States create barriers in the single market. Therefore, the Commission needs to base its single market strategy on the idea of more Europe in legislation, implementation and enforcement.

    My second point, enforcing and developing the digital single market. Last term’s milestone legislations, the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act and the world’s first AI Act now need to be enforced to ensure fair competition and a safe and trustful online environment. We therefore highly welcome the recent decision of the Commission to impose fines against Apple and Meta for their non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act, and we expect a continuous, rigorous enforcement also in other cases.

    And let me say it very clearly, especially regarding the pressure from the other side of the Atlantic. We do not let ourselves blackmail. We don’t trade away our tech regulation. Our laws are not for sale because they protect consumers, democracy and smaller companies.

    Three. The green transition. Also, the reports of Letta and Draghi make clear the transition towards a green and circular economy is a must, and to ensure our future competitiveness, we need to prepare for the economic disruptions the climate crisis will bring.

    Following a clear and predictable path for businesses accompanied by investment and strengthened public services, next to better labelling and fighting greenwashing, we need to create a real single market for second-hand goods and the Circular Economy Act. Digital tools can smoothen the complex processes of public procurement. Thus, we can simplify and create lead markets for sustainable products, quality jobs and regional value at the same time.

    Four consumer protection. A flourishing single market and high consumer protection are two sides of the same coin. A single market cannot function without strong consumer protection in both online and offline markets. So our resolution asks the Commission to come up in due course with a Digital Fairness Act. Targeted advertising, advertising of influencers, dark patterns and dynamic pricing, as well as the protection of minors, are challenges that this act needs to tackle.

    With a rapidly rising share of e-commerce, millions of parcels land directly at the consumer’s doorsteps, often from China, often not complying with our standards. This leads to safety risks and creates an uneven level playing field for European businesses.

    Therefore, the Commission must act. We need a swift implementation of the communication on e-commerce. We need to faster deploy the digital product passport and tracing laws to finalise the customs reform and to step up enforcement.

    More e-commerce leads to completely overloaded national market surveillance authorities. And that is why we need more European enforcement in order to live up to the giant online platforms, which is why the IMCO Committee, in our resolution, we call to reform the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network and for harmonised investigation to better fight unsafe products.

    Only joint action on EU level can get the tsunami of packages under control. So this is what the Imco committee suggests, and we hope that the Commission takes it into account in its upcoming single market strategy.

    		  
       

    		 

      Stéphane Séjourné, Vice-président exécutif de la Commission. – Monsieur le Président, Mesdames et Messieurs les députés, je remercie évidemment le Parlement européen pour ce débat, et je vous remercie en particulier, Madame la Présidente Cavazzini, car votre question orale couvre tous les grands enjeux relatifs au marché intérieur. Elle réaffirme d’ailleurs son rôle essentiel pour la prospérité de l’Europe.

    C’est aussi l’ambition que portera la stratégie pour le marché unique que la Commission présentera dans deux semaines exactement. Une ébauche de cette stratégie a, vous le savez, déjà fuité dans la presse. Je vais donc en dire quelques mots avant de répondre très concrètement à l’ensemble des questions qui sont posées par la rapporteure.

    Revenons ensemble sur le contexte, tout d’abord, puisque, après les excellents rapports, qui ont été unanimement salués, d’Enrico Letta et de Mario Draghi, les tensions et la fragmentation géopolitiques nous rappellent que le marché intérieur est notre premier atout et que les meilleurs partenaires des Européens sont les Européens eux-mêmes. Face à l’urgence de mieux puiser dans ce formidable espace économique, je propose donc une méthode ainsi qu’un certain nombre de compromis que nous devons collectivement trouver ensemble. D’abord, la méthode, qui consiste à s’attaquer aux barrières les plus coûteuses et les plus concrètes pour notre marché intérieur. Puis des compromis, qu’il faut que l’on fasse également, entre les États, avec les États membres, mais également entre les groupes politiques.

    Il est également question d’avoir moins de barrières internes contre plus de protection à l’extérieur. Vous parliez éminemment du commerce extérieur et du e-commerce, qui est probablement la cause, dans ce moment précis, d’un certain nombre de dérégulations de notre marché intérieur. Se protéger davantage de l’extérieur, mais dans un esprit d’ouverture aux nouveaux partenariats commerciaux, tout en adoptant une doctrine de la préférence européenne, du «made in Europe», pour certains secteurs stratégiques.

    Je serai ravi de revenir vers cette assemblée lors de la miniplénière du mois de mai pour présenter très officiellement la stratégie sur le marché intérieur. Je vais maintenant revenir sur les questions que vous avez posées dans votre résolution.

    Vous le savez, les efforts pour renforcer notre marché intérieur doivent être partagés par tous les acteurs de l’Union européenne. Au sein de la Commission, mes collègues et moi-même avons compté et savons pouvoir compter sur l’engagement du Parlement européen sur cette question. Bien évidemment, les États membres sont des acteurs centraux et, je le dis sans ambages, trop souvent encore, la lettre et l’esprit des règles adoptées au niveau européen se perdent au niveau national, souvent en raison d’une sous-transposition, parfois d’une surtransposition, parfois même d’une absence totale de transposition.

    Quelques mots sur les biens et les services en général. La libre circulation est effective pour les biens. Néanmoins, comme vous l’avez souligné très justement, Madame la Rapporteure, nous devons faire face à l’émergence de nouvelles problématiques, notamment en termes de conformité, de durabilité et également de transparence envers les consommateurs.

    En ce qui concerne la conformité, je pense par exemple à l’explosion du e-commerce, comme je l’évoquais en introduction. Elle exige de notre part des douanes fortes, des contrôles homogénéisés partout en Europe. Ce n’est pas encore le cas aujourd’hui et je voudrais vraiment remercier le Parlement européen pour sa proposition ambitieuse sur le sujet. La balle est maintenant dans le camp des États membres pour ce qui est de la réforme des douanes et nous allons également porter cette dynamique. La montée du e-commerce exige également des mécanismes de surveillance du marché plus harmonisés et plus performants.

    En matière de durabilité, un marché intérieur pour l’économie circulaire est nécessaire pour mettre en œuvre le droit à la réutilisation ainsi qu’à la réparation. Nous y travaillerons également avec vous.

    Quant à la transparence, je pense évidemment à la «shrinkflation», ce phénomène sur lequel vous avez souhaité interpeller la Commission, mais aussi à la «skimpflation». Le premier consiste à réduire la quantité à prix constants et, le second, à réduire le niveau de service sans réduire le prix. Ce sont de nouveaux mots-valises qui mettent le doigt sur un manque de transparence grandissant pour les consommateurs, sur lequel le Parlement européen et les institutions doivent se pencher. Des garde-fous réglementaires existent déjà à l’échelle de l’Union européenne pour mieux protéger les consommateurs et les États membres doivent mettre en place les dispositions que nous avions proposées – et les mettre en place pleinement. La Commission continuera en tout cas, de son côté, à aider les États membres, à travers des réseaux dédiés de coopération en la matière, et nous veillerons également à inscrire ces problématiques au cœur de l’agenda des consommateurs pour la période 2025-2030, sous la responsabilité du commissaire McGrath.

    Ensuite, Monsieur le Président, après les biens, quelques mots sur les services. Là aussi, vous interpellez la Commission sur les risques persistants de fragmentation de notre marché. Il est vrai que la situation actuelle est loin d’être satisfaisante. Près de deux tiers des barrières qui existent aujourd’hui sont les barrières qui existaient il y a 20 ans et qui persistent encore aujourd’hui. En particulier, l’accès à près de 5 700 services réglementés est encore très entravé au niveau des États membres, tandis que l’hétérogénéité des régimes concernant les travailleurs détachés ou les saisonniers complique encore un peu plus les services et les investissements transfrontaliers. Nous devons y remédier une bonne fois pour toutes. C’est pour cela que nous proposerons des solutions concrètes pour faciliter le recrutement des travailleurs et la reconnaissance des compétences et des qualifications dans les professions réglementées. Elles s’inscriront dans l’initiative de la Commission pour la portabilité des compétences, qui sera publiée à la fin de l’année prochaine. Nous allons également privilégier une approche sectorielle dans les services pour être plus efficaces.

    Votre question orale évoquait également la protection des consommateurs, en particulier eu égard aux usages numériques. J’ai parlé de l’explosion du commerce en ligne, mais, vous le savez, nous avons également voté, lors de la dernière mandature, le règlement sur les services numériques (DSA). L’Union européenne s’est dotée d’un outil unique au monde qui responsabilise les plateformes. Nous disposons également d’un règlement sur les marchés numériques (DMA), qui permet au plus grand nombre d’acteurs, quelle que soit leur taille ou leur statut, d’entrer sur le marché, lequel était jusque-là verrouillé par ceux qu’on appelle les «gate keepers». La mise en œuvre du DSA et du DMA démarre à peine, mais nous continuons et continuerons à porter exactement la même ambition pour ces deux textes que lors de la mandature précédente. Ils seront mis en œuvre par les différentes directions de la Commission et sous la supervision d’Henna Virkkunen, responsable de ces questions-là.

    Madame la Rapporteure, Monsieur le Président, je voudrais terminer par un mot, puisque je l’évoquais également en introduction: lors de la présentation de la stratégie sur le marché unique, qui occupera une place essentielle dans nos débats vers la fin de l’année, ce sera l’occasion pour nous d’accorder également une place à la question de la simplification. C’est du reste pour cela que nous présenterons, le 21 mai, le quatrième train de mesures omnibus de simplification. Son objectif est assez clair: pour nous, il s’agit de libérer le potentiel de toutes les entreprises qui font et organisent le marché unique et qui y opèrent. Nous travaillons sur deux enjeux en particulier: la définition des petites entreprises à moyenne capitalisation, qui est très attendue par les parlementaires, et la numérisation des procédures administratives et la mise en conformité pour les produits entrant sur le marché. Je sais pouvoir compter sur l’approche constructive du Parlement européen pour faire avancer ce dossier rapidement. Je me réjouis de cette opportunité de pouvoir recueillir, lors de ce débat, vos suggestions et vos priorités.

    		  
       

    		 

      Andreas Schwab, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Alle Jahre wieder kommt eine neue Binnenmarktstrategie, und häufig steht in der neuen genau das drin, was in der alten auch drinstand. Insofern freue ich mich, Herr Kommissar, dass Sie in Ihrer Analyse des Europäischen Binnenmarktes für Güter und Dienstleistungen doch einige erfrischende neue Analysepunkte aufgegriffen haben. Allerdings bleibt das Problem so, wie Sie es beschrieben haben, das gleiche: Viel europäische Rechtsetzung verliert sich in ihrem Geist in den Mitgliedstaaten. Deswegen wird es entscheidend darauf ankommen, dass die Mitgliedstaaten, gerade auch die großen wie Deutschland und Frankreich, ihrer Verantwortung gerecht werden.

    Und das Zweite ist, dass wir es uns nicht zu leicht machen dürfen, hier im Europäischen Parlament über die Zölle der Amerikaner zu lamentieren – die möglicherweise 10 Prozent weitere Hindernisse bedeuten –, aber gleichzeitig die 40 Prozent vergessen, die wir selber innerhalb des europäischen Marktes noch immer nicht beiseite geräumt haben. Deswegen ist es eine harte Arbeit, mit der Binnenmarktstrategie zu versuchen, konkrete Anknüpfungspunkte für eine Vereinfachung zu finden. Die Entsendung von Arbeitnehmern, die ja vor allem in den Grenzregionen ein großes Problem ist, haben Sie bereits mit einem Vorschlag angegangen. Wir müssen alles dafür tun, dass alle Mitgliedstaaten dabei mitmachen, weil ansonsten der Vorschlag nicht die gewünschte Wirkung mit sich bringt.

    Wir müssen die europäische Zollpolitik neu bewerten, weil wir mit einer einheitlichen Zollorganisation natürlich sehr viel effektiver gegen Temu und Shein vorgehen könnten, wenn wir den Tsunami der vielen kleinen Pakete aus Fernost bekämpfen wollen. Aber, Herr Kommissar, gemeinsam mit Ihrem für den Zoll zuständigen Kollegen arbeiten wir daran schon seit über 15 Jahren. Und die Mitgliedstaaten haben jedes Mal Schwierigkeiten bereitet, wenn es um mehr Vereinheitlichung gegangen wäre.

    Das Dritte ist: Natürlich ist es populär, im Digitalraum jetzt Forderungen aufzustellen. Aber der Kern, wo wir neues Wachstum in Europa recht einfach generieren können, bleibt der klassische Binnenmarkt für Güter und Dienstleistungen. Deswegen müssen wir dort unbedingt ran. Deswegen hoffe ich, dass Ihre Strategie uns neue Wege aufzeigt.

    		  
       

    		 

      Laura Ballarín Cereza, en nombre del Grupo S&D. – Señor presidente, señor vicepresidente, la semana pasada, en España, tuvimos un apagón que dejó al país sin luz, sin teléfono y sin transporte. Yo estuve allí y tuve suerte, pero millones de personas se quedaron sin conexión, caminando horas desde sus lugares de trabajo a sus casas. Y en esta situación de emergencia, empresas como Cabify, Uber o Bolt aumentaron los precios de sus servicios un 300 %. Esta es una nueva práctica comercial derivada de la economía digital llamada «precios dinámicos», que hemos querido recoger en la Resolución que hoy votamos.

    Este Parlamento pide a la Comisión Europea que proponga regulación para abordar este problema y proteger a los consumidores, especialmente en la futura Ley de Equidad Digital, que también tiene que proteger a los menores en línea, porque la simplificación no nos va a salvar de todos los males. Nosotros —los consumidores, las familias— esperamos leyes que nos protejan de los abusos de las grandes compañías tecnológicas.

    		  
       

    		 

      Klara Dostalova, za skupinu PfE. – Pane předsedající, kolegyně, kolegové, návrh usnesení slibuje řešení starých výzev a nových obchodních postupů, ale zatím zůstává u prázdných slov. A právě to je dnes bohužel typické pro přístup Komise ke všemu, co vzejde z Parlamentu – skvělé slogany, málo výsledků. Ano, oceňuji důraz na snižování administrativní zátěže a podporu malých podnikatelů. Ano, naše spotřebitelské právo je silné, ale Komise opět ukazuje, že slyší jen to, co chce slyšet. Ochrana spotřebitelů je sice důležitá, ale v realitě dnes lidé čelí dramatickému růstu životních nákladů a nejsou schopni naplnit ani základní potřeby. A co na to Komise? Nic. Ani zmínka o tom, že přemrštěné ekologické ambice je potřeba přehodnotit. V tomto ohledu Komise zcela selhává.

    A Ukrajina? Její začlenění na jednotný trh je vydáváno za politický triumf. Ale nikdo se vážně neptá: Jakou cenu za to zaplatíme? Zavírání očí před rozdílnými standardy a problémy zničí rovné podmínky pro naše podniky. Pokud má jednotný trh fungovat, potřebujeme méně ideologických experimentů a víc zdravého rozumu. Komise musí přestat přehlížet realitu a začít chránit to, na čem Evropanům skutečně záleží – férové pracovní podmínky, konkurenceschopné firmy a dostupné bydlení. Slova nestačí. Potřebujeme činy a odvahu přiznat si, kde Komise opakovaně selhává.

    		  
       

    		 

      Stefano Cavedagna, a nome del gruppo ECR. – Signor Presidente, signor Commissario, onorevoli colleghi, mentre qui a livello parlamentare si parla troppo spesso di dazi, si parla di imposizioni sull’import, si parla tantissimo di Green Deal, si parla di tanti agenti extra mercato europeo, ci dimentichiamo di quello che noi siamo e di quello che dobbiamo essere. E purtroppo i dati sono molto chiari.

    Mentre il resto del mondo cresce, l’Europa è sostanzialmente ferma in stagnazione economica. Va avanti grazie solo ad alcuni Paesi, tra i quali l’Italia, ma la crescita è comunque modesta, generalizzata nel nostro continente.

    Vogliamo meno burocrazia, vogliamo una migliore semplificazione, vogliamo lasciare le imprese europee libere di poter lavorare e di poter competere ad armi pari con il resto del mondo. E sono sicuro che lo faremo al meglio.

    Chiediamo anche un grande investimento in termini di intelligenza artificiale, con delle vere e proprie infrastrutture europee che ci permettano di non dipendere dall’altra parte dell’oceano o dall’Oriente che troppo spesso è più un pericolo che una risorsa.

    		  
       

    		 

      Svenja Hahn, im Namen der Renew-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen! In geopolitisch unsicheren Zeiten müssen wir unseren Binnenmarkt radikal ausbauen. Unsere wirtschaftliche Stärke macht uns erst zu einem attraktiven Partner. Und wenn Partner wie die USA eben nicht mehr verlässlich sind, müssen wir unseren Heimatmarkt attraktiver machen, auch für unsere eigenen Unternehmen. Es muss endlich Schluss sein mit dieser regulatorischen Kleinstaaterei – ein Produkt, eine Dienstleistung, ein Markt nach denselben Regeln.

    Wir müssen rigoros Bürokratie abbauen, alle Binnenmarktgesetze auf den Prüfstand stellen. Und ich möchte vor allen Dingen daran erinnern: Wettbewerbsfähigkeit kommt von Wettbewerb. Ich bin ein bisschen skeptisch gegenüber unverhältnismäßigen staatlichen Eingriffen wie bei Leitmärkten. Das ist kein Garant, dass sich am Ende das beste Produkt zum besten Preis durchsetzt, sondern eben das politisch gewollte Produkt. Und ich baue wirklich auf die Kommission und Kommissar Séjourné, dass Sie den Mut haben, den Binnenmarkt groß zu machen. Denken Sie die Strategie groß, doktern Sie nicht nur an Kleinigkeiten herum. Wir müssen unseren Binnenmarkt jetzt stärken, damit wir in der Welt stärker werden. Andersrum gilt: Wer jetzt den Binnenmarkt nicht stärkt, schwächt uns in der Welt.

    		  
       


    		 

      Hanna Gedin, för The Left gruppen. – Herr talman! Ibland undrar jag om vi lever i samma verklighet. Frågar man kommissionen eller EPP eller högern i mitt hemland om vad som hotar EU:s ekonomi, så får man höra att miljökraven är för höga för företagen, att det är för svårt att konkurrensutsätta offentlig sektor, att det behövs färre regler och fler avregleringar. Men jag ser en helt annan verklighet.

    Jag ser människor som knappt får lönen att räcka till mat, jag ser arbetare som tvingas flytta från land till land, från gig till gig i en marknad där trygghet ses som hinder för flexibilitet. Jag ser en inre marknad som snarare än att lyfta villkoren för alla driver ett race to the bottom: på löner, arbetsrätt, välfärd och miljö.

    Det vi debatterar i dag genomsyras av samma logik. Färre hinder, snabbare upphandlingar, mer flexibilitet, mindre demokratiskt inflytande – allt för marknaden. Men vad händer när vi river regler för företagen? Vi river också ofta skydd för människor. Vi river regler som finns där för att trygga vår vardag, för att säkra schysta arbetsvillkor, för att bevara vår miljö och för att hålla demokratin levande.

    Vi i vänstern vill säga att det här är fel väg. Vi behöver inte färre regler, vi behöver rätt regler: regler som skyddar människor, inte vinstmarginaler, regler som sätter klimat, jämlikhet och trygghet över marknadslogik. För det är inte vi som är orealistiska – det är den blinda tron på avreglering som är det verkliga hotet mot framtiden.

    		  
       

    		 

      Pablo Arias Echeverría (PPE). – Señor presidente, señor comisario, en 2023 celebramos el trigésimo aniversario del mercado único. La construcción de esta Unión de libre circulación de bienes, servicios, capitales y personas refleja los valores y principios que compartimos; un proyecto que se ha convertido en el faro que guía la economía de la Unión Europea.

    Pero también existen sombras —sombras que debemos disipar—. Draghi y Letta lo han dejado muy claro: buscamos ser competitivos, sí, pero tenemos un mercado fragmentado. Buscamos ser innovadores, sí, pero ponemos trabas a nuestras pymes, start-ups y scale-ups, y dejamos que el talento se nos escape. Buscamos liderazgo, sí, pero ponemos cargas administrativas que ralentizan el crecimiento de nuestras empresas. Buscamos un mercado único, sí, pero nos encontramos con un exceso de normas desiguales en ese mismo mercado y proteccionismos nacionales.

    Lo que antes era capaz de aguantar nuestro mercado, hoy se antoja imposible. La coyuntura actual a nivel global nos exige abordar estas sombras con diligencia y determinación. La tarea no es sencilla: simplificación, menos burocracia, facilidades para financiar iniciativas digitales privadas, innovación, retención y atracción de talento. Necesitamos menos normas, pero iguales para todo el mercado, con el mismo nivel de garantías y protección. En definitiva, más seguridad jurídica.

    Los Estados miembros y las instituciones europeas tenemos que tener la suficiente altura de miras para abordar estas reformas estructurales, porque no nos jugamos mucho; probablemente, nos lo jugamos todo, señor comisario.

    Cuando todos dimos la bienvenida a los informes Letta y Draghi, ¿era solo una foto o era un compromiso? En el caso del Partido Popular, se lo aseguro: un compromiso. Espero que también lo sea para la Comisión y para el Consejo.

    		  
       

    		 

      Alex Agius Saliba (S&D). – Sur President, Is-suq uniku Ewropew jibqa’ wieħed mill-aktar elementi importanti fil-proġett Ewropew għaċ-ċittadini tagħna. Però huwa importanti li dan is-suq jibqa’ jevolvi, ir-regoli tiegħu jibqgħu jevolvu, sabiex fl-aħħar mill-aħħar naraw illi r-realtajiet tal-iktar Stati Membri li jinsabu fil-fruntiera, il-gżejjer, dawn l-istess regoli jkunu qegħdin jaħdmu favur tagħhom ukoll.

    U hawnhekk nixtieq nitkellem ukoll fuq realtajiet partikolari differenti li Stati Membri żgħar bħal Malta qegħdin jaffaċċjaw, b’mod speċjali minħabba żidiet fil-prezzijiet, inflazzjoni tal-aktar prodotti essenzjali f’dan is-suq komuni. U allura huwa importanti li naraw li jkollna aktar flessibilità fejn jidħlu r-regolamenti tas-suq uniku Ewropew sabiex jaraw illi Stati Membri żgħar u gżejjer ikunu fl-aħħar mill-aħħar jistgħu jibbenefikaw minn dan id-dritt, id-dritt tal-moviment u l-libertà tal-moviment għall-prodotti u s-servizzi, kif fl-aħħar mill-aħħar jibbenefikaw pajjiżi ferm ikbar minna.

    Imma fl-aħħar mill-aħħar ukoll huwa essenzjali li naraw illi jkollna regoli aktar stretti fejn jidħol ukoll l-importazzjoni tal-prodotti barra mill-Unjoni Ewropea. F’suq fejn qed imur aktar fuq bażi online milli fil-ħwienet tradizzjonali huwa importanti li naraw illi jkollna l-istess tip ta’ regoli u l-istess tip ta’ drittijiet għall-konsumaturi li jixtru fuq bażi online u dawk illi jixtru fuq bażi offline.

    Imma dan ma nistgħu nagħmluh qatt billi ngħabbu b’aktar piżijiet, speċjalment piżijiet finanzjarji, lill-konsumaturi tagħna.

    		  
       


    		 

      Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the internal market is one of our greatest achievements and yet our businesses and our consumers still face barriers, are confronted with unpredictable legislative changes and a lack of consistency in the implementation of our single market rules.

    We need to simplify our rules we currently have in place, making sure that we keep those that protect consumers and entrepreneurs, but remove those that create excessive burdens. It is not enough to cut norms on paper, to delay them or to simply exempt certain categories. We need to change them in substance in order to make them easier to comply with.

    Online, our businesses face the challenge of complying with all these norms while foreign traders, especially from Asia, China ignore our rules and yet face little or no consequences at all. This is not a fair situation.

    The Commission is currently working on a new Digital Fairness Act (DFA). Before this is presented, the Commission should present a plan to cut unnecessary norms and only then legislate, in a very targeted manner. The next DFA cannot be another DSA. Businesses and consumers need predictability and a level playing field through the enforcement of existing norms.

    		  
       


    		 

      Elisabeth Dieringer (PfE). – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren! Wieder einmal erleben wir, wie die EU mit ihrem Entschließungsantrag zum Binnenmarkt große Worte schwingt, aber an den eigentlichen Problemen unserer Wirtschaft und unserer Bürger vorbeigeht. Seit Jahren hören wir Versprechen über Bürokratieabbau und weniger Belastung für unsere Unternehmen. Doch die Realität sieht anders aus: immer neue Vorschriften, immer mehr Regulierung, immer weniger Freiheit für unsere heimischen Betriebe.

    Der Binnenmarkt soll ein Motor für Wohlstand und Wachstum sein, doch stattdessen werden unsere kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen durch eine zu große Anzahl an EU‑Regeln und Berichtsanforderungen ausgebremst. Die Kommission redet von Innovation und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Aber in Wahrheit profitieren vor allem die Großkonzerne, während unsere regionalen Betriebe mit immer neuen Hürden kämpfen müssen. Wir fordern: Schluss mit der Überregulierung und den realitätsfernen Vorgaben aus Brüssel! Der Binnenmarkt muss endlich wieder den Menschen und Unternehmen dienen, die hier arbeiten und Steuern zahlen, nicht den Interessen globaler Konzerne oder den ideologischen Träumereien einer EU‑Elite. Weniger Bürokratie, mehr Eigenverantwortung und echte Wettbewerbsfähigkeit – das ist unser Weg für einen starken Binnenmarkt.

    (Die Rednerin ist damit einverstanden, auf eine Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“ zu antworten.)

    		  
       



    		 

      Tomislav Sokol (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, povjereniče, kolegice i kolege, Draghijevo izvješće jasno je pokazalo da troškovi koji proizlaze iz prevelikog broja propisa, kako europskih tako i nacionalnih, i dalje su vrlo visoki za europska poduzeća. To regulatorno opterećenje i fragmentacija posebno opterećuju mala i srednja poduzeća, koče inovacije i slabe našu konkurentnost na globalnoj razini.

    Prošlo je više od četiri godine otkako sam kao izvjestitelj Kluba EPP‑a za usluge na jedinstvenom tržištu upozoravao na prepreke slobodnom kretanju usluga. Nažalost, uslužni sektor koji zapošljava dvije trećine radne snage i stvara 9 od 10 novih radnih mjesta i dalje ostaje najslabije razvijen dio jedinstvenog tržišta. To je nedopustivo jer propuštamo priliku za rast, zapošljavanje i globalnu konkurentnost. Stoga je krajnje vrijeme da uklonimo preostale prepreke i taj golemi gospodarski potencijal pretvorimo u nova radna mjesta, veće ulaganje i gospodarski rast Unije.

    Bez pravog jedinstvenog tržišta nećemo se moći natjecati s globalnim konkurentima, a posebno je važno osiguravanje poštene tržišne utakmice. Karteli multinacionalnih kompanija koji održavaju visoke cijene hrane i drugih proizvoda apsolutno su nedopustivi. Također, implementacija Zakona o digitalnim tržištima, kojim će se stati na kraj zlouporabama od strane digitalnih divova, mora biti prioritet. Osim toga, u uvjetima brutalne globalne kompeticije, davanje prednosti europskim proizvodima i uslugama sasvim je legitimna opcija za zaštitu naših interesa.

    Na kraju, moramo zaštititi potrošače od nekvalitetnih i često opasnih proizvoda kupljenih preko interneta iz trećih država. Digitalne platforme moraju snositi odgovornost za štetu koju takvi proizvodi nanesu kupcima. Jedino tako ćemo ih natjerati da ozbiljno kontroliraju što se preko njih prodaje i zaštititi naše potrošače.

    		  
       

    		 

      Pierre Jouvet (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, envoyer un colis de Pékin à Strasbourg coûte moins cher qu’affranchir une carte postale pour écrire dans son propre pays.

    En 2024, 4,6 milliards de paquets expédiés par Temu, Shein ou AliExpress sont entrés en Europe: c’est 300 % d’augmentation en quatre ans. Ces produits sont fabriqués à perte puis expédiés grâce aux subventions publiques. Leurs producteurs détruisent la planète et pratiquent aussi l’esclavage moderne. Comble de l’absurdité et de l’hypocrisie, et signe aussi de notre complicité, ces colis d’une valeur de moins de 150 euros sont exonérés de droits de douane.

    Ces colis sont un poison lent qui tue notre planète, notre économie et nos emplois. Camaïeu, ChaussExpo, Casa, Jennifer: combien d’autres PME encore allons-nous laisser disparaître? Ces petits colis sont un grand poison et nous devons, en Europe, sortir de cette naïveté, changer nos règles douanières et assumer de protéger nos consommateurs, nos entreprises et nos emplois.

    		  
       

    		 

      Zala Tomašič (PPE). – Gospod predsednik. Leta 2023 je bilo na dnevni ravni približno 12 milijonov spletnih naročil z evropskega trga v tretje države, od tega 91 % iz Kitajske. Ko pogledamo te številke, je logično, da naši cariniki ne morejo kontrolirati vsega. Vemo tudi, da velikokrat izdelki iz Kitajske ne dosegajo evropskih standardov.

    Jaz verjamem v prosti trg in verjamem, da regulacija oziroma več regulacije ni odgovor na vse. Kot tudi ni odgovor na vse pritisk na naše platforme za težave, ki so povzročene drugje, posebej v državah, kjer imamo probleme z zagotavljanjem legitimnosti certifikatov.

    Mislim, da moramo nazaj prinesti tudi osebno odgovornost vseh nas potrošnikov in se moramo zavedati, da s tem, ko naročamo s kitajskih platform, ne škodimo le evropejski industriji, ampak tudi na koncu samemu sebi in našemu zdravju. Poleg tega pa tudi rabimo na evropski ravni rešitev glede vprašanja vplivnežev, a da bo to poenoteno in da bo tudi priznan njihov status kot ustvarjalcev vsebin, in ne le kot oglaševalcev.

    		  
       

    		 

      Δημήτρης Τσιόδρας (PPE). – Κύριε Πρόεδρε, κύριε Αντιπρόεδρε της Επιτροπής, τα εμπόδια εντός της ενιαίας αγοράς της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ισοδυναμούν με δασμούς 45% για τη μεταποίηση και 110% για τις υπηρεσίες. Οι αριθμοί είναι αποκαλυπτικοί και μας υπενθυμίζουν σε ποια κατεύθυνση πρέπει να κινηθούμε.

    Για αυτό τον λόγο χαίρομαι, γιατί το ψήφισμα που έχουμε στα χέρια μας κάνει συγκεκριμένη αναφορά στους γεωγραφικούς και εδαφικούς περιορισμούς, οι οποίοι συρρικνώνουν την αγοραστική δύναμη των Ευρωπαίων πολιτών και πλήττουν τις μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις. Είναι ένα θέμα που πολλοί συνάδελφοι έχουμε επισημάνει, ζητώντας μέτρα. Είναι απαράδεκτο, σε μια ενιαία αγορά, ορισμένες πολυεθνικές εταιρείες να εκμεταλλεύονται τη θέση τους προκειμένου να χρεώνουν εξαιρετικά διαφορετικές τιμές για ίδια προϊόντα, ανάλογα με το μέγεθος της αγοράς και εις βάρος των καταναλωτών. Ενόψει και της στρατηγικής για την ενιαία αγορά, αναμένουμε τη νομοθετική πρόταση για να βάλουμε τέλος σε αυτές τις πρακτικές.

    Δεύτερον, χρειάζονται ακόμα πιο φιλόδοξα μέτρα για την απλοποίηση των κανόνων και τη μείωση του διοικητικού φόρτου που αντιμετωπίζουν οι μικρομεσαίες επιχειρήσεις. Η μείωση της γραφειοκρατίας κατά 35% είναι αδήριτη ανάγκη να επιτευχθεί.

    Τρίτον, παρά το γεγονός ότι η Ένωση έχει το πιο στιβαρό πλαίσιο προστασίας των καταναλωτών, μόνο το 28% έχει καλή γνώση των δικαιωμάτων του.

    Και, τέλος, χρειαζόμαστε ενίσχυση της εφαρμογής του ψηφιακού νομοθετικού πλαισίου με συντονισμένους ελέγχους από τις αρμόδιες υπηρεσίες και καλύτερη συνεργασία μεταξύ τους, για να διασφαλίσουμε ότι η νομοθεσία εφαρμόζεται στην πράξη.

    		  
       

    		 

      Regina Doherty (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, when it comes to commercial practices, online is the only show in town. But when it comes to consumer fraud, online spaces still remain a Wild West. We need all actors on board to ensure that we have a shared responsibility. Because today, citizens in Europe are subject to fake advertising and online scams on a near daily basis, often via social media platforms.

    Our own Irish Data Protection Commission has already issued over EUR 3.5 billion worth of fines, as well as corrective measures. But it’s all too easy to put fake advertisements purporting to be from regulated institutions online, and for unsuspecting citizens to be scammed out of their own money before the advert just simply disappears. Three in every four Irish people have encountered some form of suspicious activity online, whilst 45 % of Europeans stated they have experienced more suspicious activity compared with last year.

    We know that such incidents are hard to track and almost impossible to reverse after they happen. The Digital Services Act obliges platforms to take down illegal content once it has been reported. However, it creates few proactive obligations prior to publication or even reporting by individuals. So we need to look at ways to ensure that electronic communications providers verify with national competent authorities that advertisements purporting to be from regulated entities are, in fact, legitimate, so that we can protect our people and their hard earnings.

    		  
       

       

    Catch-the-eye procedure

    		  
       

    		 

      Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D). – Mr President, dear Commissioner, you rightly mentioned that we are still 20 years speaking about the same problems. But now the digital union is not completed. The energy union is not completed. I know our railway infrastructure is in difficulties, and when we are speaking about the necessity to do something more, first of all, we need to stress very much that we need to develop pan‑European infrastructures in digital, in energy, in transport.

    And, of course, also Letta rightly mentioned the ‘fifth freedom’: freedom for research, investment and innovation. But it requires also infrastructure in our research and innovations. It means the life sciences strategy should be connected with the internal market strategy hand in hand, otherwise we can lose once again competitiveness, investment and progress. Made in Europe requires more integration.

    		  
       





       

    (End of catch-the-eye procedure)

    Written Statements (Rule 178)

    		  
       

    		 

      Stéphane Séjourné, Vice-président exécutif de la Commission. – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur Sieper, je suis désolé, je vais parler français, mais je crois que vous avez la traduction.

    Je vais peut-être vous donner quelques convictions suite à ce débat. D’abord, une conviction, c’est que nous ne pouvons pas regarder notre stratégie du marché intérieur en silos, comme cela s’est probablement beaucoup fait lors des dernières mandatures.

    Au vu du contexte international que nous connaissons, un nouvel équilibre économique est à trouver. Il s’agit à la fois d’œuvrer pour plus de marché intérieur et donc, je le répète, d’aller plus loin en ce qui concerne les biens et les services ou l’union des marchés des capitaux, d’organiser et de faciliter les déplacements des biens et des services plus largement, de retirer les barrières qui contraignent notamment la circulation des marchandises et des biens, dans le cadre de nos travaux et des compétences de l’Union européenne.

    Il s’agit aussi de travailler, au niveau national, sur les différences de réglementations qui créent des contraintes et – je crois que l’un de vous l’a expliqué assez justement – sur l’équivalent en droits de douane des différentes réglementations nationales, puisqu’il est d’actualité de parler en termes d’équivalent en droits de douane et que cela montre qu’il est urgent que nous agissions. 40 à 50 % de droits de douane sur les biens, plus de 100 % sur les services: je vois le coût que cela peut engendrer pour une entreprise de produire dans un pays européen et de commercialiser dans un autre. Le paradoxe de la situation, c’est qu’il est probablement plus rentable aujourd’hui de produire en Chine et d’exporter un petit colis vers les pays européens que de mettre en place toute la réglementation européenne pour commercialiser depuis la France, l’Allemagne, la Pologne ou l’Italie. C’est ce que nous devons régler dans les prochains mois.

    En parallèle, il faut protéger les frontières commerciales extérieures de l’Union européenne et donc avancer sur la réforme douanière. Elle est aujourd’hui bloquée au Conseil et les États membres doivent avancer, je l’ai dit en introduction de ce débat. Je consacrerai beaucoup de capital politique à ce que la réforme des douanes puisse progresser au même rythme que notre réforme et notre stratégie sur le marché intérieur. D’un côté, libéralisation et rupture des barrières restantes sur le marché intérieur, de l’autre, protection des frontières européennes en ce qui concerne l’e-commerce, notamment en avançant sur la question du contrôle. Je pense que c’est le bon équilibre qu’il faut pouvoir trouver collectivement dans cette maison.

    Un autre équilibre – le dernier, j’en resterai là – auquel travailler également dans les prochains mois et les prochaines semaines concerne les nouveaux accords commerciaux et la diversification que nous devons opérer alors que le monde est de plus en plus protectionniste. Oui, des accords avec de nouveaux pays, portant sur des secteurs particuliers, doivent être trouvés. La présidente de la Commission s’emploie, avec mon collègue Maroš Šefčovič, à trouver de nouveaux débouchés pour nos industries et nos entreprises à l’extérieur de l’Union européenne, à condition que nous puissions opérer une préférence européenne et donc choisir le «made in Europe» dans un certain nombre de secteurs stratégiques.

    Pour résumer, voilà, en quelque sorte, notre nouvel équilibre, qu’il faut que nous puissions trouver entre nous, collectivement: à la fois l’approfondissement du marché intérieur, la protection des frontières extérieures par rapport au e-commerce, pour protéger notre marché, et la diversification des accords commerciaux, alors que le commerce devient de plus en plus compliqué et que la guerre tarifaire et la guerre douanière entre la Chine et les États-Unis peuvent avoir un impact important sur notre économie, en contrepartie d’une préférence européenne sur un certain nombre d’achats publics. Vous aurez notamment, dans ce cadre-là, à travailler sur la réforme des marchés publics que la Commission présentera dans les prochains mois.

    Je remercie le Parlement, particulièrement la présidente Cavazzini, pour cette discussion et, encore une fois, je reviendrai parmi vous pour présenter très officiellement la stratégie de la Commission sur le marché intérieur, le 21 mai, à Bruxelles.

    		  
       


     

    		  

      Vasile Dîncu (S&D), în scris. – Piața internă europeană trebuie să servească oamenilor, nu invers. Dincolo de eficiență și competitivitate, trebuie să evaluăm cine câștigă și cine pierde în acest model economic.

    Trei provocări majore amenință să adâncească fragmentările sociale și economice dintre cetățenii europeni:

    1. fragmentarea digitală: platformele digitale domină piața, dar beneficiile sunt distribuite inegal. IMM-urile din estul Europei, cetățenii din zone rurale sau periferice sunt adesea excluși. Aplicarea fermă a DSA și DMA este necesară pentru o piață digitală incluzivă – unde toți au acces la oportunități.

    2. tranziția verde și riscul de a produce o Europă cu două viteze: Pactul Verde este necesar, dar aplicarea sa trebuie adaptată. Regiunile industriale care încă se recuperează după tranziția post-comunistă (Valea Jiului, zone monoindustriale din România, Bulgaria, Polonia) necesită sprijin specific, direcționat și just. Nu putem cere aceleași sacrificii de la cei care au mai puține resurse.

    3. drepturile lucrătorilor în economia digitală: prea mulți europeni trăiesc în precaritate – livratori, freelanceri algoritmizați, angajați temporari. Drepturile fundamentale – salariu decent, protecție socială, stabilitate – trebuie garantate și în economia digitală.

    Avem nevoie de o piață internă bazată pe echitate, solidaritate și demnitate umană. Este timpul pentru mai multă politică și mai puțină tehnocrație. Avem nevoie de curaj.

    		  
       

       

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:51)

    		  
       

       

    IN THE CHAIR: JAVI LÓPEZ
    Vice-President

    		  

    6. Resumption of the sitting

       

    (The sitting resumed at 12:04)

    		  
       


    		 

      René Aust (ESN). – Herr Präsident, meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren! Letzte Woche, am 30. April, kam es im Paul‑Henri‑Spaak‑Gebäude vor den Büros unserer Mitarbeiter zu massiven Lärmbelästigungen und auch Drohungen gegenüber einem unserer Mitarbeiter. Gegen 18.00 Uhr hat eine große Gruppe von Besuchern der Linken, unterstützt von akkreditierten Assistenten und Mitarbeitern der Linken, eine Art Demonstration durchgeführt und abgehalten. Die Besucher, oder besser gesagt die Aktivisten, wanderten dann die Treppen nach oben Richtung Ausgang und haben dabei noch eine EU‑Flagge, die auf dem Ehrentisch mit dem Bild und dem Gedenkbuch für den verstorbenen Papst aufgestellt war, heruntergerissen und die Treppe hinuntergeworfen. Einer unserer Mitarbeiter, der die Aktivisten um Ruhe bat, wurde von einer Demonstrantin mit den Worten „Du wirst sterben!“ sogar mit dem Tode bedroht.

    Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident! So ein Verhalten ist völlig inakzeptabel und hat in unserem Haus nichts zu suchen. Ich ersuche Sie sicherzustellen, dass solche Aktionen künftig unterbunden werden und die Sicherheit aller Mitarbeiter und ein normales Arbeitsklima zu jedem Zeitpunkt gewährleistet sind.

    		  
       

    		 

      President. – Thank you very much. The President is aware about the incident. We will inform about the point of order. The services of the House will draw up a report and she will follow up.

    We have no more points of order.

    		  

    7. Voting time

    		 

      President. – The next item is the vote.

    		  

    		 

      President. – The first vote is on the joint motion for a resolution tabled by five groups on the arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania (see minutes, item 7.1).

    		  

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on the joint motion for a resolution tabled by five groups on the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia (see minutes, item 7.2).

    		  


       

    – Before the vote on the motion for a resolution:

    		  
       



       

    (Parliament did not agree to put the oral amendment to the vote)

    		  

    7.4. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (A10-0066/2025 – Jacek Protas) (vote)

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on the ninth report on economic and social cohesion (see minutes, item 7.4).

    		  

    7.5. CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 (vote)

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027 (see minutes, item 7.5).

    		  

    7.6. The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) (vote)

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on the protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus) (see minutes, item 7.6).

    		  

    7.7. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (A10-0079/2025 – Borys Budka) (vote)



       

    (Parliament approved the request for referral back to committee)

    		  

    7.8. Screening of foreign investments in the Union (A10-0061/2025 – Raphaël Glucksmann) (vote)



       

    (Parliament approved the request for referral back to committee)

    		  

    7.9. Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union (A10-0059/2025 – Karin Karlsbro) (vote)


    		 

      Hans Neuhoff, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, geschätzte Kolleginnen und Kollegen! Ich beantrage gemäß Artikel 206 Absatz 4 der Geschäftsordnung die Vertagung der Abstimmung über diesen Punkt der Tagesordnung. Gestatten Sie mir zur Begründung wenige Worte: Solidarität mit Drittstaaten darf nicht zur Selbstaufgabe Europas werden. Unsere Unternehmen, vom industriellen Mittelstand über die Landwirtschaft bis hin zu großen industriellen Arbeitgebern, spüren die Folgen einer Handelspolitik, die einseitig auf die Ukraine ausgerichtet ist. Dumpingimporte gefährden nicht nur einzelne Branchen wie die Stahlrohrhersteller. Sie treffen die gesamte europäische Wertschöpfungskette, von den Grundstoffindustrien bis zu den weiterverarbeitenden Sektoren und Zulieferern.

    Diese Politik gefährdet Arbeitsplätze und Existenzen in ganz Europa – auch in der Landwirtschaft, auch im verarbeitenden Gewerbe. Wer heute für die weitere Aussetzung der Schutzmaßnahmen stimmt, entscheidet sich nicht nur gegen faire Wettbewerbsbedingungen, sondern auch gegen Menschen in unseren Regionen, die für Wohlstand und …

    (Der Präsident entzieht dem Redner das Wort.)

    		  
       



       

    (Le Parlement rejette la demande)

    		  
       

       

    – Before the vote:

    		  
       


       

    – Before the vote:

    		  
       

    		 

      Costas Kadis, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, the European Commission would like to make the following statement before the vote:

    “Should the Commission consider that extending the suspension of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union beyond 5 June 2028 is warranted in view of the situation at that point of time, the Commission will endeavour to submit to the European Parliament and the Council any proposal to that effect not later than nine months before the end of the application of this Regulation.”

    I would like also to clarify two very separate issues: namely the suspension of the general safeguard regulation or under its other name, the common rules for imports regulation, and the Article 29 consultation process.

    Regarding the draft Regulation that is being submitted to the vote now, I would like to clarify that once adopted, it would suspend the application of the basic safeguard regulation to imports of goods from Ukraine. While the suspension of the general safeguard regulation is of general nature, currently there is only one safeguard measure for steel products that would be affected by the suspension. Suspending the general safeguard regulation was technically the only way to suspend the application of the steel safeguard measure concerning Ukraine.

    Trade in agricultural products is being discussed in a separate framework, namely the Article 29 consultation process with Ukraine.

    To conclude, today’s draft regulation has no implication for the Article 29 process.

    		  

    7.10. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (A10-0071/2025 – Lara Wolters) (vote)


       

    – Before the vote on Amendment 1:

    		  
       

    		 

      Majdouline Sbai (Verts/ALE). – Monsieur le Président, il y a urgence: il faut sauver l’acier européen! Le directeur d’ArcelorMittal a annoncé que tous les sites sidérurgiques en Europe étaient menacés. La France risque de perdre l’ensemble de ses hauts-fourneaux. Comme l’a fait le Royaume-Uni, nous devons réagir vite. C’est pourquoi je vous propose l’amendement suivant au paragraphe 8 du rapport que nous votons:

    «le Parlement exprime sa profonde désapprobation face à la décision du groupe ArcelorMittal de supprimer jusqu’à 1 400 emplois en Europe occidentale, dont près de la moitié en France; souligne que le groupe a réalisé un bénéfice de 1,3 milliard d’euros et versé plus de 1,5 milliard d’euros à ses actionnaires en 2024; demande à la Commission et aux États membres de prendre des mesures pour que les entreprises bénéficiant d’aides publiques ne puissent pas, comme le fait ArcelorMittal, fermer des sites industriels, élaborer des plans de licenciement, délocaliser leurs activités, verser des dividendes à leurs actionnaires et renoncer à leurs objectifs de transition écologique; demande au gouvernement français de prendre toutes les mesures en son pouvoir pour protéger les travailleurs et préserver la sidérurgie en tant qu’industrie stratégique;»

    		  
       

       

    (Parliament agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote)

    		  

    7.11. Banking Union – annual report 2024 (A10-0044/2025 – Ralf Seekatz) (vote)

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on the banking union – annual report 2024 (see minutes, item 7.11).

    		  

    7.12. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 (B10-0244/2025) (vote)

    		 

      President. – The next vote is on the objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): genetically modified soybean MON 87705×MON 87708×MON 89788 (see minutes, item 7.12).

    		  

    8. Resumption of the sitting

       

    (Posiedzenie zostało wznowione o godz. 15.00)

    		  

    9. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Protokół wczorajszego posiedzenia oraz teksty przyjęte są już dostępne.

    Czy są jakieś uwagi? Nie widzę.

    Protokół został przyjęty.

    		  

    10. EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles (debate)


    		 

      Costas Kadis, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, in a strong European Health Union we should work to protect EU citizens from diseases, promote healthy living and foster innovation that supports these goals. The Commission is committed to delivering a European Health Union that helps improve the health of all our citizens, no matter where they live in the European Union.

    Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the EU. Many of these deaths are premature. In the EU, 24 % of deaths among men before the age of 65 and 17 % of deaths among women before the age of 65 are due to cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders share common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity.

    Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, accounting for around 15-20 % of dementia cases in Europe. The Commission has started work on an ambitious and robust EU cardiovascular health plan. It will draw inspiration from the success of Europe’s Beating Cancer plan. Like the cancer plan, we will look at addressing key issues like prevention, early detection and screening, and treatment and care. We see a key role for innovative and personalised tools, including the European health data space, as well as new technologies like digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The cardiovascular plan will also build on existing efforts, in particular the Healthcare Together initiative, which helps Member States and stakeholders take action on non-communicable diseases.

    The second leading cause of death in the EU is cancer. The cancer plan was adopted in 2021, backed by significant EU funding. We published a review of the cancer plan in February which showed that 90 % of its actions have either been concluded or are ongoing in the area of prevention. This includes the Council recommendation on vaccine‑preventable cancers. This aims to encourage higher uptake of vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis B.

    Moreover, the Council recommendation on smoke- and aerosol‑free environments is a step towards a tobacco‑free generation by 2040. To build on this, we will evaluate and revise the EU’s tobacco legislation to enable every cancer patient to access high quality diagnosis and treatment. Member States will this year set up an EU network of comprehensive cancer centres under a joint action funded with EUR 90 million.

    The European Health Union is also about tackling infectious diseases. Measles is a serious disease and highly contagious. The recent spike in measles cases in Europe has already caused several deaths in Romania this year, yet measles can be avoided through vaccination. The outbreaks experienced by some Member States over the last 12 months can be linked to vaccination coverage below recommended levels, so I encourage everyone to ensure that they and their families are protected against this life‑threatening disease. The Commission will continue to work with Member States to improve vaccination coverage. We will also promote robust vaccination programmes and secure supplies of vaccines in the EU.

    As we build our European Health Union, we should put innovation at its heart. One promising avenue is biotechnology. Biotechnology could help us to better identify diseases, step up prevention, develop new, increasingly personalised medicines and provide new ways to develop, test and administer treatments. But the EU is not yet making the most of biotech. EU companies are not competitive enough and face too many barriers when it comes to turning ideas into products. This is why the Commission will propose a European Biotech Act. It will help companies bring products from the lab to the factory and onto the market.

    The Biotech Act will complement the ongoing revision of the pharmaceutical legislation. This already includes many measures to streamline and modernise the regulatory framework for medicines, especially for breakthrough therapies. Innovation will be a driving principle of the upcoming targeted review of the Medical Devices Regulation. The new rules will be more fit for the purpose. They will deliver medical devices to the patients in a more timely manner, and will create a more competitive environment for our industries.

    On breakthrough technologies, we have adopted regulatory pathways to quickly reach patients, especially children and rare‑disease patients, without compromising safety. Europe is losing ground in the field of clinical trials. Therefore, we will carry out an assessment of the current legislation and amend it to provide for a more efficient framework to make Europe a world leader in medical research and innovation.

    Honourable Members, we are better able to face public health challenges if we act together. This is why the Commission is committed to building a strong and innovative European Health Union. Thank you for your attention and I look forward to receiving your views.

    		  
       

    		 

      Tomislav Sokol, u ime kluba PPE. – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, povjereniče, kolegice i kolege, Europska unija je kroz godine pokazala da zajedničkim djelovanjem može postići velike rezultate za zdravlje naših građana. Jedan od najvažnijih primjera je europski plan za borbu protiv raka koji predstavlja prvu sveobuhvatnu strategiju protiv ove opake bolesti, od prevencije i istraživanja preko liječenja do poboljšanja kvalitete života osoba koje su preboljele rak.

    Sljedeći korak je donošenje europskog plana za kardiovaskularne bolesti koje su vodeći uzrok smrtnosti u Europi. On mora imati jasno definirane ciljeve, konkretno financiranje i jasan vremenski okvir za provedbu. Samo tako možemo postići stvarni napredak i smanjiti teret koji ove bolesti predstavljaju za naše zdravstvene sustave, gospodarstvo i obitelj.

    Uz to, inzistiramo, kao što smo više puta rekli na ovoj govornici, na donošenju europskog plana za rijetke bolesti jer su oboljeli od rijetkih bolesti i njihove obitelji predugo bili na margini zdravstvenih politika, često prepušteni sami sebi, suočeni s nedostatkom dijagnoza, terapija i sustavne podrške. Za 95 % njih još uvijek ne postoji lijek i vrijeme je da se to promijeni.

    Na kraju, građani od nas s pravom očekuju konkretan europski plan za neurološke bolesti koji bi svakako trebao uključiti i mentalne bolesti koje su u dramatičnom porastu, osobito među mladima.

    Da bismo sve ovo ostvarili zdravstvo mora ostati prioritet i u okviru sljedećeg sedmogodišnjeg proračuna jer ulaganje u njega nije trošak, već jedna od najisplativijih investicija, što pokazuju brojne studije. Ne smijemo dopustiti da se zdravstvo utopi u različite proračunske programe jer bi to značilo da se vraćamo u vrijeme kad je ono predstavljalo marginalnu temu u EU institucijama.

    Kolegice i kolege, zdravstvo mora ostati prioritet u djelovanju EU‑a i pozivam na zajedničko djelovanje svih političkih grupacija da se to i ostvari.

    		  
       

    		 

      Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Madam President, dear Commissioner, colleagues, the rise of certain non‑communicable diseases in the European Union is increasingly concerning. If we fail to act and learn from past experiences, like the COVID‑19 pandemic, we risk facing new outbreaks and epidemics.

    Twenty years ago, the European Union made a commitment to eliminate measles – to be measles‑free. Yet we are still far from that goal. The situation is further aggravated by growing societal scepticism, fuelled by misinformation and spread of unproven claims. In 2024, measles cases in the EU surged dramatically with over 32 000 reported diagnoses. This sharp increase highlights serious gaps in vaccination coverage, as 86 % of those infected had not been vaccinated.

    In an age where measles is entirely preventable through vaccination, it is unacceptable that this disease continues to spread, especially knowing that measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. To prevent further outbreaks, it is essential to ensure that at least 95 % of the population is vaccinated.

    Unfortunately, vaccination rates remain insufficient in many European countries. Governments must prioritise strong vaccination campaigns and actively combat vaccine hesitancy to protect public health. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine remains the most effective tool to prevent measles, and we must also work to harmonise vaccination schedules across Member States to ensure this.

    This is why it is crucial to foster collaboration among Member States, recognising that in the Schengen zone, where people can move freely across borders, disease can easily spread between countries. Additionally, the shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in regions with insufficient medical staff, particularly nurses, further contributes to lower vaccination rates. The recent outbreaks in Romania, along with nearly 20 preventable deaths, serve as a stark reminder to the urgency of this issue. These tragic losses highlight the need for immediate actions.

    HERA must also address the state of crisis preparedness and take steps to prevent the situation from escalating further. In a world where vaccines are widely available, measles should no longer be a threat. As cases continue to rise, collective action is urgently needed to protect vulnerable populations.

    		  
       

    		 

      Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, en nombre del Grupo PfE. – Señora presidente, señor comisario, señorías, Europa no puede mirar hacia otro lado cuando hablamos de excelencia en salud. Nuestra cultura ha estado siempre orientada al desarrollo de la ciencia y las humanidades. Hemos formado generaciones de investigadores y profesionales sanitarios con talento, guiados por el compromiso con el bien común.

    Tenemos una responsabilidad de liderazgo, no solo por capacidad, también por principios, para que la salud esté guiada por el deseo de sanar, de proteger la vida, de acompañar y aliviar el sufrimiento, para que esté al servicio de la persona, y no de intereses ajenos a ella.

    Es imprescindible recordar que el cáncer se cobra la vida de casi 1,3 millones de personas en la Unión Europea al año. Las enfermedades cardiovasculares siguen siendo la principal causa de muerte y los trastornos neurológicos afectan a más de siete millones de personas. Debemos, como Europa, avanzar conjuntamente, compartir buenas prácticas entre Estados miembros. Apostemos por una Europa de cooperación, que intercambie experiencias eficaces y que se apoye mutuamente, siempre teniendo en cuenta las particularidades y necesidades de cada país.

    Los próximos años pueden ser revolucionarios para la medicina. Las nuevas herramientas —como la biotecnología o la medicina personalizada— ya hacen posible que nos enfrentemos a enfermedades que antes eran intratables. Sin embargo, su potencial se ve limitado por un marco regulatorio que dificulta transformar la investigación en soluciones reales para los pacientes. Las pymes, que lideran la innovación, se ven especialmente afectadas, también por la falta de financiación en las primeras etapas del desarrollo. Si queremos que Europa avance en salud y en innovación, necesitamos un entorno coherente y favorable que facilite la inversión y acelere la llegada de nuevos tratamientos a los pacientes.

    Por supuesto, se exige también una apuesta igualmente clara por los cuidados. Tenemos la posibilidad de ofrecer opciones esperanzadoras a todos aquellos que sufren enfermedades, no solo en cuanto a diagnóstico y a tratamiento, sino también en cuanto a acompañamiento.

    No es casualidad que cuanto menos se valora la vida, más se deterioran los sistemas sanitarios. En España, tenemos problemas gravísimos: listas de espera interminables, falta de profesionales sanitarios —y los que hay tienen que hacer jornadas maratonianas de trabajo—, miles de personas que mueren esperando acceder a cuidados paliativos… Pero, claro, ¿quién va a querer invertir en salud si no valoramos la vida? Resulta espeluznante pensar que hay países —como España— en los que la única alternativa que se ofrece a las personas con enfermedades graves sea la muerte, sea la eutanasia. No podemos resignarnos a un modelo sanitario que mida su eficacia por costes o por ideologías, sino por su capacidad de cuidar, de sanar, de respetar profundamente la vida humana en todas sus etapas.

    Frente al sufrimiento, nuestra respuesta debe ser más humanidad, más compromiso, más inversión en salud, investigación y también cuidados paliativos. Si Europa quiere ser referente en innovación, también debe ser referente en el respeto a la dignidad de la persona.

    		  
       

    		 

      Aurelijus Veryga, ECR frakcijos vardu. – Kolegos. Sveikata yra ne viskas, bet be sveikatos viskas yra niekas. Deja, dažnu atveju tą suprantame pavėluotai. Gaila, kad ir šiandien plačios ir labai skirtingos sveikatos temos – infekcinės ir lėtinės neinfekcinės ligos, kurioms reikalingi labai skirtingi sprendimai, yra suplaktos į vieną diskusiją. Labai gerai, kad Europos Komisija turi ambiciją šioje kadencijoje išplėsti veiklą, įtraukiant ne tik onkologinių ligų, bet ir širdies kraujagyslių ligų įveikos planą. Ir šioje kadencijoje bus ne viena proga pademonstruoti mūsų rimtą nusiteikimą imtis šių sveikatos problemų sprendimo. Pradėkime nuo to, kad jokiomis aplinkybėmis nebegalima leisti pasikartoti, kad būtų sumažintas finansavimas sveikatos programų ir mokslinių tyrimų finansavimui. Norėčiau tikėti ir tikėtis, kad išlaidos sveikatai sekančiame MFF neliks paskutinėje vietoje, kaip ši diskusija plenarinėje sesijoje, nes visada atsiranda svarbesnių reikalų. O nuveikti reikia labai daug. Ir nors sveikata yra šalių narių kompetencija, tačiau yra sričių, kur bendras veikimas galėtų prisidėti prie visų šalių narių problemų sprendimo. Turėsime ieškoti sveikatos specialistų trūkumo problemos sprendimų. Iš siūlymų, kuriuos šiandien girdžiu, jie ne tik nespręstų problemas, bet jas gilintų. Labai džiaugiuosi Komisijos ambicija dėl ypatingos reikšmės vaisto akto, kuris gali ir turėtų sukurti galimybę vaistų gamintojams sugrįžti ir veikti Europos Sąjungoje, o bendri vaistų pirkimai gali pagreitinti inovatyvių vaistų prieinamumą valstybėse narėse, ypač mažosiose, kurios šiuo metu yra nepatrauklios kaip mažos rinkos. XXI amžiuje onkologiniai pacientai skirtingose šalyse turi skirtingas galimybes gauti gydymą ir pagalbą, o kai kurie yra priversti net bylinėtis, kad tokią pagalbą gautų. Tai yra nepriimtina. Šiandien daug ir pagrįstai kalbame apie gynybos pajėgumų didinimą ir saugumo stiprinimą. Tačiau realybė yra tokia, kad negebama užauginti sveikos jaunosios kartos. Ir nemaža dalis jų dėl sveikatos problemų yra netinkami karinei tarnybai. Šioje kadencijoje turėsime galimybę peržiūrėti Tabako produktų direktyvą, ir noriu tikėti, kad ją peržiūrint sveikata bus prioritetas ir kad užteks išminties tvarkytis su Europa užplūdusi naujais produktais, tokiais kaip elektroninės cigaretės, nes jau šiandien turime daugiau nei pakankamai duomenų, kad jos nesprendžia, o kuria naujas sveikatos problemas.

    		  
       

    		 

      Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu, în numele grupului Renew. – Doamnă președintă, de obicei nu avem timp de povești aici. O să încep astăzi cu o poveste: pe 21 septembrie 2016 eram ministrul sănătății în România. 2016! Institutul Național de Sănătate Publică m-a informat atunci despre o creștere de la 7 la 675 de cazuri de rujeolă confirmate în România. Din 21 septembrie 2016 am declarat epidemie de rujeolă în România. De atunci, epidemia de rujeolă din România nu s-a încheiat. Au urmat mai multe guverne conduse, culmea, de socialiști. Acei socialiști, aceiași socialiști care astăzi refuză să sprijine singurul candidat pro-european din cursa pentru prezidențiale. Iar astăzi, conform Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății, România conduce clasamentul cazurilor de rujeolă raportate în 2024 – peste 30 000. Următoarele state sunt Kazahstan, Federația Rusă, Azerbaidjan și Marea Britanie.

    Dacă Uniunea Europeană, doamnelor și domnilor, face ceva în domeniul sănătății, atunci una dintre priorități trebuie să fie bolile infecțioase. În țara mea, rata de vaccinare împotriva rujeolei cu prima doză este de 78 %, cu a doua este de 62 %. Doar patru țări din UE, din întreaga Uniune Europeană, ating pragul de recomandat de 95 %. Aceste țări merită felicitări și aceste țări sunt: Ungaria, Malta, Portugalia și Slovacia.

    Dar din totalul de cazuri de rujeolă în toată Uniunea Europeană, 87 % provin din România în 2024, 87 %!

    În Uniunea Europeană, doamnelor și domnilor, și în întreaga lume astăzi se duce o bătălie împotriva adevărului și împotriva științei. Am văzut în România, am văzut și în alte state de peste tot de pe glob cum adevărul științific este călcat în picioare de politicieni și de alte forțe din societate. Dacă vrem o Uniune Europeană care protejează cu adevărat cetățenii, atunci, doamnelor și domnilor, asta este bătălia pe care trebuie să o câștigăm. Forțele politice responsabile și societatea civilă onestă trebuie să acționeze ferm împotriva dezinformării criminale cu falsuri medicale, pentru că cele mai multe forțe extremiste de care vorbim astăzi, cele mai multe forțe politice care cresc pe minciună și dezinformare, forțe politice pe care le combatem și aici, și în țările noastre, haideți să fim onești, au crescut pe spinarea celui mai traumatic eveniment planetar din ultimul deceniu. Și acesta a fost, cu siguranță, pandemia.

    Dacă pierdem știința și adevărul ca bază fundamentală a realității, societatea în sine, toate societățile noastre nu vor putea supraviețui.

    		  
       

    		 

      Tilly Metz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – Madam President, dear Commissioner, when we speak about diseases like cancer, heart conditions, neurological disorders or measles, we don’t speak in abstract terms – we are speaking about our neighbours, our parents, our children. Every one of us has a story. Every one of us knows someone affected. That’s why our response must be human, bold and forward-looking.

    Let’s start with the obvious: prevention works, and yet it’s still the most neglected part of our health system. We spend billions on treatment, but far too little on stopping disease before it begins. We need to invest in the conditions that keep people healthy: clean air, clean water, affordable and healthy food, decent housing.

    That is why policies like the European Green Deal and the common agricultural policy play a crucial role. Those are not environmental luxuries; they are essential tools for protecting public health.

    We need also to address one of the elephants in the room: tobacco. It’s still one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in Europe. It’s time to stop dancing around this issue. We urgently need to revise the EU’s tobacco legislation, including tax rules. Recently, 16 Member States called for a revision – higher taxes, plain packaging, a total ban on advertising, including for newer products like heated tobacco or e-cigarettes. Our legislation must catch up with reality.

    Dear colleagues, prevention alone is not enough. We must guarantee affordable and timely access to effective treatment for all, regardless of income or geography. That means making pharmaceutical legislation and innovation conditional on affordability. It means demanding transparency on pricing and research and development costs. Yes, it also means redesigning the way we reward medical innovation so that public investment leads to public benefit.

    Finally, we need to stop only reacting to crises and start planning ahead. So Europe needs a comprehensive strategy on non-communicable diseases – we need to stop thinking in silos – that looks across health systems, environment, agriculture and education and social policy.

    Prevention and treatment must include protection also for women’s health. That is another aspect; a gender-sensitive approach is needed.

    So let’s act with courage, let’s act with care and let’s act now, because lives depend on it.

    		  
       

    		 

      Milan Mazurek, za skupinu ESN. – Vážená pani predsedajúca, myslíte, že ľudia zabudli, že vám skutočne ľudia odpustili a že si nepamätajú, čo Leyenovej Európska komisia urobila stovkám miliónov obyvateľov Európskej únie počas doby, ktorú ja nazývam doba korona-teroru? Myslíte, že zabudli, že to bola Európska komisia, ktorá vzala stovkám miliónov obyvateľov ľudské práva a rovnako ako v minulosti nacisti či komunisti rozdelila ľudí na hodných a nehodných, na tých, ktorí si mohli ľudské práva nechať, a tých, ktorým boli vzaté? Bol som jeden z tých, ktorý nemohol navštevovať ani telocvične, verejné podujatia a nemohol vychádzať z domu, pretože vaše projekty covidpasov vzali ľuďom práva a keď sa ľudia nezaočkovali, keď ľudia nepodstupovali nezmyselné testy, tak ste im jednoducho neumožňovali žiť normálny život. Spomeňte si na to, koľkým desiatkam miliónov ľudí ste zruinovali ich podnikanie, koľkým deťom ste vzali budúcnosť, koľko sociálnych samovrážd ľudí, ktorých ste dotlačili na dno, ste spôsobili? Koľko zla, násilia a nenávisti ste v spoločnosti napáchali? A to len preto, aby Európska komisia mohla do svojich rúk získať ďalšie práva, ďalšiu kontrolu nad životmi slobodných ľudí, obmedziť národné štáty a robiť si nechutný miliardový biznis cez esemesky prostredníctvom pani Leyenovej. Gigantický konflikt záujmov, ktorý v tomto pléne stále nebol vyšetrený, na ktorého vyšetrenie čakajú občania vo všetkých členských štátoch. Len vy kryjete zločinnosti tejto Európskej komisie. A potom, keď tu predstúpite a poviete, že vy chcete predchádzať chorobám, že vy chcete chrániť zdravie ľudí a hovoríte, že chcete podporovať napríklad fyzickú kondíciu? Vy, tí istí ľudia, ktorí zakazovali ľuďom športovať, ktorí prikazovali ľudí trestať len preto, že chceli ísť cvičiť, športovať či behať niekde na verejnosť. Kto vám má po tom všetkom ešte veriť? Každý zmýšľajúci občan už vidí, že kedykoľvek, keď Európska komisia začne hovoriť o tom, že by mala získať ďalšiu kontrolu, právomoci a možnosti pre to, aby chránila ľudí, tak je v skutočnosti presný opak pravdou. V skutočnosti chcete kompetencie a možnosti pre to, aby ste mohli opätovne robiť svoje biznisy. Aby opätovne niektorí vyvolení mohli rozkrádať peniaze daňových poplatníkov a chcete ďalšiu kontrolu a moc, aby ste ľuďom mohli vziať ich práva a uvrhnúť ich život do absolútnej totality, pretože to je skutočná podstata a charakter tejto Komisie. Museli by mi skutočne ruky dolámať, aby som hlasoval za ďalšie právomoci a kompetencie či rozpočet pre takúto Európsku komisiu.

    		  
       

    		 

      Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, Commissioner, across Europe, millions of citizens are affected by diseases that could be prevented, treated earlier and managed better if we act together.

    That is why I fully support the EU’s stepped-up efforts on health, particularly in tackling cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases and preventing avoidable illnesses like measles. Cancer alone claims nearly 1.3 million lives in the EU each year, but through initiatives like Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, we are finally taking a coordinated approach and investing in research, screening, early detection and better access to treatment across Member States.

    I am proud that Irish researchers, institutions and clinicians are playing a key role in this. Cardiovascular and neurological diseases are among the leading causes of disability and death in Europe. Yet too often, they do not get the attention they deserve.

    We need targeted strategies, strong support for cross-border research, and public-awareness campaigns that reach citizens in every region, including rural communities, like many in my own constituency in Ireland South.

    Let us be clear. The resurgence of measles in parts of Europe is both tragic and preventable. We must not allow misinformation to roll back decades of progress in public health. Vaccination saves lives. Full stop. We must ensure that no matter where you live in Europe, you have access to the care you need.

    		  
       

    		 

      Christophe Clergeau (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, la révolution que j’appelle de mes vœux, c’est la révolution de la prévention. Car soigner est indispensable et il faut le faire mieux, mais ce n’est pas une fin en soi. L’objectif, c’est de bien vivre et de bien vieillir, en bonne santé. Cela passe par la prévention, qui est le meilleur des investissements, tandis que la non-action, au contraire, se traduit par des millions de morts et par des milliards d’euros de dépenses inutiles.

    Alors oui, nous avons besoin des grands programmes de santé publique existants – comme celui contre le cancer – ou annoncés par la Commission. Pour nous, la priorité, c’est un grand programme pour la santé mentale et un grand programme pour la santé des femmes.

    Cependant, nous devons avant tout prévenir les maladies en agissant sur les déterminants de la santé. Agir contre la pauvreté, la précarité, le mal-logement, la précarité énergétique et alimentaire, le rationnement des soins. Agir contre le tabac et la malbouffe: ce sont des catastrophes sanitaires qui résultent de décennies de lobbying et de manipulation par les grands intérêts économiques. Il nous faut impérativement réviser la directive sur le tabac pour combattre les fausses alternatives à la cigarette, qui sont des dangers majeurs pour la santé publique. Nous avons aussi besoin d’un programme législatif concernant l’alimentation, pour combattre les pratiques et les produits dangereux, mieux informer les consommateurs et interdire – oui, interdire! – la publicité pour la malbouffe.

    Enfin, nous devons agir contre les effets cumulés de notre environnement sur nos organismes, cette cause émergente de l’explosion des maladies chroniques, des cancers, mais aussi des maladies dégénératives ou des maladies de la douleur. Alors oui, les pollutions, les pesticides, les produits chimiques, les PFAS sont un cocktail terrible qui ruine notre santé. Dans ce domaine, c’est la santé qui doit être la ligne directrice de notre action. Nous sommes à la veille de choix politiques drastiques: prévenir, prévenir et prévenir, c’est le seul choix possible pour le bien-être des Européens.

    		  
       

    		 

      Manuela Ripa (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Krebs und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen gehören zu den Gesundheitsgefahren unserer Zeit. Gut ist: Viele dieser Erkrankungen sind vermeidbar. Ein zentraler Hebel dabei ist gesunde Ernährung. Doch gesunde Ernährung darf kein Luxus sein. Wenn wir es ernst meinen mit der Vorsorge, dann müssen wir gesunde Lebensmittel günstiger machen, zum Beispiel durch die Senkung der Mehrwertsteuer auf Obst und Gemüse. Gleichzeitig müssen wir ungesunde, stark verarbeitete Produkte angehen. Denn sie belasten nicht nur unseren Körper, sondern auch unser Gesundheitssystem und damit die Allgemeinheit.

    Besonders schutzbedürftig sind unsere Kinder. Werbung für ungesunde Lebensmittel, die sich gezielt an sie richtet, muss nicht sein. Kinder sollen lernen, was ihrem Körper guttut, nicht, was sich am besten verkauft. Genauso wichtig ist der informierte Verbraucher. Wer gesund einkaufen will, braucht klar verständliche Nährwertkennzeichnungen.

    Doch wir müssen auch über psychische Erkrankungen sprechen und hier über den übermäßigen Konsum sozialer Medien, gerade bei Jugendlichen. Studien zeigen, dass ständiges Scrollen, Reizüberflutung und digitaler Stress das Risiko für Depressionen und Konzentrationsprobleme erhöhen können. Deshalb müssen wir auf europäischer Ebene dringend dafür sorgen, dass unsere Kinder besser geschützt werden. Dazu gehört Aufklärung in der Schule, aber auch Aufklärung der Eltern und eine stärkere Verantwortung der Plattformen. Süchtig machende Algorithmen ebnen den Weg zu einer neuen Volkskrankheit, und das schon in sehr jungen Jahren. Gesundheit ist mehr als die Abwesenheit von Krankheit. Sie beginnt mit Bildung, Schutz und den richtigen politischen Rahmenbedingungen für ein gesundes Europa.

    		  
       

    		 

      Laurent Castillo (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, tout le monde parle de prévention, mais trop peu la mettent en œuvre. Pourquoi? Parce que ses effets prennent du temps et trop d’élus préfèrent des résultats immédiats. Pourtant, c’est là que tout commence: mieux vivre, désengorger les hôpitaux, réduire les coûts. 1 euro investi en prévention, c’est jusqu’à 6 euros d’économies. Prévenir, c’est voir loin.

    Si certains États manquent de courage, alors soyons exemplaires à l’échelle européenne. Après le plan cancer, engageons-nous avec la même ambition contre les maladies cardiovasculaires. Lançons un vrai plan européen de lutte contre l’obésité. La santé des Européens n’est pas un slogan, c’est un combat. Et ce combat commence par la prévention.

    		  
       

       

    Zgłoszenia z sali

    		  
       

    		 

      András Tivadar Kulja (PPE). – Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, I’m a bit disappointed to see so few of us here in person for this debate, especially as we are talking about diseases that pose an increasing burden on our ageing society across Europe.

    Cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurological conditions cause the death of more than 3 million Europeans each year. In the case of cardiovascular diseases alone, 1.3 million of these deaths could be avoided with better prevention, early detection and access to modern, affordable healthcare.

    That’s why, along with the European Beating Cancer Plan, we also need strong support and funding for the European Cardiovascular Health Action Plan. To achieve our goals, we must have a truly holistic approach to recognise how physical, mental and brain health are deeply connected.

    We have a great responsibility: people are counting on us to act on healthcare, and we also see that where healthcare is declining, extremism is growing. Strengthening healthcare not only helps people, it also protects democracy.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Frau Präsidentin, liebe Menschen Europas, verehrter Herr Kommissar! Ich danke Ihnen und den ganzen Kollegen hier für die wichtige Arbeit. Ich möchte zum Abschluss noch einmal das Licht auf zwei Aspekte werfen, die auch angesprochen wurden: Das eine ist die Aufklärung, und das andere ist auch die psychologische Betreuung, die im Umfeld von Krankheiten relevant werden kann.

    Wir haben da gerade ein leuchtendes Beispiel gesehen bei der Rede des Kollegen Mazurek, der offensichtlich aufgrund mangelnder Aufklärung nicht den Mut hatte, eine wichtige Impfung vorzunehmen, und aufgrund dessen dann gezwungen war, über eine lange Zeit zu Hause zu bleiben, dem sozialen Leben entrissen war und bis heute sichtbar schwere Nachwirkungen davonträgt. Ich denke, wir müssen alle zusammenarbeiten, um den Menschen in Europa die Gesundheit zu geben, die sie verdienen, weil Gesundheit etwas ist, was uns alle angeht.

    		  
       

    		 

      Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI). – Doamnă președintă, da, îi acuzi pe alții că sunt bolnavi mintal dar tu nu te duci să te cauți.

    Este impardonabil că permiteți aici jignirea unui coleg, în condițiile în care numai dacă ești medic și numai dacă s-a consultat la tine ai posibilitatea să îți expui un punct de vedere. Din punctul meu de vedere, ca avocat, eu l-aș baga direct în închisoare pe domnul care a vorbit înainte de Mazurek. Este impardonabil ceea ce acceptați, aceste jigniri.

    Doi la mână, vorbiți de prevenție. Nu veți face niciodată prevenție, pentru că dumneavoastră aveți relații cu Big Pharma. Și acestea au reieșit foarte clar în cazul vaccinării anti-Covid, un vaccin experimental. Dacă vă interesa, în conformitate cu articolul 5 din Convenția de la Oviedo, toate vaccinurile erau experimentale. Eu însămi am luat informațiile de pe site-ul Pfizer și Modena și toate celelalte producătoare.

    Vreau să vă spun că, pe cât acuzați dumneavoastră Cuba de dictatură, Cuba a reușit să eradicheze rujeola, în timp ce în Europa este explozie de rujeolă. Foarte interesant. Da, dați cu bastonașul, că pe noi ne interziceți, iar pe ai dumneavoastră îi lăsați. E rușinos ce faceți cu afacerile cu vaccinuri.

    		  
       

       

    (Koniec zgłoszeń z sali)

    		  
       

    		 

      Costas Kadis, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, honourable Members, thank you. I will be very brief.

    First, let me thank you for your insight. It is obvious also from this discussion that diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, are a key public health challenge. During this mandate, the Commission will step up work on promoting health and preventing diseases. We will also ensure that innovation does not stay in the laboratory but can reach and help patients.

    To this end. As I mentioned in my introductory remarks, the Commission intends to propose a European Biotech Act. Together, we can work towards better policies, programs and initiatives that support patients.

    In turn, that will also reduce the social and economic costs of these diseases. And I’m sure our conversations on this important topics will continue.

    		  
       


    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Zamykam debatę.

    		  

    11. Explanations of vote

    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Kolejnym punktem porządku dziennego są wyjaśnienia dotyczące stanowiska zajętego w głosowaniu.

    		  

    11.1. Ninth report on economic and social cohesion (A10-0066/2025 – Jacek Protas)


    		 

      Seán Kelly (PPE). – Bhí áthas orm vótáil ar son an naoú tuarascáil ar chomhtháthú.

    This report reaffirms the vital role of EU cohesion policy in promoting balanced development, reducing regional disparities and building long term socioeconomic resilience across the Union.

    The report rightly highlights the policy’s positive impact on growth, productivity and employment, while stressing the importance of its core principles, such as the bottom-up approach and partnership model that underpin effective and inclusive governance.

    Importantly, it calls for greater flexibility to help cohesion policy respond to crises like pandemics, wars and climate change. It also addresses the ongoing challenges facing regions in transition, especially those affected by industrial decline or near the EU’s external borders.

    Simplifying administrative procedures is also key to improving access and reducing barriers.

    Tríd is tríd, is tuarascáil mhaith chiallmhar í seo agus bhíos sásta tacaíocht a thabhairt di.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Madam President, dear people of Europe, cohesion is not charity. It is a political promise that no region, no person is left behind.

    This report reminds us that the gaps between European regions are still real in innovation, in jobs, in future prospects, and that’s not acceptable. We need a cohesion policy that matches the challenges of our time, green transition, digital transition and demographic change.

    That means simpler access to EU funds, stronger roles for local and regional actors, and long-term thinking, not just emergency response.

    Because when we invest in cohesion, we don’t just invest in roads or statistics. We invest in dignity, in democracy and in equal chances all across Europe.

    		  

    11.2. The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (A10-0079/2025 – Borys Budka)


    		 

      Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, Arís bhí áthas orm vótáil ar son na tuarascála seo …

    Because it extends and revises the EU Gas Storage Regulation as it balances energy security with changing market conditions.

    Measures introduced during the 2022 gas crisis, especially mandatory storage targets, proved effective in stabilising supply and protecting citizens from price shocks. Extending them beyond 2025 is a smart step to prepare for future risks.

    I support the added flexibility, including the adjusted 83 % target and limited scope for Member State deviations in difficult conditions. These updates respect national contexts while maintaining a strong collective baseline.

    The proposal also advances EU goals by phasing out Russian fossil fuels and supporting a return to market-based mechanisms. By cutting red tape and reinforcing subsidiarity, it empowers Member States while ensuring effective oversight.

    Bhí bród orm vótáil ar son na tuarascála praiticiúla seo a thugann tacaíocht don Trasdul Glas.

    		  
       

    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Señora presidenta, queridos pueblos de Europa, el invierno en Europa puede ser duro: las familias necesitan calor, las empresas necesitan energía segura. Necesitamos reglas claras sobre el gas almacenado porque la energía es parte de la seguridad social y económica.

    Sí, el futuro es energía limpia y renovable, pero hoy necesitamos soluciones prácticas para proteger a las personas cuando hace frío y para evitar crisis. Más reglas no es más burocracia, es más seguridad para todos. Mientras cambiamos el sistema energético, necesitamos estabilidad.

    		  

    11.3. Competition policy – annual report 2024 (A10-0071/2025 – Lara Wolters)


    		 

      Seán Kelly (PPE). – A Uachtaráin, tacaím leis an rún seo toisc go gcuireann sé cur chuige straitéiseach agus cothrom chun cinn chun iomaíochas an Aontais a neartú i dtimpeallacht dhomhanda atá ag athrú go tapaidh. Cuireann sé béim ar chomh tábhachtach atá an iomaíocht chóir, ní hamháin chun an nuálaíocht a spreagadh ach chun tomhaltóirí a chosaint, ach chun athléimneacht eacnamaíochta fhadtéarmach a fhorbairt ar fud an Aontais freisin. Thar aon ní eile, ceanglaíonn sé tosaíochtaí comhshaoil agus digiteacha leis an gcreat iomaíochta. Trínár straitéis eacnamaíoch a ailíniú leis an gComhaontú Glas don Eoraip agus le Compás Digiteach 2030, cabhraímid leis an Eoraip a bheith ina ceannaire domhanda san aon bhunaíocht agus sa teicneolaíocht. Má thacaímid leis an rún seo, beimid ag seasamh an fhóid ar son fás inbhuanaithe, margaí cothroma, agus iomaíochas domhanda an Aontais.

    		  

    11.4. Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (B10-0246/2025)


    		 

      Lukas Sieper (NI). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, cari popoli d’Europa, il mercato unico è una delle cose migliori dell’Unione europea, ma il mercato deve essere giusto per tutti. Oggi ci sono nuove sfide: le piattaforme digitali, le pratiche sleali, le regole poco chiare.

    Questa risoluzione è importante. Serve per aiutare le piccole imprese, per proteggere i consumatori e per avere un mercato ben funzionante. Un mercato moderno deve essere anche trasparente e aperto a tutti, non solo ai grandi.

    		  

    12. Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Protokół dzisiejszego posiedzenia zostanie przedłożony Parlamentowi do zatwierdzenia na początku następnego posiedzenia.

    Jeśli nie wpłynie żaden sprzeciw, przekażę rezolucje przyjęte na dzisiejszym posiedzeniu osobom i organom w nich wymienionym.

    		  

    13. Dates of the next part-session

    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Kolejna sesja miesięczna odbędzie się 21 i 22 maja 2025 roku w Brukseli.

    		  

    14. Closure of the sitting

       

    (Posiedzenie zostało zamknięte o godz. 15.50)

    		  

    15. Adjournment of the session

    		 

      Przewodnicząca. – Zamykam posiedzenie.

    Ogłaszam przerwę w obradach Parlamentu Europejskiego.

    Dziękuję bardzo. Do zobaczenia na następnym posiedzeniu.

    		  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Health cooperation with Cuba – E-001764/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001764/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Özlem Demirel (The Left), Vladimir Prebilič (Verts/ALE), Rima Hassan (The Left), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Marc Botenga (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), João Oliveira (The Left)

    • 1.Does the Commission plan to urge the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to review treatments and vaccines developed by the Cuban public health system, such as Heberprot-P or CIMAvax-EGF, using scientific – not political – criteria, with the aim of ensuring access to effective and affordable medicines for the European population?
    • 2.Does the Commission consider that the US economic embargo on Cuba justifies the EU’s passivity in health cooperation, even when that blockade goes against the principles of sovereignty, global justice and the right to health that the EU claims to uphold?
    • 3.Is the Commission planning to include a specific line of cooperation in medical biotechnology, health research, knowledge and technology transfer as a coherent way of protecting the right to health and the health autonomy of the Global South?

    Submitted: 30.4.2025

    Last updated: 8 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.8.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 8, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Gena Castro Rodriguez, of Daly City, has been appointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Castro Rodriguez has been Owner of Castro Rodriguez Consulting since 2025 and an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco since 2012. She was the Executive Director of the National Alliance for Trauma Recovery Centers at the University of California, San Francisco from 2023 to 2025. Castro Rodriguez was the Director of Survivor Policy at the Prosecutors Alliance from 2021 to 2023. She was the Chief of Victims Services and Parallel Justice Programs at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2021. Castro Rodriguez is a Co-Leader of the University of San Francisco Center for Counseling and Community Wellness, and a member of the National Organization of Victim Assistance. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute for Integral Studies, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Castro Rodriguez is a Democrat.

    Joshua Yang, of Huntington Beach, has been appointed to the Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee. Yang has been a Professor at California State University, Fullerton since 2009. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at University of California, San Francisco from 2007 to 2009. Yang was a Senior Researcher at the Center for Health Policy Research at University of California, Los Angeles from 2005 to 2007. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health, a Master of Public Health degree in Community Health Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiological Sciences from University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Yang is registered without party preference.

    Katie Nair, of Roseville, has been appointed to the Board of Registered Nursing. Nair has been Senior Director of Nursing Operations at Sutter Health since 2024, Director of Inpatient Nursing at Sutter Health since 2022 and Director of Performance Improvement and Spiritual Care Services at Sutter Health since 2020, where she was Interim Director and Clinical Manager for Cardiovascular Services from 2017 to 2019. She was the Director of Nursing for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Services at Green Valley Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Nair held several positions at Tucson Medical Center from 2008 to 2015, including Manager of the Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Nurse, and Adult Medical Telemetry Registered Nurse. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Science degree in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. Nair is a Co-Lead of the Accredited Chaplain Professional Education Consultation Committee and is a member of the Sacramento Chapter of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, Institute of Healthcare Improvement, Northern California Chapter of the Association of Vascular Access, and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Nair is registered without party preference.

    Jovita Dominguez, of Castroville, has been reappointed to the Board of Registered Nursing, where she has served since 2021. Dominguez has been a Staff Nurse III at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital since 1987 and a Clinical Instructor at Hartnell College since 1999. Dominguez earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from California State University, San Jose. She is a member of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses and the California Nurses Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Dominguez is a Democrat.

    John Russell, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Russell has been Executive of Operations at Sutter Health since 2025, where he has held multiple positions since 2007, including Director of Area Operations, Regional Administrator, Regional Director, Director and Manager. He was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Floor Nurse at O’Connor Hospital from 2004 to 2007. Russell earned a Doctor of Health Administration degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg, and a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Russell is a Democrat.

    John Bolton, of Huntington Beach, has been appointed to the Private Security Disciplinary Review Committee South. Bolton has been the Principal at Bolton Security Group since 2022. He was the Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge for the Federal Air Marshall Service from 2002 to 2017. Bolton was an Officer/Technician for the United States Secret Service from 1990 to 2002. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Emory and Henry University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Bolton is registered without party preference.

    Jeffrey Dodd, of Napa, has been appointed to the 25th District Agricultural Association Napa Town & Country Fair Board. Dodd has been a Partner at Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP since 2021. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dodd is a member of the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees, Community Health Initiative, and the Napa County Bar Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Dodd is a Democrat.

    Press releases

    Recent news

    May 8, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom issued the following statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope: Habemus papam. Jennifer and I join countless others around the globe to congratulate…

    May 8, 2025

    News What you need to know: Businesses are nearly universally compliant with California’s regulations banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products. Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that businesses statewide continue to follow the…

    May 8, 2025

    News What you need to know: California continues to support and build its salmon and trout populations, with new upgrades to 21 trout and salmon hatcheries. SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom today announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California businesses in near-universal compliance with prohibition of intoxicating hemp products harmful to youth

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 8, 2025

    What you need to know: Businesses are nearly universally compliant with California’s regulations banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products.

    Sacramento, California – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that businesses statewide continue to follow the state’s rules that prohibit the sale of hemp products that contain intoxicating cannabinoids.

    So far in 2025, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has seen 99.7% compliance among business licensees this year. Since September 2024, ABC agents have visited 11,445 businesses and removed 7,151 illegal products from shelves at 148 locations. On September 6, 2024, Governor Newsom announced emergency regulations to protect Californians, especially youth, from the adverse health effects of dangerous hemp products.

    We are doing our part to ensure intoxicating hemp products are out of the reach of vulnerable groups like children. We must always put the safety of Californians first.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Adopted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the emergency regulations prohibit the marketing, offering for sale, or selling of industrial hemp food, beverages, and dietary products that contain THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids.

    “Our licensees have overwhelmingly complied with the regulation,” said ABC Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles. “On the few occasions when ABC agents found items during inspections, they’ve ensured these harmful products are removed from shelves.”

    The regulations also ban sales to people under 21. Businesses that fail to follow the law face various consequences, including criminal penalties and loss of license. ABC will continue to visit licensed locations throughout the state to enforce the new regulations and ensure illegal products are not being sold. To track progress, visit the weekly hemp enforcement update. 

    In October, a court rejected a legal move to stop enforcement of California’s emergency regulations banning THC-containing hemp products that harm the public, especially children. 

    Why this matters

    California became the first state to allow medicinal cannabis use when voters passed the Compassionate Use Act in 1996, and then in 2016, voters legalized the recreational use of cannabis. California’s cannabis regulatory framework requires that businesses operate safely, that products are labeled and tested to protect consumers from contaminants, and that children are prevented from accessing cannabis products. Hemp manufacturers have been exploiting the law to produce and market hemp products that contain THC without the safeguards in place for similar cannabis products. Intoxicating hemp products have been made available at major and small retailers and marketed for their intoxicating THC properties. These regulations ban these sales.

    State regulators, including ABC, CDPH, the Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and state and local law enforcement officials, enforce these requirements.

    Recent news

    May 8, 2025

    News What you need to know: California continues to support and build its salmon and trout populations, with new upgrades to 21 trout and salmon hatcheries. SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom today announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is…

    May 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: The State Board of Education voted today to approve funding to support 458 schools sites and build on the nation-leading community schools initiative, which provide families the resources and support they need to thrive, like health care…

    May 7, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of three Court of Appeal Justices: Associate Justice Helen Zukin as Presiding Justice of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four, Judge Mark Hanasono as Associate Justice of the Second…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Israel’s policy of water deprivation in the West Bank – is the EU funding water apartheid policy in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPts)? – E-001734/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001734/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Mimmo Lucano (The Left), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Marc Botenga (The Left), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Vladimir Prebilič (Verts/ALE), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Daniel Attard (S&D), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Carola Rackete (The Left), Catarina Martins (The Left), Robert Biedroń (S&D), Majdouline Sbai (Verts/ALE), Hanna Gedin (The Left), Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left), Jussi Saramo (The Left), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Lynn Boylan (The Left), João Oliveira (The Left), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Marit Maij (S&D), Li Andersson (The Left), Brando Benifei (S&D), Rima Hassan (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Barry Andrews (Renew), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE)

    Israel’s policy of water deprivation in the West Bank has long affected many Palestinians and is well-documented by numerous civil society organisations.

    The Israeli company Mekorot, Israel’s national water company and the country’s top agency for water management, has been implementing an apartheid policy in water management in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPts), illegally restricting access to water, depriving Palestinians of a sufficient water supply, and violating World Health Organization recommendations. In addition, Mekorot operates approximately 42 wells in the West Bank, mainly in the Jordan Valley region, which primarily supply Israeli settlements.

    The EU previously funded Mekorot’s technological capacity. During the 7th Framework Programme cycle, Mekorot received EUR 474.394.36 in funding, and during the Horizon 2020 cycle, the EU financed three projects with a total EU contribution of EUR 866.300.

    We therefore ask the Commission the following:

    • 1.Does the EU still provide funding to Mekorot?
    • 2.How is the Commission monitoring and ensuring that EU funds are not used to finance the water apartheid policy in the oPts?

    Submitted: 30.4.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Budget 2025 invests in care system and improving redress for survivors of abuse in state care

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    The Government will strengthen the care system and improve redress for survivors in Budget 2025 in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
    The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was conducted over six years and found widespread abuse and neglect across many state and faith-based organisations. The final report made 138 recommendations.
    “We know there is nothing we can do to take away the pain of survivors, but the Government has committed a significant investment of $774 million in Budget 2025 to improve the redress system and strengthen the care system to prevent, identify, and respond to abuse in the future,” says Ms Stanford.
    Improvements to the redress system over this year will include:

    Increasing the average redress payments for new claims from $19,180 to $30,000;
    Providing for higher payments for the survivors who experienced the most egregious abuse;
    Providing “top up” payments of 50% to survivors who have already settled claims to ensure consistency with increased payments for new claims;
    Introducing a common payments framework so that survivors receive the same financial redress for similar experiences of abuse, regardless of where in state care that abuse occurred;
    Increase system capacity to process claims from 1,350 to 2,150 per year from 2027 to reduce wait times for current claimants;
    Implementing a seamless service so that survivors with claims with multiple agencies have those claims managed by one point of contact;
    Introducing a single-entry point for survivors wanting to register new claims;
    Introducing an independent review for people who are unhappy with their redress offer; and
    Funding for redress agencies to provide survivors with access to supports and services.

    “I acknowledge that a key recommendation of both the Royal Commission and the Redress Design Group was for a new independent redress entity. 
    “The Government was faced with a difficult choice: do we spend more time and money on setting up a new scheme, or do we provide more to survivors now through the current redress process?
    “For Budget 25 we have prioritised improving the current system as quickly as possible for survivors and investing in changes that have a direct impact for them,” Ms Stanford says.
    Investments in the wider care system over the next four years include: 
    ·      Up to $71.5 million to build a capable and safe care workforce for children and vulnerable adults;
    ·      Over $50 million to make mental health inpatient units safer and improve privacy and dignity for patients;
    ·      $25 million towards funding initiatives with evidence of an ability to prevent the entry of children and vulnerable adults into care;  
    ·      $16 million for Oranga Tamariki for improvements to safeguarding to reduce abuse and harm to children and young people in remand homes and in the care of individual caregivers;
    ·      $9.4 million to bolster oversight of compulsory mental health and addiction care by increasing the capacity, expertise, and availability of independent statutory roles including District Inspectors and Review Tribunals; and
    ·      Almost $9 million for Disability Support Services to strengthen processes that recognise and respond to instances of abuse in care, by introducing additional audits on the quality of services delivered by contracted care providers and improving the systems that support the management of critical incidents and complaints.
    There is also funding for the continuation of the Survivor Experiences Service who provide an important survivor-led service, better record keeping and access to records, and for an independent review of the changes to the redress system in 2027. 
    Cabinet has also decided that for new claims from survivors who are also serious sexual and/or violent offenders who have been sentenced to five years or more in prison a new process will apply. Modelled on similar approaches in Australia and Scotland, this will involve an independent decision maker who will need to assure themselves that a redress payment would not bring the scheme into disrepute. Legislation establishing this will be introduced later this year. 
    The Government will also establish a Ministerial Advisory Group of survivors and advocates in the coming months to provide relevant Ministers with advice on the Government’s response, including implementation of these changes and the next phase of the wider response. 
    Redress decisions, at this point, do not include claims that currently sit with school boards, faith-based organisations, or other non-state providers. The Government will be receiving further advice on this later this year. 
    “The wider work on the Crown response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations continues to be a priority. I expect to release our full response plan in the coming weeks,” Ms Stanford says.Note to editors: 

    On average, previous payments from the Ministry of Health were significantly lower than other agencies for similar types of abuse (excluding the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit). “Top up” payments to these previous claimants will also account for this disparity.
    Survivors with a settled claim can register for a top-up payment from today. To register visit: www.abuseincaretopups.govt.nz  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coal India’s Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Marks a Milestone; Minister Emphasizes Expanding Access and Strengthening Partnerships

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 7:05PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day 2025, Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, commemorated the remarkable success of its flagship CSR initiative, the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), at a special event held at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi. The scheme, which supports free bone marrow transplants for children suffering from thalassemia and aplastic anemia, has emerged as a life-transforming initiative for hundreds of families across the country.

    Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, was the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal; senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, Coal India Limited; CMDs and Directors of Coal PSUs, medical professionals, representatives of partner hospitals, NGOs and beneficiary children and their families.

    Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, lauded the life-changing impact of the scheme and announced an ambitious future goal “One State, One Hospital” for Bone Marrow Transplant under the TBSY, to further expand its reach and accessibility. Describing it as a beacon of hope for countless families across the Nation, he commended Coal India Limited for not only fulfilling its corporate social responsibility with dedication but also for demonstrating a compassionate approach towards addressing a critical public health challenge. So far, over 700 children have received life-saving transplants under TBSY. Most of these children are now leading healthy and normal lives. The scheme has also relieved families of substantial medical expenses.  He further stated that an online portal developed by CIL ensures real-time application and monitoring, while awareness campaigns, including pamphlets, posters, and short films, have extended the reach of the scheme to rural areas. He highlighted the scheme’s growth and scalability, which began with four hospitals and now includes 17 empanelled premier healthcare institutions

    Shri Reddy urged all the stakeholders including healthcare institutions, policymakers, and civil society to adopt a patient-centric approach in the ongoing fight against thalassemia. Emphasizing that prevention is as vital as cure, he called for increased awareness, early screening, and genetic counseling to reduce the incidence of thalassemia in future generations.

    He reiterated the Government’s commitment to making India thalassemia-free, and expressed confidence that with collaborative efforts, this goal will be achieved. Every development must be inclusive, humane, and sustainable. Initiatives like TBSY show what can be achieved when corporate social responsibility aligns with national goals.

    Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, in his remarks, recognized the humanitarian dimension of CIL’s CSR initiatives. He noted that CIL is not only meeting the energy needs of the nation but also bringing hope and healing through support to children suffering from thalassemia. Applauding the provision of financial assistance up to ₹10 lakh per child, he called the initiative a model of compassion-driven governance. Shri Dubey also highlighted successful partnerships with 17 of India’s leading hospitals and Thalassemics India, which have ensured effective and widespread implementation of the scheme.

    Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, stressed the need for creating synergies between CIL-operated hospitals and BMT centers to improve early screening and intervention. She emphasized the importance of capacity building and training in hospitals near coal PSUs, enabling families to access medical care locally. Citing the global recognition received by this initiative, she reiterated the Ministry’s support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health &family Welfare and empanelled hospitals to reach every child in need while working towards the vision of a thalassemia-free India.

    Mr. Harsh Mangla, Director, National Health Mission, detailed the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s ongoing and upcoming strategies to combat rare genetic diseases such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. He expressed optimism in leveraging cross-sectoral partnerships to enhance the reach and impact of these health interventions.

     

    The event commenced with a welcome address by Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, who expressed gratitude to dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support in making TBSY a success. He reaffirmed CIL’s commitment to social welfare, stressing the importance of collective effort in transforming lives through focused CSR programs.

    The vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), CIL. He reiterated CIL’s dedication to expanding CSR efforts for creating long-term social impact.

    From the partner hospitals’ side, Dr. Vikram Matthews (CMC Vellore) and Dr. Sunil Bhat (Narayana Health, Bengaluru) delivered insightful presentations, elaborating on the devastating nature of thalassemia, sharing real-life case studies, and offering recommendations for strengthening BMT infrastructure and outreach in India.

    The event also featured the felicitation of top-performing hospitals namely Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Narayana Hrudayalaya Bengaluru, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi for their exemplary efforts in delivering successful transplant outcomes.

    Adding a heartfelt element to the ceremony, 15 thalassemia warrior children were honored, and guardians of two beneficiaries shared emotional testimonials expressing deep gratitude for restoring hope and health to their families.

    Through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, Coal India Limited under the guidance of Ministry of Coal continues to exemplify how corporate leadership can extend beyond business imperatives to transformative impact, compassion and Nation-building.

     ****

    Shuhaib T

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Reviews Preparations for International Day of Yoga 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Reviews Preparations for International Day of Yoga 2025

    IDY 2025 will not just be successful, but inspirational for the entire world: Shri Prataprao Jadhav

    Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare chaired a review meeting on 7th May in New Delhi to assess the ongoing preparations for the upcoming International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, which will be celebrated on 21st June 2025 across the globe.

    During the meeting, the Minister reiterated the Government’s vision to make this year’s celebration of yoga truly extraordinary and globally impactful.

    Addressing the officials, Union Minister Ayush stated that “we will work with utmost sincerity and commitment to ensure that International Day of Yoga 2025 is not only a grand success but also serves as a source of inspiration for the entire world”.

    He encouraged all stakeholders to approach the event with renewed energy and unity, stating that the efforts should reflect the spirit of ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. He added that “Let us reach every corner of the country and every part of the globe with the message of holistic well-being through yoga.”

    The meeting saw participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush. The review focused on the planning and implementation of major initiatives such as:

    • Yoga Sangam – Integration of yoga with institutions like schools, hospitals, and corporates
    • Harit Yoga – Promoting eco-consciousness through yoga-linked plantation drives
    • Yoga Connect – Engaging global and diaspora communities in yoga celebrations
    • Yoga Bandhan – Fostering social unity and shared wellness through mass participation

    Shri Jadhav also emphasized the importance of engaging the youth, educational institutions, and community leaders to amplify the message and participation in IDY 2025.

    International Day of Yoga, observed annually on June 21st, has grown into a global cultural and wellness movement since its inception by the United Nations in 2015 at the initiative of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

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    MV/AKS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC)

    Source: Government of India

    Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC)

    Hon’ble Minister Reviews DNT Welfare Initiatives During Visit to Tisgaon Tanda, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

    Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:56PM by PIB Mumbai

    Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar/Mumbai, 8 May 2025

     

    The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, visited Tisgaon Tanda village in Taluka Khultabad, District Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, today (May 8, 2025) to review ongoing development and welfare activities targeted at De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs). The visit focused on assessing the implementation of the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) programme, alongside various State Government-led initiatives.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to the upliftment of DNT communities—among the most marginalized and socio-economically disadvantaged groups in the country. The Union Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has established the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) to ensure the focused implementation of welfare and development schemes for these communities.

    During the visit, Dr. Virendra Kumar interacted directly with a wide range of stakeholders, including State Government officials, NGO partners involved in SEED implementation, DNT beneficiaries and students, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and local community leaders. These interactions provided important ground-level feedback and insights into the effectiveness and impact of the programmes.

    During the visit, a range of entitlements and benefits were distributed to eligible members of the DNT communities, including:

    • Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Cards, ensuring access to quality healthcare services,
    • Kamgar Kalyan Smart Cards, facilitating access to welfare benefits for unorganized workers,
    • Caste Certificates, essential for availing reservations and affirmative action schemes,
    • Revolving Funds to Self-Help Groups, supporting income-generating activities,
    • Entry Point Activities aimed at confidence building and group cohesion among newly formed SHGs.

    The SEED scheme targets families with an annual income of ₹2.50 lakh or less, who are not availing benefits from similar schemes of the central or state governments. The scheme includes four key components for the welfare of the DNT communities:

    • Providing quality coaching to DNT candidates for competitive examinations,
    • Providing health insurance to DNT communities,
    • Promoting livelihood initiatives at the community level for small groups within DNT/NT/SNT communities,
    • Providing financial assistance to DNT individuals for constructing houses.

    This visit reaffirmed the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s dedication to ensuring inclusive development and effective delivery of welfare measures for DNT communities at the grassroots level.

     

    * * *

    PIB Mumbai | SC/ DR

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable & professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment, says Raksha Mantri at National Quality Conclave 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable & professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment, says Raksha Mantri at National Quality Conclave 2025

    “India has always played the role of a responsible nation, but if anyone tries to take advantage of its restraint, they will face ‘quality action’”

    No limit will become an obstacle in protecting India’s sovereignty, fully prepared for responsible responses in the future: Shri Rajnath Singh

    “Expanding defence industrial ecosystem is providing an unprecedented strength to India”

    “Need to develop global trust in our equipment to make India a developed nation & largest defence exporter by 2047”

    Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

    “Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable & professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the National Quality Conclave in New Delhi on May 08, 2025. Raksha Mantri commended the precision with which the Armed Forces executed the operation without harming any innocent person and with minimum collateral damage, terming it as unimaginable and a matter of great pride for the nation.

    “In Operation Sindoor, nine terror camps were destroyed in Pakistan & PoK, and a good number of terrorists were killed. It shows the crucial role ‘quality’ plays in securing national interests,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.

    Raksha Mantri asserted that India has always played the role of a responsible nation exercising great restraint and it believes in resolving issues through dialogue, however, if anyone tries to take advantage of this restraint, they will face ‘quality action’. He assured the nation that no limit will become an obstacle for the Government in protecting India’s sovereignty. “We are fully prepared for such responsible responses in the future as well,” he said.

    Sharing his views on the theme of the conclave ‘Fast-tracking of Quality Assurance through Integrated Approach and Technology Enabled Processes’, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that fast-tracking quality assessment is the need of the hour in view of the disruptive changes and new transformations being witnessed in the defence sector across the globe.

    Raksha Mantri voiced the Government’s emphasis on the empowerment of the defence production sector since 2014, based on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s philosophy of Defence Sovereignty. He said: “Defence Sovereignty means that until a country is capable and self-reliant in its defence needs, its independence cannot be considered complete. If we buy weapons and other defence equipment from abroad, we are outsourcing our security and leaving it at the mercy of someone else. Our government thought over it seriously and took a decisive step to achieve self-reliance. The expanding defence industrial ecosystem is providing an unprecedented strength to India”.

    Shri Rajnath Singh added that equal emphasis is being laid on quality and quantity in defence production with many revolutionary steps being taken in that direction, including corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). He termed Quality as the Government’s priority Reform Agenda, highlighting that since the corporatisation of OFB, DPSUs have become internationally competitive and export-oriented, with efforts being made to advance quality production.

    Raksha Mantri pointed out that one of the objectives behind the progress of the public sector has been to develop a Healthy Competitive Private Defence Ecosystem, which will strengthen India’s security through quality. “In today’s world, a strong brand value is important than just a product. The brand, which assures consistent quality and reliability, succeeds,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh appealed to the Armed Forces, Government QA agencies, DPSUs, private industry, research institutions, academia, and MSME representatives present on the occasion to build a world-leading state-of-the-art Brand India.  “Brand India means if an Indian company has promised something, it will definitely happen. ‘Whenever in doubt, go for India’ should be our USP,” he said.

    On the major changes being witnessed in the global order, Raksha Mantri stated that when developed countries move towards re-armament, the demand for arms & equipment will increase. He cited the report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute which said that the world military expenditure has reached $ 2,718 billion in 2024. He expressed hope that with coordinated efforts, the Indian defence manufacturing sector can make its mark globally with the Brand India philosophy. “Defence exports crossed the record figure of about Rs 24,000 crore in Financial Year 2024-25. Our aim is to increase the figure to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. The target is to make India a developed nation and the world’s largest defence exporter by 2047. To achieve the goal, we must develop global trust regarding the quality of our defence equipment,” he said.

    While Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the efforts being made towards quality improvement, he stressed on the need to focus on using tools such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, and machine learning for real-time quality monitoring in today’s technology-driven era. He also called for updating standards and testing protocols to align with evolving global technologies. We need to focus on time-bound quality assurance clearances so that unwanted delays do not take place, he said.

    Raksha Mantri added that quality assessment agencies should always keep an eye on their deficiencies and work on overcoming them through modernisation and development of testing infrastructure. Continuous gap analysis in the field of niche technology will be an essential step, he said.

    Organised by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, the conclave underscored the need to transition from legacy QA models to predictive, data-driven, and automated systems. Experts called for seamless collaboration across stakeholders to accelerate certification timelines, streamline inspections, and embed real-time quality oversight into defence production.

    Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar spotlighted the role of innovation and industry collaboration in making India a leading defence exporter. In a transparent and interactive Open House session, he addressed queries from defence industry representatives and user agencies, reinforcing the Ministry’s resolve to simplify, digitalise, and modernise QA systems.

    Key Highlights & Announcements

    • A landmark session introduced the Industry 4.0/QA 4.0 Roadmap, developed jointly by DGQA and industry partners. It includes deployment of smart technologies like Internet of Things-enabled test benches, automated data capture, digital dashboards, and AI-powered analytics—aimed at reducing human error, enhancing efficiency, and enabling continuous quality monitoring across defence product life-cycles.
    • The Draft Indian Military Airworthiness Bill was formally presented for final inputs. The Bill, crafted through an inclusive process involving multiple stakeholders, including MoD, DRDO, Services, DPSUs, and industry, proposes a statutory framework for the certification of military aircraft and airborne systems. A dedicated interactive session captured final feedback from user representatives and industry forums.
    • A dedicated session explored strategies to boost the indigenous development of Explosives and Ordnance (E&O) stores. Experts examined the role of emerging technologies – AI/ML, Big Data, Additive Manufacturing, Silicon Photonics, Semiconductors, and Advanced Materials—in modernising E&O production, safety validation, and certification. The session reinforced the need for technological self-reliance in critical munitions and precision systems.

     

    The National Quality Conclave 2025 concluded with a united commitment from all stakeholders to redefine defence QA as a strategic enabler, not just of compliance, but of national security, export capability, and indigenous innovation. The outcomes of the conclave are expected to catalyse India’s transformation into a global benchmark for defence quality assurance.

    DG, DGQA Shri N Manoharan emphasised that the conclave had significantly strengthened the partnership between industry and defence stakeholders, while also advancing efforts toward standardisation and innovation in quality assurance.

    Director General of Naval Armament Inspection Rear Admiral Rupak Barua, Director General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance Shri Sanjay Chawla, CMDs of DPSUs, senior MoD officers were also present on the occasion.

    *****

    VK/Savvy

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for witnesses – Serious harm – Rapid Creek

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Detectives from the Crime Command are calling for information after a woman was located seriously injured on the bike path near the intersection of Holland Place and Rapid Creek Road, yesterday afternoon.

    At approximately 6:10pm,  police received reports of a woman of Aboriginal appearance being found unresponsive on the bike path with injuries consistent with an assault. She was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment and is currently in a stable condition.

    The identity of the alleged offender/offenders remains unknown.

    Detectives are currently investigating and urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact police at 131 444 and quote reference P25126294.

    Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or reporting online.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Results and 17% Increase in Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OAK RIDGE, N.C., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (“Oak Ridge”; or the “Company”) (OTCPink: BKOR), the parent company of Bank of Oak Ridge (the “Bank”), announced unaudited financial results for the first three months of 2025 and an increase of $0.02, or 17%, in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.14 per common share.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Earnings per share were $0.57, up from $0.56 in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $0.50 in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Return on equity of 10.04%, compared to 9.63% for the prior quarter and 9.31% for the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net Income was $1.6 million, up from $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Tangible book value per common share of $23.50 as of period end, compared to $23.02 at the end of the prior quarter, and $21.80 at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Dividends declared per common share of $0.14, up 17% from $0.12 for the prior quarter and the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net interest margin was 3.97%, increasing from 3.92% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and from 3.79% in the first quarter of 2024, representing a sequential increase of 5 basis points and a year-over-year increase of 18 basis points.
    • Efficiency ratio of 66.8%, compared to 64.6% for the prior quarter and 68.3% for the first quarter of 2024.
    • Loans receivable of $528.5 million at quarter end, up 11.7% (annualized) from $514.3 million as of the prior quarter end, up 10.7% from $477.4 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.67% at quarter end, compared to 0.44% as of the prior quarter end and 0.07% at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Nonperforming assets were $4.6 million at quarter end, compared to $3.5 million as of the prior quarter-end and $461,000 as of the prior year quarter end. $4.0 million of the $4.1 million increase in nonperforming assets from the prior year quarter-end to the current quarter end is due to the guaranteed and nonguaranteed balances of eight Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 7(a) loans that moved to nonaccrual status during the third and fourth quarters of 2024, and the first quarter of 2025. The balances as of March 31, 2025, of SBA nonperforming loans guaranteed and unguaranteed by the SBA were $3.1 million and $858,000, respectively.
    • Securities available-for-sale and held-to maturity of $98.9 million at quarter end, representing an annualized decrease of 21.1% from $104.4 million at the prior quarter end, and a decrease of 8.3% from $107.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Total deposits of $542.5 million at quarter end, representing annualized growth of 8.6% from $531.3 million at the prior quarter end, and an increase of 9.2% from $496.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Total short and long-term borrowings, junior subordinated notes, and subordinated debentures of $59.7 million at quarter end, representing an annualized increase of 10.5% from $58.2 million at the prior quarter end, and a decrease of 7.0% from $64.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • Total stockholders’ equity of $64.3 million at quarter end, up 8.6% (annualized) from $63.0 million as of the prior quarter end, up 8.0% from $59.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
    • On March 31, 2025, the Bank’s Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) was 11.1%, up slightly from 11.0% on December 31, 2024. A bank or savings institution electing to use the CBLR will generally be considered well-capitalized and to have met the risk-based and leverage capital requirements of the capital regulations if it has a leverage ratio greater than 9.0%.

    We are pleased to report a strong start to 2025, marked by solid financial performance and a significant 17% increase in our quarterly cash dividend to $0.14 per share. Our first quarter earnings demonstrated positive momentum, showing improvement both sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2024 and year-over-year. We continued to experience healthy loan growth, achieving a double-digit annualized rate, supported by a robust deposit base and strategic use of borrowings. While we noted a manageable increase in nonperforming assets predominantly related to specific SBA loans, our overall asset quality remains sound, and our net interest margin strengthened during the quarter. Our capital and liquidity positions remain robust, providing a strong foundation for continued growth and the ability to deliver enhanced value to our shareholders. At Oak Ridge, our commitment to building strong client relationships through tailored financial solutions remains paramount, and we appreciate the dedication of our team in consistently serving our customers and managing the Bank effectively.

    The $0.02, or 17% increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to $0.14 per share of common stock will be paid on June 9, 2025, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 23, 2025. “We are proud of our record of regularly increasing our quarterly cash dividend to our stockholders,” said Mr. Wayne. “Paying stockholders a portion of our earnings reflects our continuing commitment to enhance stockholder value.”

    For the three months ending March 31, 2025 and 2024, net interest income was $6.3 million and $5.6 million, respectively. For the three months ending March 31, 2025, the net interest margin increased 18 basis points to 3.97%, compared to 3.79% for the three months ending March 31, 2024.

    For the three months ending March 31, 2025, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $304,000, compared to a provision for credit losses of $264,000 in the same period in 2024. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.05% and 1.03% on March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As highlighted earlier, nonperforming assets increased during the quarter and represented 0.67% of total assets on March 31, 2025, compared to 0.07% on March 31, 2024. The recorded balances of nonperforming loans were $4.6 million on March 31, 2025, compared to $461,000 on March 31, 2024. The $4.1 million increase in nonperforming loans from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025, was primarily attributable to eight SBA 7(a) loans totaling $4.0 million moving to nonaccrual status during the third and fourth quarters of 2024, and the first quarter of 2025, of which $3.1 million is guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA loans are also secured by real estate and personal guarantees.

    Noninterest income experienced a decrease from $918,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $784,000 for the comparable period in 2025. This net decrease of $134,000 was driven by offsetting trends within its components. A significant increase was observed in service charges on deposit accounts, which rose from $628,000 in the first quarter of 2024 to $836,000 in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to the implementation of a new deposit account fee in 2024. Conversely, income from Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) investments decreased. The Company recorded $209,000 in income from these investments during the three months ended March 31, 2024, but recognized no comparable income in the same period of 2025 due to no income distributions received.

    Noninterest expense increased from $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, to $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, representing a net increase of $400,000. Several categories contributed significantly to this rise. Salaries increased by $188,000 to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, up from $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to higher salaries and incentive payments. Employee benefits also saw an increase of $100,000, rising to $370,000 in the first quarter of 2025 from $270,000 in the corresponding 2024 period, mainly due to increased expenses related to the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan and overall employee benefits. Occupancy expenses rose by $47,000 to $321,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $274,000 in 2024, largely due to higher property maintenance costs. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in equipment expense of $80,000, falling to $134,000 in the first quarter of 2025 from $214,000 in the same period of 2024, primarily due to lower equipment depreciation expense. Data and items processing expense also increased by $108,000 to $602,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2025, up from $494,000 in 2024, mainly due to higher software licensing fees paid to the Bank’s core processing vendor.

    About Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc., and Bank of Oak Ridge
    At Bank of Oak Ridge, we pride ourselves on knowing your name when you walk through our door. Whether in-person or through our digital offerings, managing your financial well-being is easy, safe, and convenient. We are the longest-running employee-owned community bank in the Triad and have served community members, local businesses, and non-profit organizations since 2000. Learn more about what makes Bank of Oak Ridge the Triad’s community bank by visiting one of our convenient locations in Greensboro, High Point, Summerfield, and Oak Ridge.

    Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (OTC Pink: BKOR) is the holding company for Bank of Oak Ridge. Bank of Oak Ridge is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

    Awards & Recognitions | Best Bank in the Triad | Triad’s Top Workplace Finalist | 2016 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics | Triad’s Healthiest Employer Winner

    Banking for Business & Personal | Mobile & Online Banking | Worldwide ATM | Debit, Credit + Rewards | Checking, Savings & Money Market | Loans + SBA | Mortgage | Insurance | Wealth Management

    Let’s Talk | 336.644.9944 | www.BankofOakRidge.com | Extended Interactive Teller Machine Hours at all Triad Locations

    Forward-looking Information This earnings release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company and on the information available to management at the time that these disclosures were prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the Company’s markets, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectability of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, and (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

     
    OAK RIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
             
        March 31,   December 31,
    		   March 31,
          2025       2024       2024  
    ASSETS   (unaudited)   (audited)   (unaudited)
    Cash and due from banks   $ 10,641     $ 8,075     $ 6,688  
    Interest-bearing deposits with banks     14,614       13,102       16,862  
    Total cash and cash equivalents     25,255       21,177       23,550  
    Securities available-for-sale     80,291       85,714       89,132  
    Securities held-to-maturity, net of allowance for credit losses     18,653       18,662       18,690  
    Restricted stock, at cost     3,616       3,439       2,692  
    Loans receivable     528,521       514,292       477,448  
    Allowance for credit losses     (5,558 )     (5,388 )     (4,941 )
    Net loans receivable     522,963       508,904       472,507  
    Property and equipment, net     8,740       8,664       8,596  
    Accrued interest receivable     3,478       3,135       2,841  
    Bank owned life insurance     6,290       6,268       6,200  
    Right-of-use assets – operating leases     2,165       2,166       2,393  
    Other assets     5,218       5,553       5,010  
    Total assets   $ 676,669     $ 663,682     $ 631,611  
    LIABILITIES        
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   $ 124,274     $ 119,851     $ 99,666  
    Interest-bearing deposits     418,245       411,464       397,220  
    Total deposits     542,519       531,315       496,886  
    Short-term borrowings     41,500       18,000       34,000  
    Long-term borrowings     –       22,000       12,000  
    Junior subordinated notes – trust preferred securities     8,248       8,248       8,248  
    Subordinated debentures, net of discount     9,993       9,983       9,953  
    Lease liabilities – operating leases     2,165       2,166       2,393  
    Accrued interest payable     956       709       1,729  
    Other liabilities     6,970       6,546       6,848  
    Total liabilities     612,351       600,692       572,057  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    Common stock     26,881       26,733       26,854  
    Retained earnings     38,562       37,771       34,458  
    Net unrealized loss on debt securities, net of tax     (1,118 )     (1,771 )     (1,942 )
    Net unrealized loss on hedging derivative instruments, net of tax     (7 )     257       184  
    Total accumulated other comprehensive loss     (1,125 )     (1,514 )     (1,758 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     64,318       62,990       59,554  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 676,669     $ 663,682     $ 631,611  
    Common shares outstanding     2,747,920       2,736,770       2,761,870  
    Common shares authorized     50,000,000       50,000,000       50,000,000  
             
             
    OAK RIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
             
        Three Months Ended
        March 31,
    		   December 31,   March 31,
          2025       2024       2024  
    Interest and dividend income:        
    Loans and fees on loans   $ 8,276     $ 8,212     $ 7,230  
    Interest on deposits in banks     166       217       151  
    Restricted stock dividends     49       64       45  
    Interest on investment securities     1,282       1,279       1,445  
    Total interest and dividend income     9,773       9,772       8,871  
    Interest expense        
    Deposits     2,714       2,700       2,351  
    Short-term and long-term debt     767       786       899  
    Total interest expense     3,481       3,486       3,250  
    Net interest income     6,292       6,286       5,621  
    Provision for credit losses     304       514       264  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     5,988       5,772       5,357  
    Noninterest income:        
    Service charges on deposit accounts     227       234       172  
    Gain (loss) on sale of securities     –       19       –  
    Insurance commissions     150       125       135  
    Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans     –       –       –  
    Debit and credit card interchange income     272       285       288  
    Income from Small Business Investment Company     –       –       78  
    Income earned on bank owned life insurance     22       23       22  
    Other Service Charges and Fees     88       98       98  
    Total noninterest income     759       784       793  
    Noninterest expenses:        
    Salaries     2,354       2,198       2,166  
    Employee Benefits     335       370       312  
    Occupancy     300       321       296  
    Equipment     164       134       163  
    Data and Item Processing     615       602       520  
    Professional & Advertising     219       298       314  
    Stationary and Supplies     31       21       32  
    Telecommunications     80       65       80  
    FDIC Assessment     120       118       114  
    Other expense     491       441       383  
    Total noninterest expenses     4,709       4,568       4,380  
    Income before income taxes     2,038       1,988       1,770  
    Income tax expense     469       461       403  
    Net income and income available to common shareholders   $ 1,569     $ 1,527     $ 1,367  
    Basic income per common share   $ 0.57     $ 0.56     $ 0.50  
    Diluted income per common share   $ 0.57     $ 0.56     $ 0.50  
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding     2,761,870       2,744,609       2,743,611  
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding     2,761,870       2,744,609       2,743,611  
    OAK RIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
    Selected Financial Data
                 
        As Of Or For The Three Months Ended,
        March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,
          2025       2024       2024       2024       2024  
    Return on average common stockholders’ equity1     10.04 %     9.63 %     9.56 %     8.57 %     9.31 %
    Tangible book value per share   $ 23.41     $ 23.02     $ 22.78     $ 21.95     $ 21.56  
    Return on average assets1     0.95 %     0.91 %     0.91 %     0.80 %     0.88 %
    Net interest margin1     3.97 %     3.92 %     3.81 %     3.81 %     3.79 %
    Efficiency ratio     66.8 %     64.6 %     67.9 %     70.0 %     68.3 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.67 %     0.53 %     0.45 %     0.08 %     0.06 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.06 %     1.06 %     1.03 %
    1Annualized            

    Contact: Skylar Mearing, Marketing Director
    Phone: 336.662.4840

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Gets Commitment from Defense Nominee to Maintain Focus on Military Blast Trauma

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), pressed Sean O’Keefe, nominee to serve as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, for his commitment to maintain focus on addressing brain injuries stemming from weapon blast traumas. During the exchange, Senator King’s remarks were informed by the analysis of the brain of the Lewiston shooter — who shot and killed 18 Maine people in October 2023 — which showed evidence of severe traumatic brain injury. An Army reservist, he worked as an instructor at a hand grenade training range where it is believed he was repeatedly exposed to low-level blasts, leading to an undetected deterioration of his mental health. O’Keefe gave his absolute commitment to prioritize working to better understand and combat the impacts of blast traumas.
    Senator King made this issue the focal point of his questions for O’Keefe during the hearing:
    “Mr. O’Keefe, I am running out of time. We had a tragedy in Maine several years ago with a shooting. 18 people killed. It turned out that the fellow had been a trainer exposed to blast, blast overpressure. There was a lot of work done at the time. I hope you will commit to maintaining that work, and to be sure that what was learned in those various reports that were made gets down to the troop level, so that it is not just a report on the shelf in the Pentagon, it actually affects conduct. This is one of the most serious problems coming out of the Mideast Wars, is the effects of continuous exposure to blast,” said Senator King.
    “You absolutely have my commitment. As you know, we did quite a lot of work on this in last year’s NDAA and that legislation will take place over the next year or so. If confirmed, I look forward to implementing the legislation and working with this committee. We are learning more about this area every day, it seems. It is affecting more people the perhaps we first thought. Absolutely, you have my commitment. This is a priority,” replied O’Keefe.
    “You use the magic word, implementation. One of my mottos of life is: implementation can be as important as vision. We can have a good bill coming out of here. If it is not implemented adequately, it’s not going to save lives. I accept your commitment and look forward to working with you on that,” concluded Senator King.
    During just three months in 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) provided treatment to service members nearly 50,000 times for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which are considered the “signature wound” of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For troops with mild TBI, “the most important cause of brain injury was the long-term exposure to explosive weapons.” Researchers in Afghanistan also determined that, “75 percent of the troops’ [blast] exposure was coming from their own weapons.” Despite this, service members continue to train with weapons with unsafe blast levels, and sadly, many have of these injuries have led to high levels of mental illness and suicide.
    Following the Lewiston shooting, Senator King has been working with his colleagues to increase mental health funding and address brain injuries. Last summer he wrote a letter to the former Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin urging the Department to expedite protection of servicemembers from weapon blasts and TBIs. Prior to that letter he urged leaders of the Appropriations Committee to support the strongest possible funding for the Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research program within the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDRMP). Earlier this year, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to study impacts of lower-intensity weapon blasts on veteran mental health. He also was successful in securing a provision to protect service members from brain injuries in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

    MIL OSI USA News –