Category: Health

MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Secures Commitments from Trump Education Nominee on Title IX Protections, Combating Campus Antisemitism

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Today in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley questioned Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Education, about guaranteeing basic safety for women on college campuses and cracking down on campus radicalism.
Senator Hawley brought up Title IX protections for female students, both on the athletic field and in places such as locker rooms and dormitories. He noted President Trump’s recent executive order safeguarding women’s sports and spaces but noted that some universities have vowed to defy it.
“What can be done to ensure that these colleges comply with the law, and that women are safe on campus, and that women are able to play sports without men interfering?” the Senator asked. McMahon promised to investigate and cut funding to universities in violation.
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Click here or above to watch the full clip.
Senator Hawley also highlighted the wave of antisemitism that has rocked college campuses since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and the hostility many Jewish-American students have faced. He noted that these universities are taking federal funds while failing to protect Jewish students.
The Senator asked for McMahon’s commitment to “enforce the law […] to the hilt,” “make sure that Jewish Americans are safe on our campuses,” and cut off federal dollars to campuses harboring “these crazy students who are committing crimes, breaking windows, smashing into buildings, [and] trapping Jewish students in libraries.” McMahon stated that she would.
Finally, the Senator received assurances from McMahon that she would work to revoke visas and send home campus radicals who have threatened their fellow students, supported terrorist organizations, or broken the law by trespassing, vandalizing, or committing acts of violence against Jewish students.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Join Entire Democratic Caucus To Raise Alarm Over Trump Administration Pushing Illegal, Indiscriminate Funding Cuts To NIH, Derailing Lifesaving Medical Research

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

February 13, 2025

Illinois receives $1.23 billion in NIH funding that supports more than 14,200 jobs and $3.46 billion in economic activity

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), as well as the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing serious alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine America’s biomedical research infrastructure and setting progress back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken would create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, and could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars while threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

“As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds,” the lawmakers wrote.

Last week, NIH announced it would set the maximum reimbursement rate for indirect costs to 15 percent—creating a serious funding shortfall for research institutions of all types across the country. This move would dismantle the biomedical research system and stifle the development of new cures for disease. It won’t produce cost savings—it will just shift costs to states who can’t afford to pay the difference. Importantly, this action by the Trump Administration is illegal—Congress’ bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill prohibits modifications to NIH’s indirect costs.

“This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly,” the Senators wrote. On Monday, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the NIH rate cut and set a hearing for February 21.

The Senators’ letter points out that, in addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023 and every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity.

“The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications ‘pause’ enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research—they cost lives,” the Senators continued.

“Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was signed by the entire Senate Democratic caucus. In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, and Murray, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) signed onto the letter.

Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research. His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program. Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past decade.

A PDF of the letter is available HERE and the full text is below:

February 13, 2025

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

We write to express our serious concern with the Trump Administration’s recent decisions that threaten to undermine the nation’s biomedical research infrastructure and set us back generations. The steps the Trump Administration has taken will create a serious funding shortfall for research institutions nationwide, threaten to undermine progress on lifesaving scientific advancements, could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, and threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and medical technology innovation, among many others. President Trump has wreaked havoc on the nation’s biomedical research system in recent weeks. In his first several days in office, President Trump imposed a hiring freeze, communications freeze, ban on travel, and cancellation of grant review and advisory panels that are necessary to advance research. While some of these efforts have been reversed, they continue to cause confusion and miscommunication among researchers and recipients of NIH funds.

Just last week, NIH announced an illegal plan to cap indirect cost rates that research institutions rely on. In capping indirect cost rates at 15 percent for NIH-funded grants, this policy would cut funding essential for conducting research, such as operating and maintaining laboratories, equipment, and research facilities. This change to NIH’s indirect cost rate represents an indiscriminate funding cut that will be nothing short of catastrophic for the lifesaving research that patients and families are counting on. The Administration’s new policy means that research will come to a halt, sick kids may not get the treatment they need, and clinical trials may shut down abruptly.

These confusing and harmful policy changes threaten patient safety. The strength of the American research enterprise – recognized as the best in the world – is built on Congress’ bipartisan commitment to supporting essential research infrastructure. This funding, which Congress has long appropriated on a bipartisan basis, fuels groundbreaking medical discoveries and cements the United States’ position as the global leader in biomedical research.

In addition to the stifling impact on discovering new cures and ripping away treatment from those who need it, changes to NIH policy and communications threaten jobs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with everyone from custodians, to research trainees, to scientists facing potential layoffs. NIH research supported more than 412,000 jobs and fueled nearly $93 billion in new economic activity in Fiscal Year 2023. Every dollar the NIH invests in research generates almost $2.50 in economic activity. These reckless policy changes not only threaten biomedical innovation and research, but also the livelihoods of thousands of workers in every state across the nation.

The Trump Administration has left researchers, universities, and health systems with great uncertainty about whether they can continue to support entire research programs and patient clinical trials across the country. Institutions and grantees nationwide are dealing with an unprecedented external communications “pause” enacted by new leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of transparency regarding the Administration’s illegal funding freeze, and the uncertainty of how new Executive Orders would be applied to their critical work. These actions resulted in NIH freezing grant reviews and cancelling advisory meetings, delaying critical funding that scientists need to continue advancing new cures and treatments. These disruptions do not just slow research – they cost lives.

The NIH plays a critical role in our nation’s efforts to fund scientific advancements that improve health and save lives. Our standing as a world leader in funding and producing new medical and scientific innovations has been put at risk by these recent actions from the Trump Administration. We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted.

Sincerely,

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 14 February 2025 Departmental update Guiding maternal and perinatal health research during global pandemics
Source: World Health Organisation

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) have a new plan to enhance the health and well-being of pregnant women and their babies in the wake of infectious disease outbreaks.

In the last few decades, the world has continuously grappled with epidemics of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza; mosquito-borne viral diseases including Zika and Oropouche; and haemorrhagic fevers including Ebola and Marburg virus disease and mpox. These epidemics have significantly impacted women and their babies. However, it is important to know more about how disease outbreaks affect these populations in order to create informed policies, as well as clinical guidance for effective prevention and treatment.

The newly launched Roadmap for research on maternal and perinatal health in the context of epidemic threats provides a comprehensive strategy to address the unique challenges pregnant women and babies face during epidemics. The Roadmap seeks to fill gaps in what we know by fostering thorough research, the sharing of findings and by delivering actionable solutions to improve outcomes for women and their babies during health emergencies.

The Roadmap is grounded in a vision of a world where every pregnant woman and baby, no matter where they live or their economic situation, receives the highest standard of care during and after pregnancy – even in the most challenging of times.

Four key areas for action

The Roadmap calls on a wide range of stakeholders – including researchers, policymakers, health workers, international organizations and community advocates – to join forces in four main strategic areas:
- improve coordination and collaboration: streamlining global research efforts to ensure effective use of resources, enhance surveillance, and share knowledge;
- advocate for change: raising awareness, securing funding and partnerships to prioritize the health and well-being of pregnant women and their babies during epidemics;
- build research and surveillance capacity: enhancing skills, tools and infrastructure to better study how epidemics impact pregnant women and their babies, and generate high-quality evidence – including through standardized outcome measurement; and
- optimize timely use of evidence: by disseminating and encouraging wide accessibility and use of scientific knowledge by policymakers, health workers, researchers and women themselves.
The development of this Roadmap followed a rigorous, systematic process, including comprehensive analyses of existing maternal and perinatal health research, and several consultative meetings with a wide range of stakeholders.

WHO and HRP work to generate the evidence needed to better understand the effects of epidemics on women’s health, women’s perceptions and needs, and to improve relevant health system responses. Guided by this Roadmap, and in strong collaboration with all stakeholders, they will advance research, offer technical support to countries and develop guidance so that sexual and reproductive health services can be prioritized when emergencies occur.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: N.M. Delegation Demands Trump Stop Unlawful Mass Firings of Probationary Federal Employees

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, Stansbury, Vasquez: “Large-scale firings of probationary employees would ripple through our communities, reducing consumer spending, straining local businesses, and creating unnecessary economic instability”
“Federal agencies must be staffed by qualified professionals, not political loyalists”
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are demanding that President Trump immediately halt his unlawful mass firings of federal employees on probationary status.
Nearly all federal employees are routinely in a probationary period for the first one or two years of service and more than 200,000 of them are on probationary status across the federal government. In New Mexico, there are approximately 2,200 federal employees in their probationary period – including individuals who serve in critical roles across key agencies, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.
“Abruptly terminating these employees without due process would not only undermine the delivery of essential government services but would also have widespread economic consequences for our state. Federal employment is a major contributor to New Mexico’s economy, supporting thousands of families and generating significant local revenue. Large-scale firings of probationary employees would ripple through our communities, reducing consumer spending, straining local businesses, and creating unnecessary economic instability,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to President Trump.
The delegation emphasized how these firings could endanger the safety of New Mexicans, “Recent reports highlight the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s extensive training and reliance on probationary employees, with new agents and support staff actively investigating crimes nationwide. Dismissing these employees could have dire consequences on national security and public safety. Such firings are sure to weaken national security by removing personnel involved in critical investigations. The loss of these agents would leave vital work unfinished and could compromise public safety both in the present and for years to come.”
Additionally, the delegation highlighted that probationary employees are subject to established federal workforce protections, underscoring the unlawfulness of terminating employees for reasons other than performance or conduct issues, “Concerns have already been raised about the legality of these terminations, noting that mass layoffs without individualized assessments violate existing federal workforce statutes. Federal law permits the termination of probationary employees based on performance or conduct. It does not allow for large-scale firings without individualized assessments or adherence to Reduction in Force procedures. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits dismissing probationary employees for partisan political reasons. Federal agencies must be staffed by qualified professionals, not political loyalists.”
The lawmakers demanded, “We urge your Administration to halt any plans for mass firings of probationary employees in New Mexico and across the country.”
The text of the letter is here and below:
Dear President Trump,
We write to express serious concerns about your Administration’s efforts to target federal employees, particularly those on probationary status. Probationary employees are subject to established federal workforce protections, including adherence to Reduction in Force (RIF) procedures (5 C.F.R. § 351.201(a)(1)). Any attempt to circumvent legal protections by imposing mass terminations would be unprecedented, disruptive, and illegal.
Nationally, there are more than 2.4 million federal workers. Nearly all federal employees are routinely in a probationary period for the first one or two years of service and more than 200,000 of them are on probationary status across the federal government. In New Mexico, there are approximately 2,200 federal employees in their probationary period – including individuals who serve in critical roles across key agencies, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.
Abruptly terminating these employees without due process would not only undermine the delivery of essential government services but would also have widespread economic consequences for our state. Federal employment is a major contributor to New Mexico’s economy, supporting thousands of families and generating significant local revenue. Large-scale firings of probationary employees would ripple through our communities, reducing consumer spending, straining local businesses, and creating unnecessary economic instability.
Immediately terminating probationary employees also risks long-term harm to the federal workforce. Many of these probationary employees represent the next generation of skilled public servants – 27% are under the age of 30 – and they report the highest levels of job engagement across the federal workforce. Signaling that federal employment is unstable and subject to arbitrary dismissal will undermine recruitment and retention efforts, making it harder for agencies to attract and keep the skilled professionals essential to their missions (5 C.F.R. § 351.501).
Concerns have already been raised about the legality of these terminations, noting that mass layoffs without individualized assessments violate existing federal workforce statutes. Federal law permits the termination of probationary employees based on performance or conduct. It does not allow for large-scale firings without individualized assessments or adherence to Reduction in Force procedures. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits dismissing probationary employees for partisan political reasons. Federal agencies must be staffed by qualified professionals, not political loyalists.
Particularly concerning are the potential implications for public safety. Recent reports highlight the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s extensive training and reliance on probationary employees, with new agents and support staff actively investigating crimes nationwide. Dismissing these employees could have dire consequences on national security and public safety. Such firings are sure to weaken national security by removing personnel involved in critical investigations. The loss of these agents would leave vital work unfinished and could compromise public safety both in the present and for years to come.
Given all of the above, we urge your Administration to halt any plans for mass firings of probationary employees in New Mexico and across the country.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Efanesoctocog alfa approved to prevent and treat bleeding in children and adults with severe or moderate haemophilia A
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 14 February 2025, approved efanesoctocog alfa (brand name Altuvoct) to be used to treat and prevent bleeding in patients aged 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 14 February 2025, approved efanesoctocog alfa (brand name Altuvoct) to be used to treat and prevent bleeding in patients aged 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.

Efanesoctocog alfa, the active substance, is a replacement factor VIII protein. This protein is naturally found in the body and is necessary for the blood to form clots and stop bleeding.

People with severe haemophilia A have undetectable factor VIII and, if untreated, may experience up to about 40 episodes of bleed per year.

This medicine is administered as an intravenously (into a vein).

Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

“Patient safety is our top priority, which is why I am pleased to confirm approval of efanesoctocog alfa to treat and prevent bleeding in patients 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.

“We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality and efficacy for the approval of this new formulation have been met.

“As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.”

In a study with 159 patients aged 12 and above with severe haemophilia A, weekly injections of Altuvoct as prophylaxis led to 65% patients reporting zero overall episodes of bleed over the course of the year-long study; the remaining 35% had much reduced episodes of bleed. Altuvoct was also used to treat individual bleeds.

In a study involving 74 children under 12 years of age with severe haemophilia A, treatment with efanesoctocog alfa yielded similar results to those in older patients.

Efanesoctocog alfa was therefore considered effective for the prophylaxis and treatment of severe haemophilia A in children aged 2yrs and above.

The company extended the indication to those with moderate haemophilia A by means of a modelling exercise.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some of the potential side effects include headaches and arthralgia (joint pain).

For the full list of all side effects reported with this medicine, see Section 4 of the PIL or the SmPC available on the MHRA website.

Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.

 ENDS  

Notes to editors 

The new marketing authorisation was granted on 14 February 2025 to Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB

This product was submitted and approved via an international recognition procedure.

More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.

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

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

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

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Published 14 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Three Coventry leisure centres receive Sport England funding to boost sustainability

Source: City of Coventry

Coventry City Council has successfully secured National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) to enhance sustainability efforts at three leisure centres in the city.

Almost £750k has been awarded to The Alan Higgs Centre, Centre AT7 and Xcel Leisure Centre, all of which are operated by CV Life.

A capital grant of £250,000 has been awarded to install solar panels at The Alan Higgs Centre, whilst Centre AT7 has received £270k for the installation of solar panels and the replacement of fluorescent lighting with LED lighting.

Xcel Leisure Centre will also see the installation of LED lighting as well as an upgrade to its building management system which will be covered by a £220k grant.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, added: “This funding is a real boost for CV Life leisure centres, helping them to become more energy efficient and sustainable.

“By installing solar panels, LED lighting and upgrading building management systems, we are taking steps to cut carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources.

“Not only will these upgrades lower running costs over the coming years, they also contribute to our broader efforts to make Coventry a cleaner, greener city.”

Work to the centres started in January and is expected to be finished later this month. The installation of PV panels will contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability, ensuring long-term benefits for the facility and the local community.

Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, added: “It’s fantastic to see that Coventry has been awarded funding from Sport England to support three hugely popular leisure centres in the city.

“Day to day running costs of leisure centres is constantly on the rise. This funding will help the centres continue to provide high quality facilities to residents whilst reducing energy bills by around £140k per year.”

Funding was awarded based on a selection of sites serving areas with the highest need. The allocation of funding aligns with Sport England’s national funding scheme aimed at supporting public leisure centres with swimming pools across the country.

Steve Wiles, Chief Operating Officer at CV Life, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this funding, which will make a real difference to the sustainability of our leisure centres.

“These improvements will help us reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and create more environmentally friendly facilities for the community. By investing in solar panels, LED lighting, and building management upgrades, we’re ensuring that our centres remain accessible, efficient and fit for the future.”

For further details on the Swimming Pool Support Fund, please visit the SPSF webpage.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Participates in Swearing in Ceremony for the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

President Trump swears in Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The White House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3qflqMd2tQ

MIL OSI Video –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: European Commission Approves CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics’ KOSTAIVE®, the First Self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine

Source: CLS Limited

European Commission Approves CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics’ KOSTAIVE®, the First Self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine

– KOSTAIVE represents a significant advancement in vaccine technology, demonstrating superior immunogenicity and antibody persistence for up to 12 months post-vaccination compared to conventional mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials

WALTHAM, Mass. and SAN DIEGO, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global biotechnology leader CSL (ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY) and sa-mRNA pioneer Arcturus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ARCT) today announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for KOSTAIVE ^® (ARCT-154), a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, for individuals 18 years and older. KOSTAIVE is the first sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval from the European Commission (EC). KOSTAIVE is currently marketed in Japan against COVID-19.

The European Commission approval follows a positive opinion adopted by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on December 12, 2024. The centralized marketing authorization of KOSTAIVE is valid in all EU member states and in the EEA countries.

“The European Commission’s approval marks a significant milestone in our ongoing development program for KOSTAIVE,” said Jonathan Edelman, MD, Senior Vice President of the Vaccines Innovation Unit, CSL. “We are actively working to optimize KOSTAIVE’s formulation to better meet the needs of healthcare professionals and their patients. As COVID-19 remains an unpredictable global threat, CSL is dedicated to completing these technical enhancements and making this innovative vaccine available in Europe as soon as possible.”

The approval is based on positive clinical data from several studies, including an integrated phase 1/2/3 study demonstrating KOSTAIVE’s efficacy and tolerability, and Phase 3 COVID-19 booster trials, which achieved higher immunogenicity results compared to a conventional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine comparator. A follow-up analysis evaluating a booster dose of KOSTAIVE also showed that the vaccine elicited superior immunogenicity and antibody persistence for up to 12 months post-vaccination against multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains in both younger and older adult age groups versus the same mRNA comparator.

“KOSTAIVE and sa-mRNA technology signify a major advancement in vaccine innovation, providing the potential for broader and more enduring protection,” said Joseph Payne, CEO of Arcturus. “This approval highlights the clinical promise of KOSTAIVE and its ability to protect against the ever-changing COVID-19 virus.”

About sa-mRNA
mRNA vaccines help protect against infectious diseases by providing a blueprint for cells in the body to make a protein to help our immune systems recognize and fight the disease. Unlike standard mRNA vaccines, self-amplifying mRNA vaccines instruct the body to make more mRNA and protein to boost the immune response.

About CSL
CSL (ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY) is a global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia and immune deficiencies, vaccines to prevent influenza, and therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL – including our three businesses: CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor – provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs 32,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit CSLBehring.com/Vita and follow us on Twitter.com/CSL.

For more information about CSL, visit www.CSL.com.

About Arcturus
Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, California, Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ARCT) is a commercial mRNA medicines and vaccines company with enabling technologies: (i) LUNAR® lipid-mediated delivery, (ii) STARR® mRNA Technology (sa-mRNA) and (iii) mRNA drug substance along with drug product manufacturing expertise. Arcturus developed KOSTAIVE®, the first self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA) COVID vaccine in the world to be approved. Arcturus has an ongoing global collaboration for innovative mRNA vaccines with CSL Seqirus, and a joint venture in Japan, ARCALIS, focused on the manufacture of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. Arcturus’ pipeline includes RNA therapeutic candidates to potentially treat ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency and cystic fibrosis (CF), along with its partnered mRNA vaccine programs for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and influenza. Arcturus’ versatile RNA therapeutics platforms can be applied toward multiple types of nucleic acid medicines including messenger RNA, small interfering RNA, circular RNA, antisense RNA, self-amplifying RNA, DNA, and gene editing therapeutics. Arcturus’ technologies are covered by its extensive patent portfolio (over 400 patents and patent applications in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and other countries). For more information, visit www.ArcturusRx.com. In addition, please connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements, including those regarding strategy, future operations, the likelihood of success (including safety, efficacy and commercialization) of KOSTAIVE, the likelihood that clinical results received to date will be predictive of future clinical results of protection against changing virus variants, the likelihood of optimizing KOSTAIVE’s formulation and completing technical enhancements, and the impact of general business and economic conditions. Arcturus may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in any forward-looking statements such as the foregoing and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These statements are only current predictions or expectations, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Arcturus’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent filings with, or submissions to, the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as otherwise required by law, Arcturus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

CSL Media Contacts:
Sue Thorn, CSL
Mobile : +1 617-799-3151
Email: Sue.Thorn@cslbehring.com

Em Dekonor, CSL Seqirus
Mobile: +44 (0)7920500496
Email: Emmanuella.Dekonor@seqirus.com

In Australia:
Jimmy Baker, CSL
Mobile: +61 450 909 211
Email: Jimmy.Baker@csl.com.au

Investor Inquiries:
Chris Cooper, CSL
Mobile: +61 455 022 740
Email: Chris.Cooper@csl.com.au

Arcturus Media Contact:
Public Relations & Investor Relations
Neda Safarzadeh
VP, Head of IR/PR/Marketing
(858) 900-2682
IR@ArcturusRx.com

SOURCE CSL

MIL OSI News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: CMS Announcement on Federal Navigator Program Funding

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a reduction in funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigator program to $10 million. The savings from this reduction will allow the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) to focus on more effective strategies that improve Exchange outcomes and to reduce the user fee in future years, which would translate into a reduction in premium. This change will directly benefit people enrolled without subsidies who pay the full premium for their health insurance. In addition, lower premiums will reduce the burden on hardworking American taxpayers who fund the premium subsidies through the FFEs.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How to find climate data and science the Trump administration doesn’t want you to see

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eric Nost, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Guelph

Government scientists at NOAA collect and provide crucial public information about coastal conditions that businesses, individuals and other scientists rely on. NOAA’s National Ocean Service

Information on the internet might seem like it’s there forever, but it’s only as permanent as people choose to make it.

That’s apparent as the second Trump administration “floods the zone” with efforts to dismantle science agencies and the data and websites they use to communicate with the public. The targets range from public health and demographics to climate science.

We are a research librarian and policy scholar who belong to a network called the Public Environmental Data Partners, a coalition of nonprofits, archivists and researchers who rely on federal data in our analysis, advocacy and litigation and are working to ensure that data remains available to the public.

In just the first three weeks of Trump’s term, we saw agencies remove access to at least a dozen climate and environmental justice analysis tools. The new administration also scrubbed the phrase “climate change” from government websites, as well as terms like “resilience.”

Here’s why and how Public Environmental Data Partners and others are making sure that the climate science the public depends on is available forever:

Why government websites and data matter

The internet and the availability of data are necessary for innovation, research and daily life.

Climate scientists analyze NASA satellite observations and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather records to understand changes underway in the Earth system, what’s causing them and how to protect the climates that economies were built on. Other researchers use these sources alongside Census Bureau data to understand who is most affected by climate change. And every day, people around the world log onto the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to learn how to protect themselves from hazards — and to find out what the government is or isn’t doing to help.

If the data and tools used to understand complex data are abruptly taken off the internet, the work of scientists, civil society organizations and government officials themselves can grind to a halt. The generation of scientific data and analysis by government scientists is also crucial. Many state governments run environmental protection and public health programs that depend on science and data collected by federal agencies.

Removing information from government websites also makes it harder for the public to effectively participate in key processes of democracy, including changes to regulations. When an agency proposes to repeal a rule, for example, it is required to solicit comments from the public, who often depend on government websites to find information relevant to the rule.

And when web resources are altered or taken offline, it breeds mistrust in both government and science. Government agencies have collected climate data, conducted complex analyses, provided funding and hosted data in a publicly accessible manner for years. People around the word understand climate change in large part because of U.S. federal data. Removing it deprives everyone of important information about their world.

Bye-bye data?

The first Trump administration removed discussions of climate change and climate policies widely across government websites. However, in our research with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative over those first four years, we didn’t find evidence that datasets had been permanently deleted.

The second Trump administration seems different, with more rapid and pervasive removal of information.

In response, groups involved in Public Environmental Data Partners have been archiving climate datasets our community has prioritized, uploading copies to public repositories and cataloging where and how to find them if they go missing from government websites.

Most federal agencies decreased their use of the phrase ‘climate change’ on websites during the first Trump administration, 2017-2020.
Eric Nost, et al., 2021, CC BY

As of Feb. 13, 2025, we hadn’t seen the destruction of climate science records. Many of these data collection programs, such as those at NOAA or EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, are required by Congress. However, the administration had limited or eliminated access to a lot of data.

Maintaining tools for understanding climate change

We’ve seen a targeted effort to systematically remove tools like dashboards that summarize and visualize the social dimensions of climate change. For instance, the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool mapped low-income and other marginalized communities that are expected to experience severe climate changes, such as crop losses and wildfires. The mapping tool was taken offline shortly after Trump’s first set of executive orders.

Most of the original data behind the mapping tool, like the wildfire risk predictions, is still available, but is now harder to find and access. But because the mapping tool was developed as an open-source project, we were able to recreate it.

Preserving websites for the future

In some cases, entire webpages are offline. For instance, the page for the 25-year-old Climate Change Center at the Department of Transportation doesn’t exist anymore. The link just sends visitors back to the department’s homepage.

Other pages have limited access. For instance, EPA hasn’t yet removed its climate change pages, but it has removed “climate change” from its navigation menu, making it harder to find those pages.

During Donald Trump’s first week back in office, the Department of Transportation removed its Climate Change Center webpage.
Internet Archive Wayback Machine

Fortunately, our partners at the End of Term Web Archive have captured snapshots of millions of government webpages and made them accessible through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. The group has done this after each administration since 2008.

If you’re looking at a webpage and you think it should include a discussion of climate change, use the “changes” tool“ in the Wayback Machine to check if the language has been altered over time, or navigate to the site’s snapshots of the page before Trump’s inauguration.

What you can do

You can also find archived climate and environmental justice datasets and tools on the Public Environmental Data Partners website. Other groups are archiving datasets linked in the Data.gov data portal and making them findable in other locations.

Individual researchers are also uploading datasets in searchable repositories like OSF, run by the Center for Open Science.

If you are worried that certain data currently still available might disappear, consult this checklist from MIT Libraries. It provides steps for how you can help safeguard federal data.

Narrowing the knowledge sphere

What’s unclear is how far the administration will push its attempts to remove, block or hide climate data and science, and how successful it will be.

Already, a federal district court judge has ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s removal of access to public health resources that doctors rely on was harmful and arbitrary. These were put back online thanks to that ruling.

We worry that more data and information removals will narrow public understanding of climate change, leaving people, communities and economies unprepared and at greater risk. While data archiving efforts can stem the tide of removals to some extent, there is no replacement for the government research infrastructures that produce and share climate data.

Eric Nost is affiliated with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative and the Public Environmental Data Partners, which have received funding for some of the work reviewed in this piece from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Sustainable Cities Fund, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Alejandro Paz is affiliated with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative.

– ref. How to find climate data and science the Trump administration doesn’t want you to see – https://theconversation.com/how-to-find-climate-data-and-science-the-trump-administration-doesnt-want-you-to-see-249321

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo displacement, health crisis worsens amid dwindling aid access

Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

14 February 2025 Peace and Security

A dire displacement crisis is escalating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as M23 rebels make headway while aid routes are cut off, UN humanitarians warned on Friday.

“The crisis is worsening as people flee to areas where humanitarian aid cannot reach due to insecurity,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Eujin Byun told reporters in Geneva.

The development comes a day after the top UN aid official in the country Bruno Lemarquis warned that a shortage of humanitarian routes was threatening the aid operation in the region.

Advance on Bukavu

The rebels, who seized North Kivu province’s capital Goma late last month, are advancing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, following a short-lived lull in fighting.

Ms. Byun said that in South Kivu, more than half of the aid groups providing critical support to survivors of sexual violence “report being unable to reach those in need due to insecurity and continuous displacement”.

Meanwhile, in North Kivu, “the destruction of health facilities, including mortuaries, and overcrowded hospitals increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including cholera, malaria, and measles,” she said.

The UNHCR spokesperson also highlighted the fact that “heavy artillery shelling and looting” have destroyed 70,000 emergency shelters around Goma and Minova in North and South Kivu provinces, leaving some 350,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) “once again without a roof over their heads”.

While some 100,000 displaced people have attempted to return to their home areas – where they are met with damage to their homes and a lack of essential services – many remain stranded, Ms. Byun said.

Deadly remnants

Unexploded ordnance left over from the fighting is another obstacle to their safe return.

Ms. Byun warned of the possibility that those people “will be displaced once again”.

The UNHCR spokesperson stressed that most of the 28 IDP sites around Goma are now destroyed. The agency’s concern in terms of aid access is that the road from Goma to Bukavu has been cut off, she said.

Ms. Byun also recalled that the airport in Goma is “still not functioning for humanitarian aid”.

“Since violence has spread to South Kivu, this supply line is our biggest concern,” she added.

With the rebels pushing towards Bukavu, the UN’s Mr. Lemarquis expressed worry on Thursday about the fate of South Kivu’s main airport some 20 miles from the province’s capital, which until recently was the “main lifeline” for bringing in humanitarian personnel.

Mpox spread

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Christian Lindmeier, highlighted the “heavy” impact of the hostilities on the mpox response, “particularly in Goma and the adjacent area” as the fighting spread southwards.

He stressed that the DRC is “the worst-affected country for mpox”, with Kivu being the epicentre of the highly infectious clade 1b outbreak.

Due to the rapid spread of the clade 1b strain, in August last year WHO moved to declare mpox once again a “public health emergency of international concern”, for the second time after a global outbreak of the virus made headlines in 2022.

Earlier this month, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that before the latest violence in eastern DRC, mpox cases had been stabilizing. But the recent fighting has forced patients to flee treatment centres, increasing transmission risks.

“Out of 143 confirmed mpox patients in isolation units in Goma and around, 128 fled in fear for their lives,” Mr. Lindmeier said, stressing that only 15 patients remain in isolation.

“That’s of course dangerous for everybody around,” he insisted.

Mr. Lindmeier added that some health facilities in the area had been looted, health workers had fled, and people were unable to access healthcare because of the security situation.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins on state-of-the-art nursery

Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

Today (Friday 14 February) marks an exciting milestone as the first turf is cut for a state-of-the-art standalone nursery on the Ferryhill School site in Aberdeen.

The new nursery is Phase 1 in a two-phase project which is part of Aberdeen City Council’s wider suitability improvement initiative to create an enhanced learning environment for nursery and primary school-aged children in the Ferryhill area.

Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It’s great to get the shovel in the ground so that this major upgrade project at Ferryhill School can begin. I am delighted that the school will benefit from a new nursery building as well as significant refurbishment and extension work.

“The considerable investment of £17.1m by Aberdeen City Council will really improve the learning environment for the pupils for generations to come. The excellent new facilities will enhance the opportunities to support and care for the young people. It is a place where they can be inspired to be creative and adventurous.”

Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I share the excitement and anticipation of Ferryhill School pupils and staff as work begins on their new nursery ahead of major improvement works to the school building.”

The nursery will address the limitations of the existing provision and provide significantly upgraded facilities for pupils and staff. The construction work is being undertaken by Morrison Construction North with local architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor responsible for the design work.

Designed with modern learning and play in mind, the nursery will feature a large, open-plan, and well-lit playroom and covered external spaces, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments to offer year-round access to play and learning areas. The building is designed to achieve high environmental standards, reflecting the Council’s and architects’ commitment to sustainability.

The nursery building will meet high energy-efficiency standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Heated by air-source heat pumps and powered in part by rooftop photovoltaic panels, it will be an example of responsible design.

The construction work is expected to be finished this summer with pupils set to move into their new nursery in August 2025.

Ferryhill Nursery will be completed as work begins on Phase 2, which will see Ferryhill School handed over to Morrison Construction at the start of the summer to begin a major refurbishment and extension of the building.

The Ferryhill School improvements will mean greater flexibility and better use of space across the whole school site; a modern dining facility providing a much improved experience for the pupils and staff, and facilitate any future free school meals expansion; a double-court PE hall, which conforms with Sport Scotland guidance; and the improved nursery provision including direct access to the outdoors.

Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North, said: “Morrison are delighted to be involved in the construction of Ferryhill Nursery, these works will involve the Nursery, playing field and the attenuation system for the Primary School extension due to start this summer. As ever we will be using local Sub Contractors, with our own labour planned to complete the kit frame which is due to start next month.”

Bruce Ballance, Director, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, said: “This project marks a significant milestone in Mackie Ramsay Taylor’s broader vision to create an innovative, sustainable, and community-focused educational setting.

“While the first phase is the state-of-the-art standalone nursery, future phases will include the extension of the primary school and the creation of a central landscaped area, further enhancing the educational environment. We look forward to the positive impact this development will have on the school community.”

Ferryhill School Nursery pupils at the turf-cutting ceremony expressed their excitement about the new facilities.

Three-year-old Brian said he is looking forward to watching the “Builders making our nursery, building the walls.”

Four-year-old Rosie added that she is looking forward to “Playing in the big sandpit in the new garden.”

While Henley, also four, said she is looking forward to “Our new nursery with its new big playroom.”

During Phase 2 of the project, the pupils and staff at Ferryhill School will temporarily relocate to the vacant Walker Road School building, to ensure uninterrupted learning.

Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee; Allister McKechnie, Architect, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects; Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North; Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee; with Ferryhill School Nursery pupils, Henley, Brian and Rosie.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parents urged to vaccinate children against measles amid a rise in cases

Source: City of Leeds

Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

Measles is a serious disease which can be spread easily amongst unvaccinated people with babies, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, at highest risk. It can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases tragically can cause death.

The uptake of routine childhood vaccinations nationally, including the MMR vaccine, is the lowest in a decade. In January 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) declared a national measles incident to coordinate the wider investigation and response to the rise in cases.

The majority of cases nationally and locally are among children under the age of 10 who have missed their MMR vaccine. Normally the first dose of MMR vaccine is given around a child’s first birthday; the second dose is given at around three years and four months old, before starting school.

However, it is never too late to get vaccinated, people can be vaccinated at any age with the two doses providing the best protection.

Young adults are also being urged to catch up on any missed doses, particularly before thinking about starting a family given the risk of the disease to pregnant women.

Over the past few months Leeds City Council has been working in partnership with the NHS, UKHSA, schools, higher education settings and community organisations to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine in communities in Leeds and provide advice on how to recognise symptoms and where to access the vaccine.

Victoria Eaton, director of public health, Leeds City Council, said:

“Measles can be a very serious disease; it can have similar symptoms to chickenpox but the health complications from measles can be much more severe and in some cases could lead to brain inflammation and pneumonia. Measles symptoms often start with a cough, high fever, runny nose and sore watery eyes, usually followed by a rash a few days later, this often starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

“If you do think you have symptoms, ring 111 or contact your doctor’s surgery immediately – please don’t go to hospital or your doctor’s surgery without first calling ahead, it’s extremely important you don’t spread the disease to vulnerable people.

“Having two doses of the MMR vaccine at the right time gives long-term protection against measles and it is free from your GP practice.

“A non-porcine version of the MMR vaccine is also available which does not contain any pork products; however, you may need to request this from your GP practice ahead of vaccination.”

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:

“We’ve done a lot of work with our NHS partners and other organisations to increase public awareness and understanding of the risk of measles and as a result we are pleased that more parents are coming forward to get their children vaccinated, however there is still more work to do.

“If you or your child have missed your vaccine doses, it’s never too late, call or contact your GP surgery and request the MMR vaccine as soon as possible.”

For more information on measles, and the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa is Providing the Lifesaving Training When Every Second Counts

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan February 13, 2025, staff from the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa (USNHO) Emergency Department are training the future EMTs charged with providing lifesaving critical care to those in need en route to the hospital. Okinawa is a small island stretching 70 miles from north to south, up to 7 miles wide at its widest and only 2 miles wide at the narrowest. This geography, along with streets not wide enough for two cars to pass and 95% of the population all in the middle of the island, makes Okinawa one of the most densely populated non-metropolitan areas in the world. This unique environment makes it a daily challenge for the EMT personnel who provide emergency first responder care to 6 branch clinics and the interfacility transfers of patients of USNHO.

The two most northern branch clinics can take as long as two hours to navigate the densely populated narrow streets where the average posted speed limit is 30km/h or 19mph. The gravity of that kicks in when you are potentially the sole provider riding in the back of an ambulance with a patient suffering grievous injuries. CDR Pete Nyilas, the Director for Medical Services at USNHO, explained the importance of the hospital providing EMT training to our corpsmen and the incredible responsibility these, often very young sailors, are shouldering. The Naval Hospital is doubling down and conducting ongoing training to ensure enough EMTs are trained to fill the role. A class is testing out today, February 13, 2025, then there will be a refresher training in March, followed by another training class between April and May. This is the constant battle rhythm needed to keep a continuous roster of EMTs to mitigate burnout, accommodate time off, and manage the permanent change of station (PCS) moves that are constantly happening. The goal is to have at least two EMTs per ambulance rig and enough to cover the 24-hour duty they stand when on call.

The EMT course at the Naval Hospital is “rigorous and tests our corpsmen to the top of their training,” CDR Nyilas said. He pointed out that this course and opportunity are unique to Okinawa because stateside emergency transport is done by civilian ambulances and emergency responders, not by the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) personnel. Nyilas also pointed out the similarities in real-world trauma that the corpsmen might encounter on a battlefield.

The EMT course is challenging, and after passing, the students must take the Nationally Recognized Emergency Medical Transport (NREMT) test and pass to receive a nationally recognized certification that is good for two years. The previously mentioned refresher course given every third month helps keep the certifications current. Time is the enemy of this program because the students are often first tour young Sailors who come on two-year unaccompanied orders. By the time they make it into a course, pass it, schedule to take the NREMT, and pass to finally make it onto the watch bill, it can be nearly a year, and they are halfway through their tour! The demands of the course and the testing make the success rate around 70%, and some find that they are incompatible with the call of this specialized service.

Senior Chief Rachel Kerner, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Directorate for Medical Services, explained how very important these newly trained EMTs are and their important role on the island. Kerner said, “The importance of having well-trained, well-prepared EMTs stationed strategically around the island means a couple of minutes, and those can be crucial to a positive outcome for our patients.” Senior Chief Kerner pointed out that the opportunity to serve as an EMT is not just for the Corpsmen assigned to the hospital, that there are currently EMT-trained staff with the Dental BN in the Laboratory and Family Medicine who can help cover shifts to maintain their skills and relieve other EMTs. She also stressed the unique opportunity to serve in this capacity overseas, and when she asks her EMTs before they PSC how they liked being an EMT, they usually say something very similar. “The hours were brutal, and the traumas were tough, but I would not have wanted to do anything else while I was here!”

The training is conducted in the Naval hospital, and one of the instructors is HM3 Nessa Zazi. You might mistake her youthful appearance and braces for a lack of experience and be very mistaken. She commanded her role as instructor and evaluator with the confidence and poise of a well-seasoned veteran of the ambulance rig. She was testing out a student, HM3 Jason Veloz, serving with the 3D Marine Division, conducting a complete mockup scenario of a semi-responsive patient on a scene to which he was called. It wasn’t lost in the moment that these two young Corpsmen were preparing to be the sole provider when those minutes count to evaluate and prep a patient for emergency transport. Zazi provided feedback after the role-playing exercise, during which each of them remained in character and walked through a very plausible patient encounter. HM3 Zazi said, “You need to expedite your evaluation and initial contact with the hospital Emergency Department; short, sweet, and to the point; if you are taking too long, you are holding up traffic!” Zazi also let Veloz know that she liked how he examined the patient even though a neighbor had provided their recollection of how the patient went down. HM3 Zazi’s parting advice, “You just have to complete the reps and sets before you can gain more confidence.”

LCDR Amanda Studer, an emergency medicine physician at USNHO, leads the Emergency Department (ED) in a modernization effort that affects the emergency care of all the beneficiaries of USNHO in Okinawa. While it is easy to navigate Okinawa as a foreigner, some of the simple things we have come to expect in the U.S. are not the same here; the first is 911. We teach kids to dial 911 in an emergency from a very young age. In Okinawa, it is still 911 on base, but off base it is 119. Like any complicated system, many caveats and exceptions can lead to confusion, especially in a stressful medical situation. Dr. Studer has worked tirelessly to make changes and upgrade the dispatch system, including overseeing the EMT training program. When talking about the Sailors who have stepped up to the call, Studer said, “These are our modern-day superheroes who show up for you during some of the worst days of your lives.” She explained how it builds confidence in our community to see the strives and improvements to the system. The upgrades are not just in the programs and phone numbers; Dr. Studer was instrumental in helping acquire additional ambulances from the Army in Korea. This massive undertaking involved the Marines, Airforce, Army, and the Navy to ship the vehicles here to Okinawa. Opening lines of communication with host nation EMS allows both services to learn from each other and share best practices for improving care for every patient on Okinawa. Under her watch, the program procured over $500,000 in critical lifesaving EMS equipment. She helped coordinate long overdue EMS site visits for both Navy/Marine Corps and Army services and has helped build the infrastructure for a modern, readily equipped EMS program.

The collaboration between Marine Corps Installation Pacific Command (MCIPAC), the host nation, sister services, and USNHO has provided the resources to help maintain medical care for the residents here in Okinawa. Our beneficiaries can be confident that a new group of well-trained EMTs will test out next Tuesday, and these modern-day heroes will be on the streets providing emergency medical care to those in need.

The U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa (USNMRTCO) supports the Defense Health Agency’s U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa (USNHO) as the largest OCONUS Navy Medicine medical treatment facility and stands at the ready to respond to contingency operations to support the INDOPACOM region. It is a critical regional asset for direct care delivery, regional referrals, and medical contingency operations. The staff of USNHO understands their vital role as pre-positioned, forward-deployed naval forces within the first island chain, aligned and in support of the joint military commands and operations.

Trey Savitz, Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Comm: 011-81-971-7024
DSN: (315) 646-7024
isaac.s.savitz.civ@health.mil

MIL Security OSI –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Masturbation remains taboo – but research shows how it can be good for you

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chantal Gautier, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Sex and Relationship Therapist, University of Westminster

nito/Shutterstock

Despite being a natural act, many people still feel awkward and embarrassed about masturbation. So, why does this topic make so many of us feel uncomfortable? The past can offer clues.

Throughout history, views on self-pleasure vary. Egyptians saw masturbation as sacred. Greeks viewed it as natural but not something to celebrate. And Romans considered it inferior to sex with a partner.

In medieval Europe, masturbation was labelled sinful and harmful. But 20th-century scholars, including sexologists Alfred Kinsey and Shere Hite, challenged negative perceptions and helped normalise masturbation.

However, the stigma attached to masturbation is stubborn and negative attitudes persist. Attitudes that it’s dirty, shameful or even harmful to touch yourself sexually are often shaped by conflicting messages rooted in societal norms, religious doctrines and inadequate sex education.

Masturbation remains taboo – some people consider it an unnatural act because it has no reproductive purpose. This negative belief can be bad for health if it contributes to psychological distress, including feelings of guilt and shame caused by ingrained condemnation.

However, through my experience as a sex therapist and psychology researcher, I understand how openly discussing masturbation with clients has been incredibly beneficial for their mental health. The more we talk about it, the easier it becomes to unravel those shame-filled thoughts. The key is creating a safe and non-judgmental space that encourages self-acceptance and understanding of what makes us tick.

For one thing, masturbation can be surprisingly educational when it comes to appreciating your body. It’s not just about pleasure; it’s about self-discovery and understanding your sexual response and anatomy while accepting that vulvas and penises come in all shapes and sizes.

Masturbation offers a safe, judgment-free way to explore and understand your body without any risk of pregnancy or STIs. It allows you to try out what feels good and what doesn’t – essentially getting to know your own pleasure map. It’s also a great way to experiment with sex toys.

Connecting with your body, including your genitalia, can also help you feel more at ease in your own skin and boost your confidence. Understanding what works for you can feel liberating.

It also makes it easier to communicate your needs and desires to others. By empowering yourself, you can take charge of your sexual experiences and fully embrace ownership of your body.

In sex therapy, masturbation is often included as a therapeutic tool. For example, clients may be asked to engage in masturbation exercises.

This could involve using techniques such as mindfulness to focus on sensations that help them reconnect, by turning their attention to their body and understanding what sensations lead to pleasure. So solo sex helps promote body awareness, which can be especially beneficial for anyone experiencing difficulty with orgasm.

The stop-start technique is another method used in sex therapy to help with issues like premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. It is designed to help people gain greater control, particularly with orgasm and erection management. Here, too, the focus is on the sensations of touch and for the client to build awareness of their sexual responses.

And, with masturbation, there’s no need to worry about anyone else’s expectations or feel any pressure about sexual performance. So sexual self-pleasure is a positive, safe way to explore the body without feeling rushed or self-conscious.

Masturbation is also associated with other health benefits. For some, it can reduce stress and promote sleep. During masturbation and orgasm, hormones such as oxytocin (sometimes called the “love hormone”) and endorphins are released. Both play a role in enhancing mood and feelings of relaxation.

Research has even found that men who ejaculate 21 or more times a month have a 31% lower risk of prostate cancer.

Read more:
Does ejaculating often reduce your risk of prostate cancer?

How much is too much?

As a sex and relationship therapist, I am often asked: “How much masturbation is too much?” There is no right answer to that.

Masturbation can be a healthy way to seek pleasure and for some people to cope with emotions like stress. However, if it becomes the primary or only means of emotional regulation, it may start to feel compulsive.

When this leads to a sense of loss of control, emotional distress or negative effects on daily life, it can be an issue. In these instances, sexual compulsivity attempts to resolve unmet needs, whether they are sexual, emotional or relational.

Psychosexual therapy is an effective, sex-positive and inclusive approach that helps clients develop a wider range of strategies for managing emotions, not just masturbation.

As we move toward a more inclusive and open understanding of sexuality, self-pleasure may one day be recognised not as something to feel guilty or ashamed about but as a natural form of self-expression. Until then, it remains a powerful act of self-love.

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

– ref. Masturbation remains taboo – but research shows how it can be good for you – https://theconversation.com/masturbation-remains-taboo-but-research-shows-how-it-can-be-good-for-you-249667

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 13 February 2025 Departmental update Combatting anaemia through improved measurement, diagnosis and reporting

Source: World Health Organisation

The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the World Health Organization (WHO) has led a coordinated effort to develop, implement and analyse a set of new resources to combat persistently high rates of anaemia around the world.

Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is lower than normal, meaning less oxygen is being delivered throughout the body. This condition disproportionately affects young children, women and girls, impacting 3 out of 10 women and 4 out of 10 children globally. It is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where the lack of access to diagnosis and treatment can increase the risk of infections and death, cause extreme fatigue, lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, contribute to lost earnings, and impede growth and development.

Anaemia is an indicator of overall health, with its causes ranging from nutritional deficiencies and infections to inflammation, gynaecological and obstetric conditions, and inherited red blood cell disorders. It is therefore essential to accurately measure haemoglobin and understand its underlying causes, as emphasized in Accelerating anaemia reduction: a comprehensive framework for action.

Building on this framework, WHO has released new guidelines and innovative tools to enhance the measurement, interpretation and reporting of haemoglobin concentrations. This includes the WHO guideline on haemoglobin cutoffs, which provides crucial updates on how haemoglobin levels should be measured and adjusted according to factors like elevation of residence and smoking habits. It also sets thresholds for defining anaemia and its severity across different age, sex and physiological groups. Additionally, the guideline highlights the importance of using haemoglobin levels to assess the impact of iron interventions aimed at preventing and treating iron deficiency anaemia, and to determine the public health significance of anaemia prevalence in populations.

The recently developed Micronutrient Survey Analyser web tool aids the adoption of these updated thresholds. This tool offers standard analyses and templates for reporting haemoglobin concentrations, along with data quality checks to help interpret the results accurately.

“Using appropriate methods to measure, analyse and interpret haemoglobin concentrations is crucial to address and treat anaemia, ensuring that no individual is left behind in the pursuit of better health,” said Dr Luz Maria de Regil, Director of the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety.

Reducing anaemia prevalence among women aged 15–49 years is one of the World Health Assembly Global Nutrition Targets for 2025. Despite some progress, we are not currently on-track to achieve this target. This has prompted WHO to propose extending the target to 2030 in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

With anaemia remaining a significant public health challenge in many countries, WHO’s updated guidelines and tools aim to support the accurate assessment of anaemia and its underlying causes, ensuring that appropriate interventions are delivered where and when they are needed most.

We are encouraged that countries, donors and civil society are mobilizing new commitments for nutrition as part of the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit taking place in Paris, 27–28 March 2025. WHO and partners of the Anaemia Action Alliance will continue to provide guidance and tools to support anaemia reduction efforts.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Know Which Medication Is Right for Your Seasonal Allergies
Source: US Food and Drug Administration

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Español

The pollen count is sky-high. You’re sneezing, your eyes are itching, and you feel miserable. Seasonal allergies are real diseases that can interfere with your life.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, the medical term for seasonal allergies and hay fever, can also trigger or worsen asthma and lead to other health problems, such as sinus infections (sinusitis) and ear infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates several medications that offer allergy relief.

An allergy is your body’s reaction to an otherwise innocent substance that it has identified as an invader. If you have allergies and encounter a trigger (allergen), your immune system fights it by releasing chemicals, such as histamine (hence the term “antihistamine”). Histamine causes symptoms, such as runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes.

Seasonal allergies are usually caused by plant pollens. They are:
- Tree pollen in the early spring.
- Grass pollen in the late spring and early summer.
- Weed pollen, including ragweed, in the late summer and fall.
Certain molds may also cause seasonal allergy symptoms. Pollen counts vary by region, depending on climate.

You can take some measures to avoid pollen and mold exposure. They include:
- Close windows at home and in the car.
- Shower before bed to remove allergens from the skin and hair, reducing the contamination of bedding.
- Stay indoors if your symptoms are severe.
But it is not always practical or possible to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. So, your health care professional may recommend prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter, or OTC) medicines to relieve allergy symptoms. Here’s a closer look:

Antihistamines

Antihistamines reduce or block symptoms caused by the chemical histamine. Many oral antihistamines are available in generic and nonprescription forms, including tablets and liquids. When choosing a nonprescription antihistamine, read the Drug Facts Label closely and follow the dosing instructions.

Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness and interfere with your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery, like a car. Some others don’t have this side effect. Non-sedating antihistamines are available by prescription and nonprescription. Antihistamine nasal sprays are also available.

Nasal Corticosteroids

Nasal corticosteroids treat inflammation and reduce allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion. They are typically sprayed into the nose once or twice a day.

Side effects may include stinging in the nose, nosebleeds, and growth effects in some children with long-term use. Nasal corticosteroids are available by prescription and nonprescription. Talk to your health care professional if your child needs to use a nasal corticosteroid spray for more than two months of the year.

Decongestants

Decongestants are drugs available by prescription and nonprescription and come in oral and nasal spray forms. They are sometimes recommended in combination with other allergy medications for short periods of time.

Decongestant drugs that contain pseudoephedrine are available without a prescription. But they are kept behind the pharmacy counter to prevent their use in making methamphetamine—a powerful, highly addictive stimulant often produced illegally in home laboratories. You will need to ask your pharmacist and show identification to buy drugs that contain pseudoephedrine.

Using decongestant nose sprays for more than a few days may give you a “rebound” effect; your nasal congestion could get worse. Consult with your health care professional if using an oral or nasal decongestant for more than two to three days.

Immunotherapy

“Allergy shots” are a form of allergen immunotherapy, in which your body responds to injected amounts of allergens, given in gradually increasing doses, by developing a tolerance.

Patients can receive injections from a health care professional. A common course of treatment would begin with weekly injections of gradually increasing doses for three to six months until the effective dose is reached. After that, treatment would continue monthly for three to five years.

Another form of allergen immunotherapy involves administering the allergens in a tablet form under the tongue (sublingual) and is intended for daily use, before and during the pollen season. This type of immunotherapy is available only by prescription for the treatment of seasonal allergies caused by certain pollens and has the potential to dial down the immune response to allergens.

But sublingual immunotherapy is not meant for immediate symptom relief and should start three to four months before allergy season. Although they are intended for at-home use, the first doses are to be taken in the presence of a health care professional.

Allergy Medicines for Children

Always read the Drug Facts Label before buying a nonprescription medicine for you or your children. Some medicines can be used in children as young as age 2, but others may have different dosing instructions for children younger than 12 years.

Your doctor or health care professional may recommend other medicines that are prescription only. Talk to your doctor to see what medications are right for you.

If you have questions about any medication, you may contact the FDA’s Division of Drug Information at 1-855-543-3784 and 1-301-796-3400, or druginfo@fda.hhs.gov. Our pharmacists are experts at interpreting information for the public.

MIL OSI USA News –
February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – LAND MANAGERS RECEIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, February 13, 2025

Source: US State of Hawaii

DLNR News Release – LAND MANAGERS RECEIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, February 13, 2025

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
KA ʻOIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DAWN CHANG
CHAIR

LAND MANAGERS RECEIVE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2025

HONOLULU – The Carbon Smart Program has awarded a total of $1,000,000 to 10 grantees to develop and implement plans for regenerative sustainable practices, particularly carbon sequestration (capturing, securing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). The program is a pilot initiative to promote the preservation and enhancement of ranches, forests and farmlands in Hawaiʻi,

Developed by the Hawaiʻi State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (CCMAC), the programprovides grant funding to landowners or lessees in the state with a focus on smaller land managers, who often have difficulty accessing federal funding. The awardees will work to improve and expand practical solutions for soil health, carbon storage, and climate change resilience.

Funds have been awarded to land managersfrom Hawaiʻi County to Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. These include MĀLA ʻŌiwi with Waiʻanae Community Redevelopment Corporation; OCR INC., dba Small Kine Farm; Healing Mountain Homestead, LLC; Living Life Source Foundation; The Kohala Center; Puʻu O Hoku Operations; Maluhia Fields, LLC; Mililani Agricultural Park, LLC; Protect & Preserve Hawaiʻi; and Kuilima Farm with Pono Pacific, LLC.

“The goal is to increase the strategies and options for land managers to develop greater carbon sequestration practices while building resilience and enhancing regenerative practices already in place,” said Leah Laramee, CCMAC Coordinator. “We are hoping to be able to continue this program in the future to fund a wider range of projects. We want to support local land managers and to implement community-led carbon sequestration actions.”

Examples of grantee projects include transitioning fallow land to agroforestry systems, creating organic compost from mushrooms to provide to markets across the islands, removing invasive species and regenerating native forest through Hawaiian traditional ecological knowledge and supporting a hui of 14 ‘ōiwi-led organizations in diverse locally designed carbon sequestration activities.

This grant program addresses the urgent need to mitigate climate vulnerability in Hawaiʻi. Farmers, schools, community hui, businesses and nonprofit organizations were among a diverse group expressing a high level of interest to participate in these efforts.

# # #

RESOURCES

(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

Photographs – Soil sampling and native planting (September 2024 and February 2025):https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6ku9c7djjfwgvyej189v2/AATGtERw8iLQfc4_NCDMGDc?rlkey=gxw0kj1qbyo94yymdpth5a6iq&st=on2uven8&dl=0

Media contact:

Patti Jette

Communications Specialist

Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

Phone: 808-587-0396

Email: [email protected]

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 2025-25 AG LOPEZ AND 13 OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL RELEASE STATEMENT ON PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ISSUED IN BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP CASE

Source: US State of Hawaii

2025-25 AG LOPEZ AND 13 OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL RELEASE STATEMENT ON PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ISSUED IN BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP CASE

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

ANNE LOPEZ

ATTORNEY GENERAL

LOIO KUHINA

ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ AND 13 OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL RELEASE STATEMENT ON PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION ISSUED IN BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP CASE

News Release 2025-25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2025

HONOLULU – A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction against President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order terminating birthright citizenship, drawing praise from Hawai‘i Attorney General Anne Lopez and attorneys general from 13 other states and the City of San Francisco. Attorney General Lopez joins the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and the City of San Francisco in releasing the following statement:

“President Trump may believe that he is above the law, but today’s preliminary injunction sends a clear message: He is not a king, and he cannot rewrite the Constitution with the stroke of a pen.

“The president and his allies made clear long before he was sworn in that they would pursue this illegal action, and our coalition was prepared to challenge it as soon as President Trump fulfilled this unconstitutional campaign promise on Inauguration Day.

“We immediately stood up for our Constitution, for the rule of law, and for American children across the country who would have been deprived of their constitutional rights – and today we delivered for them. This is not yet over, and we will continue to fight every single step of the way until President Trump is permanently prevented from trampling on the Fourteenth Amendment rights of all Americans.

“President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, to end birthright citizenship, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“To stop the president’s unlawful action, which would harm hundreds of thousands of American children and their families, the coalition sued in the District of Massachusetts to invalidate the executive order and to enjoin any actions taken to implement it. The states requested immediate relief to prevent the president’s order from taking effect. The request was granted by Judge Leo Sorokin. [This is the first birthright citizenship case in which a court has issued a permanent injunction.]

“Birthright citizenship dates back centuries—including to pre-Civil War America. Although the Supreme Court’s notorious decision in Dred Scott denied birthright citizenship to the descendants of slaves, the post-Civil War United States adopted the Fourteenth Amendment to protect citizenship for all children born in this country. As the Attorneys General’s filings explain, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly confirmed that birthright citizenship does not depend on the immigration status of the baby’s parents.

“If allowed to stand, this order—for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in 1868—would mean babies born each year in Hawaiʻi who otherwise would have been citizens will no longer enjoy the privileges and benefits of citizenship.

“The children whose citizenship would be stripped by the president’s order would lose their most basic rights and would be forced to live under the threat of deportation. They would lose eligibility for a wide range of federal services and programs. They would lose their ability to obtain a Social Security number and, as they age, to work lawfully. They would also lose their ability to obtain a passport. And they would lose their right to vote, serve on juries, and run for certain offices. Despite the Constitution’s guarantee of citizenship, thousands of American children would—for the first time—lose their ability to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges.

“In addition to harming hundreds of thousands of residents, the president’s order would significantly harm the states themselves, too. Among other things, this order will cause the states to lose federal funding to programs that they administer, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and foster care and adoption assistance programs, which all turn in part on the immigration status of the resident being served. States would also be required—at their considerable expense—to immediately begin modifying their operation and administration of benefits programs to account for this change, which would impose significant burdens on multiple agencies that operate programs for the benefit of the states’ residents. The states’ filings explain that they should not have to bear these dramatic costs while their case proceeds because the order is directly inconsistent with the Constitution, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and two U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

This case on behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi was handled by Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes and Special Assistant to the Attorney General Dave Day.

The Attorneys General joining Hawaiʻi in this lawsuit represent the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia and the City and County of San Francisco.

Copies of the relevant orders can be found here and here.

# # #

Media contacts:

Dave Day

Special Assistant to the Attorney General

Office: 808-586-1284

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

Toni Schwartz

Public Information Officer

Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General

Office: 808-586-1252

Cell: 808-379-9249

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

MIL OSI USA News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets Chief Executive of Macao SAR (with photos/video)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CE meets Chief Executive of Macao SAR (with photos/video)
CE meets Chief Executive of Macao SAR (with photos/video)
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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Sam Hou-fai, at Government House today (February 14) to exchange views on further promoting Hong Kong’s co-operation with Macao and the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Sam and his delegation to Hong Kong. Noting that Hong Kong and Macao are the country’s special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said that the two cities are as close as brothers, with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations. He noted that the “one country, two systems” principle is a good policy for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong will continue to firmly uphold the principle of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems” with Macao. He also noted that Hong Kong and Macao, both of which are core cities of the GBA, can achieve complementarity and participate in and promote the development of the GBA together, benefiting the people of both cities with the fruits of economic development. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao have been working closely in such areas as economy, cross-boundary infrastructure, tourism and trade. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), has remarkably shortened the distance between Hong Kong and Macao, promoting closer communication and connections between the two cities. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has long provided dedicated support to the cross-boundary transportation arrangements and measures of the HZMB to maximise the economic and transport benefits of the bridge. Besides, the “Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service”, jointly launched by the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government in July last year, provides a faster and more convenient immigration experience for residents of both cities and further facilitates their exchanges. In promoting tourism, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao will work together to expand the market of twin-destination tourism of the two cities. Hong Kong will collaborate with other cities in the GBA, including Macao, to establish a regional and international tourism brand. Mr Lee also welcomed Mr Sam’s visit earlier today to the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development at Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Palace Museum to learn more about the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine and cultural tourism in Hong Kong. Mr Lee said he looks forward to working with Mr Sam in further enhancing exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao in various aspects.

Ends/Friday, February 14, 2025Issued at HKT 18:48

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry eggs from Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh State in India suspended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Import of poultry eggs from Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh State in India suspended
Import of poultry eggs from Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh State in India suspended
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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 14) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh State in India, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry eggs from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with India for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India last year. ”The CFS has contacted the Indian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, February 14, 2025Issued at HKT 18:35

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH urges unvaccinated people to take immediate actions as influenza activity remains elevated

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH urges unvaccinated people to take immediate actions as influenza activity remains elevated
DH urges unvaccinated people to take immediate actions as influenza activity remains elevated
******************************************************************************************

The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (February 14) reminded members of the public that the seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong remains at a high level, and the influenza season will continue for some time. All sectors of the community should remain vigilant and enhance personal hygiene and protection measures against influenza. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) should act immediately to protect their health and that of their family members. According to the CHP’s latest surveillance data, in the week ending February 8, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses is 10.23 per cent. The influenza admission rate in public hospitals is 0.67 cases per 10 000 population, indicating that the overall influenza activity remains at a high level. “Hong Kong entered the influenza season in early January this year, and it is now the sixth week. The Influenza A (H1) virus is predominant this season, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the subtyped influenza virus detections. In terms of severe or death cases caused by influenza, this season, as in the past, mainly affects the elderly and young children,” Dr Tsui said. As of February 12, the CHP recorded 301 severe or death cases among adult patients. About 70 per cent of them have not received SIV of this season, and about 70 per cent of them have chronic diseases. Among the 186 death cases, about 90 per cent of them were aged 65 or above. For children, nine cases of severe influenza-associated complications were recorded this season. Seven (including two preschool children and five school children) of them had not received SIV of this season, and two cases had chronic diseases. “The number of severe or death cases recorded in the first five weeks of this season is higher than that of the same period last season, but similar to the 2018/19 influenza season, i.e. before the COVID-19 pandemic, which was also dominated by influenza A (H1). Based on historical data, the entire influenza season usually lasts for two to four months. Whether it will last for 28 weeks, as in the past influenza season, will depend on any change in the circulating strains of viruses, including any increase in the activities of influenza A (H3) and influenza B viruses,” Dr Tsui said. He pointed out that, according to the virus analysis conducted by the CHP, the strains of influenza viruses that are circulating in Hong Kong nowadays are similar to the strains of viruses in the seasonal influenza vaccine currently available in Hong Kong, which means that the vaccine is effective in lowering the risk of serious complications or death from the infection. Data analysis also showed that the rate of serious complications in residents of residential care homes for the elderly who did not receive SIV was 2.2 times that of vaccinated residents, highlighting the protective effect of SIV. As of February 9, a total of about 1 975 100 doses of vaccines were administered under various vaccination programmes, an increase of about 8.4 per cent over the same period in the last SIV season and a record high, surpassing the total number of doses administered under various vaccination programmes in the year 2023/24 (i.e. about 1 873 000 doses). The number of schools participating in the SIV School Outreach Programme has also increased significantly this year. About 1 020 kindergartens/child care centres (97 per cent), about 640 primary schools (98 per cent) and about 490 secondary schools (98 per cent) have completed or are arranging SIV school outreach activities. This is higher than the participation rate in year 2023/24, i.e. 80 per cent of kindergartens/child care centres, 95 per cent of primary schools and 70 per cent of secondary schools. “The SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years remains relatively low at about 22.5 per cent. Although slightly higher than that of the same period in the last SIV season, the coverage rate was still lower than that of other age groups of children. To enhance relevant vaccination services and boost the vaccination rate, the Government has opened the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) to all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. For the sake of the children’s health, parents are advised to make appointments via the online booking system as soon as possible for children aged 6 months to under 2 years who have not yet received SIV to be vaccinated at the designated MCHCs,” Dr Tsui said. He also reminded parents not to believe in alternative therapies circulating on the Internet that claim to prevent and cure influenza in infants and young children. There is no scientific evidence to support such claims. SIV is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza for infants and young children. Children who develop symptoms of respiratory infection, even if mild, should consult a doctor as soon as possible to avoid any delay in management. For the more information, members of the public are welcome to visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.

Ends/Friday, February 14, 2025Issued at HKT 17:05

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First patient transferred point to point from Macao to Hong Kong for treatment by direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in GBA

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (February 14) that Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) has received the third patient today under the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme). The patient was transferred from Macao to Hong Kong for treatment by a point-to-point cross-boundary ambulance. This marks the first time since the launch of the Pilot Scheme that a patient has been transferred from Macao to Hong Kong for treatment. The HA expresses sincere gratitude to various units in Macao and Hong Kong for their proactive co-ordination and collaboration, which ensured a smooth and safe cross-border transfer process for the patient.

The 79-year-old male Hong Kong resident suffers from atrial fibrillation and requires respiratory support through a ventilator due to pneumonia complications and a persistent fever. He was admitted to Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário in Macao for treatment. The patient’s condition was slightly stabilised after treatment. After a thorough assessment of the patient’s overall clinical condition and discussion with the patient and his family by the medical team, it was confirmed that the patient was fit for transferring back to Hong Kong for ongoing treatment. The point-to-point cross-boundary ambulance carrying the patient departed from Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário in Macao before 11am. The ambulance travelled via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge and arrived at noon at PMH, where the patient is currently receiving treatment.

The spokesperson for the HA stated that upon receiving notification, PMH promptly communicated with the medical team in Macao to understand the patient’s clinical situation and prepare for admitting the patient. The HA expresses heartfelt thanks to all parties involved for their substantial co-ordination and co-operation, ensuring that the patient was swiftly transported directly point to point to Hong Kong for treatment under the care of medical personnel and a relative of the patient. Without the handover of patients between ambulances at boundary control points, the direct transport not only minimises the risks posed to patients during transfers but also improves patients’ chances of recovery.

A study on the provision of land-based cross-boundary transfers for non-emergency and non-critically ill patients and an exploration of rolling out a pilot co-operation scheme for cross-boundary referrals of patients between designated public hospitals have been put forward in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Chief Executive also put forward in his 2023 Policy Address the initiative to explore cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements between hospitals in the GBA. Under the staunch support and guidance of various national ministries as well as the concerted efforts of government departments of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao, the Pilot Scheme was set for official launch on November 30 last year. The first and second patients were transferred point to point from Shenzhen to Hong Kong for treatment by direct cross-boundary ambulance on January 10 and January 27 this year respectively.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar distributes PPE Kits and Ayushman Cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers under NAMASTE Scheme, at Jammu

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 14 FEB 2025 2:21PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Dr. Virender Kumar, visited Jammu in connection with implementation of schemes of the Ministry, in the Union Territory. On the occasion, the Minister distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman health cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) (Safai Mitras), under the flagship scheme of National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).

The Government has formulated the NAMASTE scheme with an objective to provide dignity to Safai Karamcharis and to empower them socially and economically. The scheme is to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to PPE Kits, safety devices and machines.

PPE kits consist of various protective garments and accessories designed to shield individuals from potential health hazards or infections. These kits typically include items such as masks, gloves, goggles, face shields, gowns, and shoe covers. They are crucial for ensuring the safety of frontline workers, especially those who are exposed to hazardous environments or infectious diseases, such as sewer and septic tank workers.

The Ayushman health card is a form of identification issued under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a government-sponsored health insurance scheme in India. It provides beneficiaries with access to cashless and paperless healthcare services at empaneled hospitals. The card contains essential information about the beneficiary, including their unique identification number and details of covered healthcare services.

During the visit, the Minister also visited the Outreach and Drop In Centre (ODIC), run by the NGO, ‘JK Society for the Promotion of Youth and Masses’ at Jammu, under Scheme of National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).

The event witnessed the reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to ‘Vanchiton Ko Variyata’, ensuring that those who have been historically underserved or overlooked are given the attention and support they deserve. This dedication to prioritizing the marginalized reflects the government’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India’s development journey. Through collaborative efforts and concerted initiatives, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment remains steadfast in its mission to leave no one behind and build a more equitable and empowered society.

The occasion was also attended by Ms. Sakina Masood (Itoo), Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare Department, Jammu & Kashmir; Shri Shyam Lal Sharma, MLA (Jammu North); Shri Yudvir Sethi, MLA (Jammu East); Shri Arvind Gupta, MLA (Jammu West); Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director, National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC), Shri Devansh Yadav, Commissioner (Jammu Municipal Corporation).

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VM

(Release ID: 2103177) Visitor Counter : 13

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH conducts enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

DH conducts enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)
DH conducts enforcement operation “Pipepurge” against waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas (with photos)
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The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) conducted an enforcement operation, codenamed “Pipepurge”, in Mong Kok last night (February 13) against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas and a total of three fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued. During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one bar in Mong Kok, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO’s investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action. Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on a summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance. In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence. “The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences,” the Head of TACO, Dr Fung Ying, said. Dr Fung reminded the public that a waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Due to deeper inhalation and longer smoking sessions, waterpipe users usually inhale more toxins than they would when smoking cigarettes. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Dr Fung cautioned against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.

Ends/Friday, February 14, 2025Issued at HKT 13:00

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill gazetted

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     â€‹To facilitate the preparation for the operation of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK), the Government published The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill in the Gazette today (February 14) to make technical amendments to multiple existing legal provisions, such that those applicable to public hospitals or private healthcare facilities (PHFs) will also apply to CMHHK under the same circumstances, thereby ensuring the smooth commencement of services of CMHHK.

     CMHHK, developed by the Government and currently under construction, is directly under the Health Bureau. CMHHK is neither a public hospital managed by the Hospital Authority under the Hospital Authority Ordinance (Cap. 113) nor a PHF specified under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633). References to “hospitals” in some of the existing legal provisions only include public hospitals or PHFs, and therefore are not applicable to CMHHK. In this connection, the Government will introduce the Bill into the Legislative Council to make technical amendments to 17 existing legal provisions relating to the operation of CMHHK, so that the provisions will also apply to CMHHK to meet its operational needs.

     The Bill will also specify and offer protection for the Chinese title é¦™æ¸¯ä¸é†«é†«é™¢ and the English title “The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong” of CMHHK located at 1 Pak Shing Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O in the New Territories, with the names intended for exclusive use by CMHHK. Anyone involved in the unauthorised use of or unauthorised association with those names will be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000) upon conviction.

     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first reading on February 19.

     CMHHK is scheduled to commence services in phases starting from the end of this year, signifying an important milestone in the development of Chinese medicine (CM) in Hong Kong. As a flagship CM institution in Hong Kong, CMHHK will undertake five key missions of development, including provision of government-subsidised and market-oriented healthcare services, training and education, research, collaboration and creation of health values. CMHHK will also serve as a change-driver in close collaboration with the CM industry and stakeholders to drive the overall development of CM in Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the international community.

     With its construction funded by the Government, CMHHK will adopt a public-private partnership model for its operation. In 2021, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) was selected through tendering procedures as the Contractor. The Contractor subsequently incorporated the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Company Limited in accordance with the service deed to manage, operate and maintain CMHHK as the Operator.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Genetically modified maize MON 95275 – P10_TA(2025)0015 – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 95275, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D102172/03),

– having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed(1), and in particular Article 7(3) and Article 19(3) thereof,

– having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 22 November 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 17 December 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

– having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers(2),

– having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 19 June 2024, and published on 1 August 2024(3),

– having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)(4),

– having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety,

A. whereas on 29 April 2022, Bayer Agriculture B.V., based in Belgium, on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, submitted an application to the national competent authority of the Netherlands for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 95275 (the ‘GM maize’);

B. whereas the GM maize produces two insecticidal proteins (Mpp75Aa1 and Vpb4Da2) and expresses a DvSnf7 dsRNA targeting western corn rootworm; whereas the genetic modification involves a two-step process incorporating an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and a Cre/lox recombination system to remove selectable markers;

C. whereas on 19 June 2024, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, published on 1 August 2024, on MON 95275; whereas EFSA’s opinion provides insufficient data to assess unintended genetic effects, the biological activity of read-through sequences, and potential off-target impacts on non-target organisms;

D. whereas the field trials conducted by the applicant failed to account for diverse environmental stress conditions or varying agricultural practices, limiting the relevance of the results to European cultivation environments;

E. whereas the RNAi construct DvSnf7 dsRNA raises concerns about effects in non-target organisms;

F. whereas the insecticidal proteins Mpp75Aa1 and Vpb4Da2 share structural similarities with known toxins and lack sufficient evaluation of their specificity, immune responses, and combinatorial effects;

G. whereas the potential for gene flow to wild relatives, including European teosinte populations, poses risks of transgene persistence and ecological imbalance;

H. whereas the monitoring requirements under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013(5) are inadequately addressed, particularly regarding independent data verification and long-term environmental effects;

I. whereas EFSA’s assessment did not sufficiently address the role of microbiome interactions or cumulative toxicity impacts on non-target organisms;

J. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited period afterwards, the use of insecticidal GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to the toxins;

Member State and stakeholder comments

K. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period(6), including that the list of relevant studies identified in the literature review of the applicant, did not include studies on the fate of insecticidal proteins in the environment or on potential effects of crop residues on non-target organisms;

L. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 resolutions objecting to placing GMOs on the market and has adopted another 8 resolutions objecting to placing GMOs on the market already in the current tenth term;

M. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

N. whereas the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur will incentivise imports to the Union of food and animal feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified organisms; whereas Brazil and Argentina are among the world’s top GMO producers and pesticide users, including GMOs and pesticides banned in the Union for health or environmental reasons;

1. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

2. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council(7), to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

3. Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision and to submit a new draft to the committee;

4. Calls on the Commission to ensure convergence of standards between the Union and its partners in free trade agreement negotiations, in order to meet Union safety standards;

5. Calls on the Commission not to authorise the GM crops due to risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health in line with the One Health approach;

6. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs(8); expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

7. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’(9);

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

(1)	OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1829/oj.
(2)	OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj.
(3)	Scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms on the ‘Assessment of genetically modified maize MON 95275 (application GMFF-2022-5890)’, EFSA Journal 2024; 22(8):e8886, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8886.
(4)	–––––––– In its eighth term, Parliament adopted 36 resolutions and, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 resolutions objecting to the authorisation of GMOs. Furthermore, in its tenth term Parliament has adopted the following resolutions:European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2628 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0038).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2627 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0039).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2629 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 and eight of its sub-combinations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0040).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 (P10_TA(2024)0041).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0042).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1826 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP23211 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0043).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2618 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0044).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 94804 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0045).
(5)	Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 of 3 April 2013 on applications for authorisation of genetically modified food and feed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (OJ L 157, 8.6.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2013/503/oj).
(6)	https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.2903%2Fj.efsa.2024.8716‌&file=efs28716-sup-0012-Annex8.pdf.
(7)	Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/178/oj).
(8)	https://tillymetz.lu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Co-signed-letter-MEP-Metz.pdf.
(9)	European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal (OJ C 270, 7.7.2021, p. 2), paragraph 102.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Genetically modified maize DP910521 – P10_TA(2025)0014 – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP910521 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D102174/03),

– having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 19 June 2024, and published on 1 August 2024(3),

– having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)(4),

– having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety,

A. whereas on 27 June 2022, Corteva Agriscience Belgium B.V., based in Belgium, on behalf of Corteva Agriscience LLC, based in the United States, submitted an application to the national competent authority of the Netherlands for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP910521 (the ‘GM maize’);

B. whereas the GM maize produces the Cry1B.34 toxin and is resistant to the herbicide glufosinate;

C. whereas glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B and therefore meets the ‘cut-off criteria’ set out in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5); whereas the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018;

D. whereas Cry1B.34 is a synthetic fusion protein combining Cry1B, Cry1Ca1 and Cry9Db1, engineered for insect resistance against lepidopteran pests, without demonstrated specificity to target species;

E. whereas the genetic modification includes a two-step process using CRISPR/Cas9 to insert a ‘landing pad’, followed by microprojectile bombardment for gene expression cassette insertion;

Lack of assessment of the complementary herbicide

F. whereas Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013(6) requires an assessment of whether the expected agricultural practices influence the outcome of the studied endpoints; whereas, according to that Implementing Regulation, this is especially relevant for herbicide-tolerant plants;

G. whereas the vast majority of GM crops have been genetically modified so that they are tolerant to one or more ‘complementary’ herbicides which can be used throughout the cultivation of the GM crop, without the crop dying, as would be the case for a non-herbicide tolerant crop; whereas a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds(7);

H. whereas herbicide-tolerant GM crops lock farmers into a weed management system that is largely or wholly dependent on herbicides, and does so by charging a premium for GM seeds that can be justified only if farmers purchasing such seeds also spray the complementary herbicides; whereas heightened reliance on complementary herbicides on farms planting the GM crops accelerates the emergence and spread of weeds resistant to those herbicides, thereby triggering the need for even more herbicide use, a vicious circle known as ‘the herbicide treadmill’;

I. whereas the adverse impacts stemming from excessive reliance on herbicides will worsen as regards soil health, water quality, and above and below ground biodiversity, and lead to increased human and animal exposure, potentially also via increased herbicide residues on food and feed;

J. whereas assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (‘EFSA GMO Panel’) and is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs;

Outstanding questions concerning Bt toxins

K. whereas a number of studies show that side effects have been observed that may affect the immune system following exposure to Bt toxins and that some Bt toxins may have adjuvant properties(8), meaning that they can increase the allergenicity of other proteins with which they come into contact;

L. whereas a scientific study found that the toxicity of Bt toxins may also be increased through interaction with residues from spraying with herbicides, and that further studies are needed on the combinatorial effects of ‘stacked’ events (GM crops which have been modified to be herbicide-tolerant and to produce insecticides in the form of Bt toxins)(9); whereas assessment of the potential interaction of herbicide residues and their metabolites with Bt toxins is, however, considered to be outside the remit of the EFSA GMO Panel and is, therefore, not undertaken as part of the risk assessment;

Bt crops: effects on non-target organisms

M. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited period afterwards, the use of Bt GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to Bt toxins;

N. whereas the assumption that Bt toxins exhibit a single target-specific mode of action can no longer be considered correct and effects on non-target organisms cannot be excluded; whereas an increasing number of non-target organisms are reported to be affected in many ways;

Member State and stakeholder comments

O. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period(10), including that the list of relevant studies, identified in the literature review of the applicant, did not include studies on the fate of Bt proteins in the environment or on potential effects of Btcrop residues on non-target organisms even though such studies exist;

P. whereas field trials conducted for compositional and phenotypic analysis of the GM maize failed to consider diverse environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds relevant to its cultivation, particularly in countries like Brazil;

Q. whereas the toxicity assessment of Cry1B.34 does not account for combinatorial effects with plant constituents or residues from herbicide applications;

R. whereas glufosinate, the complementary herbicide, is associated with significant risks to biodiversity, soil and water quality, and long-term ecosystem health;

S. whereas the risk of gene flow to wild relatives such as teosinte, reported in Spain and France, raises concerns about transgene persistence and environmental impacts;

T. whereas the monitoring requirements under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 are inadequately addressed, with no independent verification of data provided;

Ensuring a global level playing field and upholding the Union’s international obligations

U. whereas the conclusions of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture(11) call on the Commission to reassess its approach on market access for agri-food imports and exports, given the challenge of diverging standards of the Union and its trading partners; whereas fairer trade relations, on a global level, coherent with goals for a healthy environment, were one of the main demands of farmers during the demonstrations of 2023 and 2024;

V. whereas a 2017 report by the United Nations’ (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to food found that, particularly in developing countries, hazardous pesticides have catastrophic impacts on health(12); whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goal (‘UN SDG’) Target 3.9 aims by 2030 to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination(13);

W. whereas the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur will incentivise imports to the Union of food and animal feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified organisms; whereas Brazil and Argentina are among the world’s top GMO producers and pesticide users, including GMOs and pesticides banned in the Union for health or environmental reasons;

X. whereas the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed at the COP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (‘UN CBD’) in December 2022, includes a global target to reduce the risk of pesticides by at least 50 % by 2030(14);

Y. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s obligations under the UN SDGs and the UN CBD;

Reducing dependency on imported feed

Z. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the still ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities(15);

Undemocratic decision-making

AA. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 resolutions objecting to placing GMOs on the market and has adopted another 8 resolutions objecting to placing GMOs on the market already in the current 10th term;

AB. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

AC. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee(16);

AD. whereas the vote on 22 November 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 17 December 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

1. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

2. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council(17), to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

3. Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision and to submit a new draft to the committee;

4. Calls on the Commission to ensure convergence of standards between the Union and its partners in free trade agreement negotiations, in order to meet Union safety standards;

5. Calls on the Commission not to authorise the GM maize due to the increased risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health in line with the One Health approach;

6. Expects the Commission, as matter of urgency, to deliver on its commitment(18) to come forward with a proposal to ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export;

7. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs(19); expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

8. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN CBD and the UN SDGs; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’(20);

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

(1)	OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1829/oj.
(2)	OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj.
(3)	Scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms on the ‘Assessment of genetically modified maize DP910521 (application GMFF-2021-2473)’, EFSA Journal 2024;22(8):e8887, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8887.
(4)	–––––––– In its eighth term, Parliament adopted 36 resolutions and, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 resolutions objecting to the authorisation of GMOs. Furthermore, in its tenth term Parliament has adopted the following resolutions:European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2628 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × NK603 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0038).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2627 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0039).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2629 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 and eight of its sub-combinations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0040).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1828 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing, consisting of and of food and feed products produced from genetically modified maize MON 810 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1207 (P10_TA(2024)0041).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1822 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP915635 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0042).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1826 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP23211 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0043).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2618 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0044).European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2024 on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 94804 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (P10_TA(2024)0045).
(5)	Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1107/oj).
(6)	Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 of 3 April 2013 on applications for authorisation of genetically modified food and feed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (OJ L 157, 8.6.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2013/503/oj).
(7)	See, for example, Schulz, R., Bub, S., Petschick, L. L., Stehle, S., Wolfram, J. (2021) ‘Applied pesticide toxicity shifts toward plants and invertebrates, even in GM crops’, Science 372(6537), pp. 81-84, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe1148; Bonny, S., ‘Genetically Modified Herbicide-Tolerant Crops, Weeds, and Herbicides: Overview and Impact’, Environmental Management, January 2016;57(1), pp. 31-48, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26296738; and Benbrook, C. M., ‘Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. – the first sixteen years’, Environmental Sciences Europe, 28 September 2012, Vol. 24(24), https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2190-4715-24-24.
(8)	For a review, see Rubio-Infante, N., Moreno-Fierros, L., ‘An overview of the safety and biological effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins in mammals’, Journal of Applied Toxicology, May 2016, 36(5), pp. 630-648, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jat.3252.
(9)	Bøhn, T., Macagnan Rover, C., Semenchuk, P. R., ‘Daphnia magna negatively affected by chronic exposure to purified Cry-toxins’, Food and Chemical Toxicology, May 2016, Volume 91, pp. 130-140, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691516300722.
(10)	https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.2903%2Fj.‌efsa.2024.8716&file=efs28716-sup-0012-Annex8.pdf.
(11)	‘Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture – A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe’, September 2024, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/171329ff-0f50-4fa5-946f-aea11032172e_en?filename=strategic-dialogue-report-2024_en.pdf.
(12)	https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc3448-report-special-rapporteur-right-food.
(13)	https://indicators.report/targets/3-9/.
(14)	see: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7834.
(15)	https://commission.europa.eu/document/2c64e540-c07a-4376-a1da-368d289f4afe_en.
(16)	The Commission ‘may’, and not ‘shall’, go ahead with authorisation if there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour at the Appeal Committee, according to Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
(17)	Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/178/oj).
(18)	As outlined in the annex to the communication of the Commission of 14 October 2020 entitled ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment’, COM(2020)0667, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A667%3AFIN#document2.
(19)	https://tillymetz.lu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Co-signed-letter-MEP-Metz.pdf.
(20)	European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal (OJ C 270, 7.7.2021, p. 2), paragraph 102.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Video: UNOPS committed to Gaza health sector | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

The Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, visited the European Hospital in Gaza, where he witnessed the difficult humanitarian conditions faced by the hospital due to shortages in medical supplies, medications, water, and electricity. He pointed out that the organization has increased fuel supplies to 1.3 million litres per day following the ceasefire, which has helped restart ambulances and essential services. Da Silva emphasized UNOPS’s commitment to supporting the health sector in Gaza not only through emergency assistance but also through early recovery and reconstruction plans, stressing the importance of continued humanitarian aid access to the region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp7eCirRZuU

MIL OSI Video –

February 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: “Prioritize National Resistance Movement (NRM) Message Of Wealth Creation,” President Museveni Urges Kigezi Leaders

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

KAMPALA, Uganda, February 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

“My main message to all of you is prioritizing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) message on wealth creation. Uganda has so many development needs; it is alright to talk about them, but prioritizing is crucial. Like the Bible tells us: seek me first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” he said.

The President, who is on a performance assessment tour on wealth creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kigezi, made the remarks yesterday while meeting leaders in the subregion at Rukungiri Stadium, Rukungiri municipality.

The PDM is a government initiative aimed at transforming Uganda’s economy by extending financial assistance directly to the people outside the money economy, at the parish level to help lift households out of poverty. Each parish SACCO receives Shs. 100 million in a financial year to develop and implement viable income-generating enterprises.

“Leadership is like medical work; just as doctors diagnose patients and prescribe the correct medicine, political leaders must identify societal needs first and address them. This is what the NRM has been telling you since the 1960s,”the President said, adding that it is not only about tarmac roads, electricity, and other infrastructure that will chase poverty out of Uganda but prioritizing initiatives such as the PDM to ensure all households engage in income generating activities such as commercial agriculture.

“That road from Kampala to Mbarara up to Kabale was tarmacked in 1963 after independence and we have been repairing it like three times but even if you go there now, you find the tarmac road with poor people by the roadside. For 60 years they have had a tarmac road, but they are poor. Therefore, you the leaders, let us agree on this,” H.E. Museveni noted.

He further informed the leaders that areas like Nyabusozi, which listened to his message, did not have tarmac roads but realized that the dairy sector could get them out of poverty and have since become prosperous.

“Cows don’t mind about tarmac roads or electricity. They only need grass and water. After that experiment from Nyabusozi, I went and briefed the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), and in 1996 we included in the NRM manifesto that commercial agriculture is the only solution to getting people out of poverty,” the President said, adding that because Ugandans had land but did not know what to do, the NRM encouraged them to do intensive agriculture by using their small portions of land to focus on products with high returns under the four acre model.

In the Manifesto, they recommended seven activities, which include one acre for coffee, another acre for fruits (mangoes, oranges, and pineapples), another one for food crops for the family (cassava, bananas, Irish potatoes, or millet), and the last one for pasture for dairy cattle (about 8 of them). On top of this, one can add on poultry for eggs in the backyard, piggery and fish farming.

“Those who listened to our message have gotten out of poverty. That is what has brought me here. As leaders, leaving our people to languish in poverty yet solutions are there, is a very big mistake,” the President stated while giving an example of the several farmers he has visited countrywide with glowing testimonies of how their life has changed as a result of the PDM funds.

President Museveni further warned about reports of extortion and corruption in the PDM program, promising to reign in and arrest all perpetrators.

“I have heard that there are thieves in PDM. All those who stole money from the poor should return it. I’m on the ground and I’m going to arrest them all. I also stopped all the bank charges. The beneficiary must receive their full Shs. 1 million,” President Museveni warned.

He also reiterated that he had already informed the cabinet of the need to establish a processing factory for the ever-increasing volumes of eggs yet with limited market.

“You have heard that they have a lot of eggs in Kabale and the market of Uganda is not enough. I told the ministers that instead of selling them (eggs) raw or eating them in Rolex chapatis, we need to see that we process those eggs into baby foods. We shall sell both in Uganda and the whole world,” the President highlighted.

“We saw the same thing in the dairy sector after the cattle corridor started producing a lot of milk and the Ugandan market was insufficient. I brought rich people to produce powdered milk which we sell in North Africa and the Middle East,” the President said.

He also promised to return to the subregion for a special meeting focusing on tea growing.

In the same meeting, President Museveni was informed about the silent growing habit of divisions based on religion in Kigezi.

“This must stop immediately. Those creating divisions are greedy enemies of Uganda. Maama Janet and I have bananas in Ntungamo but we sell them to all irrespective of religion. When I was studying at Mbarara High School, the people who bought our cows for me to study were from Kampala and some were Muslims. So, those promoting sectarianism are enemies,” the President stated.

Regarding the issue of environmental protection, the President appealed to the people of Kigezi to use the wetlands correctly because of their crucial role in providing water for agricultural production and home use.

The status of PDM in Kigezi sub-region:

Earlier, the National Coordinator of PDM, Hon. Dennis Galabuzi Ssozi provided a detailed account of the model performance in the Kigezi sub-region.

He informed the meeting that a total of Shs. 88.8 billion has been distributed among 428 PDM SACCOs in the nine local governments of the Kigezi sub region comprising six districts and three municipalities.

The highest beneficiary according to size is Kanungu district with Shs. 20.2 billion and the lowest being Kisoro municipality with Shs. 1.5 billion.

Hon. Gabaluzi, however, noted that whereas the region has been capitalized with shs.88.8 billion, the cumulative disbursement rate to date is Shs. 87.5 billion with the highest disbursement rate being by Rukungiri municipality at a rate of 100.6%.

“This 100.6% means that point six is even interest that has accumulated on the account. So, it is a good disbursement rate,” Hon. Galabuzi said, noting that Rubanda lags in disbursement of PDM funds at 95%.

“So, the total disbursement percentage in the sub-region is at 98.5% which is a good disbursement percentage, but we still desire it to be 100%,” he added, further mentioning that a total of 88,000 households have benefited, the highest number being in Kanungu, at 19,000 households and the smallest being Kisoro. About 38% of the beneficiaries are in crop agriculture and 20% in livestock mainly piggery.

He added that the funds have been distributed well according to the allocated quarters which include; 30% for the youth, 30% for women, 10% for the elders, 10% to persons with disabilities, and 20% for any other member of the community that does not fall in those special interest groups.

“This sample analysis shows that 58% of the beneficiaries are female. This shows that when it comes to livelihoods and trying to improve the livelihoods in your home states, women are more vigilant than men by these figures,” Hon. Gababuzi stated

Although adults between 35 and 59 years are the most beneficiaries, Hon. Galabuzi said the PDM secretariat is impressed by the figures of the elderly above 60 years who have actively participated in the PDM up to 13% which is way beyond their quarter.

“So, we are within the ranges and the targets of what we had set in the beginning, and the intentions and objectives of the PDM are being realized within the statistics. These figures will help us know exactly how to plan, along the value chain, down the value chain, and how to get these products to the market,” he said.

About extortion, bank charges, and other small charges from agents, Hon. Galabuzi clarified that in line with the directive by the President, the PDM secretariat has budgeted for all the charges to ensure beneficiaries get full Shs. 1 million and also ensure that the number of agents are increased to at least per Parish.

“So, we don’t expect any further charges on that money. The beneficiary is supposed to get 1 million shillings without any charge. So, anything less than that is criminality. And the President has given the Secretariat and other security agencies a directive that we shall be arresting anyone who tries to put charges on this money because it’s criminal,” he stated.

Residents share views on PDM performance:

Mr. Mbabazi Pieri, who is a councilor of Hamurwa sub-county and deputy speaker of the Rubanda district, decried the imbalance in PDM distribution within the district, which has led to poor performance. Rubanda district has 17 administrative units, 470 villages, and 69 parishes.

“Hamurwa sub-county has five parishes with 67 villages. Originally it was six parishes. They removed one parish and made it Hamurwa Town Council with 8 villages. Now Hamurwa remains with 65 villages and a town council of 8 villages, two of which form a parish. You find a parish of those two villages, getting Shs. 100 million yet I have a parish in Hamurwa with 16 villages,” Mbabazi said.

Ms. Kembabazi Loy, a female youth Councilor in Kanungu district, called for transparency in selecting beneficiaries, adding that due to corruption, the names of certain beneficiaries are deleted from the list.

Mr. Turyabagyenyi Immy, a councilor representing people with disabilities (PWDs) in the Rukungiri district, thanked the government for considering them (PWDs) in the program but expressed dismay over the exclusion of some of their people, such as the deaf.

“Send us sign language interpreters so that category of people also benefits from the PDM,” Turyabagenyi said.

Mr. Akampurira Gideon from Rukiga district said the exclusion of local government leaders as beneficiaries of the PDM program is affecting its effective implementation.

“We also need to access this money so that we monitor a program that we fully understand,” he said.

Mr. Karuru Godfrey, who hails from Nyanamo Town Council in Bukimbiri County, Kisoro district, said the program intended for poor people has ended up in the hands of the already well-off.

Status of Emyooga in the subregion:

The Minister of State for Microfinance, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune made a presentation on the status of the Emyooga program.

According to Hon. Kasolo, the Emyooga program aims at inculcating a saving culture among the beneficiaries in their Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) who earn daily.

The 18 categories per constituency include, among others, Boodaboda riders, taxi operators, market vendors, shoemakers, performing artists, journalists, carpenters, welders, and the fishing communities. Another category of youth leaders and people with disabilities who cannot access loans from commercial banks and local elected leaders from LC 1 to LC 5 have also been included.

He said the Kabale district with 52 SACCOs received Shs. 2.2 billion, Rubanda with 32 SACCOs (Shs. 1.64 billion), Kisoro with 17 SACCOs (Shs. 3.46 billion), Kanungu with 36 SACCOs (Shs. 1.84 billion), Rukiga with 18 SACCOs (Shs. 740 million), and Rukungiri with 54 SACCOs (Shs. 2.5 billion). All these have been prepared to receive additional seed capital of Shs. 20 million that is sent every financial year.

Although the Minister decried defaulters in the program, SACCOs are progressing well in their saving culture to the tune of Shs. 2.52 billion realized as savings. They include Kabale (Shs. 206 million), Rubanda (Shs. 421 million), Kisoro (Shs. 1.1 billion), Kanungu (Shs. 337 million), Rukiga (47 million), and Rukungiri (Shs. 360 million).

“I’m happy to report that the Emyooga program in the Kigezi sub region has been a success, and beneficiaries have utilized their funds well in lending and showcasing impressive products and services,” Minister Kasolo noted, adding that his ministry has carried out capacity building in areas of mindset change, basic records management, cooperative governance, loan management, enterprise selection, planning and management of finances, and also resource mobilization through savings to ensure proper management of the program countrywide.

Some of the best-performing SACCOs in the Kigezi sub region include: Bufumbira North elected local leaders Emyooga SACCO, Kabale Municipality Women Entrepreneurs’ SACCO, Bufumbira East women entrepreneurs SACCO, Kisoro municipality restaurant owners SACCO, Kabale municipality tailoring Emyooga SACCO, Bukimbiri youth leaders SACCOs, Ndorwa East wilders SACCO, Ndorwa East women entrepreneurs SACCO, Kabale municipality local leaders SACCO, and Kinkizi East women entrepreneurs SACCO.

To ensure transparency and recovery of funds from borrowers, Hon. Kasolo informed the meeting that they have partnered with local radio stations that are equipped with lists of beneficiaries and defaulters to remind Ugandans of their obligation to pay back.

In other reports, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, presented the status of the road infrastructure in the Kigezi sub region, highlighting the national roads connecting the region under his ministry and the district roads managed by the district’s local governments with funding from the central government.

He assured the leaders that all the road projects previously under the defunct Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) will continue, such as the road from Kabale connecting to Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mgahinga Road, whose construction is expected to kick off at the end of this month.

The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, and the Permanent Secretary, MAAIF, Major General David Kasura Kyomukama, also presented a paper on the government policy on agriculture.

The Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (Industry), who is also Ndorwa County West MP David Bahati, presented a report on the status of the health sector in the Kigezi sub region on behalf of Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.

The meeting was attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, NRM leaders, local government leaders, among others.

MIL OSI Africa –

February 15, 2025

Category: Health

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