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The Commission has launched a call for evidence to gather input for the upcoming Strategy for European Life Sciences.The strategy, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her political guidelines and included in the Competitiveness Compass, will identify key challenges and opportunities to speed up the safe development, deployment and uptake of innovations based on life sciences. Life sciences encompass the study of living systems, ranging from cells and microorganisms to plants, animals, humans and entire ecosystems. They play a pivotal role in many sectors, including human and animal health as well as food and agriculture. This is why they are key to…

WASHINGTON — The first university-owned feed mill in Iowa was the site for the kickoff of the 2025 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, an annual training and educational event that reminds agriculture industry employers and workers about the potentially deadly hazards present in confined spaces, including grain engulfment.This year’s event, held March 24-28, is a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Alliance Program, the Grain Handling Safety Council, the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, and the National Grain and Feed Association. At the Iowa State University in Ames, the opening event focused on worksite housekeeping, hearing conservation, preventing struck-by incidents,…

On 24-25 March, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela went on a mission to Rome to meet with both Italian and UN stakeholders like the Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The objective was to advance the EU’s Global Gateway strategy as well as to strengthen the Team Europe approach for scaling up operations in partner countries.Through a series of high-level meetings, including with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Commissioner Síkela discussed how Global Gateway promotes economic growth on a global scale and benefit the European Union as well as partner countries.…

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Rubio emphasized our strong ties to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia and reinforced our commitment to Baltic security. The Secretary welcomed their earnest contributions to European collective security through increased defense spending and burden sharing. The Secretary also emphasized President Trump’s determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Source_link

The European Commission has concluded its public consultation on the forthcoming EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. During the 4 weeks of consultation open in the “Have your Say” portal, the exercise attracted 589 responses from stakeholders across 36 countries, with the highest participation from Belgium (115), the Netherlands (64), and Germany (64).​Based on a preliminary assessment, key areas highlighted by respondents include:​Access to finance: calls for easier access to funding and simplified application processes.Regulatory and bureaucratic burdens: proposals to reduce red tape and facilitate cross-border operations.Access to markets: suggestions to improve startup participation in public procurement and IP transfer.Access to talent: need for better…

Grant supports cleanup, recovery activities, employment services after 2023 disasterWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of $2.5 million to Hawaii to continue employment and training services, and support disaster-relief jobs for people in communities harmed by severe wildfires that swept across the island of Maui on Aug. 8, 2023. In the late summer of 2023, the department’s Employment and Training Administration responded by announcing the award of Disaster Recovery Grant funding of up to $21 million, with an initial award of $10.5 million, to assist with cleanup and recovery activities. With this incremental funding, the total awarded…

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed shared interests as strategic partners.  The Secretary welcomed the agreement on a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and underlined the importance of a lasting peace to break the cycle of regional conflict and bring security and prosperity to the South Caucasus.  The Secretary and Prime Minister agreed that escalation of any form in the South Caucasus is unacceptable. Source_link

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $1,776,938 to support employment and training services for people affected by March 2024 layoffs at Daicel Safety Systems America in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the National Dislocated Worker Grant that will allow Green River Area Development Inc. Workforce Development Board to provide retraining and skills development for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties. Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services…

On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Greece as you celebrate your Independence Day. The United States and Greece share a democratic and intellectual heritage that strengthens our collaboration in many fields, including our robust economic and military cooperation. We welcome Greece’s commitment to defense spending to modernize its armed forces, which strengthens our collective defense and deters threats to our shared security. The foundation of our close ties is the strong cultural and familial bonds between our two peoples, including the vibrant Hellenic diaspora community. The United States is proud…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Catherine Eschbach will lead the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. “I’m honored to serve as director of the OFCCP under the Trump Administration and oversee its transition to its new scope of mission,” Eschbach said. “President Trump made clear in his executive order on eliminating DEI that EO 11246 had facilitated federal contractors adopting DEI practices out of step with the requirements of our Nation’s civil rights laws and that, with the recission of EO 11246, the President mandates federal contractors wind those practices down within 90 days. As director, I’m…