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  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement on the President’s Working Group Recommendations

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The policy recommendations that the President’s Working Group (PWG) put forth today follow months of deep collaboration across agencies and perspectives. Together, we have developed a blueprint to achieve President Trump’s vision of making America the crypto capital of the world.

    At its core, the PWG report reflects a conviction that I have long held: a rational regulatory framework for digital assets is the best way to catalyze American innovation, protect investors from fraud, and keep our capital markets the envy of the world. Unfortunately, my predecessor and the previous Administration did not share that vision. Thank goodness President Trump does and is leading on it. As the report makes clear, the SEC will continue to play a key role in developing a federal framework by using its existing authorities to establish new rules and regulations, and to implement any new legislation crafted by Congress. I look forward to pursuing these priorities alongside Commissioner Hester Peirce, members of my staff, and the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. I also appreciate the report’s call for enhanced collaboration between the SEC and the CFTC, as well as with other relevant federal agencies, to ensure that our approach is unified, clear, and consistent.

    The goals that we have outlined are ambitious, and essential, to meeting the possibilities of this moment. We must unleash the transformative potential of digital asset technology, safeguard our financial stability, and protect investors. In line with this report, I will continue to prioritize the development of forward-thinking and future-proof regulations that foster innovation while mitigating risks.

    Today marks yet another important milestone in unlocking American innovation by providing the crypto marketplace with clear rules of the road. I support the PWG’s recommendations and applaud President Trump on his leadership as we ensure that the U.S. is the best and most secure place in the world to invest and to do business.

    The President said last week that he wants “the entire world running on the backbone of American technology.” Indeed, America must do more than keep pace with the crypto asset revolution—we must lead it. I stand ready to help get the job done.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    30 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation this evening with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

    President Meloni insisted on the need to immediately cease hostilities given the situation in Gaza which, she underlined, is unsustainable and unjustifiable.

    The conversation also provided an opportunity to reiterate the urgent need to guarantee full and unhindered humanitarian access to the civilian population, reaffirming Italy’s efforts in this regard through the Food for Gaza initiative. Thanks to Italy’s commitment, another 50 Palestinian civilians will be welcomed, and aid drops will be organised for the population in Gaza.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Smith Introduce New Bill to Restore Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Bicameral legislation to reverse “defund” Planned Parenthood provision in Republicans’ reconciliation bill is endorsed by Planned Parenthood & more than 125 original cosponsors

    Senator Murray has led the fight in the Senate against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, offered an amendment to strip “defund” provision out of the reconciliation bill—Republicans blocked it

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, joined Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Laura Friedman (CA-30), Nikema Williams (GA-5), and Chris Pappas (NH-1) in introducing theRestoring Essential Healthcare Act this week, a bicameral bill that repeals the federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood that Republicans recently enacted as part of their partisan reconciliation legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    The legislation strikes Section 71113 of Republicans’ reconciliation bill, which prohibits federal Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood clinics that offer reproductive health care and other essential health care services. The provision puts nearly 200 Planned Parenthood clinics at risk of closure, endangering access to health care for more than two million patients across the country.

    “Republicans have been pushing for years to defund Planned Parenthood, because they want to ban abortion nationwide—and they don’t care if they rip away access to cancer screenings, contraception, or other essential preventive care for millions of women in the process,” said Senator Murray. “Our bill is simple: it would reverse the provision Republicans enacted into law that cuts Planned Parenthood and other women’s health clinics off from federal Medicaid funding. In many communities, Planned Parenthood is the only place women can go to get basic preventive care, no matter their income. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to save essential health care.”

    “I worked at Planned Parenthood. I saw how controlling your own health care allows you to make the best decisions about the course of your life – your education, your work and your family,” said Senator Smith. “Planned Parenthood offers so much more than abortion services. In many communities it is the only clinic to provide cancer screenings, birth control, and STI screening. This bill takes a critical step to restore Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, to ensure these clinics are equipped with the resources they need to provide essential health care, and to give patients back the right to choose their health care provider.” 

    “President Trump and his allies in Congress chose to devastate our nation’s already fractured health care system when they passed a backdoor abortion ban ‘defunding’ Planned Parenthood. With this provision, they have put nearly 200 health centers at risk of closing and threatened over a million people’s access to cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment,  birth control, and other essential services, all in order to push an unpopular, anti-abortion agenda. We are thankful to Sens. Smith (D-MN) and Murray (D-WA) and Reps. Friedman (D-CA-30), Pappas (D-NH-1), and Williams (D-GA-5) for introducing the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, and for championing access to high-quality, affordable reproductive care. Everyone deserves health care, and we will continue to fight every day to make that possible,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

    The ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood could leave thousands of patients in every state with no place to seek essential reproductive care and other vital health services. Every year, Planned Parenthood provides health care to more than two million people, including STI testing, breast exams, birth control, HPV vaccines, and other critical services. 

    The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom Caucus, All* Above All, Guttmacher Institute, National Abortion Federation, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide.

    There are 133 original cosponsors of the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act in the House, including Williams*, Pappas*, Amo, Auchincloss, Balint, Barragán, Bell, Beyer, Bonamici, Brownley, Budzinski, Carbajal, Carson, Carter, Case, Casten, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Cleaver, Cohen, Correa, Craig, Crockett, Davids, Davis, DeGette, DelBene, Deluzio, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Doggett, Elfreth, Escobar, Evans, Fletcher, Foushee, Frankel, Frost, Garamendi, Garcia (TX), Goldman, Goodlander, Gottheimer, Horsford, Houlahan, Hoyle, Huffman, Ivey, Jacobs, Jackson, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Kaptur, Kelly, Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Larson, Lee (PA), Leger Fernandez, Levin, Liccardo, Lieu, Lofgren, Lynch, Mannion, Matsui, McBath, McBride, McClellan, McGovern, McIver, Meeks, Menendez, Meng, Min, Moore, Morelle, Morrison, Moulton, Mullin, Nadler, Norton, Olszewski, Panetta, Pelosi, Peters, Pettersen, Pingree, Pocan, Pou, Quigley, Ramirez, Randall, Raskin, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Schneider, Sewell, Sherman, Sherrill, Simon, Sorensen, Soto, Stansbury, Stanton, Stevens, Strickland, Sykes, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson (CA), Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Torres (NY), Torres (CA), Trahan, Underwood, Veasey, Velázquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Wilson.

    Senator Murray has been the leading voice in the Senate speaking out and raising the alarm against Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. After the Parliamentarian allowed Republicans to proceed with their long-sought goal of defunding Planned Parenthood in their reconciliation bill, Senator Murray put forward an amendment to strike the provision—Republicans blocked it.

    At her recent Senate forum on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Senator Murray spoke about Republicans’ plan to institute a backdoor nationwide abortion ban and laid out how defunding Planned Parenthood is a key part of that strategy. Last month, Senator Murray delivered a lengthy speech on the Senate floor where she laid out in detail how Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will rip away health care from millions of Americans, shutter the doors of hospitals and health care clinics across the country, make the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history, and blow up the national debt—all so Republicans can fund massive tax breaks for billionaires.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: ExxonMobil Partners with African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Diamond Sponsor – Showcasing Major Investments, Youth Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Africa Initiatives, and Highlighting Women in Energy

    Source: APO

    As a Diamond Sponsor at AEW, ExxonMobil reaffirms its long-standing commitment to Africa’s energy future through ambitious new investments, frontier exploration and impactful educational programs. The company will take a central role in shaping dialogue on the continent’s upstream outlook, LNG development and the transition to more inclusive energy systems.

    As the world’s largest publicly listed, private integrated energy company, ExxonMobil continues to be a leader in the frontier exploration space and deepen its footprint in Africa through a series of forward-looking, high-impact initiatives. In Nigeria, the company looks to make significant investment in the deepwater as part of a broader strategy to help increase national output. This comes on the heels of sustained production efforts at the Erha and Owowo fields, underlining the company’s strategic focus on optimizing existing deepwater assets.

    Further south, ExxonMobil is maintaining production from the prolific Kizomba deepwater development in Angola’s Block 15, where it recently signed a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) extension with the Angolan National Agency of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG), extending operations until 2037. The company also renewed its PSC for Block 17, in partnership with TotalEnergies to ensure continued production from key offshore Block 17 fields.

    In East Africa, ExxonMobil is making headway with the long-anticipated Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique’s Area 4. The project – expected to reach a final investment decision in 2026 – aims to bring an additional 18 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to market, building on Mozambique’s emergence as a key global gas supplier.

    Beyond upstream operations, ExxonMobil is also investing in long-term capacity-building through the ExxonMobil Foundation’s STEM Africa program. Launched in 2024, the program partners with Junior Achievement Africa to deliver immersive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to students in Nigeria, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. In its first year alone, the program reached over 3,000 students – 96% of whom expressed interest in pursuing STEM careers. In recognition of its impact, STEM Africa was awarded the Local Impact Award at the Big Five Board Awards in London earlier this month.

    “ExxonMobil’s role as a Diamond Sponsor at AEW 2025 is a testament to their bold, future-focused investments – from revitalizing offshore oilfields in Nigeria and Angola to advancing LNG capacity in Mozambique and exploring new frontiers in Africa’s Atlantic Coast,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their STEM Africa initiative demonstrates an equally strong commitment to building local talent and empowering young Africans to lead tomorrow’s energy industry. This is the kind of strategic partnership Africa needs.”

    AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies will provide a premier platform for ExxonMobil to engage with African governments, investors, and stakeholders as the continent accelerates toward energy security and industrial growth. With a broad and growing portfolio, ExxonMobil continues to lead Africa into its next era of energy development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    About African Energy Week:
    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan First in Canada for Mining Investment Attractiveness: Fraser Institute

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 30, 2025

    Saskatchewan is again the top region in Canada for mining investment attractiveness, ranking first in the country according to the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies. The 2024 report included responses from 350 companies rating 82 jurisdictions around the world. 

    In addition to its best-in-Canada ranking, Saskatchewan placed seventh globally, owing to its strong ranking in policy and regulatory perception. 

    “These results from the Fraser Institute speak to Saskatchewan’s strong and steady approach to attracting mining investment,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “We offer some of the best incentive programs in the country for mineral development and we continue to uphold our reputation of being responsive, stable and predictable as a jurisdiction where investors can move projects forward.”

    The 2024 survey measured all regions on two main areas – policy perception and mineral potential – to come up with an overall attractiveness ranking for investment. Saskatchewan placed first in Canada, and third globally, in policy perception, based on responses concerning policy certainty, environmental regulation, the legal system and skilled labour supply.

    Saskatchewan also ranked highly for its geological database – fourth in the world – which speaks to the Saskatchewan Geological Survey’s cutting-edge mapping technology and high-quality public geoscience data and its extensive library of core samples in its southern and northern Saskatchewan facilities.

    “Achieving the number one ranking in Canada is due to our ability to work constructively and collaboratively with government to enable policies that attract investment,” Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said.

    Last year Saskatchewan reached record highs in potash production, mining approximately 24.7 million tonnes of potassium chloride, while also reaching new records for uranium production and sales – 16,700 tonnes and $2.6 billion, respectively.

    The province is home to 27 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s critical minerals list. In addition to uranium and potash, there is strong potential in Saskatchewan for further growth in the critical minerals sector: helium production continues to increase, while key projects in lithium, copper and zinc are set to begin production over the next year. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: UPDATE – Wednesday, July 30, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    National Capital Region, Canada

    2:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will chair a virtual Cabinet meeting on the state of the negotiations with the United States and the situation in the Middle East.

    Closed to media

    5:00 p.m. The Prime Minister will hold a media availability. He will be joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand.

    Notes for media:

    • Open coverage

    • Media wishing to cover the event must be accredited with the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH and Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration signs Co-operation Arrangement to deepen exchange and co-operation in regulation of drugs and medical devices between Guangzhou and Hong Kong (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Department of Health (DH) today (July 30) signed a Co-operation Arrangement with the Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration, with a view to deepening the exchange and co-operation in the regulation of drugs and medical devices between Guangzhou and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and to jointly promote the development of a healthy Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

    The Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal Government, Mr Lai Zhihong; Deputy secretary-general of the Guangzhou Municipal Government, Ms Meng Hao; and the Party Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration, Mr Zhao Junming, attended the signing ceremony of the Co-operation Arrangement in Guangzhou. The Co-operation Arrangement was signed by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and the Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration, Mr Jiang Yingqiao.

    “The Co-operation Arrangement will further strengthen the co-operation in testing of Chinese medicines between the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) under the DH of the HKSAR. Together, we will drive the high-quality development of Chinese medicines in the GBA, and jointly contribute to enhance new quality productive forces of the healthcare sector in Guangdong and Hong Kong. The permanent premises of the GCMTI will be completed and commissioned in phases by the end of this year, leveraging its expertise in the research and development of internationally recognised reference standards for Chinese medicines and related products, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a bridgehead for the internationalisation of Chinese medicines,” Dr Lam said.

    Dr Lam visited the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control on the same day. The institute, established in 1953, is a technical supporting institution under the Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration. It was also one of the first four Port Institutes for Drug Control authorised by the National Ministry of Health and one of the five institutions qualified for conducting inspections of first-time imported drugs nationwide. Currently, the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control possesses technical advantages in testing the level of pesticide residue, heavy metals and harmful elements, residue of mycotoxins and detection of irradiated Chinese medicines by photostimulated luminescence and thin-layer chromatographic identification of Chinese herbal medicine.

    Dr Lam emphasised that the HKSAR Government will establish the “Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation” (CMPR) by the end of 2026, consolidating regulatory functions for Western and Chinese medicines, as well as medical devices, and enhancing the existing regulatory regime in a holistic manner, in order to fostering growth in the local healthcare and biotechnology industries. The Co-operation Arrangement will strengthen the collaboration of the regulatory networks between the two regions, further promoting the future development of the CMPR.
     
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks at press conference on “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Acting Government Economist, Dr Cecilia Lam, held a press conference on the “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” this afternoon (July 30). Following are their remarks:

    Reporter: I have some questions. First of all, this report seems that it is a wrapping up of all the measures over the past few years. So, what is the significance of this report to Hong Kong’s future development? Also, amid the rising challenges such as the tariff increases, how are you going to convince foreign chambers or investors to invest in Hong Kong? The last question is about the reports of the developer of 11 Skies of the Airport City project, with some reports saying that the developer has intended to sell this mega project, because of lack of tenants and also lacklustre prospects. So what is your take on the proposal of selling 11 Skies to other parties? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. First, the significance of this report. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas visitors didn’t have the opportunity to visit Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, there has been some misperception about the situation of Hong Kong in the western world. . We are trying very hard to reach out to the international community, to explain to them what is really happening here in Hong Kong by sharing facts and data. The purpose of this report is to recap our developments in a concise report for distribution to them, and this report will be made available online, accessible to anyone who is interested.
     
         On the question of tariffs, on the question of the China-US geopolitical tension, of course, there are challenges, for example, in terms of exports, but there are also opportunities in respect of the international financial centre status of Hong Kong. For challenges on export, the direct impact is minimal because Hong Kong is basically a service economy; we don’t have much manufacturing. On the other hand, the indirect impact could be significant, because we re-export for the Mainland. But over the years, we have seen a number of trends. One of them is Mainland companies realigning their industry bases and supply chains across Southeast Asia. For exports to certain markets, such as the US, a lot of the exports come from those regions. When you look at the figures – the export figures from the Mainland to the US, or from the Mainland via Hong Kong to the US – the share of US in Mainland’s total export has been declining.
     
         From our standpoint, we are adjusting our position. In addition to doing re-export, we have shifted to provide high-value supply chain management and the related trade finance and professional services. That is our response. For opportunities, I think we should not underestimate them. Given the geopolitical landscape, it is increasingly difficult for Mainland companies to go to the US for listing. These companies, would naturally want to come to Hong Kong for listing, because by coming to Hong Kong, they can access both international and Mainland capital. This is a very interesting value proposition to them, and has been demonstrated by the figures so far this year. In fact, we have over 200 companies in the pipeline waiting for listing. But the opportunities are more than the IPO market. Say in asset and wealth management, residents in the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) are interested in having certain assets allocated offshore. Naturally, Hong Kong is the destination. The recent improvement in February last year to the GBA Wealth Management Connect – with the implementation of those measures, we have seen significant inflow of capital from the GBA into Hong Kong. In addition, we also have observed capital flow from the Middle East and ASEAN in the asset and wealth management sector. We are quite confident that, by the year 2027 and 2028 the latest – we will overtake Switzerland in cross-border wealth management.

         Another dimension is Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under the current geopolitical situation. We have observed Mainland companies’ keen interest to go global. First, this is national policy, i.e. high-level two-way opening up. Second, there is also a need, because these companies want to utilise the production capacity they have and do more exports. What we have been pitching to them is that the best way to do it is to come to Hong Kong, set up a company, use Hong Kong as a platform  as well as a brand to go overseas. In our experience in engaging the Middle East and ASEAN, the value of the “Hong Kong brand” is very much respected. This is one way in which we can help them. In the process, Our professional services and other service providers will benefit.
     
         Finally, on 11 Skies, I won’t comment on individual projects. But overall, the attitude of the Government is that, given the economic transition, and given the challenges currently in the non-domestic property market, banks should be supportive to their clients and help them ride through challenges. In the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, HKMA, a working group has been set up between the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the HKMA. This working group deals with individual cases with a view to helping the communication between the banks and borrowers, so that the lenders can extend a more accommodative and facilitative approach to help borrowers who have a viable business model and have a genuine interest in carrying on their business, but are just facing a liquidity crunch. That is the overall attitude of the Government. Thank you.
     
    Reporter: Hi Mr Chan. So, I just want to follow up on the previous question first. So what’s the significance of issuing the report now, like after the previous issuance of four years ago? Like, why does the Government choose to issue the new report at present? And also, you mentioned a lot of positive signs in the markets, like the stock markets booming, and Hong Kong also saw a record capital inflows in the first half of the year. So why does the Government still remain quite conservative over an uptick of the annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth target for the whole year? And also, how do you see the sustainability of such momentum moving forward? And second question I also want to ask about four sectors that are facing structural changes, like you mentioned, to the retail and catering. Do you see the need to further enhance the support measures besides helping them achieve digital transformation? And finally, about the tariff truce, so the Chinese and US (United States) officials just reached agreements to extend their tariff suspension. So how do you assess the impacts on local business, and would the Government take any steps to help, perhaps exports or local businesses to take this opportunity? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. Well, the last report was published in 2021. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas travellers hadn’t come to Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, the perception about Hong Kong in the Western world is not entirely factual and correct. There are some misconceptions. So the purpose of this report is to show to them the current situation in Hong Kong, so that they will be able to better understand what is happening in this city. If they are interested, they are welcome to visit us to see for themselves what it is really like here and the tremendous opportunities available.
     
         As regards the question about the GDP estimate for the whole year, the GDP growth for the first half of this year has been positive. For the first quarter, the growth was 3.1 per cent; for the second quarter, we have maintained the momentum. But given the geopolitical landscape, there are enormous uncertainty and volatility. At this stage, we think it would be prudent to keep the current GDP estimate. There is in fact a mechanism, a defined timetable for reviewing the GDP estimate regularly. On a published timeline, the Government Economist will share with the community the economic situation, and determine at that time whether to make any revision. It’s better to follow that established practice as it provides certainty to the market.
     
         As to supporting the retail and catering sector, we will keep an open mind. I have elaborated on the situation and how we have been trying to help, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation and if necessary, roll out measures. At this stage, we think the current support measures should stay. Let us observe for a longer time. We have been providing various support measures such as the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) for marketing development and e-commerce.  Algernon would share more about that.
     
    Before passing to Algernon, I would say the recent discussions leading to the temporary suspension of tariff rise is, of course, a positive sign. But on the other hand, we are conscious of the fact that things can change overnight. There is still tremendous uncertainty, and consequently, volatility. So for our work, first, we need to ensure financial stability and financial security. On the other hand, stay on course, focus on what we have set out to do, and be persistent with our efforts. That includes reinforcing our relationship with traditional markets like Europe and the US, and at the same time, opening up new markets and new capital sources from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Thank you, Algernon please.
     
    Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Regarding the challenges facing the retail and food and beverage sectors, we have different measures and funding helping the retail sector, such as the BUD Fund. We are also encouraging the sectors to look for changes and transformation, and e-commerce is one of the measures that we promote. Just today, we are going to launch the Hong Kong Shopping Festival for cross-border e-commerce to allow the retail sector to do more e-commerce business. For the maximum cumulative funding of $7 million per enterprise under the BUD Fund, they can apply for $1 million for e-commerce business to arrange for promotion and advertising for e-commerce business across the border.
     
    There are also measures to encourage tourists to come to Hong Kong. Actually, the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong is increasing. It is a positive sign that would help the retail sector. But most importantly, as mentioned by the Financial Secretary, it is time for transformation. We have to look at customer behaviour and their needs, and how we can satisfy customer demand. It is one of the major issues that we have to jointly resolve with enterprises. I have met with different chambers and associations of the retail sector. We had very good discussions on helping them to tackle the challenging situation. As mentioned by the Financial Secretary, we will keep an open mind to look at the situation and to see whether there is a need to introduce further measures to help the retail and food and beverage sectors. Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: We should be very confident in Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a hub for foreign businesses and talent. Over the past few years, I’ve been travelling a lot and also heavily engaged with the foreign business community in Hong Kong. I can summarise three key reasons why people should choose Hong Kong. First is, of course, for business reasons. Hong Kong has the proximity and sometimes priority access to the Mainland market. Depending on which sector you are in – if you are in the tech sector, say in the biotech sector, Hong Kong has an additional advantage because of our proximity to Shenzhen, and we are part of the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) which is a technology hub. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster is very competitive in innovation.
     
        Apart from that, it is the capital market and the full range of funding options available here. For companies at different development stages, whether they are start-ups or others, we welcome them. In Hong Kong, we have around 4,700 start-ups, and the number represents a significant increase compared to that a few years ago. About 20 per cent of their founders come from overseas, and they come here for funding, professional advice, mentoring, and opportunities. In my discussions with the start-ups in Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, they value these as well as the innovation ecosystem very much. For start-ups, what they need are application scenarios, professional advice and funding support, and they are all available here. In Hong Kong, we have set up the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, which provides patient capital. This means that if enterprises are engaged in cutting-edge technologies, we are willing to support them from small, and help them grow and connect them with fund managers to raise funds.
     
    The second reason is for their families and children. It is well recognised Hong Kong’s law and order is excellent. We are a very safe city. Education here is also outstanding. Moreover, this is an open and multicultural society, and it is very free. We have gathered a lot of overseas professionals and foreign businessmen here.
     
    Finally, it is about our lifestyle. Whether it is city life, F&B (food and beverage) or our countryside. So with all these, I think if we play our cards right, Hong Kong’s opportunities in the future are tremendous. Thank you for attending this conference. I appreciate your time. Thank you.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Labour Department investigates fatal work accident in Tai Lam Chung

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Tai Lam Chung this afternoon (July 30) in which a man died.
     
    The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14:Measures to assist young people in home ownership

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Leung and a written reply by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, who is undertaking the duties of the Secretary for Housing, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, in the Legislative Council today (July 30):
     
    Question:
     
         In recent years, the current-term Government has actively encouraged young people to move up the housing ladder and has put in place a number of measures to assist young people in home ownership. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) among the applicants for the White Form Secondary Market Scheme 2024 (WSM 2024), of the number of young applicants under the Youth Scheme (WSM) and their percentage, with a breakdown by age group (i.e. aged 18 to 29 and aged 30 to 39);
     
    (2) out of the 6 000 quota under WSM 2024, of the number of those ultimately allocated to applicants aged under 40; whether the authorities will further increase the quota for the Youth Scheme (WSM) in the light of the response received and the demand of young people for home ownership;
     
    (3) whether it has compiled statistics on the respective numbers of applications for 80 per cent and 90 per cent loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage loans under the Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) in each of the past five years, and the respective percentages of such numbers in the total number of new mortgage loans approved each year; among the applicants for 80 per cent and 90 per cent LTV mortgage loans, of the number of young applicants aged under 40;
     
    (4) given that the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) announced in August last year a new arrangement, in which a waiver of the owner occupancy requirement under MIP will be granted to an eligible homeowner (such as a homeowner’s family expecting newborn(s), resulting in a change in housing needs) for renting out the property, whether the Government knows if HKMCI will consider enhancing such measure (such as expanding the eligibility criteria from families with newborn(s) to include families with young child or children as well), thereby enabling more young families to change residence based on family needs;
     
    (5) as it is learnt that some young families who previously acquired mortgage loans with a high LTV ratio through MIP find it difficult to replace their properties due to property price adjustments, and some even find themselves in negative equity, thus affecting their life planning, whether the Government has conducted surveys and studies, compiled statistics, and monitored on how such situation has impacted young families, and taken timely measures to prevent the problem from worsening; and
     
    (6) whether it will further assist young people in home ownership under the subsidised housing policies, such as adjusting the proportion of subsidised housing supply, extending the Youth Scheme to subsidised housing provided by the Hong Kong Housing Society, and increasing the annual number of applications that can be made for subsidised housing and the proportion of larger flats available, thereby making subsidised housing an important channel for young people to purchase their first home?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Since taking office, the current-term Government has actively implemented multiple measures to “enhance speed, quantity, efficiency and quality” in public housing supply. With our unremitting efforts, the problem of back-loaded public housing supply has completely turned around. Coupled with 30 000 Light Public Housing units, the total public housing supply in the coming five years (i.e. 2025-26 to 2029-30) will reach 197 000 units, which is 85 per cent higher than that of the first five year period since the current-term Government took office (i.e. 2022-23 to 2026-27), providing a solid foundation for citizens to live and work in contentment. The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has also been striving to enhance the housing ladder by assisting low- to middle-income families to purchase their own homes through the sale of subsidised sale flats (SSF), and encouraging them to move up the housing ladder as appropriate according to their own affordability.
     
         We notice that many young people are working hard to achieve upward mobility through accumulation of experience and savings. Among buyers of various types of SSF, young people under the age of 40 have always been the majority. For instance, nearly half of the successful applicants for first-hand Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats are under the age of 40. Around 80 per cent of applicants and buyers under the White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) are also young people under the age of 40. In fact, the selling prices of SSF are affordable for young people. Taking HOS 2024 as an example, after applying the affordability benchmarks calculation, the flats are sold at around 70 per cent of the market price. Based on the average selling price, a flat of about 380 square feet in saleable area costs only around $2.7 million. As the HA provides a mortgage default guarantee for buyers of SSF, generally, White Form buyers can secure a mortgage loan at 90 per cent of the flat price. Assuming an interest rate at 3.5 per cent and a 30-year mortgage term, young people would only need to make a down payment of about $270,000, with monthly mortgage payments of $10,900, to become homeowners.
     
         To further assist young people, the HA has introduced a series of measures to facilitate their flat purchase. First, starting from the next HOS sale exercise, the HA will allocate an extra ballot number to young family and one-person applicants aged below 40 with White Form status. As for the secondary market, starting from WSM 2024, the HA has increased the quota to 6 000 by 1 500, all of which will be allocated to young family and one-person applicants under the age of 40.
     
         Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), as a close partner of the Government in housing policies, also fully supports the Government’s relevant housing initiatives in helping young people realise their home ownership aspirations, including the allocation of an additional ballot number to White Form young family and one-person applicants aged below 40 for the purchase of SSF. The HKHS will continue to make reference to the relevant arrangements of the HA and actively work towards the same.
     
         In addition, the Government also assists those higher-income persons who are not eligible for HOS and yet cannot afford private housing to achieve their home ownership aspirations through Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents (SH) projects. Apart from the first two SH projects offered for sale by the Urban Renewal Authority (i.e. eResidence Towers 1 and 2, as well as eResidence Tower 3) with a total of over 600 SH units sold, the Government is also taking forward a few other SH projects, which will provide a total of around 5 000 SH units from the next few years onwards. Amongst applicants and final purchasers of SH units offered for sale in the past, around 85 per cent were youth aged 40 or below.
     
         Besides providing various types of subsidised housing, the Government has also implemented other measures to assist citizens in home purchase. The current-term Government has since February 2024 abolished all demand-side management measures for residential properties. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has also since October 2024 adjusted the countercyclical macroprudential measures for property mortgage loans. The maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and debt servicing ratio (DSR) limit were reverted to the pre-2009 levels before the countercyclical macroprudential measures were first introduced, with the maximum LTV ratio for all residential properties adjusted to 70 per cent, regardless of the value of the property, and the DSR limit adjusted to 50 per cent, providing facilitation to persons with different needs for property purchase. Individuals may also obtain high LTV ratio mortgage loans through the Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) according to their own needs. In particular, for first-time homebuyers with regular income purchasing properties priced at $10 million or below, the LTV ratio can be up to 90 per cent, which greatly reduces their down payment burden. Meanwhile, to provide comprehensive support for citizens and young people who have aspirations in purchasing flats, the Government has since February 26, 2025 adjusted the value bands of Ad Valorem Stamp Duty payable for sale and purchase or transfer of residential and non-residential properties, raising the maximum value of properties chargeable to $100 stamp duty from $3 million to $4 million. As for SSF, since most units are priced below $4 million (taking HOS 2024 as an example, the average selling price is around $2.7 million), buyers may thus benefit from the aforementioned reduction in stamp duty to $100, with savings to nearly $60,000.
     
         In consultation with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, our reply to the questions raised by the Hon Kenneth Leung is as follows:
     
    (1) During the application period of WSM 2024, the HA received a total of around 34 000 applications. The oversubscription rate is about five times, reflecting the persistent strong demand for second hand SSF of citizens. Among all of the applications received, over 80 per cent came from young applicants opting to join the newly implemented Youth Scheme (WSM), showing that the scheme was well received by the young applicants. Regarding the number and age distribution of young applicants who opted for the Youth Scheme (WSM) under WSM 2024, please refer to Annex 1.
     
    (2) Balloting for WSM 2024 was conducted in April 2025. The HA expects that approval letters will be issued to successful applicants in the third/fourth quarter of 2025. Within the specified period, holders of the approval letters may apply for Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase (valid for 12 months) to purchase a SSF with premium unpaid. The HA will continuously monitor factors including the quota utilisation, demand for SSF, overall market conditions, etc, to make timely adjustments to both the total number of quota and the allocations under the Youth Scheme (WSM).
     
    (3) The MIP is administered by the HKMC Insurance Limited (HKMCI) for promoting home ownership in Hong Kong. When approving residential mortgage loans, banks have to comply with LTV requirement on owner-occupied residential mortgage lending, which is currently set at 70 per cent. With the MIP providing mortgage insurance to banks, banks can provide mortgage loans with higher LTV ratio (i.e. above 70 per cent) without incurring additional credit risk. As long as an application meets the relevant eligibility criteria, the bank can generally provide a mortgage loan of up to 80 per cent LTV ratio under the MIP. For first-time homebuyers with fixed salaries, the maximum LTV ratio can even reach 90 per cent, substantially reducing the down payment burden for homebuyers.
     
         The numbers of new loans drawn down under the MIP in the past five years (categorised by LTV ratio), and their respective proportions to the total number of new loans drawn down (i.e. figures in the brackets) are set out at Annex 2.
     
         Among above new loans drawn down, the numbers of cases involving at least one homeowner aged below 40, and their respective proportions to the total number of new loans drawn down (categorised by LTV ratio) (i.e. figures in the brackets) are set out at Annex 3.
     
    (4) In August 2024, the HKMCI put in place a new arrangement under the MIP to approve on a case-by-case basis eligible homeowners’ applications for renting out their self-occupied properties, so as to help them meet their special needs arising from changes in personal or family circumstances (new arrangement). The new arrangement has been implemented for around one year smoothly, offering substantial assistance to homeowners with special needs. Under the new arrangement, in addition to the situation that the homeowner’s family is expecting newborn(s)/adopting child or children or the homeowner has become unemployed, any homeowner who has other special needs and has been residing in the relevant property for not less than 12 months may also submit an application to the HKMCI through a bank for renting out the self-occupied property. The existing mechanism already allows homeowners who have young children and are able to meet the self-occupancy requirement to submit applications for renting out their self-occupied properties based on their special needs. The HKMCI will consider approving the relevant applications on a case-by-case basis.
     
    (5) The objective of the MIP is to promote home ownership and provide citizens with an additional option for financing. As the fluctuation of the property market is subject to various factors, citizens should take into consideration their needs for home ownership and repayment capability, and assess the risks carefully.
     
    (6) As mentioned above, both the HA and the HKHS are making relentless efforts to optimise various arrangements to help young people with home ownership aspirations strive to climb onto the home ownership ladder. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the HA would adjust the ratio between public rental housing (PRH) (including Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme flats) and SSF from 7:3 to 6:4 in order to increase the supply of SSF. In the next five years (i.e. 2025-26 to 2029-30), the HA and the HKHS will complete about 56 500 SSF. Meanwhile, the HA is implementing the arrangement announced in the 2022 Policy Address regarding the minimum floor area for new flats. The saleable area of all SSF completed from 2026-27 onwards will be no less than 26 square metres in general. Furthermore, in the latter part of the coming decade, we will reserve 10 per cent increase in floor area for public housing. We are also exploring other measures to further assist young people in purchasing SSF and the measures will be launched in a timely manner. That said, we would like to take this opportunity to appeal to young people once again to unleash their potential and create a more prosperous future, but not to limit their room for development just for the sake of meeting the eligibility criteria for PRH application. In the past five years (i.e. 2020-21 to 2024-25), the average age of non-elderly one-person applicants that were housed to PRH was 57 years old. After understanding the above opportunities and support provided by the Government for young people, young people should plan ahead of time so as to climb higher up the housing ladder.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Tests Epic Solution for Supersonic Parachute Deliveries

    Source: NASA

    [embedded content]

    NASA/Lori Losey

    The best way to solve a mystery is by gathering evidence and building a case. That’s exactly what NASA researchers are doing with a series of research flights aimed at advancing a sensor for supersonic parachutes. The clues they find could help make these parachutes more reliable and safer for delivering scientific instruments and payloads to Mars.
    These investigative research flights are led by the EPIC (Enhancing Parachutes by Instrumenting the Canopy) team at NASA’s Armstrong Fight Research Center in Edwards, California. During a June flight test, a quadrotor aircraft, or drone, air-launched a capsule that deployed a parachute equipped with a sensor. The flexible, strain-measuring sensor attached to the parachute did not interfere with the canopy material, just as the EPIC team had predicted. The sensors also provided data, a bonus for planning upcoming tests.
    “Reviewing the research flights will help inform our next steps,” said Matt Kearns, project manager for EPIC at NASA Armstrong. “We are speaking with potential partners to come up with a framework to obtain the data that they are interested in pursuing. Our team members are developing methods for temperature testing the flexible sensors, data analysis, and looking into instrumentation for future tests.”
    The flight tests were a first step toward filling gaps in computer models to improve supersonic parachutes. This work could also open the door to future partnerships, including with the aerospace and auto racing industries.
    NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) funds the EPIC work through its Entry Systems Modeling project at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The capsule and parachute system were developed by NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. NASA Armstrong interns worked with Langley to build and integrate a similar system for testing at NASA Armstrong. An earlier phase of the work focused on finding commercially available flexible strain sensors and developing a bonding method as part of an STMD Early Career Initiative project.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA-ISRO Satellite Lifts Off to Track Earth’s Changing Surfaces

    Source: NASA

    Carrying an advanced radar system that will produce a dynamic, three-dimensional view of Earth in unprecedented detail, the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite has launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India.
    Jointly developed by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and a critical part of the United States – India civil-space cooperation highlighted by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi earlier this year, the satellite can detect the movement of land and ice surfaces down to the centimeter. The mission will help protect communities by providing unique, actionable information to decision-makers in a diverse range of areas, including disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and agricultural management. 
    The satellite lifted off aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket at 8:10 a.m. EDT (5:10 p.m. IST), Wednesday, July 30. The ISRO ground controllers began communicating with NISAR about 20 minutes after launch, at just after 8:29 a.m. EDT, and confirmed it is operating as expected.
    “Congratulations to the entire NISAR mission team on a successful launch that spanned across multiple time zones and continents in the first-ever partnership between NASA and ISRO on a mission of this sheer magnitude,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Where moments are most critical, NISAR’s data will help ensure the health and safety of those impacted on Earth, as well as the infrastructure that supports them, for the benefit of all.”
    From 464 miles (747 kilometers) above Earth, NISAR will use two advanced radar instruments to track changes in Earth’s forests and wetland ecosystems, monitor deformation and motion of the planet’s frozen surfaces, and detect the movement of Earth’s crust down to fractions of an inch — a key measurement in understanding how the land surface moves before, during, and after earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
    “ISRO’s GSLV has precisely injected NISAR satellite into the intended orbit, 747 kilometers. I am happy to inform that this is GSLV’s first mission to Sun-synchronous polar orbit. With this successful launch, we are at the threshold of fulfilling the immense scientific potential NASA and ISRO envisioned for the NISAR mission more than 10 years ago,” said ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. “The powerful capability of this radar mission will help us study Earth’s dynamic land and ice surfaces in greater detail than ever before.”
    The mission’s two radars will monitor nearly all the planet’s land- and ice-covered surfaces twice every 12 days, including areas of the polar Southern Hemisphere rarely covered by other Earth-observing radar satellites. The data NISAR collects also can help researchers assess how forests, wetlands, agricultural areas, and permafrost change over time.
    “Observations from NISAR will provide new knowledge and tangible benefits for communities both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Karen St. Germain, director, Earth Science division at NASA Headquarters. “This launch marks the beginning of a new way of seeing the surface of our planet so that we can understand and foresee natural disasters and other changes in our Earth system that affect lives and property.”
    The NISAR satellite is the first free-flying space mission to feature two radar instruments — an L-band system and an S-band system. Each system is sensitive to features of different sizes and specializes in detecting certain attributes. The L-band radar excels at measuring soil moisture, forest biomass, and motion of land and ice surfaces, while S-band radar excels at monitoring agriculture, grassland ecosystems, and infrastructure movement.
    Together, the radar instruments will enhance all of the satellite’s observations, making NISAR more capable than previous synthetic aperture radar missions. Unlike optical sensors, NISAR will be able to “see” through clouds, making it possible to monitor the surface during storms, as well as in darkness and light.
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California provided the L-band radar, and ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad developed the S-band radar. The NISAR mission marks the first time the two agencies have co-developed hardware for an Earth-observing mission.
    “We’re proud of the international team behind this remarkable satellite. The mission’s measurements will be global but its applications deeply local, as people everywhere will use its data to plan for a resilient future,” said Dave Gallagher, director, NASA JPL, which manages the U.S. portion of the mission for NASA. “At its core is synthetic aperture radar, a technology pioneered at NASA JPL that enables us to study Earth night and day, through all kinds of weather.”
    Including L-band and S-band radars on one satellite is an evolution in SAR airborne and space-based missions that, for NASA, started in 1978 with the launch of Seasat. In 2012, ISRO began launching SAR missions starting with Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1), followed by RISAT-1A in 2022, to support a wide range of applications in India.
    In the coming weeks, the spacecraft will begin a roughly 90-day commissioning phase during which it will deploy its 39-foot (12-meter) radar antenna reflector. This reflector will direct and receive microwave signals from the two radars. By interpreting the differences between the two, researchers can discern characteristics about the surface below. As NISAR passes over the same locations twice every 12 days, scientists can evaluate how those characteristics have changed over time to reveal new insights about Earth’s dynamic surfaces.
    The NISAR mission is an equal collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Managed for the agency by Caltech, NASA JPL leads the U.S. component of the project and is providing the mission’s L-band SAR. NASA also is providing the radar reflector antenna, the deployable boom, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder, and payload data subsystem.
    Space Applications Centre Ahmedabad, ISRO’s lead center for payload development, is providing the mission’s S-band SAR instrument and is responsible for its calibration, data processing, and development of science algorithms to address the scientific goals of the mission. U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, which leads the ISRO components of the mission, is providing the spacecraft bus. The launch vehicle is from ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, launch services are through ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and satellite operations are by ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network. National Remote Sensing Centre in Hyderabad is responsible for S-band data reception, operational products generation, and dissemination.
    To learn more about NISAR, visit:
    https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov
    -end-
    Karen Fox / Elizabeth VlockHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov
    Andrew Wang / Jane J. LeeJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Webb Traces Details of Complex Planetary Nebula

    Source: NASA

    Since their discovery in the late 1700s, astronomers have learned that planetary nebulae, or the expanding shell of glowing gas expelled by a low-intermediate mass star late in its life, can come in all shapes and sizes. Most planetary nebula present as circular, elliptical, or bi-polar, but some stray from the norm, as seen in new high-resolution images of planetary nebulae by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
    Webb’s newest look at planetary nebula NGC 6072 in the near- and mid-infrared shows what may appear as a very messy scene resembling splattered paint. However, the unusual, asymmetrical appearance hints at more complicated mechanisms underway, as the star central to the scene approaches the very final stages of its life and expels shells of material, losing up to 80 percent of its mass. Astronomers are using Webb to study planetary nebulae to learn more about the full life cycle of stars and how they impact their surrounding environments.

    First, taking a look at the image from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), it’s readily apparent that this nebula is multi-polar. This means there are several different elliptical outflows jetting out either way from the center, one from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock, another from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock, and possibly a third from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock. The outflows may compress material as they go, resulting in a disk seen perpendicular to it.
    Astronomers say this is evidence that there are likely at least two stars at the center of this scene. Specifically, a companion star is interacting with an aging star that had already begun to shed some of its outer layers of gas and dust.
    The central region of the planetary nebula glows from the hot stellar core, seen as a light blue hue in near-infrared light. The dark orange material, which is made up of gas and dust, follows pockets or open areas that appear dark blue. This clumpiness could be created when dense molecular clouds formed while being shielded from hot radiation from the central star. There could also be a time element at play. Over thousands of years, inner fast winds could be ploughing through the halo cast off from the main star when it first started to lose mass.

    The longer wavelengths captured by Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) are highlighting dust, revealing the star researchers suspect could be central to this scene. It appears as a small pinkish-whitish dot in this image.
    Webb’s look in the mid-infrared wavelengths also reveals concentric rings expanding from the central region, the most obvious circling just past the edges of the lobes.
    This may be additional evidence of a secondary star at the center of the scene hidden from our view. The secondary star, as it circles repeatedly around the original star, could have carved out rings of material in a bullseye pattern as the main star was expelling mass during an earlier stage of its life.
    The rings may also hint at some kind of pulsation that resulted in gas or dust being expelled uniformly in all directions separated by say, thousands of years.
    The red areas in NIRCam and blue areas in MIRI both trace cool molecular gas (likely molecular hydrogen) while central regions trace hot ionized gas.
    As the star at the center of a planetary nebula cools and fades, the nebula will gradually dissipate into the interstellar medium — contributing enriched material that helps form new stars and planetary systems, now containing those heavier elements.
    Webb’s imaging of NGC 6072 opens the door to studying how the planetary nebulae with more complex shapes contribute to this process.
    The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
    To learn more about Webb, visit:
    https://science.nasa.gov/webb
    Downloads
    View/Download all image products at all resolutions for this article from the Space Telescope Science Institute.

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Hannah Braun – hbraun@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    View more Webb planetary nebula images
    Learn more about planetary nebula
    Interactive: Explore the Helix Nebula planetary nebula
    Watch ViewSpace videos about planetary nebulas
    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page

    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Looking Forward to the Moon

    Source: NASA

    On May 8, 2022, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems’ Program Manager Shawn Quinn captured this crop of a full frame image of the Hadley–Apennine region of Earth’s Moon including the Apollo 15 landing site (very near the edge of the shadow of one of the lunar mountains in the area). Building upon the pioneers from the Apollo Program, Artemis crews will plan to verify capabilities for humans to explore deep space and pave the way for long-term exploration and science on the lunar surface.
    Read the Artemis blog for the latest mission updates.
    Image credit: NASA/Shawn Quinn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The lack of reciprocal standards in agricultural trade with Ukraine – E-002990/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002990/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

    A recent report resulting from a dialogue involving experts, qualified representatives of agricultural sectors and NGOs[1] has once again warned about the consequences, for our livestock and arable farmers, of the and imbalances in our trading relations with other agricultural powers. The authors highlighted the instruments included in the European ‘toolbox’ of reciprocity measures.

    • 1.The Commission is still encouraging massive imports of Ukrainian agricultural products (poultry, cereals, eggs, etc.), which fail to comply with any EU production standards in the areas of the environment, animal health or the use of pesticides and antibiotics. Can the Commission explain why this is the case, given that it is at odds with various EU regulations and directives and with the guidance reaffirmed in the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy, with which our farmers are required to comply?
    • 2.Given that the failure to comply with EU standards is a major source of unfair competition and is contributing to the economic decline of our industries, what commitments and measures does the Commission intend to undertake to require, without delay, strict equivalence of standards for any product imported into the European Union?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] Reciprocity of agricultural production standards in international trade, Report on the dialogue between agricultural sectors, NGOs and experts, July 2025.
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Respect for animal welfare in Ukrainian poultry imports – E-002989/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002989/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

    The issue of animal welfare on our farms has become a major source of concern for many consumers. The Commission itself, which takes note of the ethical demands voiced in this regard, was at the origin of Directives 2007/43/EC and 98/58/EC, which are applicable to European farmers. European farmers are, of course, required to comply with these directives, and must shoulder the economic consequences arising from this compliance.

    At EU level, the maximum quota for poultry exports from Ukraine to the EU for 2024 was set at 132 000 tonnes. However, according to a statement from the Ukrainian Government based on customs data[1], actual poultry exports from Ukraine to the EU amounted to 373 800 tonnes (poultry and poultry products) from January to October 2024 alone.

    • 1.Does the Commission dispute the cited figures?
    • 2.Is the Commission able to certify – and if so, on what basis – that Ukrainian poultry imported into the EU market was reared under conditions compatible with animal welfare standards (density > 50 kg/m² and unregulated transport), as laid down in the above-mentioned directives?
    • 3.If the Commission is unable to do so, how does it justify the entry of products resulting from practices that are banned in the European Union, which would be tantamount to dumping, both ethically and economically?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] ‘Ukraine halves the EU poultry export quota’, 14 January 2025, https://www.poultryworld.net/the-industrymarkets/market-trends-analysis-the-industrymarkets-2/ukraine-halves-the-eu-poultry-export-quota/
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Access to the technologies and intellectual property rights of third-country participants in projects funded by the European Defence Fund – E-003012/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-003012/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marc Botenga (The Left)

    Investigate Europe and Reporters United have revealed that the European Defence Fund is subsidising Intracom Defense, a Greek company. However, according to Intracom’s financial reports, since 2023 it has actually been controlled by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), an Israeli state-owned company, which holds 94.5 % of its shares and 100 % of its voting rights[1].

    The technologies and results of EU projects could thus end up in the hands of a government-owned company of a third country. The Commission’s response was that the projects could not be controlled by, or transferred to, a third-country government, neither while they were in progress nor after they had ended[2].

    • 1.Does this ban apply to non-EU public companies, such as IAI, which are owned or controlled by the government of a third country?
    • 2.Intracom is currently developing technologies as part of the ACTUS project. Given that Intracom is controlled by IAI, a non-EU state-owned company, can the Commission guarantee that the latter has absolutely no access to the technologies developed, and if so, how is it able to give that guarantee?
    • 3.Who will own the intellectual property rights for the results of the ACTUS project?

    Submitted: 18.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/european-defence-fund-millions-benefiting-israeli-state-owned-drone-manufacturer
    • [2] https://agenceurope.eu/fr/bulletin/article/13657/18
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU-US trade deal explained – energy aspects

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Questions and answers Brussels, 30 Jul 2025 EU energy imports from the US
    The US already is one of the EU’s top energy partners and, by far, the EU’s first supplier of LNG, with 55% of our LNG supply comi…

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission action to immediately compensate livestock farmers and address the economic impact of sheep pox – P-003129/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-003129/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    Outbreaks of sheep pox are increasing significantly, affecting livestock farmers in many regional units of Greece, such as Aetolia-Acarnania, Larissa, Rhodope, Magnesia, Florina, Phocis and Xanthi.

    By way of illustration, 25 out of the 42 new outbreaks were recorded in the two prefectures of Thessaly (representing 60 % of all cases), while it is estimated that 35 000 sheep have been killed in the municipality of Kileler alone.

    It should be noted that since the first cases appeared, 638 outbreaks have been reported and 148 285 sheep and goats have been killed.

    This irreparably affects the income of livestock farmers and producers and the economic viability of entire regions.

    In light of the above, can the Commission say:

    • 1.What action will it take and what mechanisms will it activate to provide urgent financial support to the affected livestock farmers in order to cover their lost income?
    • 2.Does it intend to provide compensation for the affected farmers for the dead animals in accordance with the provisions of the Common Agricultural Policy? If so, how much?
    • 3.Is it looking into the reactivation of measure 5.2 with a view to fully replacing animal stocks and strengthening the resilience of the sector?

    Submitted: 29.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Tax avoidance by digital multinationals and protecting European SMEs – E-002986/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002986/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giusi Princi (PPE), Letizia Moratti (PPE), Flavio Tosi (PPE), Fulvio Martusciello (PPE), Marco Falcone (PPE), Caterina Chinnici (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Salvatore De Meo (PPE)

    The complex corporate structures used by some digital multinationals, as highlighted in the Amazon case, allow them to minimise their tax burden in the EU by means of transfer pricing and spreading royalties intra-group, thus giving rise to an unlevel playing field for European SMEs that are subject to full taxation.

    The current European regulatory framework does not have sufficiently effective tools to tackle the complex tax optimisation structures used by multinationals, creating significant disparities in the internal market.

    This system causes particularly serious competitive distortions in the EU’s outermost and least developed such as Calabria, where the closure of small businesses deprives already fragile municipalities of essential tax revenues, accelerating depopulation and compromising local public services.

    Can the Commission therefore say:

    • 1.Whether it intends to put forward a revision of the principle of free competition and the state aid rules to more effectively combat tax avoidance by digital multinationals?
    • 2.What specific measures it intends to take to protect European SMEs from unfair competition from operators benefiting from tax advantages through complex avoidance schemes?
    • 3.How it intends to ensure that the tax revenue generated by digital business remains in the territories where the profits are made, thereby supporting local authorities and the development of areas on the edge of the EU?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – China’s unofficial police stations in the EU – E-002962/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002962/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    China is alleged to have established dozens of unofficial police stations throughout the EU.

    • 1.Does the Commission know how many such stations exist in the EU, and where they are?
    • 2.What action has the Commission taken against these stations to date?
    • 3.To its knowledge, do any other third countries have unofficial police stations in the EU?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Rule of law in Poland – E-002961/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002961/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    The Commission had frozen EU funds intended for Poland due to the country’s rule of law issues. However, following the election of Donald Tusk and his declared plan to address all rule of law deficiencies, the Commission unfroze these funds.

    In this context:

    • 1.Which rule of law deficiencies have been resolved to date?
    • 2.Which rule of law deficiencies have not been resolved to date?
    • 3.By what date must the unresolved deficiencies be resolved to prevent the funds from being frozen again?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Forced evictions of Roma and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights – E-002974/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002974/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Damien Carême (The Left), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Birgit Sippel (S&D), Catarina Martins (The Left), Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE)

    On 15 April 2025, over 200 Roma residents in Sofia’s Ilinden district were forcibly evicted, despite interim measures imposed by the European Court of Human Rights requiring adequate alternative accommodation. These actions reflect a wider pattern of forced evictions disproportionately affecting Roma communities, which raise serious concerns about structural antigypsyism in Europe.

    Under the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Member States must uphold human dignity (Article 1), prohibit discrimination based on ethnic origin (Article 21), and ensure access to housing assistance (Article 34(3)) when implementing EU law or using EU funds.

    In the light of these obligations and the enabling condition requiring respect for the Charter in the use of EU funds:

    • 1.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that EU-funded programmes, particularly those related to housing, comply with the Charter and do not contribute to forced evictions or discrimination?
    • 2.How is the Commission monitoring Bulgaria’s compliance with the Charter and the EU Roma Strategic Framework in the light of the recent evictions?
    • 3.Will the Commission assess whether Bulgaria remains compliant with the enabling conditions for accessing cohesion funding, given concerns about fundamental rights violations against Roma?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: Regional Resilience Fund provides €230 million to finance agreement signed by EIB with A&G and Urbania Alpha to promote affordable housing, urban development and sustainable tourism

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The two financing agreements have been signed thanks to the backing of the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.
    • The EIB will allocate €130 million to A&G and €100 million to Urbania Alpha (which holds the AEXX Capital brand) for investments throughout Spain.
    • These agreements mark a further step forward in rolling out the Regional Resilience Fund – specifically the instrument designed to promote urban development and sustainable tourism – with €640 million already signed to support investments under this instrument.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with A&G and Urbania Alpha (which holds the AEXX Capital brand) to channel a total of €230 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.

    The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the new instrument launched by the EIB to channel financing via financial intermediaries. Thanks to this instrument, agreements totalling €640 million have already been signed to back investments in urban development and sustainable tourism.

    As with the first agreements signed by the EIB under this instrument, A&G Banco and Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote projects in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism.

    A&G has been allocated €130 million by the EIB, which it will channel through A&G Real Estate Sustainable Developments, SICC SA. Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital has been allocated €100 million to be channelled through AEXX Impact Investments I, SICC SA. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this purpose. A&G will invest in equity, while Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital will finance projects through equity and loans, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is €22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt. The investment period runs until December 2030.

    “With these two new financing agreements, the EIB continues to accelerate the deployment of the Regional Resilience Fund while boosting investment in urban development, affordable housing, and sustainable tourism in Spain. Public-private partnerships—such as those signed today with A&G and Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital—help unlock the capital needed to make housing more accessible, foster an environmentally responsible tourism model, and adapt our cities to the evolving needs of citizens.” said EIB Director General – Head of Lending and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux

    “The signing of these agreements consolidates the implementation of the Regional Resilience Fund’s intermediated instrument, extending its scope to new specialised financial intermediaries. This is an important step in continuing to channel European funding towards projects with a real impact in key areas such as affordable housing, urban regeneration and sustainable tourism,’ said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Financing at the Treasury, Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise

    Alejandro Nuñez, Managing Partner of Alternative Investments at A&G added, “We appreciate the trust placed in us by an investor of such exceptional prestige as the EIB to mobilize a significant portion of the Regional Resilience Fund. We believe that A&G is in a privileged position to manage public-private capital that effectively contributes to urban regeneration and sustainable tourism projects in Spain. Over the last few years, A&G has managed to create a highly regarded real estate investment platform in Spain. The mandate granted by the EIB gives us the opportunity to channel key resources into promoting affordable rental housing, while also supporting sustainable initiatives and local job creation.”

    Background information

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

    In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the country’s green and digital transition, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.

    Regional Resilience Fund

    The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.

    The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.

    The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:

    • a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
    • an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
    • two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

    About A&G and A&G Global Investors

    A&G was founded in 1987 and is a leading independent financial services group with offices in Spain and Luxembourg. At the end of June 2025, the group’s total assets under management (AuMs) exceeded €15.5 billion. The group’s capabilities in alternative investments are focused on real estate, energy transition (with strategies dedicated to investing in infrastructure assets and growing technology companies) and private equity investments, grouped under the A&G Global Investors brand.

    www.aygglobalinvestors.com

    Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital

    Urbania Alpha/AEXX Capital is a European alternative asset management platform. The firm provides debt, equity, and hybrid capital solutions to address a broad range of financing needs for real asset owners. To execute this strategy, AEXX has developed deep geographic and asset-class expertise across European markets through its offices in Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany, and Portugal.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Effectiveness of Polish border policy and information campaign in addressing irregular migration – E-002973/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002973/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Krzysztof Brejza (PPE)

    Since 2024, the Polish Government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk has reinforced its eastern borders and launched an information campaign abroad to address growing irregular migration pressures. While fully respecting the right to asylum, Poland’s actions have focused on deterring irregular economic migration, often facilitated by smuggling networks and driven by false promises.

    The government’s information campaign in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt and Kenya, clearly communicates that Poland is not a viable entry point for unauthorised migration. The campaign’s aim is to reduce human suffering, cut smugglers’ profits and avoid a system overload. At the same time, Poland has upgraded its border infrastructure and engaged diplomatically to manage the inflow of migrants responsibly.

    • 1.Does the Commission consider Poland’s approach, particularly the external information campaign, as a potentially effective model for other Member States?
    • 2.Are there plans to support similar EU-coordinated campaigns to address irregular economic migration at the source?
    • 3.Will such preventive strategies be integrated into the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Pandemic reaction time – E-002971/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002971/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union provided financial support to Member States facing exceptional circumstances beyond their control.

    The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. In response, the EU introduced two major instruments: the SURE instrument, to support Member States in protecting employment, and NextGenerationEU (NGEU), as a broader recovery instrument.

    The Commission proposed the SURE instrument on 2 April 2020, 23 days after the outbreak was declared a pandemic, and NGEU on 27 May 2020, 78 days after the pandemic declaration.

    In the Commission’s view, what is the maximum amount of time, in line with the Treaties, that may elapse between the outbreak of any exceptional crisis and the provision of financial support to respond to that crisis?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ReArm Europe – E-002970/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002970/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    In the ReArm Europe plan, the Commission proposes that Member States may deviate from their net expenditure path under the Stability and Growth Pact by up to 1.5 % of GDP, provided that this deviation is due to increased national defence spending and that the national escape clause is activated.

    • 1.Which specific reference year and baseline are being used to calculate the maximum allowed increase in defence spending of up to 1.5 % of GDP?
    • 2.In the case of the year 2025, what is the maximum amount by which each Member State can deviate from its net expenditure path, assuming the national escape clause is fully activated?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Follow-up question (Written Question E-000942/2025) – E-002978/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002978/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left), Kathleen Funchion (The Left), Miriam Lexmann (PPE), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Ciaran Mullooly (Renew), Romana Jerković (S&D), Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D)

    In reply to Written Question E-000942/2025[1] regarding a future EU Care Deal, the Commission states that, as part of the implementation of the EU care strategy, it will ‘include numerous reforms targeting informal carers and a toolkit for supporting informal carers’.

    Can the Commission indicate:

    • 1.what this toolkit is aimed to support, how this is being developed and whether the voice of carers has been sought in this process?
    • 2.what other concrete measures or policy initiatives the Commission envisages to ensure that informal carers receive adequate support, recognition and protection?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000942-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Investor communications – E-002969/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002969/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    In its official investor presentation entitled ‘EU Investor Presentation – Investing in EU-Bonds & EU-Bills’, published on 24 June 2025, the Commission presents the EU as a reliable and democratically legitimate issuer of common debt. In particular, it highlights the EU’s ‘institutional framework that includes the European Parliament – a directly elected EU body’ as a key pillar of this legitimacy and governance structure.

    At the same time, the Commission repeatedly sidelines Parliament when it comes to fundamental decisions on EU debt instruments, such as the instrument for temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) or the planned Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. Decisions on the scope, purpose and governance of these debt instruments are typically taken between the Commission and the Council, without meaningful parliamentary involvement.

    • 1.Why does the Commission not want to involve Parliament in the decision-making process on EU debt and give it a substantive role in decision-making on EU debt instruments?
    • 2.How does the Commission justify materially misleading its investors by misrepresenting Parliament’s role in its official investor communications?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Status update on chip production – E-002968/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002968/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    The Communication on the Digital Compass of 9 March 2021 and the proposed 2030 Policy Programme ‘Path to the Digital Decade’ stressed that the Union’s production of cutting-edge and sustainable semiconductors should account for at least 20 % of global production by 2030. The Commission published the proposal for the European Chips Act on 8 February 2022. The total volume of policy-driven investments in support of the EU Chips Act was estimated at over EUR 43 billion until 2030. Public funding to the tune of EUR 11 billion was earmarked for the Chips for Europe Initiative in order to attain a technological leadership position in research, design and manufacturing capacity by 2030, of which EUR 5.3 billion was to come from the Member States. In addition, Member States are expected to allocate around EUR 30 billion, including to Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) and large production sites.

    What is the current state of play, notably as regards the amounts and percentages mentioned above?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –