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  • MIL-OSI: Lightchain AI Surpasses $21M Raised, Enters Final Bonus Round Ahead of July Mainnet Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, the decentralized AI-native blockchain platform, has officially entered its Final Bonus Round after successfully raising over $21 million during its structured 15-stage presale. With strong participation from early contributors, developers, and validators, this final phase offers a fixed price of $0.007125 per LCAI token—representing the last opportunity to participate ahead of the mainnet launch scheduled for July 2025.

    The milestone reflects Lightchain AI’s steady momentum and increasing recognition within the decentralized AI ecosystem. Designed to bring scalable, intelligent infrastructure to the blockchain space, the platform introduces a purpose-built Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM), a transparent Proof-of-Intelligence consensus mechanism, and comprehensive tools for developer onboarding and participation.

    A Foundation for Intelligent On-Chain Applications

    Lightchain AI is building a decentralized infrastructure tailored for real-world AI applications, focusing on performance, auditability, and accessibility. Its validator-based network rewards useful AI computations, ensuring that both security and utility are central to network operations.

    All original team token allocations (5%) have been reallocated to ecosystem growth, including developer grants, infrastructure expansion, and validator rewards, underlining Lightchain AI’s builder-first philosophy.

    The project has already implemented and tested its staking infrastructure, allowing validators to lock LCAI tokens and simulate long-term network participation, reinforcing both security and decentralization as the protocol moves closer to launch.

    Developer Grant Program and Ecosystem Support

    To further encourage ecosystem development, Lightchain AI has announced a $150,000 Developer Grant Program. This initiative will fund innovative dApps, research, and tooling projects that align with the platform’s vision of autonomous intelligence on-chain.

    Developers now have access to the Lightchain Developer Portal, which includes APIs, SDKs, and documentation, enabling seamless integration and development. Public GitHub repositories are also set to be launched, opening the door to wider community collaboration and transparency.

    Lightchain AI Presale

    Final Bonus Round Now Live

    The Final Bonus Round is currently open and offers a fixed token price of $0.007125, giving new participants an opportunity to join the project’s early-stage supporters. This round will close before the mainnet launch and represents the final window to acquire LCAI tokens at presale pricing.

    “We are incredibly grateful for the trust and support from our growing community,” said a Lightchain AI spokesperson. “With the Final Bonus Round now underway and mainnet launch approaching, we’re excited to welcome more contributors to help build a truly intelligent, decentralized future.”

    Key Upcoming Milestones

    • Mainnet Launch – Scheduled for July 2025
    • Public GitHub Release – Imminent for open-source collaboration
    • Validator Program – Ongoing recruitment and onboarding
    • Developer Grant Distribution – Begins Q3 2025


    Learn More

    To participate in the Final Bonus Round or apply for developer grants, visit:

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Lightchain AI. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef70de1c-6c9d-4c71-b023-f974eb7a0229

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Calls on Trump Admin to Immediately Release Billions in Funds K-12 Schools Across America are Counting On

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Nearly $7 billion in funding approved by Congress in March is blocked just weeks away from the start of the school year
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement demanding the prompt release of billions of dollars in funding for K-12 schools across America that the Trump administration is blocking just weeks away from the start of the new school year. These funds largely go out the door to states on July 1 each year and support school districts in every state. This year, however, the Trump administration is blocking the funding and signaling it may simply seek to illegally impound them.
    “Today, billions of dollars that Congress has already provided to support students across America should be going out the door—but President Trump is blocking these investments and putting school districts in every zip code in a bind with the new school year just weeks away.
    “President Trump himself signed this funding into law—but that isn’t stopping him from choking off resources to support before and after school programs, help students learn, support teachers in the classroom, and a lot more. The uncertainty he has created has already forced districts to delay hiring and other initiatives to help students. The only question left now is how much more damage this administration wants to inflict on our public schools.
    “President Trump and Russ Vought need to stop sabotaging our students’ futures and get these resources out the door. Local school districts can’t afford to wait out lengthy court proceedings to get the federal funding they’re owed—nor can they make up the shortfall, especially not at the drop of a pin. Every day that this funding is held up is a day that school districts are forced to worry about whether they’ll have to cut back on afterschool programs or lay off teachers instead of worrying about how to make sure our kids can succeed.”
    The Trump administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs from being available to school district across America:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    Notably, the Trump administration has proposed to eliminate each of these programs in its fiscal year 2026 budget request, and it has so far refused to commit to spending the funding already provided for this fiscal year. When pressed in early June by Senator Murray about whether the Department of Education would release the funds to school districts, Secretary Linda McMahon refused to make any commitment to get the funds out. At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last week, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought similarly refused to commit to getting the funding out—and even suggested to Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) the funds could be part of a future rescissions request, or illegally impounded.
    In total, the Trump administration is blocking nearly $7 billion in approved funding for these programs from going out the door to K-12 schools. A state-by-state breakdown of how much funding is at stake is below.
    FUNDING BLOCKED BY TRUMP ADMIN
    State
    Fiscal Year 2024 Funding
    Fiscal Year 2025 Funding
    Alabama
    $100,392,656
    ???
    Alaska
    $47,665,907
    ???
    Arizona
    $134,262,493
    ???
    Arkansas
    $64,255,707
    ???
    California
    $927,965,332
    ???
    Colorado
    $79,619,065
    ???
    Connecticut
    $53,561,846
    ???
    Delaware
    $28,585,105
    ???
    District of Columbia
    $26,683,109
    ???
    Florida
    $398,177,922
    ???
    Georgia
    $223,888,870
    ???
    Hawaii
    $33,290,327
    ???
    Idaho
    $36,493,633
    ???
    Illinois
    $243,191,750
    ???
    Indiana
    $107,174,260
    ???
    Iowa
    $44,494,874
    ???
    Kansas
    49,946,530
    ???
    Kentucky
    96,495,478
    ???
    Louisiana
    119,812,747
    ???
    Maine
    27,630,253
    ???
    Maryland
    110,193,772
    ???
    Massachusetts
    107,694,933
    ???
    Michigan
    173,716,752
    ???
    Minnesota
    74,106,362
    ???
    Mississippi
    71,654,231
    ???
    Missouri
    93,962,471
    ???
    Montana
    27,978,071
    ???
    Nebraska
    38,149,509
    ???
    Nevada
    61,212,651
    ???
    New Hampshire
    27,004,029
    ???
    New Jersey
    162,462,714
    ???
    New Mexico
    49,847,565
    ???
    New York
    463,833,139
    ???
    North Carolina
    185,874,769
    ???
    North Dakota
    26,573,545
    ???
    Ohio
    203,510,265
    ???
    Oklahoma
    77,827,922
    ???
    Oregon
    80,991,681
    ???
    Pennsylvania
    230,714,211
    ???
    Rhode Island
    29,371,806
    ???
    South Carolina
    94,118,605
    ???
    South Dakota
    27,200,921
    ???
    Tennessee
    118,985,396
    ???
    Texas
    738,537,697
    ???
    Utah
    40,402,965
    ???
    Vermont
    26,125,325
    ???
    Virginia
    123,536,510
    ???
    Washington
    150,695,542
    ???
    West Virginia
    32,494,457
    ???
    Wisconsin
    80,333,097
    ???
    Wyoming
    25,545,207
    ???
    Total
    6,880,834,000
    ???

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Senate Republicans’ Passage of Big, Ugly Bill to Rip Away Health Care, Nutrition, Abortion Access from WA State Families & Balloon National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    In Washington state, at least 328,695 people will lose health care under Republican bill; 900,000 Washingtonians could see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated; 14 rural hospitals will be at risk of closure
    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Rails Against Republican Bill That Rips Away Health Care, Nutrition Assistance, Abortion Access & Balloons National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires; VIDEO HERE
    ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Murray Again Slams Republicans for Using Deceptive Tactics to Hide True Cost of Deficit-Busting Tax Cuts for Billionaires
    ICYMI: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Stop Republicans’ Big Ugly Betrayal Bill From Defunding Planned Parenthood
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate Republicans passing their partisan reconciliation bill—the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—by a vote of 51-50 on Tuesday, with Vice President Vance voting with Republicans to break the tie, after an overnight “vote-a-rama” where Democrats forced Republicans to take dozens of tough votes on a wide array of issues, from protecting rural hospitals to preserving food assistance for families to extending expiring tax credits that help millions of families afford health care. The nearly 30-hour vote-a-rama came after Democrats forced more than 10 hours of debate and a full reading of every word of Republicans’ 940-page bill that will kick 17 million Americans off their health care and make the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.  
    Senator Murray put forward an amendment to strike a provision of the legislation that achieves anti-abortion extremists’ long-sought goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood by cutting off Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal Medicaid funding for the care they provide for millions of low-income women across the country—including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and wellness exams. Republicans blocked the amendment, 51-49.
    “This monstrosity of a bill is about one thing: Republicans’ insistence on passing more tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations while they kick working people off their health care, rip away nutrition assistance, and make it harder for struggling families to get by. It’s about taking away programs that give American families a hand up in hard times, to pay for a handout for the people who need it the least.
    “This should be obvious: if a bill is so bad that you have to exempt entire states from its consequences to win the votes you need—just don’t pass the bill!
    “Republicans’ legislation will mean 17 million Americans will lose their health insurance, including more than 328,000 people in Washington state who rely on Apple Health and Affordable Care Act coverage. Families will lose the SNAP benefits they rely on to afford food because of new Republican red tape positively meant to keep people from getting the benefits they are eligible for. Rural hospitals in Central and Eastern Washington that are already operating on the tightest of margins will be forced to close their doors, ripping away health care access from entire communities. Planned Parenthood health centers will shutter and women will be left with nowhere they can go to get birth control, cancer screenings, and other preventive care they can actually afford.
    “When it comes to the all-out assault on clean energy in this bill, even Elon Musk understands the plain facts of the matter—Republicans’ cuts are ‘utterly insane and destructive’ and will ‘destroy millions of jobs in America.’ Republicans are also ripping away tens of millions of dollars for critical NOAA facilities in Washington state as part of this bill.
    “This fight is not over—this bill is not yet law and I am not going to stop raising my voice and making sure the American people know exactly what is in it. Communities in Eastern and Central Washington will be among the hardest hit by these gigantic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—now is the time to raise your voices and tell your Republican Members of Congress to vote NO. Republicans in the House need to listen to the American people and abandon this disaster of a bill.  
    “In the end, every Republican who votes for this bill will have to explain to their constituents why they voted to shutter local hospitals and punish struggling families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.”
    Earlier on Sunday, 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. Murray also spoke out repeatedly during debate on the Senate floor against Republicans’ use of a so-called “current policy baseline” to hide the true cost of their deficit-busting tax cuts for billionaires.
    Republicans’ 940-page bill, which they released in the dead of night, cuts more than $900 billion from Medicaid—$100 billion more than the House bill. That means about 17 million Americans will lose their health care, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and more than 300 rural hospitals and over 500 nursing homes could close because of the legislation. The legislation makes the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history and will rip away nutrition assistance entirely from more than 5 million Americans and shift tens of billions of dollars in costs to states. The legislation also increases the debt by nearly $4 trillion dollars—nearly a trillion more than the House bill. About two in three Americans oppose the bill.
    In Washington state, 1.95 million people rely on Apple Health, Washington state’s Medicaid program, and over 300,000 Washingtonians access coverage through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace (Washington Healthplanfinder). The Joint Economic Committee estimates that at least 328,695 people in Washington state would lose their health insurance under the Republican legislation—that includes 198,050 people who would be kicked off Medicaid and 108,262 people who would lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, Republicans’ bill would institute work reporting requirements for Medicaid, which have been proven not to increase employment and just strip health care coverage from people who are already working or exempt—this would put more than 620,000 Washingtonians at risk of losing their health care coverage or having it delayed. Fourteen rural hospitals in Washington state would be at risk of closure under the Republican bill. The legislation also “defunds” Planned Parenthood for the next year, threatening the closure of up to 200 health centers across the country—90 percent of them in states where abortion is legal. 11 percent of Washington state residents rely on SNAP, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services estimated that more than 900,000 people across the state could their see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated under the House bill—the Senate bill is just as extreme.
    Senator Murray has held constant recent events—including multiple events in Washington state—to sound the alarm on Republicans’ devastating reconciliation bill and encourage constituents to raise their voices and call on their Members of Congress to oppose the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Stands with President Trump, Passes One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today released the following statement after voting to pass President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
    “President Trump and I want to preserve the American Dream for working and middle America,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We keep taxes low, cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, extend the Child Tax Credit, fix our broken education system, support our military, secure our border, and build a business environment that creates better paying jobs – especially in Louisiana.” 
    As chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy led the Committee’s portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which fixes America’s broken higher education system and addresses the root causes of the student debt crisis.
    Cassidy pushed to secure provisions in this historic legislation that:
    Make higher education more affordable by eliminating inflationary loan programs that have resulted in higher tuition costs.   
    Prevent taxpayer-subsidized loans for degrees that leave students worse off than if they never went to college.  
    Reform the current federal student loan program that transfers debt onto the 87 percent of Americans who chose to not go to college or already paid off their loans.
    Ensure low-income Americans can access higher education by strengthening Pell Grants and addressing the program’s budget shortfall. As it currently stands, the Pell Grant program faces a mounting budget shortfall that threatens its future.  
    Expand education freedom and opportunity for students by providing a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education. 
    Increase access to career or technical-based education for low-income students by establishing Workforce Pell Grants. This is crucial to achieving President Trump’s goal of bringing skilled jobs back to America from China and Mexico. 
    Boost U.S. manufacturing and crack down on China and other countries abusing our trade loopholes (de minimis). In 2023, Cassidy introduced similar legislation. 
    Provide beauty industry small businesses with access to the tip credit, which would create jobs.
    Eliminate the $200 tax stamp for short-barreled firearms. 
    Raise the annual cap on offshore energy revenue sharing with Gulf states from $500 million to $650 million through 2034. 
    Require the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to hold no fewer than two lease sales every year for fifteen years in the Central and Western areas of the Gulf of America—something the Biden administration refused to do. 
    Invest $389 million in America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to bolster U.S. energy security. 
    Unleash American energy by allowing energy companies to deduct costs, including labor and safety, associated with oil and gas exploration. 
    Expand access to direct primary care arrangements, by allowing the use of Health Savings Account (HSA) dollars to pay for such services. 
    Click here for the HELP section-by-section.
    Click here for the HELP one-pager.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Senate Republicans’ Passage of Big, Ugly Bill to Rip Away Health Care, Nutrition, Abortion Access from WA State Families & Balloon National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    In Washington state, at least 328,695 people will lose health care under Republican bill; 900,000 Washingtonians could see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated; 14 rural hospitals will be at risk of closure

    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Rails Against Republican Bill That Rips Away Health Care, Nutrition Assistance, Abortion Access & Balloons National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires; VIDEO HERE

    ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Murray Again Slams Republicans for Using Deceptive Tactics to Hide True Cost of Deficit-Busting Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    ICYMI: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Stop Republicans’ Big Ugly Betrayal Bill From Defunding Planned Parenthood

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate Republicans passing their partisan reconciliation bill—the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—by a vote of 51-50 on Tuesday, with Vice President Vance voting with Republicans to break the tie, after an overnight “vote-a-rama” where Democrats forced Republicans to take dozens of tough votes on a wide array of issues, from protecting rural hospitals to preserving food assistance for families to extending expiring tax credits that help millions of families afford health care. The nearly 30-hour vote-a-rama came after Democrats forced more than 10 hours of debate and a full reading of every word of Republicans’ 940-page bill that will kick 17 million Americans off their health care and make the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.  

    Senator Murray put forward an amendment to strike a provision of the legislation that achieves anti-abortion extremists’ long-sought goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood by cutting off Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal Medicaid funding for the care they provide for millions of low-income women across the country—including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and wellness exams. Republicans blocked the amendment, 51-49.

    “This monstrosity of a bill is about one thing: Republicans’ insistence on passing more tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations while they kick working people off their health care, rip away nutrition assistance, and make it harder for struggling families to get by. It’s about taking away programs that give American families a hand up in hard times, to pay for a handout for the people who need it the least.

    “This should be obvious: if a bill is so bad that you have to exempt entire states from its consequences to win the votes you need—just don’t pass the bill!

    “Republicans’ legislation will mean 17 million Americans will lose their health insurance, including more than 328,000 people in Washington state who rely on Apple Health and Affordable Care Act coverage. Families will lose the SNAP benefits they rely on to afford food because of new Republican red tape positively meant to keep people from getting the benefits they are eligible for. Rural hospitals in Central and Eastern Washington that are already operating on the tightest of margins will be forced to close their doors, ripping away health care access from entire communities. Planned Parenthood health centers will shutter and women will be left with nowhere they can go to get birth control, cancer screenings, and other preventive care they can actually afford.

    “When it comes to the all-out assault on clean energy in this bill, even Elon Musk understands the plain facts of the matter—Republicans’ cuts are ‘utterly insane and destructive’ and will ‘destroy millions of jobs in America.’ Republicans are also ripping away tens of millions of dollars for critical NOAA facilities in Washington state as part of this bill.

    “This fight is not over—this bill is not yet law and I am not going to stop raising my voice and making sure the American people know exactly what is in it. Communities in Eastern and Central Washington will be among the hardest hit by these gigantic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—now is the time to raise your voices and tell your Republican Members of Congress to vote NO. Republicans in the House need to listen to the American people and abandon this disaster of a bill.  

    “In the end, every Republican who votes for this bill will have to explain to their constituents why they voted to shutter local hospitals and punish struggling families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.”

    Earlier on Sunday, 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. Murray also spoke out repeatedly during debate on the Senate floor against Republicans’ use of a so-called “current policy baseline” to hide the true cost of their deficit-busting tax cuts for billionaires.

    Republicans’ 940-page bill, which they released in the dead of night, cuts more than $900 billion from Medicaid—$100 billion more than the House bill. That means about 17 million Americans will lose their health care, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and more than 300 rural hospitals and over 500 nursing homes could close because of the legislation. The legislation makes the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history and will rip away nutrition assistance entirely from more than 5 million Americans and shift tens of billions of dollars in costs to states. The legislation also increases the debt by nearly $4 trillion dollars—nearly a trillion more than the House bill. About two in three Americans oppose the bill.

    In Washington state, 1.95 million people rely on Apple Health, Washington state’s Medicaid program, and over 300,000 Washingtonians access coverage through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace (Washington Healthplanfinder). The Joint Economic Committee estimates that at least 328,695 people in Washington state would lose their health insurance under the Republican legislation—that includes 198,050 people who would be kicked off Medicaid and 108,262 people who would lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, Republicans’ bill would institute work reporting requirements for Medicaid, which have been proven not to increase employment and just strip health care coverage from people who are already working or exempt—this would put more than 620,000 Washingtonians at risk of losing their health care coverage or having it delayed. Fourteen rural hospitals in Washington state would be at risk of closure under the Republican bill. The legislation also “defunds” Planned Parenthood for the next year, threatening the closure of up to 200 health centers across the country—90 percent of them in states where abortion is legal. 11 percent of Washington state residents rely on SNAP, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services estimated that more than 900,000 people across the state could their see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated under the House bill—the Senate bill is just as extreme.

    Senator Murray has held constant recent events—including multiple events in Washington state—to sound the alarm on Republicans’ devastating reconciliation bill and encourage constituents to raise their voices and call on their Members of Congress to oppose the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Senate Republicans’ Passage of Big, Ugly Bill to Rip Away Health Care, Nutrition, Abortion Access from WA State Families & Balloon National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    In Washington state, at least 328,695 people will lose health care under Republican bill; 900,000 Washingtonians could see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated; 14 rural hospitals will be at risk of closure

    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Murray Rails Against Republican Bill That Rips Away Health Care, Nutrition Assistance, Abortion Access & Balloons National Debt to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires; VIDEO HERE

    ICYMI: On Senate Floor, Murray Again Slams Republicans for Using Deceptive Tactics to Hide True Cost of Deficit-Busting Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    ICYMI: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Stop Republicans’ Big Ugly Betrayal Bill From Defunding Planned Parenthood

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate Republicans passing their partisan reconciliation bill—the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—by a vote of 51-50 on Tuesday, with Vice President Vance voting with Republicans to break the tie, after an overnight “vote-a-rama” where Democrats forced Republicans to take dozens of tough votes on a wide array of issues, from protecting rural hospitals to preserving food assistance for families to extending expiring tax credits that help millions of families afford health care. The nearly 30-hour vote-a-rama came after Democrats forced more than 10 hours of debate and a full reading of every word of Republicans’ 940-page bill that will kick 17 million Americans off their health care and make the largest cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance in history to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.  

    Senator Murray put forward an amendment to strike a provision of the legislation that achieves anti-abortion extremists’ long-sought goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood by cutting off Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal Medicaid funding for the care they provide for millions of low-income women across the country—including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and wellness exams. Republicans blocked the amendment, 51-49.

    “This monstrosity of a bill is about one thing: Republicans’ insistence on passing more tax breaks for billionaires and giant corporations while they kick working people off their health care, rip away nutrition assistance, and make it harder for struggling families to get by. It’s about taking away programs that give American families a hand up in hard times, to pay for a handout for the people who need it the least.

    “This should be obvious: if a bill is so bad that you have to exempt entire states from its consequences to win the votes you need—just don’t pass the bill!

    “Republicans’ legislation will mean 17 million Americans will lose their health insurance, including more than 328,000 people in Washington state who rely on Apple Health and Affordable Care Act coverage. Families will lose the SNAP benefits they rely on to afford food because of new Republican red tape positively meant to keep people from getting the benefits they are eligible for. Rural hospitals in Central and Eastern Washington that are already operating on the tightest of margins will be forced to close their doors, ripping away health care access from entire communities. Planned Parenthood health centers will shutter and women will be left with nowhere they can go to get birth control, cancer screenings, and other preventive care they can actually afford.

    “When it comes to the all-out assault on clean energy in this bill, even Elon Musk understands the plain facts of the matter—Republicans’ cuts are ‘utterly insane and destructive’ and will ‘destroy millions of jobs in America.’ Republicans are also ripping away tens of millions of dollars for critical NOAA facilities in Washington state as part of this bill.

    “This fight is not over—this bill is not yet law and I am not going to stop raising my voice and making sure the American people know exactly what is in it. Communities in Eastern and Central Washington will be among the hardest hit by these gigantic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP—now is the time to raise your voices and tell your Republican Members of Congress to vote NO. Republicans in the House need to listen to the American people and abandon this disaster of a bill.  

    “In the end, every Republican who votes for this bill will have to explain to their constituents why they voted to shutter local hospitals and punish struggling families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.”

    Earlier on Sunday, 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. Murray also spoke out repeatedly during debate on the Senate floor against Republicans’ use of a so-called “current policy baseline” to hide the true cost of their deficit-busting tax cuts for billionaires.

    Republicans’ 940-page bill, which they released in the dead of night, cuts more than $900 billion from Medicaid—$100 billion more than the House bill. That means about 17 million Americans will lose their health care, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and more than 300 rural hospitals and over 500 nursing homes could close because of the legislation. The legislation makes the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history and will rip away nutrition assistance entirely from more than 5 million Americans and shift tens of billions of dollars in costs to states. The legislation also increases the debt by nearly $4 trillion dollars—nearly a trillion more than the House bill. About two in three Americans oppose the bill.

    In Washington state, 1.95 million people rely on Apple Health, Washington state’s Medicaid program, and over 300,000 Washingtonians access coverage through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace (Washington Healthplanfinder). The Joint Economic Committee estimates that at least 328,695 people in Washington state would lose their health insurance under the Republican legislation—that includes 198,050 people who would be kicked off Medicaid and 108,262 people who would lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, Republicans’ bill would institute work reporting requirements for Medicaid, which have been proven not to increase employment and just strip health care coverage from people who are already working or exempt—this would put more than 620,000 Washingtonians at risk of losing their health care coverage or having it delayed. Fourteen rural hospitals in Washington state would be at risk of closure under the Republican bill. The legislation also “defunds” Planned Parenthood for the next year, threatening the closure of up to 200 health centers across the country—90 percent of them in states where abortion is legal. 11 percent of Washington state residents rely on SNAP, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services estimated that more than 900,000 people across the state could their see SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated under the House bill—the Senate bill is just as extreme.

    Senator Murray has held constant recent events—including multiple events in Washington state—to sound the alarm on Republicans’ devastating reconciliation bill and encourage constituents to raise their voices and call on their Members of Congress to oppose the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Feeling hot, hot, hot – Swiatek downs Wimbledon debutant to reach round two

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iga Swiatek still has a long way to go to master the art of grasscourt tennis but on Tuesday the Pole took the first step towards what she hopes will be a triumphant run at Wimbledon as she beat Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-1 in the first round.

    Facing a Wimbledon debutant, the five-times Grand Slam champion might have hoped for an easy ride as no doubt she would liked to have escaped the Court 2 furnace as quickly as possible with the temperature soaring above 33 degrees Celsius.

    Despite being a grasscourt novice, Russia’s Kudermetova refused to be overawed by the occasion, or her opponent, as she went toe-to-toe from the baseline with Swiatek for 45 minutes.

    It was not the kind of first-round trial Swiatek would have wanted as she bids to improve her rather mediocre record at the All England Club, which remains the only major where she has not contested at least a semi-final.

    It was not until the penultimate point of the opening set that Swiatek earned her first break point, which the eighth seed duly converted when Kudermetova netted a backhand to surrender the set.

    That blow effectively snuffed out the 22-year-old Russian’s hopes of winning a match at a Grand Slam for the first time as her tactics fell apart in the second.

    While Kudermetova had kept Swiatek second-guessing her game-plan for the duration of the 45-minute opening set, the former world number one raced through the second in 24 minutes, securing the victory with a sizzling backhand winner.

    “I’m glad my game clicked in the second set and am glad some fans came to see us today as it’s so hot,” Swiatek told the crowd after setting up a second–round meeting with American Caty McNally.

    EMPTY SEATS

    With many ticket holders deciding they could not tolerate the scorching heat inside the bowl-like arena, Swiatek and Kudermetova were greeted by a mass of empty green seats when they entered the sparsely-filled Court 2.

    Many of those who braved the sweltering conditions tried to keep cool by using paper or battery-operated fans. But even holding those for long with sweaty palms was a challenge.

    It was not just the spectators who were left hot and bothered as the mass of towels that started piling up next to Swiatek’s chair told its own story.

    But having reached her first grasscourt final last week at Bad Homburg, Swiatek was eager to make sure all the groundwork for Wimbledon would not be in vain.

    Two aces in the opening game suggested she might get off court in double quick time but when Kudermetova earned the first break point of the match in the fifth game, Swiatek realised her 64th-ranked opponent would be no pushover.

    A Kudermetova unforced error handed Swiatek a lucky escape and by the time the four-times Roland Garros champion bagged the first set, the stats showed she had been outplayed in a number of areas, including total winners and first serve points won.

    Yet with the momentum of claiming the first set behind her, it was not long before Swiatek was celebrating winning her 62nd consecutive opening match on the tour.

    “I needed some time to adjust to the grass because it’s different than Bad Homburg,” said Swiatek, who turned up for the match after enduring a sleepless night due to the hot weather.

    “The heat is going to be over tomorrow, so I survived it,” she added with a smile.

    (Reuters)

  • Perricard exits Wimbledon but makes mark with fastest serve

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard departed Wimbledon as a first-round loser but the Frenchman left his mark on the Grand Slam with the fastest serve recorded in the tournament’s history – a 153 mph (246 kph) missile against Taylor Fritz on Monday.

    Perricard, whose match was later suspended due to the local 11pm curfew and resumed on Tuesday, was beaten 6-7(6) 6-7(8) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4 but much of the talk in his press conference was about his status as a “serve-bot” in the men’s game.

    That was largely due to the 21-year-old’s reputation for consistently hitting huge serves and his record-breaking effort in the opening game of the contest which eclipsed the previous tournament mark of 148 mph set by American Taylor Dent in 2010.

    “I didn’t check the speed, to be honest. I saw that last night. I lost the point. I’m not doing some special technique to have a big serve or a fast serve. I’m serving like I’m supposed to do,” Perricard told reporters.

    “We don’t train a lot to be honest on this part of my game. It comes naturally.”

    Australian Sam Groth hit the fastest recorded serve at a professional event with a 163.7 mph (263.4 kph) rocket at the Busan Challenger in 2012, a match he lost in straight sets to prove big serves can be blunt weapons in the modern game.

    Perricard, whose thundering deliveries are greatly aided by him being 6ft 8in, said he expected serves to only get faster in the future as players push the limits of their physicality.

    “Players are stronger,” he added. “They have bigger shoulders, so I don’t know, 260 (kph), 270 (kph) maybe the next one is going to be.”

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The manipulations around the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation issue will be rejected by history as a political farce, and Xizang will achieve even greater prosperity – Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, July 1 (Xinhua) — The manipulations around the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation issue are a political farce that will be rejected by history. The Xijiang Autonomous Region, which has demonstrated tremendous success in all spheres of life, will achieve even greater prosperity and development. This opinion was expressed by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui in an opinion piece published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Tuesday.

    As the Chinese diplomat pointed out, the 14th Dalai Lama’s clique has recently been trying to confuse the international community, actively speculating on the topic of reincarnation and spreading absurd and false ideas, including the “independent reincarnation of the Dalai Lama” and “reincarnation in a free country.” “The manipulation of the reincarnation issue is nothing more than a political farce, which will certainly meet with decisive opposition from the broad masses of believers of Chinese Tibetan Buddhism and will inevitably be rejected by history,” Zhang Hanhui writes.

    The ambassador recalled that as a unique religious tradition of inheriting the highest spiritual rank in Chinese Tibetan Buddhism, the system of reincarnation of living Buddhas has formed a holistic and strict complex of religious rituals and historical rules over more than 700 years of its development. It includes the search for a reincarnation within China, drawing lots using a special golden urn and submitting it for approval to the central government of China. “The process of reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is clearly defined by centuries-old historical and legal norms, is deeply rooted in the legal governance of the central government of China and is in no way subject to manipulation by individuals or certain groups,” the ambassador said.

    Zhang Hanhui assured that the Chinese government pursues a policy that guarantees citizens freedom of religion. He stressed that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has been an exclusively internal matter of China since ancient times, in which no foreign state, external force or individual has the right to interfere. “All states have managed and manage their religious affairs on a legal basis, both in the past and present, in the East and in the West, this is an inalienable requirement of state sovereignty and government authority,” the publication says.

    This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region. The Chinese diplomat pointed to the great achievements in the development of all spheres of life. “Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Xizang has put an end to the extremely backward feudal serfdom system once and for all, achieved a historic victory in eradicating absolute poverty, and together with all the Chinese people embarked on a new path of great revival of the Chinese nation through the comprehensive promotion of Chinese modernization. Today, Xizang is confidently walking along the bright, prosperous, stable, harmonious and beautiful path of socialism,” the ambassador noted.

    Zhang Hanhui stressed that the Xizang issue is a purely internal matter for China, affects the country’s fundamental interests and is not subject to interference by any external forces. “The Chinese side opposes any attempts at separatist actions aimed at undermining the security and stability of Xizang,” he warned.

    According to the diplomat, the Chinese side highly appreciates and sincerely thanks the Russian government and people for their constant firm support on the Xizang issue and is confident that Moscow will continue to support China’s efforts to protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure security, stability and interethnic unity in Xizang. The Chinese diplomat invited the Russians to visit the amazing Xizang and see it with their own eyes.

    “Only by going there in person, seeing with your own eyes the vibrant modern cities of Xijiang, hearing the happy song in the new villages of Xijiang, experiencing the majestic beauty of the snow-capped mountains and sacred lakes, and feeling the unique charm of the thousand-year-old culture, can one truly appreciate the truly epochal historical transformation and achievements in Xijiang’s development, and understand why the people of all ethnic groups in Xijiang wholeheartedly support the CPC leadership,” Zhang Hanhui added, expressing confidence that Xijiang will write a new chapter of unity and progress and achieve greater prosperity and development. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The World Bank has allocated $173.5 million to Azerbaijan for the development of renewable energy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BAKU, July 1 (Xinhua) — The World Bank and the Government of Azerbaijan have signed a $173.5 million loan agreement to support a program to expand the use of renewable energy and strengthen energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan.

    As reported by the AZERTAC news agency, two documents were approved at the signing ceremony on Tuesday – a loan agreement between Azerenergy and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), part of the World Bank Group, and a guarantee agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the IBRD.

    The four-year program envisages the modernization of the Azerenergy energy system and the safe integration of new wind and solar power plants into the general energy grid. It is planned to build four high-voltage power transmission lines with a voltage of 500 and 330 kV with a total length of 341 km, as well as the purchase of transformers and equipment for the Navahi substation.

    At the signing ceremony, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Sahil Babayev said the agreement reflects the country’s strategic course for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy. According to him, Azerbaijan has significant technical potential in the field of wind, solar and hydropower and aims to become not only a producer but also an exporter of green energy. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Missile fired from Yemen intercepted over Israel – Israeli army

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    JERUSALEM, July 1 (Xinhua) — Yemen’s Houthi rebel forces fired a rocket toward Israel on Tuesday evening, triggering air raid sirens in central and southern parts of the country before the projectile was intercepted, the Israeli army said in a statement.

    “The missile, launched from Yemeni territory, was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force,” the military said, adding that alarm sirens were activated.

    There are no reports of casualties.

    The Houthis regularly attack Israel with missiles and drones, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The rebel group says it will stop its attacks if Israel ends its offensive in the Palestinian enclave and lifts its blockade. In response, the Jewish state has launched massive airstrikes in Yemen, hitting key ports, an airport and other infrastructure. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian President V. Putin held a telephone conversation with French President E. Macron

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Moscow, July 1 (Xinhua) — The Kremlin press service said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron had a telephone conversation. They discussed the situation around Ukraine, the Iranian-Israeli confrontation and the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    This is the first conversation between the presidents in nearly three years. The last time they spoke by phone was on September 11, 2022.

    The heads of the two states discussed in detail the situation in the Middle East in the context of the Iranian-Israeli confrontation and the American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. It is noted that V. Putin and E. Macron pointed out the special responsibility of Russia and France as permanent members of the UN Security Council in maintaining peace and security, including in the Middle East region, as well as in preserving the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. “In this regard, the importance of respecting Tehran’s legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy and continuing to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including cooperation with the IAEA, was emphasized,” the statement said.

    “The leaders expressed their support for the resolution of the crisis around the Iranian nuclear program, as well as the resolution of other contradictions in the Middle East, to be achieved exclusively by political and diplomatic means. It was agreed to continue contacts for the purpose of possible coordination of positions,” the Kremlin press service added.

    Speaking about the prospects for a peaceful settlement, the Russian president confirmed the fundamental approaches to possible agreements, which should be comprehensive and long-term, provide for the elimination of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and be based on “new territorial realities.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union International Officers Sworn in for New Term During Ceremony Honoring Union Democracy, Member-Led Leadership

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union marked a powerful moment of renewal as its newly elected International Officers were sworn in for a four-year term during an installation ceremony that celebrated the union’s democratic foundation and its future-facing vision.

    Held before an audience of IAM members, retirees, staff, and labor allies, the ceremony at the IAM’s Headquarters was a reminder that in the IAM Union, leadership is chosen by the membership. Each officer sworn in was elected directly by the IAM’s rank-and-file membership. 

    WATCH: 2025 IAM Union International Officer Installation Ceremony

    International President Brian Bryant, a longtime member of Local S6, was sworn in to continue to lead the IAM through a period of bold organizing, strategic growth, and deep commitment to equity and inclusion. In his remarks, Bryant offered heartfelt thanks to the membership, his fellow Executive Council members, the IAM’s staff, and his family. 

    PHOTOS: 2025 IAM Union International Officer Installation Ceremony

    “To our membership—thank you,” said Bryant. “Thank you for placing your trust in this leadership team. That trust is not something we take lightly. It’s something we earn—every day, in every fight, in every shop floor conversation, contract campaign, organizing drive, and legislative battle.”

    Bryant also reinforced the union’s evolving identity. 

    “We must be clear: This union stands for all workers. No matter where you were born. No matter who you love. No matter who you worship. No matter how you got here,” said Bryant. “If you work for a living—you deserve justice on the job. You deserve the power of a union contract. And you deserve to be treated with dignity.”

    AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler also delivered remarks during the ceremony, celebrating the IAM Union’s legacy and applauding the union’s future-facing leadership. 

    “What brings us together is this belief that all work has dignity and that we all deserve the freedom, fairness and security,” said Shuler. “Those are the values that unite every worker, and that’s what we’re going to fight for every single day. We’re going to organize everywhere — just like the IAM is by taking on the largest companies in the world.”

    The following officers were sworn in for a four-year term, beginning July 1, 2025: 

    International President
     Brian Bryant (Local S6) 

    General Secretary-Treasurer
    Dora Cervantes (Local 2198) 

    Canadian General Vice President
    David Chartrand (Local 712)* 

    U.S. General Vice Presidents
    David Sullivan (Local S6)
    Richie Johnsen (Local 1781)
    Craig Martin (Local 470)
    Jody Bennett (Local 2771)
    Sam Cicinelli (Local 701)
    Robert “Bobby” Martinez (Local 933) 

    Law Committee
     Eric Johnston (Local 235)
     Ryan Haehnlein (Local 701)
     Teressa Peart (Local 774)
     Olu Ajetomobi (Local 1781)
     Sal Vasquez (Local 311) 

    Delegates to the AFL-CIO
     E. Michael Vartabedian (Local 264)
     Sharon Sugiyama (Local 2339G)
     Richard Jackson (Local 751A) 

    Delegate to the Canadian Labour Congress
     Christy Slauenwhite (Local 764)*

    *Elected solely by IAM members in Canada

    Administering the oath of office was retired IAM International President R. Thomas Buffenbarger, who led the union from 1997 to 2016. Buffenbarger’s presence and role in the ceremony served as a bridge between generations of IAM leadership and reinforced the enduring principles that guide the union.

    The installation ceremony featured spiritual and inspirational reflection from Derrick Monk, a member of IAM Local 1776, a District 141 Trustee, and Senior Pastor of the Divine Covenant Outreach Center in Philadelphia. Monk set the tone for the ceremony with an invocation that called on unity, courage, and the shared responsibility of leadership.

    As the IAM Union looks ahead, this newly installed leadership team is charged with growing the union across traditional and emerging industries, empowering members through strong contracts, and continuing to lead with integrity, inclusion, and determination.

    “All of us, together, are the stewards of something powerful,” said Bryant. “We inherit this union not just to protect it, but to grow it. To make it bolder, more inclusive, and more powerful than ever.”

    The post IAM Union International Officers Sworn in for New Term During Ceremony Honoring Union Democracy, Member-Led Leadership appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Largest CCPA Settlement to Date, Secures $1.55 Million from Healthline.com

    Source: US State of California

    Action represents fourth settlement, continued enforcement priority under the California Consumer Privacy Act

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a settlement pending court approval with website publisher Healthline Media LLC (Healthline), resolving allegations that its use of online tracking technology on its health information website, Healthline.com, violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). An investigation by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) found that Healthline failed to allow consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and shared data with third parties without CCPA-mandated privacy protections — including data suggesting that a person may have a serious health condition. The proposed settlement, pending final approval from the court, includes $1.55 million in civil penalties and strong injunctive terms, including a novel term that prohibits Healthline from sharing article titles that reveal that a consumer may have already been diagnosed with a medical condition — banning the company from engaging in these types of data transmissions.

    “Our settlement with Healthline underscores that Californians have critical privacy rights under the CCPA to fight online surveillance — including by website publishers. Healthline shared data with third parties that could have revealed consumers’ private medical diagnoses, and while doing so, disregarded consumer’s rights to opt-out of the sale and sharing of this data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California continues to lead the nation in enforcing our robust privacy protection law, and businesses that collect consumer data must honor consumers’ privacy rights. My office is committed to the continued enforcement of the CCPA — every Californian has the right to their online privacy.” 

    Healthline.com is a health and wellness information website that is one of the top 40 most visited websites in the world. Healthline generates revenue by showing ads — some of which are personally targeted at the reader. To maximize ad revenue, Healthline allows online trackers, like cookies and pixels, to communicate data about readers to advertisers and other third parties. Healthline shared data that could uniquely identify the consumer, in addition to the title of the article they were reading. Some titles indicated that the reader may have already been diagnosed with a serious illness, such as “You’ve Been Newly Diagnosed with MS. What’s Next?” And because these online trackers run invisibly in the background in the first milliseconds when a webpage loads, consumers often have no idea how many online trackers might be running. In Healthline’s case, dozens of trackers were sharing consumer data with numerous third parties.

    The complaint filed today alleges Healthline violated the CCPA and the Unfair Competition Law by:

    • Failing to opt consumers out of the sharing of their personal information for targeted advertising. The CCPA gives consumers the right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of their personal information for certain targeted advertising. Businesses and website publishers must honor these requests, including requests submitted through the Global Privacy Control. Healthline continued to share data with some third parties involved in advertising, even for consumer who exercised their right to opt -out.  
    • Violating the Purpose Limitation Principle. Under the CCPA, a business’s use of personal information is limited to the purposes for which the personal information was collected or processed or another disclosed, compatible purpose. Healthline violated this principle by sharing article titles suggesting a consumer may have already been diagnosed with a specific medical condition to target advertising at the consumer.   
    • Failing to maintain CCPA-required contracts. Healthline had not ensured its advertising contracts contain privacy protections for readers’ data required by the CCPA. Instead, Healthline had assumed, but not verified, that the third parties had agreed to abide by an industry contractual framework. 
    • Deceiving consumers about privacy practices. The Unfair Competition Law prohibits deceptive business practices. Healthline.com featured a “consent banner” that did not disable tracking cookies, despite purporting to do so if a consumer unchecked a box.   

    Under the settlement today, Healthline is required to ensure that its opt-out mechanisms work correctly; must stop disclosing information that can link a specific consumer to a specific article title that suggests that consumers have been diagnosed with a disease; must maintain a CCPA compliance program that, among other things, mandates that Healthline audits its contracts for specific, required privacy terms or confirm that third parties have signed an industry contractual framework that includes those terms; and maintain accurate online disclosures and privacy policy. 

    Today’s settlement represents Attorney General Bonta’s fourth enforcement action under the CCPA, and his continued priority to enforce California’s robust privacy laws:  

    In June 2024, Attorney General Bonta and Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced a $500,000 settlement with Tilting Point Media LLC resolving allegations that the company violated the CCPA and federal law by collecting and sharing children’s data without parental consent in their popular mobile app game “SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off.”  In February 2024, Attorney General Bonta announced a settlement with DoorDash, resolving allegations that the company violated the CCPA and COPPA, by selling California customers’ personal information without providing notice or an opportunity to opt out of that sale.  In August 2022, the Attorney General announced a settlement with Sephora resolving allegations that it failed to disclose to consumers that it was selling their personal information and failed to process opt-out requests via user-enabled global privacy controls in violation of the CCPA. 

    This March, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce the CCPA, Attorney General Bonta announced an investigative sweep into the location data industry, sending letters to advertising networks, mobile app providers, and data brokers that appear to be in violation of the CCPA. The risk posed by the widespread collection and sale of location data has become immediately and particularly relevant given federal threats to California’s immigrant communities, and to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. Attorney General Bonta has previously conducted investigative sweeps related to streaming apps and devices and employee information.

    For more information about the CCPA, visit oag.ca.gov/ccpa. To report a violation of the CCPA to the Attorney General, consumers can submit a complaint online at oag.ca.gov/report.

    A copy of the complaint is available here, a copy of the proposed settlement is available here. The settlement is pending court approval.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alleged Member of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Extradited to El Paso

    Source: US FBI

    EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national charged with four counts in a 14-count indictment was extradited to the Western District of Texas following his arrest in Mexico last week.

    According to court documents, from January 2016 through August 2019, Hector Adrian Rojero Ramos aka Teto, 54, allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl from Mexico to destinations in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and elsewhere in the United States. Rojero Ramos was arrested in Mexico June 25 and made his initial appearance in a federal court in El Paso on June 27.

    Rojero Ramos is charged with one count of conspiracy to import a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and two counts of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Luis Acosta is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde Investigates the Merger of Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. The firm is headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and is investigating Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE) related to its sale to Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, current Sage shareholders will receive $8.50 per share in cash, plus one non-tradable contingent value right collectively worth up to $3.50 per share in cash payable (i) $0.50 the first commercial sale of the drug Zurzuvae in Japan to third-aprty consumers following regulatory approval on or before June 30, 2026; (ii) $1.00 when net sales of Zurzuvae reach or exceed $300 million in the U.S. on or before December 31, 2028; and (iii) $1.00 when net sales of Zurzuvae reach or exceed $375 million in the U.S. on or before December 31, 2030. Is it a fair deal?

    Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/sage-therapeutics-inc/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE EQUAL. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No one is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
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    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Department of Navy Top Scientists, Engineers Recognized for Excellence

    Source: United States Navy

    WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of the Navy recognized the finest in Navy and Marine Corps science and engineering June 25 at the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RD&A) Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers awards ceremony. Dr. Brett A. Seidle, Acting ASN(RD&A) and Mr. Peter C. Reddy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test, and Engineering (DASN(RDT&E)), personally recognized top scientists and engineers from across the Department of the Navy (DON) and highlighted their incredible accomplishments.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes ‘Regressive, Downright Cruel’ Tax Bill that will Significantly Harm Maine People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the United States Senate passed the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ tax and budget legislation — a bill that was passed by the Republican majority with a single tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. Maine DHHS estimates that, because of this legislation, 31,000 Mainers would be disenrolled from MaineCare in the first year and estimates suggest that 4 rural Maine hospitals could close. In addition, it is estimated that 20,000 Mainers will lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

    The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration in the days ahead.

    U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) previously spoke on the Senate Floor to share remarks on the bill that he called “irresponsible, regressive, and downright cruel” and highlighted the inevitable harm it would do to Maine people — adding he found it “immoral” to take food from vulnerable children while giving larger tax breaks to well-off Americans.

    A statement from Senator King on final Senate passage of the bill is below:

    “We just voted on the so-called Budget Reconciliation, a bill which was passed by the Republican majority on a straight party-line vote. This bill will have catastrophic impacts on Maine people. In fact, I think this is the worst, most regressive and harmful piece of legislation I’ve ever seen. 

    “Here’s the way I can best explain the consequences of this disastrous bill: 

    1. It will have devastating impacts upon Maine itself, on our state and on our state budgets.

    2. It’s going to have devastating impacts on Maine people.

    3. It’s a gross transfer of wealth from lower income people to the very wealthy. 

    4. Even with these devastating cuts, the bill still explodes the federal deficit which will result in higher interest rates and a drag on business expansion in Maine and across the country.

    “I call this the Great Maine Robbery. First, it’s going to shift millions of dollars to state budgets —which means Maine taxpayers will be left footing the bill for essential services like healthcare and food assistance. It will also likely result in the closure of rural community health centers and hospitals — although the health fund in this bill will provide some limited relief to Maine hospitals, it do anything for the thousands who will lose their health care under the terms of this bill. This will leave Maine people traveling further and spending more money out of pocket than they would otherwise. Many Maine people will also likely lose their MaineCare and CoverME marketplace coverage entirely, and significant Medicare cuts from this bill will harm Maine’s older adults.

    “Essentially, this bill is a ‘shift and shaft’ to provide huge tax cuts for those making more than $400,000 per year in exchange for the elimination of critical programs that Maine people rely on for food, health and safety. This is not politics — this is the wellbeing of Maine people, and even though this bill is huge setback, I remain committed to fighting for them every single day.”

    According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the legislation would add $3.3 trillion dollars to the federal deficit over the next ten years, while also cutting $1.1 trillion from Medicaid over the same time, resulting in 11.8 million Americans losing healthcare. Maine DHHS estimates that, if passed as is, 31,000 Mainers would be disenrolled from MaineCare in the first year and estimates suggest that 4 rural Maine hospitals would close.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Votes Against Republican Tax Scam That Will Raise Costs and Cut Health Care for Millions of Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted against the final passage of H.R. 1, the Republican tax scam which cuts Medicaid, clean energy tax credits, food assistance, and more in order to lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote.

    “This morning, Senate Republicans voted to raise costs on working families, rip health care from Nevadans who need it, and kill good-paying jobs across our state to ensure their billionaire friends save on their taxes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Make no mistake: Republicans are responsible for the devastating impacts that will come from this bill. I will continue to put a spotlight on how these disastrous cuts are causing harm to Nevadans.”

    According to reports, the Republican tax bill would:

    • Add almost $4 trillion to the national debt
    • Cut more than $1.1 trillion in health care funding, including $930 billion from Medicaid
    • Kick 17 million Americans off health insurance, including 114,500 Nevadans
    • Threaten 21,000 clean-energy jobs in Nevada
    • Raise the cost of Nevadans’ energy bills by $400 per year
    • Slash food assistance programs that will raise grocery costs, threaten free school lunches, and make it harder for over 40 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and 1.2 million veterans to put food on the table.
    • Gut BrandUSA, a long-standing bipartisan public-private partnership to support international tourists coming to Nevada
    • Further President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda instead of focusing on targeting criminals 
    • Provide a $118,630 tax boost for the top 0.1% of Americans while raising costs for working families

    Senator Cortez Masto has repeatedly called out President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ attempts to slash Medicaid and harm Nevada families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. She has also continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families, small businesses, and Nevada’s travel and tourism economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Deputy Secretary-General’s remarks at the High-level special event “Forging a Common Agenda to Achieve Debt Sustainability in Developing Countries” [as prepared for delivery]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Prime Minister Sanchez,
    Excellencies,
    Dear friends,
    Ten years after countries adopted the SDGs, development faces formidable headwinds: slowing global growth, the threat of a trade war, and repeated global shocks from climate and conflict. 
    But the most unsettling challenge facing developing countries is the debt crisis. 
    Borrowing is critical for development. 
    It provides a means for governments to invest boldly in a better future for their people. 
    It is especially critical at a time when all countries are required to undertake one-off generational investments to green their economies and build 21st century digital infrastructure. 
    But today, borrowing is not working for development. 
    Over two-thirds of low-income countries are either in debt distress or at high risk of it. 
    3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education. 
    The debt crisis is a silent crisis in two respects. 
    First, the crisis doesn’t impact the lives or economies of those in advanced economies. 
    The immediate effects of the crisis are contained and do not threaten the stability of global financial markets.
    Second, among global policymakers, there is a striking reluctance to acknowledge the crisis for what it is, perhaps driven by the increasingly unlikely hope that the problem will solve itself if interest rates came down.
    However, I’m pleased to report that, thanks to many of you, this is now starting to change.
    Over the last several months, we’ve seen the launch of several bold initiatives – the African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative; the Expert Review on Debt, Climate and Nature; the Jubilee Commission; and the Secretary-General’s Expert Group on Debt – that are making crisis increasingly hard to ignore.
    And through the Seville conference and its outcome document, and the ongoing work of the South African G20, this crisis is finally being seen and heard.
    These efforts have laid bare the shortcomings of our debt architecture, and the harms they are causing in developing countries.
    They also identify actions that can arrest the debt crisis and enable debt to fulfil a supportive role in countries’ development success.
    Now that we are finally getting the attention of policymakers, we still face the challenge of compelling action.
    Let me propose three things we, as a community, must do moving forward.
    First, consolidate our message and asks.
    We have a rich set of analyses and recommendations but must find ways of bringing these together.
    This includes borrowing language and recommendations from the Seville outcome document and bringing it forward into the outcome documents of this year’s G20 and COP30.
    Second, everyone must do their part.
    For instance, Spain has shown outstanding leadership on promoting debt swaps and debt pauses.
    The UN stands ready to advance member states’ call for the creation of a platform for borrowers to share experience, build capacity and coordinate approaches and strengthen borrower countries’ voices.
    Third and finally, we must continue to expand our coalition.
    This includes winning the support of the leading board members at the IFIs.
    It also means mobilizing civil society, as envisaged by the Jubilee campaign.
    With these three steps, I believe we can break the cycle of debt together, and usher in a new era of debt sustainability for all countries.
    Thank you. 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Multilateral development bank heads and private sector leaders map out deeper cooperation in Seville for development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group in partnership with the Financial Alliance for Net Zero convened a high-level exchange with leaders of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and private sector CEOs at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville to deepen cooperation and scale private sector investment in emerging markets and developing economies.

    Heads of the African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank Group and leaders of private sector financial and corporate institutions convened for a high-level roundtable to accelerate joint action to mobilise private capital for sustainable development goals. 

    The participants identified opportunities around scaling up successful and existing public-private partnerships and financial instruments, MDBs providing local currency finance and hedging instruments – including through commercial banks – sharing risk statistics through the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database (GEMs), blending instruments, local capacity building and engaging with governments and regulators to create the right conditions for private investment to thrive.

    The roundtable in Seville followed the Heads of MDBs meeting, hosted by the CEB on Saturday in Paris, where in a Joint Statement the participants highlighted private capital mobilisation as a system-wide priority, in line with the Viewpoint Note from Washington in April 2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Regulatory obstacles to critical grid infrastructure in the face of recent crises – P-002370/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission agrees that a sufficient supply of switchgear is essential for the electrical power system and the transition to a climate neutral Union.

    The prohibitions regarding switchgear in Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases[1] aim to prevent the use of high global warming potential F-gases and where possible replace them with alternatives with no or a global warming potential (GWP) of 1.

    The mechanism is designed to limit the risk of constraining the supply of switchgear, in those cases where there are less than two bids offering switchgear that meet the GWP requirements.

    To facilitate the implementation of this mechanism, the Commission has made available a document with frequently asked questions and answers[2].

    The Commission does not consider that a simplification is relevant in this case and will continue to support an effective implementation of this mechanism.

    The Commission will also monitor over time, without specific end-date, the progress in the implementation of the F-gas Regulation and the market developments in the switchgear sector, in close cooperation with the sector. The Commission will act, if it is deemed appropriate.

    • [1]  OJ L, 2024/573, 20.2.2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/573/oj.
    • [2] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/document/download/cfe52d31-9203-435d-b043-62f74900fd96_en?filename=policy_f-gases_stakeholders_switchgear_faq_en.pdf.
    Last updated: 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Far-left attacks threatening European infrastructure – E-001821/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU has strengthened the legislative framework regarding the protection of critical infrastructure, notably with the entry into application in October 2024 of the directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities[1], that enhances the resilience of critical entities that provide essential services for vital societal functions or economic activities.

    The directive addresses the resilience of critical entities in respect of all hazards, whether natural or man-made, accidental or intentional.

    The European Internal Security Strategy[2] stresses the importance of timely transposition and correct implementation of this directive.

    According to the directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities, Member States have to adopt a strategy on the resilience of critical entities and perform a risk assessment by 17 January 2026 and to identify critical entities in the 11 sectors covered by the directive by 17 July 2026.

    Identified critical entities in turn will have to perform a risk assessment and take appropriate and proportionate resilience enhancing measures within 10 months after having been notified of their identification as critical entity.

    The Commission will continue to support Member States in the implementation of the directive with implementing legislation, advice and guidelines, and facilitate the exchange of information and best practices among Member States.

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2022/2557 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the resilience of critical entities and repealing Council Directive 2008/114/EC.
    • [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy; COM(2025) 148 final.
    Last updated: 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The case of Azerbaijani political prisoner Tofig Yagublu – E-001955/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Human rights and the rule of law in Azerbaijan remain a priority for the EU and are at the core of the EU-Azerbaijan bilateral relations. The EU has repeatedly voiced concerns regarding the arrests of independent journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists[1].

    In this context, the EU has been following the case of Mr Tofiq Yagublu closely and was vocal about his detention and health condition on various occasions[2] .

    Mr Yagublu, as well as all other detainees, have the right to due process, a fair trial and access to proper healthcare. All persons detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released.

    The EU continues to raise these issues with the authorities at all levels, including during the recent visit to Baku of the High Representative/Vice-President on 25 April 2025.

    Protection of human rights and respect for civil society are integral parts of the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement[3].

    The negotiations for a new agreement will continue to be based on Azerbaijan’s multilateral and bilateral commitments. The EU remains committed to continuing the dialogue and cooperation on human rights and the rule of law with Azerbaijan.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/azerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-human-rights-situation_en; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-10-2024-10-22-ITM-020_EN.html; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-10-2024-12-18-ITM-019-03_EN.html.
    • [2] https://x.com/anouareuspox/status/1920563856499245180?s=46&t=iHq8dMv1wG10ZFDHNp0C3;
      https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/azerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-detention-journalists-and-political-activists_en;
      https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/azerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-detention-human-rights-defenders-and-political-activists_en;
      https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/azerbaijan-statement-spokesperson-sentencing-tofiq-yagublu_en.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A21999A0917%2801%29.
    Last updated: 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Criteria for harmonised legislation in the announced ‘28th legal regime’ – E-001614/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Competitiveness Compass[1] announced the initiative on the 28th regime as one of the key measures to contribute to EU competitiveness and to make business easier and faster in Europe.

    The underlying problem is the fragmentation of legal frameworks across Member States, which leads to reduced business activity and forgone opportunities for companies in the Single Market to grow and expand.

    The recent Single Market Strategy[2] explained that the 28th regime will provide a single set of rules, potentially in a progressive and modular way.

    It would include an EU corporate legal framework, based on digital by default solutions, and will help companies overcome barriers when setting up and operating as well as attracting investment across the Single Market.

    The 28th regime will aim to simplify applicable rules, and it will also address specific aspects within relevant areas of law, including insolvency, labour and tax law, with the overall objective to enhance competitiveness and help companies, in particular innovative ones, start-ups and scale-ups .

    At the same time, the measures under the 28th regime must strike the right balance with other interests, such as those of employees, and ensure that the fight against tax evasion, tax avoidance and fraud is upheld.

    To achieve this, it will be carefully considered, also based on stakeholders’ views in the public consultation, what specific aspects should be addressed and how.

    • [1] COM(2025) 30 final.
    • [2] COM(2025) 500 final.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – AFET ad-hoc delegation to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates – 14-16 April 2025 – 14-04-2025 – Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    AFET Ad-hoc delegation to Saudi Arabia and UAE – April 2025 © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

    A delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by the Chair David McAllister (EPP, DE), visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 14-15 April and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 15-16 April. The visit was a very timely opportunity to assess EU’s cooperation with both countries and with the GCC and to discuss about the risk of regional tensions by promoting trust building among the different actors.

    Among other issues, Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs debated on the situation in Yemen and regional cooperation, including relations with Iran.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Changes in the tobacco market in the European Union – E-001976/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission continues to work on revising the Tobacco Tax Directive.

    The upcoming revision is based on an impact assessment and public consultations in line with the principles of Better Regulation.

    The Commission is assessing a number of options in line with the Council conclusions of June 2020 on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco.

    Harmonisation of excise duties on tobacco products necessitates careful consideration of public health and fiscal objectives, while respecting national competences .

    The Commission is committed to supporting Member States in line with the objectives of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan[1].

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union/cancer-plan-europe_en.
    Last updated: 1 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Global currency dominance in the 21st century: where does the euro stand? – 01-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The dollar has been the dominant global currency and the anchor of the international monetary system for over 80 years. The euro, once seen as a legitimate contender for this role, has largely stagnated in second place. This paper explains recent policy and other developments that have reinvigorated the debate about global currency dominance and discusses the viability of the dollar’s continued dominance. It then explores different possible scenarios and policy gaps that would need to be addressed for the euro to play a more prominent international role.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Article 17 reporting in the Habitats Directive – P-002047/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware of the instructions referred to in the question of the Honourable Members. However, the Commission notes that Sweden has not yet submitted its report at the time this answer is drafted.

    The European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Commission have provided guidance on assessing conservation status of habitat types and species including the setting of Favourable Reference Values (FRVs) under the Habitats Directive[1] (format[2] and guidance[3]).

    According to this guidance, FRVs should not, in principle, be lower than the values when the Habitats Directive came into force, as most habitats have been listed in the annexes because of their unfavourable status.

    Furthermore, FRVs should be set on the basis of ecological/biological considerations and by using the best available knowledge and scientific expertise.

    Reporting FRVs as ‘unknown’ when they are actually known or can be set would not be considered sound practice.

    The EEA and the Commission will continue to provide guidance on how to establish FRVs, assess carefully Member States’ reports, and provide feedback to Member States if necessary, also in the light of the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation[4].

    The EEA will carry out a public consultation before finalising the draft EU-biogeographical assessment of the data reported by national authorities.

    If national reports are not submitted in time, contain significant errors, display inaccuracies, involve falsification, or are only partially completed with much of the required information marked as ‘unknown,’ the Commission may initiate an infringement procedure.

    • [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
    • [2] https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/habitats_art17/Reporting2025/Art.17%20report%20format%202019-2024.pdf/.
    • [3] https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/habitats_art17/Reporting2025/Final%20Guidelines%20Art.%2017_2019-2024.pdf/.
    • [4] Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869, OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Western Balkans Leaders’ meeting in Skopje reaffirms commitment for swift delivery of the Growth Plan

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 01 Jul 2025 Today, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the leaders of the six Western Balkans partners (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) gathered in Skopje for a high-level meeting dedicated to the EU-backed Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

    MIL OSI Europe News –