Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
On World Population Day, the numbers tell a remarkable story: global fertility has plunged by more than half since 1950. Countries that adapt their economic models now will thrive in tomorrow’s demographic reality. More in F&D magazine. https://imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2025/06/the-longevity-dividend-andrew-scott
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002735/2025/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Yannis Maniatis (S&D)
According to a letter from the Turkish Foreign Minister to the Office of the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, published today[1], Türkiye has initiated secret negotiations with the new regime in Syria on the delimitation of maritime zones beyond territorial waters in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Bearing in mind that Türkiye has very close relations with the new Syrian regime, and that the Turkish-Libyan memorandum of understanding – by which Türkiye tried to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone between Türkiye and Libya – violates international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the sovereign rights of Greece, as recognised by the European Council in its conclusions, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:
Submitted: 3.7.2025
Source: European Parliament
The Commission has been actively supporting research efforts to better understand and address the impact of contrails on the climate for over 35 years.
It is indeed due to these EU and national efforts that we have the present level of understanding and global leadership in this domain. As we work towards implementing effective contrail avoidance practices, our current focus remains on tackling all aviation emissions in the most effective manner.
The Commission is currently working on fuel composition and exploring possible ways to improving jet fuel quality to reduce aromatics and sulphur levels lowering the amounts of non-CO2-emissions stemming from fuel consumption.
Similarly, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation[1] and the increased adoption of specific types of sustainable aviation fuels are expected to contribute to the decrease of contrail formation that affect non-CO2 climate impacts.
In addition, the climate impacts of non-CO2 are already being monitored and reported following the entry into applicability of the Measurement Reporting and Verification framework as of 1 January 2025, as part of the EU Emissions Trading System Directive.
Financial opportunities for contrail avoidance and sustainable aviation are available through EU funding programmes[2]. For example, the ‘dynamic collaboration to generalize eco-friendly trajectories’ (CONCERTO)[3] aims to demonstrate that more environmental trajectories and climate mitigation measures can be implemented in the daily operations to reduce CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
All the above EU research projects and many other national ones (e.g Climaviation[4] and LUFO[5]) are expected to ensure a rapid and holistic reduction of all non-CO2 emissions (including contrails).
Source: European Parliament
The EU and the EU Delegation in Cairo are aware of and closely monitoring the developments following the Ismailia Court of Appeals’ ruling linked to the legal status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.
In a meeting called by the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian authorities assured Member States’ Ambassadors and the EU Head of Delegation in Cairo that the Egyptian government remains fully committed to preserving the monastery’s religious, historical, and spiritual status.
The Egyptian authorities reaffirmed that the monks’ access to the site will not be affected by the court ruling. This matter is also subject to ongoing direct negotiations between the Greek and Egyptian governments.
The EU, and its Member States, will continue to follow this matter and the commitments made by the government of Egypt.
Source: European Parliament
The EU and the EU Delegation in Cairo are aware of and continue to monitor the recent developments in Egypt after the Ismailia Court of Appeals issued a ruling linked to the legal status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai.
In a meeting called by the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian authorities assured Member States’ Ambassadors and the EU Head of Delegation in Cairo that the Egyptian government remains fully committed to preserving the monastery’s religious, historical, and spiritual status, adding that the current status of the area around Saint Catherine’s Monastery is untouchable. It was reaffirmed that the monks’ access to the site will not be affected by the court ruling.
The EU welcomes the commitments of the governments of Greece and Egypt to work together towards safeguarding the rights of Saint Catherine’s Monastery and awaits any new developments with regard to its legal status.
The EU will continue to follow the situation closely and await the result of the discussions between the Egyptian and Greek Authorities, insisting on the necessity to preserve the monastery’s religious, historical, and spiritual status, in accordance with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Convention[1].
Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission is currently assessing the conformity of decree-law No 48/2025[1] with Directive (EU) 2015/1535[2] and will be in dialogue with the Italian authorities. The Commission is unable to comment further at this stage.
2. As mentioned in its answer[3] to Question E-001510/2024, the Commission has received multiple complaints regarding a proposed amendment to the Italian law on public security that restricts the movement of hemp inflorescences or products containing such inflorescences. However, the Commission underlines that this amendment is still under examination in the Italian Senate and hence not yet in force. As the Italian Government has recently adopted the above-mentioned decree-law which includes similar provisions[4], the Commission is currently assessing its compliance with the Treaties and with secondary Union legislation. The Commission is unable at this stage to provide further information.
3. The Commission refers the Honourable Member to its communications ‘EU law: Better results through better application’[5] and ‘Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers’[6] which set out in more detail how the Commission ensures the enforcement of EU law, including aspects concerning the resolution of potential breaches of EU law.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002543/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Matej Tonin (PPE)
In Slovenia there is an established right of first refusal for the purchase of forests in the case of complexes of more than 30 hectares located in Slovenia. This right of first refusal is granted to Slovenian State Forests (Slovenski državni gozdovi, d.o.o. (SiDG)), the company that manages and administers forests owned by the state.
I believe that such a broadly defined possibility to exercise a right of first refusal infringes EU law on three separate grounds:
(1) Because it restricts the free movement of capital between Member States;
(2) Because it constitutes an infringement of EU competition rules, as well as being unlawful State aid to a public company; and
(3) Because there is no valid reason to establish such a right of first refusal, nor can such a right be in the public interest.
Two applicants have already notified the Commission of an infringement of EU law, namely Jurij Rudež 6/12/2023 CPLT (2024)00008 and the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia 16/01/2024 (2024)00467T.
I would like to ask the Commission:
Could such a broadly defined and legally guaranteed right of first refusal constitute an infringement of EU law?
Submitted: 25.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
The Council regularly monitors the situation in Hungary. At the General Affairs Council meeting of 28 January 2025, Hungary took part in a country-specific discussion, in the framework of the Council’s rule of law dialogue.
The developments mentioned by the Honourable Member fall also within the scope of the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU procedure. In the framework of the said procedure, a hearing of Hungary was held at the General Affairs Council meeting on 27 May.
In July 2021, the Commission, which is responsible for overseeing Member States’ application of Union law, launched an infringement procedure concerning the Hungarian law of 15 June 2021 adopting stricter measures against persons convicted of paedophilia and amending certain laws for the protection of children. A case is now before the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-769/22) about the matter.
Source: European Parliament
Article 3ae of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 introduces a ban on access to EU ports and locks for vessels registered under the flag of Russia, including replicas of historical vessels.
This prohibition was initially introduced in Council Regulation (EU) 2022/576 of 8 April 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 and was later amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 to clarify that replicas of historical ships are included under the definition of vessels.
The prohibition aims to constrain the activity of vessels whose activity involves the generation of revenues or contributes to actions or policies which support Russia’s actions against Ukraine. If they were not covered by the ban, replicas of historical ships could be used by Russia to circumvent EU restrictive measures.
The Council would point out that EU restrictive measures are carefully targeted, designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve, and temporary in nature.
The EU institutions work to develop restrictive measures in such a way as to minimise adverse consequences for those not responsible for the policies or actions leading to the adoption of restrictive measures. They are regularly reviewed, and the Council can calibrate, ease or end them, if deemed necessary and in line with the EU’s objectives.
Source: European Parliament
This note provides an overview of the European Commission’s assessment of the implementation of the country-specific recommendations issued annually to EU Member States under the European Semester for economic policy coordination. It presents how their implementation has been assessed over time (during 2011-2025 European Semester cycles), both from an annual and a multiannual perspective. The note is updated on a regular basis.
Source: European Parliament
Batteries, which account for 30-40% of value-added of a typical electric passenger car, are a critical battleground for future employment and value creation.
Europe needs a cost-competitive domestic cell production and supply chain, also with a view to preparing against supply shocks and crises and protecting economic sovereignty.
That would cover a large part of the supply of battery cells and European value-added along the supply chain, including EU production capacities of anode active materials, cathode active material and its precursor, and other relevant battery components. This also requires investments of European players in battery material mining and refining operations in Europe or oversea.
As indicated in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector[1] published in March 2025 by the Commission, the objective for 2030 is to achieve a European added value of more than 50% along the value chain.
Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542[2] mandates the Commission to adopt delegated and implementing acts to supplement this regulation and ensure harmonised implementation across the EU.
In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the Commission follows a stepwise approach with a gradual and cumulative increase in the carbon footprint requirements.
For the final step of setting maximum carbon footprint thresholds, the Commission will carry out an impact assessment, including an assessment of the economic impacts of this measure.
The aim is to boost transparency and shift the EU market towards batteries with a lower carbon footprint, regardless of where they are produced.
As required by Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the Commission is currently working on developing a methodology for calculating and verifying the carbon footprint of electric vehicle batteries on the basis of Annex II to the regulation.
After publication of a draft delegated act on the ‘Have your say’ portal on 30 April 2024[3] and a dedicated meeting of the Member State expert group on 11 July 2024, the Commission is currently analysing the way forward for the adoption of the delegated act, taking into account the feedback received.
Source: European Parliament
The High Representative/Vice-President has been in regular contact with her Israeli counterpart during the process of the review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement[1].
On 12 June 2025, the European External Action Service (EEAS) submitted a series of questions to the Israeli authorities, which were shared via diplomatic channels, to which the Israeli authorities provided answers before the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 June 2025. The Commission and EEAS are in regular contact with the Israeli authorities.
Building on the EU Joint Communication for a strategic partnership with the Gulf (18 May 2022)[2], the EU aims to further strengthen its strategic partnerships with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the two Gulf Cooperation Council countries that have signed the Abraham Accords in 2020.
On 10 April 2025, the President of the Commission, in a phone call with the UAE President, agreed to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement, alongside the negotiation of a broader strategic partnership agreement. The EU shares with the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain a mutual interest for regional security, stability and prosperity.
The Commission has been stepping up the fight against antisemitism and cooperates closely with Member States and Jewish organisations to ensure the protection of Jewish communities, including as part of ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy of April 2025[3].
Strengthening security, fighting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life is mainstreamed in all relevant EU policy, including when related to shielding democracy and supporting civil society.
Source: European Parliament
Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law including the United Nations (UN) Charter, goes against the EU’s objective to strengthen the multilateral rules-based order and is a threat to all countries, not just to Europe.
The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia must remain isolated internationally and, with its political leadership, held fully accountable for the violations of international law and international humanitarian law it has committed.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked a fundamental turning point in EU-Russia relations. The EU’s wartime approach towards Russia consists of isolating Russia internationally; imposing restrictive measures; ensuring accountability; supporting EU’s neighbours and helping partners worldwide to address the global consequences of the war; working closely together with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and partners; enhancing the EU’s resilience; supporting civil society, human rights defenders and independent media[1].
As long as Russia continues to violate international law including the UN Charter and wages a war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no return to normal relations.
Since Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU’s diplomatic engagement with Russia is being kept to minimum. The priority of any contact with Russia is to deliver the call to stop its illegal aggression and the violation of the UN Charter, and respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission takes the impact of social media on children very seriously, and is thus committed to swift enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA)[1].
In 2024, it initiated proceedings against TikTok based on concerns that it may have breached the DSA in areas related to the harmful effects on children stemming, notably, from its recommender systems and addictive features[2]. These proceedings are ongoing, and the Commission is carrying them out as a matter of priority .
As part of these proceedings, the Commission is closely monitoring the ‘SkinnyTok’ phenomenon. Should it find that TikTok does not comply with the DSA, it can adopt a non-compliance decision and order TikTok to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance with its decision.
The Commission is currently working to finalise guidelines on the protection of minors online[3]. The draft guidelines recommend that platforms implement age assurance measures that reduce the risks of children being exposed to age-inappropriate content.
The Commission and Member States are also working towards an interim age verification solution, which is intended to be an easy-to-use and privacy-preserving age verification method that can determine whether a user is 18 or older.
The release of this is expected by the end of this year. It is intended to bridge the gap until the EU Digital Identity Wallet is available.
Source: European Parliament
As per the communication ‘The road to the next multiannual financial framework’[1] from 11 February 2025, the Commission’s proposal for the next multiannual financial framework will ensure a simpler, more focused and more impactful budget aligned with EU priorities.
The future budget will aim for a strengthened cohesion and growth policy, with regions at the centre, as underscored in the Commission’s political guidelines[2], and continue to actively support islands and mountain areas, considering their specific needs and challenges, notably in terms of economic development, adaptation to climate change, connectivity, migration and demographic transition.
At the core of this modernised budget will be a national and regional partnership plan for each country with key reforms and investments, focusing on EU’s joint priorities, including promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, and designed and implemented in partnership with national, regional, and local authorities to address their specificities.
A place-based approach remains essential to respond to the unique challenges faced by the regions and territories. By combining key investments and reforms within one plan, it will be possible to address these challenges in a way that is more targeted and comprehensive.
This approach will mix specific investments, legislative and regulatory levers, and technical support, to ensure rapid and effective deployment of funds aligned to local needs and European priorities.
The plan’s single rulebook, wide eligibility scope and large financial toolbox, enabling the use of leverage through financial instruments, will help reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries and allow for the design of more effective measures, tailored to the needs of each territory.
Source: European Parliament
The General Court has ordered the Commission to pay the legal costs of this court case. Since these costs have not yet been liquidated, it is not possible to quantify the legal costs at this stage.
Concerning other costs related to the legal representation of the Commission, no fees or other disbursements for external lawyers have been incurred.
As in similar judicial cases concerning administrative decisions taken by the Commission and challenged before EU Courts, no external lawyers were hired.
The agents representing the Commission in this case are staff members of its Legal Service. Since it is part of the official duties of the staff members of the Commission’s Legal Service to represent the institution in those judicial proceedings, no separate invoice of work hours or costs can be determined for this particular case.
Source: European Parliament
Concerning Ukraine, the Council has not discussed the issue of the use of cluster munitions by Russia in the attacks of 13 April 2025. The EU recognises the humanitarian goals of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting the protection of civilians from the devastating impacts of explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions.
The EU is concerned by the impact on civilian populations of the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions, including the use of cluster munitions by Russia in its unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
Concerning Gaza, the EU deplores the breakdown of the ceasefire, which has caused a large number of civilian casualties in recent air strikes. It also deplores the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages.
The EU has called for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement[1]. Israel is bound by international humanitarian law (IHL) and applicable norms of international human rights law (IHRL), including, as an occupying power, the obligation to protect the population under occupation.
The EU has called on Israel to adhere strictly to the rules and principles of IHL and IHRL governing the use of force and the conduct of hostilities, including humanity, necessity, distinction and proportionality[2].
The most recent EU-Israel Association Council, held on 24 February 2025, served as institutional framework for political dialogue and cooperation under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
At this meeting, the EU also recalled that, pursuant to Article 2 of the Association Agreement, relations between the European Union and Israel must based on respect for human rights and democratic principles[3].
Furthermore, following the discussion at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May 2025, the High Representative announced the launch of a review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement[4].
No decision has yet been taken by the Council on the Commission proposal[5] of 26 March 2025 regarding the extension of the EU-Israel Action Plan.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002539/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Catherine Griset (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Marie Dauchy (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE)
At a time when France’s negligence in failing to protect its children has been criticised[1],owing to the proliferation of prostitution, drug trafficking and Islamism in homes for minors, the necessary resources to curb these scourges are not being provided by the state and local authorities.
The French authorities, however, are allocating ever more human and financial resources to opening reception and support centres for unaccompanied foreigners who claim to be minors, such as the recently established facilities in Dol-de-Bretagne, in Ille-et-Vilaine[2].
Submitted: 24.6.2025
Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission is not aware of the complaints mentioned by the Honourable Member, which may call into question Greece’s compliance with environmental obligations and point to a possible misuse of EU funds.
2. According to information received by the Greek Authorities, the project in question is not co-funded by Cohesion Policy programmes[1] or any other EU programme.
Source: European Parliament
The EU acquis in the area of health and safety at work protects workers against all risks to their occupational safety and health.
Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic (CMR) substances at work[1], in particular, requires employers to assess all risks from exposure or likely exposure to CMR substances that their workers face, and to take the measures necessary to prevent or minimise these risks, including related to training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
In addition to the Commission Communication with an indicative list of hazardous medicinal products (HMPs)[2], the Commission issued, in 2023, a Guidance for the safe management of HMPs at work[3].
This non-binding guide provides detailed information and guidelines on the safe handling of HMPs during their whole lifecycle, covering different aspects, such as risk assessment, training, personal protective equipment and the use of closed systems.
Both initiatives will help prevent and control risks from occupational exposure to HMPs, especially in the healthcare sector.
Source: European Parliament
Under Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (Renewable Energy Directive — RED)[1], greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions are counted towards Member States’ renewable energy targets, while under Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU)[2] shipping companies are the obligated parties.
FuelEU does not exclude emissions reductions supported via other legal frameworks, such as the support schemes under RED, as doing so might lead to competitive disadvantages for the sector, and slow down investments in decarbonised marine fuels.
Support schemes under RED are specified as transposed by the Member States, taking in consideration the national energy policies’ features and priorities.
FuelEU enforcement relies on the well-established framework of the EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Maritime Regulation[3] used by Member States’ Competent Authorities.
Shipping companies have to certify fuels’ sustainability using RED traceability rules and governance for all fuel batches claimed to count towards their obligation under FuelEU.
The traceability system of the Union database, deployed under Article 31a of RED, will be applied. Thus, fuel volumes and emissions reductions reported under FuelEU and RED can be tracked and verified.
Beyond dedicated webinars, updated THETIS-MRV[4] tutorials, and dedicated helpdesk support, the Commission will adopt its guidance document for FuelEU Implementation in the second semester of 2025.
The provision in the EU emission trading system (ETS) Directive 2003/87/EC[5] on avoiding double counting of emissions applies to the reporting and surrendering of allowances within the ETS compliance framework.
It does not apply — but rather exerts synergetic effects — to emission reductions in sectoral regulations with which it is complementary, FuelEU being one such case.
Source: United Nations 2
That’s how much sand and dust enters the atmosphere on an annual basis according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s annual report on the storms which scatter such particles across borders worldwide.
The UN weather agency’s reports warns that while the amount of dust decreased marginally in 2024, the impact on humans and economies is increasing.
WMO estimates that over 330 million people across 150 countries are affected by sand and dust storms, leading to premature deaths and other health consequences in addition to steep economic costs.
“Sand and dust storms do not just mean dirty windows and hazy skies. They harm the health and quality of life of millions of people and cost many millions of dollars,” said Celeste Saulo, the Secretary-General of WMO.
While the movement of sand and dust is a natural weather process, increased land degradation and water mismanagement have, in the past few decades, exacerbated the prevalence and geographic spread.
Dust and sand particles – 80 per cent of which come from North Africa and the Middle East – can be transported thousands of kilometres across borders and oceans.
“What begins in a storm in the Sahara, can darken skies in Europe. What is lifted in Central Asia, can alter air quality in China. The atmosphere does not recognize borders,” said Sara Basart, WMO Scientific Officer, at a briefing in Geneva.
And this is precisely what happened in 2024. Dust and sand from the Western Sahara travelled all the way to Spain’s Canary Islands. And fierce winds and drought in Mongolia brought dust to Beijing and northern China.
“These extreme weather events are not local anomalies. Sand and dust storms are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time,” said a senior official on Thursday morning speaking on behalf of Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly.
The storms can obscure sunlight, altering ecosystems on land and in the ocean. In addition to environmental impacts, these weather occurrences have profound impacts on humans and their economies.
“Once considered seasonal or localised, sand and dust storms have escalated into a persistent and intensifying global hazard,” said Rola Dashti, the co-chair of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.
Between 2018-2022, over 3.8 billion people were exposed to dust particles, with the worst-affected regions experiencing dust exposure 87 per cent of the time during that same period.
These particles exacerbate cardiovascular diseases and have other adverse health effects, leading to 7 million premature deaths each year especially among already vulnerable populations.
Mr. Yang referred to this as the “staggering human toll”: from an economic perspective, storms can lead to a 20 per cent reduction in crop production among rural communities, pushing them towards hunger and poverty.
In the Middle East and North Africa alone, economic losses in 2024 as a result of sand and dust storms accounted for 2.5 per cent of the regional GDP.
WMO is calling on the international community to invest more in early warning systems and data tracking.
“No country, no matter how prepared, can face this challenge alone. Sand and dust storms are a trans-boundary threat that demands coordinated, multisectoral and multilateral action,” said Ms. Dashti.
With 2025-2034 declared the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, Mr. Yang said this should prove a turning point. He urged Member States to move from awareness to action – and fragmentation to coordination.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) today introduced the bipartisan Unsubscribe Act of 2025, which would require a simple cancellation process for all subscriptions.
“The average American is all too familiar with the headache of running around in circles to cancel a subscription before their free trial expires. Our common-sense Unsubscribe Act would make sure companies are upfront about automatic charges and make it easier to cancel subscriptions without the convoluted song-and-dance routine,” said Kennedy.
“The subscription-based business model is exploding, and it’s largely because of the deceptive practices that some companies use to lure and trap in customers. When people sign up for a free trial, they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to cancel their subscription before being charged. Our bill will require companies to be more transparent about their business model and make it easier for consumers to avoid costly, automatic monthly charges they never intended to make,” said Schatz.
The Unsubscribe Act would:
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) will introduce the companion bill in the House of Representatives.
“Too many consumers are lured in by free trials, only to get trapped in confusing billing cycles and cancellation mazes. The Unsubscribe Act is about fairness—it puts the burden back on companies to be honest, clear, and accountable. If a business has to trick people into staying, it does not deserve their money,” said Takano.
The full text of the Unsubscribe Act is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor:
“Now, regardless of how you feel about the war in Ukraine, I think most fair-minded people can agree on two things. Number one: Vladimir Putin, who runs Russia—not the people of Russia, but their leadership—is a thug. He’s a pirate. He has blood under his fingernails. He can’t be trusted.
“The second thing that I think most fair-minded Americans can agree on is that we would all like to see the war ended. . . . I think Ukraine is willing to negotiate a reasonable settlement, but it takes two to tango, and we are not going to have a settlement until President Putin decides it is in his best interest to stop the war. “Not in Russia’s best interest because I don’t think he cares about his people. I think the war will stop when Putin thinks it is in his best interest.
“And I don’t think he is going to think it is in his best interest until he feels the pressure, Mr. President, because dealing with Putin is like dealing with most tyrants: It is like hand-feeding a shark. You can’t reason with them. You have to make them feel the pain.
“A lot of people think of Russia and think of Putin as this gigantic country with a lot of wealth and power, and that is not really the case. Yes, they have nuclear weapons, but, actually, the Russian economy is pretty small. . . . The Russian economy is only about $2 trillion. New York state, in America, has a bigger economy than Russia, and I think we need to keep that in mind.
“Russia’s economy is also not terribly diversified. It is mostly oil. . . . Number one: The price of oil is down. We know that. Number two: Russia is spending all of its money fighting the war with Ukraine, which has hurt other parts of its economy.
“The point I am trying to make, Mr. President, is: When you are dealing with a tyrant like Putin and you are trying to bring him to the negotiating table, what you have to do is get him down and choke him. And the way to get President Putin down and choke him is through his cash flow. Putin—and, remember, I am not talking about the good people in Russia. I am talking about their leadership. I am talking about Vladimir Putin, the thug.
“Putin is only able to prosecute his war through cash flow generated by his sale of oil. That is the only way. Without that cash flow from oil, he can’t continue. We need to cut off his money. We need to cut off his sale of oil.
“Now, we already have sanctions on Russia, and Europe has sanctions on Russia, but Russia has figured out how to evade those sanctions and continue to sell its oil. For example, India is buying a lot of Russia’s oil. China is buying a lot of Russia’s oil, but we can stop that.
“We have a bill—87 of us have signed on— that would apply what is called secondary sanctions on Russia. Our bill would not only sanction Russia and its sale of oil, but it would sanction everybody who buys Russian oil, a big difference.
“It would say to those who want to buy Russian oil: If you want to buy Russian oil, have at it—knock yourself out—but you are not going to be able to do business with America, and you are not going to be able to use the American dollar, which is the world’s currency, to do business in America. It will put Putin on his knees within three months, and he won’t have any choice but to come to the bargaining table.
“Now, President Trump has been very patient. President Biden wasn’t patient; he was giving. I remember when President Biden said to Putin: Well, you know, we don’t want you to go into Ukraine, but if it is just a little excursion, it might be okay. I remember that. What do you think Putin did? Do you remember hand-feeding a shark? He went right into Ukraine.
“President Trump, on the other hand, has really tried to be rational and negotiate with Putin and say: Look, we need to have an amicable solution to satisfy both sides. Ukraine is willing. Putin has done nothing but embarrass our president and our country.
“The time has come to put Russia on its knees. I hate to see it for the Russian people, but the time has come to put Putin on his knees. Get him down and choke him. The only way you are going to do that is to cut off his cash flow. And the only way you are going to cut off his cash flow is to cut off his oil sales because that is at least a third—and probably 40%—of his money.
“We have no choice. Otherwise, this war could go on forever.
“Now, we have the bill locked, loaded, and ready to go. We are waiting for President Trump to give us the high sign because we want to stay together. The president is the one who is trying to negotiate the peace, but I hope President Trump will seriously consider letting us pull the trigger because it is the only thing—it is the only thing—that is going to get Vladimir Putin to the table.
“I wish the world weren’t like that. There are just some people—I don’t know why. If I make it to heaven, I am going to ask. But there are some people in this world, they are not sick; they are not misunderstood; they are not mixed up. It is not really that their mom or daddy didn’t love them enough. They are just bad people. They are. And some of them run countries, and one of them is Vladimir Putin. So, let’s go do what we have to do.”
Watch Kennedy’s speech here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today introduced the Say No to Indoctrination Act to codify President Trump’s executive order preventing taxpayer dollars from funding radical gender ideology in K-12 schools.
“Schools should prepare our children for the future, not promote radical gender ideology,” said Risch.“The Say No to Indoctrination Act puts an end to woke education practices in K-12 schools and makes President Trump’s common-sense policy permanent.”
Senator Risch’s bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and has received support from Concerned Women for America and American Principles Project.
“Children should not be radicalized, indoctrinated or taught gender ideology in public elementary or secondary schools funded by federal tax dollars,” Crapo said. “This legislation places commonsense guardrails around the use of these dollars in public education, which will ensure schools are providing foundational instruction in subjects like mathematics and reading rather than divisive concepts of gender ideology.”
“For far too long, radical left-wing ideology has preyed on K-12 students in our nation’s school systems. It’s high time we put a stop to these woke lesson plans that take advantage of children and undermine parental rights. I am proud to join Senator Risch and my colleagues to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding public schools that teach gender ideology,” said Budd.
“As American students lag behind globally in math, reading, and writing, the last thing our taxpayer-funded teachers and schools should be doing is teaching radical leftist nonsense like so-called gender theory,” said Marshall. “I’m proud to support this legislation to codify President Trump’s executive order, and ensure our children’s education is focused on meaningful, future-ready skills, not woke ideology.
“Parents send their kids to school to learn the skills they need to succeed later in life, not to be indoctrinated with radical gender ideology. There are only two genders—male and female, and not a single penny of federal funds should go to schools that teach anything different,” said Schmitt.
“Our children go to school to be educated, not indoctrinated,” said Tuberville. “I’ve always said that education is the key to unlocking opportunity. But under Joe Biden, Democrats turned our children’s classrooms into woke propaganda HQ. Schools should focus on teaching kids to read, write, and do math. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Say No to Indoctrination Act to get woke politics out of the classroom.”
The Say No to Indoctrination Act codifies the Executive Order President Trump issued on January 20, 2025, declaring that no taxpayer dollars be sent to K-12 schools that teach or promote radical gender ideology.
Risch has long fought to eradicate radical gender ideology. In May, Risch introduced the Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act, which would prohibit Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plans from covering gender transitions for minors. Risch also introduced the Dismantle DEI Act to codify President Trump’s executive order terminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and initiatives.
Public engagement is open to support implementation of the Infrastructure Projects Act, which aims to get shovels in the ground quicker for critical projects that people need in their communities.
The act received royal assent in May 2025.
First Nations, members of the public and interest-holders, such as municipalities, business organizations, environmental groups and construction partners, are invited to share their thoughts on the development of two key parts of the legislation over the summer:
Methods of engagement will include:
In addition, engagement on the expedited environmental-assessment process is planned to start in fall 2025.
For more information and to get to involved, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure
Learn More:
To read the news release about the introduction of the legislation, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PREM0018-000403
To read the Infrastructure Projects Act, visit:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/overview/43rd-parliament/1st-session/bills/3rd_read/gov15-3.htm
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on July 10, 2025
On October 1, 2025, minimum wage in Saskatchewan will increase to $15.35 per hour.
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is calculated using an indexation formula, which gives equal weight to changes to the Consumer Price Index and Average Hourly Wage for Saskatchewan.
“By raising the minimum wage, we are continuing to support workers and deliver on our commitment to affordability,” Deputy Premier and Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said. “Saskatchewan’s low personal tax rates continue to make our province a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
In 2022, the Government of Saskatchewan indicated it would make incremental increases to minimum wage which resulted in a 27 per cent increase from $11.81 per hour to $15 per hour by 2024. With that commitment having been met, the indexation formula is again in place.
In addition to indexation, the 2025-26 Budget delivered on 13 affordability commitments which included reducing income taxes for every resident, family and small business in our province.
“We know the benefits that increasing the minimum wage will have for employees, but we also want to create a balance for employers,” Reiter said. “Over the next few months, we will be working together with the Chambers of Commerce and other key stakeholders to understand the implications of increasing minimum wage for the business community and the impact on Saskatchewan’s economy.”
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For more information, contact:
Gladys Wasylenchuk
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2411
Email: gladys.wasylenchuk@gov.sk.ca
Albertans want a health care system that reflects where they live and adapts to the unique needs of their communities. As part of the province’s health care refocus, Alberta’s government committed to strengthening community voices by providing more opportunities for Albertans to bring forward their local priorities and offer input on how to improve the system.
The regional advisory councils, made up of 150 members from 71 communities, will advise Alberta’s four health ministries and the newly refocused health agencies: Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta and Recovery Alberta. Each council will explore solutions to local challenges and identify opportunities for the health system to better support community decision-making.
“By hearing first-hand community feedback directly, we can build a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and ultimately more effective for everyone. I am looking forward to hearing the councils’ insights, perspectives and solutions to improve health care in all corners of our province.”
“Regional advisory councils will strengthen acute care by giving communities a direct voice. Their insights will help us address local needs, improve patient outcomes and ensure timely access to hospital services.”
“A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not address unique regional needs when it comes to mental health and addiction challenges. These councils will help us hear directly from communities, allowing us to tailor supports and services to meet the needs of Albertans where they are.”
“Every community has unique needs, especially when it comes to seniors and vulnerable populations. These regional advisory councils will help us better understand those needs and ensure that assisted living services are shaped by the people who rely on them.”
Members include Albertans from all walks of life, health care workers, community leaders, Indigenous and municipal representatives, and others with a strong tie to their region. About one-third of members work in health care, and more than half of the council chairs are health professionals. Almost one-quarter are elected municipal officials, including 10 serving as chairs or vice-chairs. Ten councils also include a representative from a local health foundation.
Council members will share local and regional perspectives on health care services, planning and priorities to help ensure decisions reflect the realities of their communities. By engaging with residents, providers and organizations, they will gather feedback, identify challenges and bring forward ideas that may not otherwise reach government.
Through collaboration and community-informed solutions, members will help make the health system more responsive, accessible and better able to meet the needs of Albertans across the province.
“As Primary Care Alberta works to improve access to primary health care services and programs across Alberta, we are grateful to have the opportunity to tap into a dedicated group of community leaders and representatives. These people know their communities and local needs, and we look forward to learning from their experiences and knowledge as we shape the future of primary care in Alberta.”
“The regional advisory councils will help to bring forward the voices of patients, families and front-line providers from every corner of Alberta. Their insights will help us plan smarter and deliver care that’s timely, effective and truly local. We look forward to working closely with them to strengthen hospital and surgical services across the province.”
“Nobody understands the health care challenges unique to a community better than the people who live there. The regional health advisory councils are made up of those living and working on the front lines across the province, ensuring we are getting the perspective of Albertans most affected by our health care system.”
“Alongside Recovery Alberta’s staff and physician team, these regional advisory councils will build upon the high standard of mental health, addiction and correctional health services delivered in Alberta.”
Alberta’s government continues to work directly with Indigenous leaders across the province to establish the Indigenous Advisory Council to strengthen health care services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities.
With up to 22 members, including Indigenous health care workers, community leaders and individuals receiving health care services, the council will represent diverse perspectives across Alberta. Members will provide community perspectives about clinical service planning, capital projects, workforce development and cultural integration in health care.
Source: US State of New York
EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced eight pharmaceutical companies will pay approximately $720 million for their role in manufacturing opioid pills that fueled the ongoing nationwide epidemic of opioid addictions. These funds will help deliver critical resources to communities throughout New York and the nation to combat the opioid crisis. New York will receive up to $38.7 million from the eight companies. To date, Attorney General James has secured more than $3 billion to support New York opioid abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts.
“For years, drug companies prioritized profits at the expense of struggling New Yorkers who became trapped in deadly opioid addictions,” said Attorney General James. “While communities throughout our state continue to suffer from the opioid crisis, these resources will help us begin to heal. I will continue to work to hold those responsible for the opioid crisis accountable and ensure that New Yorkers who have been most affected get the support they need.”
The eight companies and the total amounts they will pay in funding to address the opioid crisis are:
Payments will begin as soon as 2026. The eight companies will also provide $14 million in additional funding and Mylan, Hikma, Amneal, and Indivior will provide opioid addiction treatment medications or cash in lieu of this product to participating states valued at approximately $86 million. All companies besides Indivior will be prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products and making or selling any product that contains more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill. They must also put in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior will not manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid addiction.
For New York, the settlement negotiations were led by Special Counsel Monica Hanna and Assistant Attorney General Matthew Conrad with the assistance of the Deputy Director of Research and Analytics Gautam Sisodia and Data Scientist Kenneth Morales, under the supervision of First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. In addition to New York, the settlements were negotiated by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.
Attorney General James is a national leader in holding accountable the companies that fueled the opioid crisis and securing resources to help combat the epidemic of addictions and overdoses. To date, Attorney General James has secured more than $3 billion to support New York opioid abatement, treatment, and prevention efforts from companies including, Purdue, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, Endo, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen. Attorney General James has also led multistate coalitions in reaching settlements for billions of dollars with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart for their roles in failing to properly regulate opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Attorney General James and a bipartisan coalition of states secured settlements with consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the marketing firm Publicis Health for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.
Source: US State of South Carolina
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson today announced approximately $720 million nationwide in settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Based on the overwhelming participation by attorneys general across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments. South Carolina could receive up to $10 million in all.
“The opioid epidemic has devastated tens of thousands of families in South Carolina and across the country, and we’ve been working for years to hold the companies responsible for it accountable,” said Attorney General Wilson. “The money from these settlements, along with other settlements we’ve announced before, will go toward opioid treatment programs and efforts to prevent future victims of opioid addiction.”
The eight defendants and the total amount they will pay in funds to address the opioid crisis as part of the deal are:
(Note: The dollar amounts listed don’t equal exactly $720M – this is the maximum amount if states get all the abatement payments and take cash in lieu of pharmaceutical products (medication-assisted treatment.))
In addition to these abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of these products. Additionally, seven of the companies (not including Indivior) are prohibited from promoting or marketing opioids and opioid products, making or selling any product that contains more than 40 mg of oxycodone per pill, and are required to put in place a monitoring and reporting system for suspicious orders. Indivior has agreed not to manufacture or sell opioid products for the next 10 years, but it will be able to continue marketing and selling medications to treat opioid use disorder.
The settlements were negotiated by North Carolina, California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.