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  • MIL-OSI: ReadyPaydayLoans.com Launches “Ready Pay” App to Help Americans Access the Best Personal Loans by State with Same Day Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Apply now at ReadyPaydayLoans.com to get matched with a lender offering fast personal loans, no credit check loans, or payday loans — anytime, anywhere in the U.S.

    LONG BEACH, Calif., June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In response to rising demand for faster, simpler personal financing, ReadyPaydayLoans.com has launched its latest innovation: the Ready Pay App. This new tool connects users across all 50 states with same day results on a variety of loan types — including payday loans, bad credit loans, and no credit check loans — using an ultra-fast, mobile-friendly experience.

    “The Ready Pay App is something we all have been excited about for months. We are glad it is finally here and ready for the public to use,” said Randy Murrie, VP at Ready Payday Loans.

    Unlike traditional lenders, ReadyPaydayLoans.com is not a direct lender. Instead, the company acts as a lead generation platform, instantly matching users with reputable third-party lenders based on their location, preferences, and financial profile — without requiring a minimum credit score.

    Why Ready Pay Is a Game-Changer

    With so many Americans facing unexpected expenses — medical bills, car repairs, rent payments — fast access to emergency funds is more critical than ever.

    Key Benefits of the Ready Pay App:

    • Same day results for qualified users
    • No credit score required to apply
    • 24/7 availability, even on weekends and holidays
    • 100% free to use — no fees to get matched
    • Private and secure application process
    • Compatible with desktop and mobile devices

    Whether you’re in a major city or small town, ReadyPaydayLoans.com helps users find the best personal loan options in their local area.

    How It Works

    Getting started with the Ready Pay App takes less than 3 minutes:

    1. Fill out a short form on ReadyPaydayLoans.com
    2. Get matched with a lender based on your location and needs
    3. Review and accept offers (or decline without obligation)
    4. Get same day results from a verified third-party lender


    Local Loan Options for All 50 States

    Ready Payday Loans now connects users to tailored solutions nationwide. Here’s how they’re serving borrowers with localized, and varied loan options.  Users of the Reay Pay App can find their city or state below, along with their varied loan option. 

    Best Personal Loans in Miami, Florida, Same-Day Payday Loans in Chicago, Illinois, No Credit Check Loans in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bad Credit Loans in Atlanta, Georgia, Emergency Loans in Los Angeles, California, Installment Loans in Dallas, Texas, Quick Cash Loans in Phoenix, Arizona, Best Personal Loans in New York City, New York, Fast Payday Loans in Charlotte, North Carolina, Best Personal Loans in Seattle, Washington, Instant Personal Loans in Denver, Colorado, Low Credit Personal Loans in Detroit, Michigan, Online Loans in Boston, Massachusetts, Best Personal Loans in Indianapolis, Indiana, Emergency Payday Loans in Columbus, Ohio, Best Personal Loans in Nashville, Tennessee, Bad Credit Personal Loans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, No Credit Check Loans in Baltimore, Maryland, Best Personal Loans in Portland, Oregon, Same Day Loans in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Quick Personal Loans in Louisville, Kentucky, Fast Cash Loans in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Best Personal Loans in Kansas City, Missouri, Best Personal Loans in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Online Payday Loans in Omaha, Nebraska, Best Personal Loans in Jacksonville, Florida, Bad Credit Loans in Salt Lake City, Utah, Best Personal Loans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, No Credit Check Loans in Boise, Idaho, Emergency Loans in Honolulu, Hawaii, Best Personal Loans in Charleston, South Carolina, Quick Personal Loans in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Fast Loans in Des Moines, Iowa, Best Personal Loans in Fargo, North Dakota, Instant Loans in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Best Personal Loans in Anchorage, Alaska, Bad Credit Loans in Wilmington, Delaware, Best Personal Loans in Manchester, New Hampshire, Same Day Payday Loans in Burlington, Vermont, Online Loans in Billings, Montana, Best Personal Loans in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Emergency Loans in Little Rock, Arkansas, Best Personal Loans in Providence, Rhode Island, Fast Online Loans in Hartford, Connecticut, Best Personal Loans in Richmond, Virginia, Payday Loans in Birmingham, Alabama, No Credit Check Loans in Jackson, Mississippi, Best Personal Loans in Columbia, South Carolina, Installment Loans in Augusta, Maine, Quick Personal Loans in Topeka, Kansas.

    And there you have it.  Ready Pay App users have access to varied loan options in all 50 states as outlined above.

    Important Note

    ReadyPaydayLoans.com is not a direct lender. It is a lead generation platform that connects users with third-party lenders across the United States. Loan terms, eligibility, and availability vary by state and provider.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Ready Pay App?

    The Ready Pay App is a new digital tool by ReadyPaydayLoans.com that connects users with lenders offering personal loans, payday loans, and emergency loans with same day results.

    Is there a credit score requirement?

    No. Users can apply with any credit score, including bad or no credit.

    Is Ready Payday Loans a direct lender?

    No. Ready Payday Loans is a lead generation service that helps users get matched with licensed third-party lenders in their area.

    Does it cost anything to use the service?

    No. The service is completely free to use and carries no obligation.

    When can I apply?

    You can apply 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

    Get Matched Today – Same Day Results Available

    Don’t let unpaid bills or urgent expenses pile up. With the new Ready Pay App, you can apply in minutes and get matched with a lender offering the best personal loan options near you — no credit score required.

    Apply now at ReadyPaydayLoans.com and get same day results.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b33aa85a-1fe7-4846-9f42-0e1db83b3e32

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China extends anti-dumping duties on toluidine imports from EU for another 5 years

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

    China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Friday that it would extend anti-dumping duties on imports of toluidine, an organic chemical widely used in the production of dyes, medicines and farm chemicals, from the European Union (EU) for another five years, starting Saturday.

    China imposed anti-dumping duties on toluidine imports from the EU in 2013 on the grounds that the products were being dumped on the Chinese market below market prices. In 2019, the country extended these duties for another five years.

    The latest decision follows a review launched a year ago that found the domestic industry would be harmed if anti-dumping duties were discontinued.

    Anti-dumping duty rates will be 19.6 percent for the chemical from LANXESS Deutschland GmbH and 36.9 percent for imports from all other EU companies. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Craft, creativity and community behind craze in China’s ‘coffee city’

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

    Customers enjoy coffee at a coffee shop in Yunyan District of Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Guiyang, in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, has made a name for itself as a coffee powerhouse despite having no coffee farms. Home to more than 3,000 coffee shops, the provincial capital has produced over 10 world and national champions in coffee roasting.

    This once quiet inland city is now enjoying the buzz of being a burgeoning coffee hub. It has cultivated a vibrant coffee culture by inviting world champions to give lectures and training, and sending local teams to participate in international competitions.

    Its distinctive coffee culture, coupled with an open mindset and innovative flair, is not only drawing in a growing number of coffee aficionados from near and far, but also bringing new employment opportunities for the local youth.

    Peng Jinyang, the champion of the 2025 World Brewers Cup (WBC), makes hand-brewed coffee at his company in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, May 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Craftsmanship 

    Peng Jinyang, a barista and coffee shop owner of Captain George in Guiyang, recently clinched the champion title at the 2025 World Brewers Cup (WBC) in Indonesia. He noticed that under the same conditions, even if three cups of coffee were brewed consecutively, there would be subtle differences in the taste of each cup.

    His skill comes from years of refining his palette, through which he discovered how the temperature variations between the spout and the center of the teapot impact flavor. This became the theme of his WBC presentation, which won high praise from the judges.

    In 2012, Peng, then a college student with an interest in the rich flavor produced by roasting coffee beans, co-founded a coffee shop with a fellow barista in Guiyang. At that time, domestic coffee information was scarce, and the types of coffee beans were limited. With the support of his parents, he bought a coffee roasting machine and learned about roasting from English-language videos.

    To improve his techniques, he attended coffee seminars across China and, in 2019, started to invite global coffee champions to give lessons in Guiyang. With expertise, Peng took home the champion prize at the TAKAO International Coffee Competition in 2016, and captained his team to win the WBC China champion title for four consecutive years since 2022.

    “‘Bringing in’ these champions is crucial for accessing the latest coffee knowledge and ensuring that baristas in Guiyang, despite it being an inland city, stay at the forefront of the coffee industry,” Peng said.

    Community 

    In Guiyang, there is one coffee shop for every 2,000 residents. This makes it one of the Chinese cities with the highest coffee shop density. Some tourists even walk through the city’s streets and alleys with maps in hand, determined to seek out the coffee shops hidden in the deep lanes.

    Nestled in narrow alleys and old neighborhoods of Guiyang, many boutique coffee shops are strategically placed. For locals, it is convenient to pick up a cup of high-quality coffee during their daily commute.

    In Yunyan District, which boasts the highest concentration of coffee shops, each of its five leading cafés sells an average of 300 cups of coffee per day, generating a revenue of over 10,000 yuan (about 1,400 U.S. dollars). Most of the consumption comes from residents of the surrounding community. This once-foreign beverage has gradually been woven into the fabric of their daily lives.

    In an old community off the bustling snack street of Caijiajie, Rock Black is a hidden gem. Owned by Lei Ming, who has been in the coffee business since 2020, this cozy spot has rightly made a name for itself.

    Lei actively participates in professional coffee competitions and serves as a judge for coffee events. During this year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday, his coffee shop saw an average daily output of over 300 cups, with 75 percent of its customers being out-of-town tourists.

    On the edge of a new development zone in eastern Guiyang, where wide sidewalks meet sleek residential blocks, Orchard Café stands out more like a creative community than a commercial coffeehouse.

    “We host everything — from international certification courses for new baristas, to community ‘cuppings’ where customers discover their favorite beans, to pre-competition bootcamps for elite brewers,” said Qiang Hua, the shop founder, who is a barista with a decade of experience and eight years as a certified sensory judge at elite events like the China Brewers Championship.

    “Barista champion is not just someone who can brew a cup of good coffee, but also someone who should lead the way, elevate the entire industry and drive the community of baristas to keep improving,” Qiang added.

    Creativity 

    Each coffee shop seems to be pulling out all the stops to carve out its own unique path in this “coffee city”.

    Lei never expected that his recipe of mixing fish mint with Americano would become a market hit. “It makes you shake your head when you hear of it, but once you taste it, you’re hooked,” he quipped.

    In Guiyang, where the local cuisine is celebrated for its masterful use of spices, baristas are turning to local ingredients, blending the sweet and sour of kiwiberry juice, the pungent aroma of litse fruit, and the rich flavor of local milk with coffee beans.

    In 2024, Rock Black launched a “One Bean, Three Ways” experience set, pairing one type of coffee bean with three local ingredients. The fish mint Americano has since risen from a novelty drink to a symbol of the city’s taste for many consumers.

    GOOD Coffee, another local coffeehouse, has put a lot of efforts into its coffee gear. Its owner Luo Nianyu and her team have turned each cup of coffee into an artistic medium, sparking a social media craze.

    Customers love to share the hand-painted coffee cups on social media, each one like a tiny canvas. A shelf behind the counter is filled with cups that Luo and her team have painted by hand.

    Her café has won a loyal customer base and a good reputation, being dubbed by many netizens as “the most human café in Guiyang.”

    “Cafés exist in a kind of paradox. People want consistency in quality, but they also crave surprises,” Luo said, adding that the hand-painted cups are their way of offering both — a dependable brew with a personal twist. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, US have confirmed details on framework for implementing Geneva trade talks consensus: commerce ministry

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

    Economic and trade teams from China and the United States have recently further confirmed the details on the framework for implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone talks on June 5, and consolidating the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Friday.

    The confirmation of these details came as the two sides maintained close communication following economic and trade talks in London from June 9 to 10, the spokesperson said when responding to a related media query.

    China will review and approve applications for the export of eligible controlled items in accordance with the law, and the United States will remove a series of restrictive measures imposed on China accordingly, the spokesperson said.

    China hopes that the United States will leverage the role of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism further, enhance mutual understanding continuously, reduce misunderstandings, and strengthen cooperation to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Post-exam economy ignites China’s youth consumption surge

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

    Students take a bus to leave after the exam at a national college entrance examination site in Lhasa, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, June 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    High school graduates are stepping out of classrooms nationwide and into adulthood following the 2025 gaokao, or national college entrance examination. Their enthusiasm is fueling a vibrant wave of youth spending, known as the “post-exam economy.”

    This year, a record 13.35 million students registered for the gaokao, forming a substantial consumer force driving the current post-exam spending boom. With the exam behind them, these young people are eager to mark the start of a new chapter in their lives.

    Among the most popular choices is outdoor travel. Many graduates have set out to explore the country’s vast landscapes, sparking a fresh surge in youth tourism. According to Chinese travel platform Trip.com, bookings for trips departing between June 9 and June 11 jumped 88 percent week-on-week, as students wasted no time in embarking on their post-exam adventures.

    For many graduates, these journeys are far more than simple getaways for rest and relaxation. They see them as symbolic rites of passage — not only a farewell to academic pressure, but also a meaningful growth milestone. That first train or plane ticket they book themselves becomes a youthful declaration of independence.

    At the scenic spots of Qutang Gorge and the ancient town of Baidi (white emperor) in Fengjie County, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, graduates are hiking to the summit of the Three Gorges and taking in the breathtaking landscapes.

    Qiu Depeng and Jin Zhiyu chose to tackle the “Three Gorges Summit” trail together. “People from all over the country come to the ancient town of Baidi and hike the summit. Now that we finally have the time, we can experience the landscapes we’ve only read about in textbooks,” said Qiu.

    To improve the tourism experience, Fengjie has introduced a series of discounts for graduating middle school, high school, and university students. Despite the summer heat, more than 100 high school graduates visit the scenic site daily, according to Luo Xiaoqing, head of the White Emperor City Qutang Gorge Scenic Spot management department.

    Concurrently, smartphones, laptops, and tablets have become the popular trio of “exam rewards” from parents. As students gear up for further education, the demand for such college essentials has driven a significant surge in electronics sales.

    High school graduate Wen Jie recently bought the three items during the “618” shopping spree in JD MALL’s digital section in Chongqing’s Jiulongpo District.

    Store manager Sun Jian noted that the post-exam season combined with the shopping spree spurred sales growth. Beyond the traditional trio, products like iFlytek’s learning devices and smart notebooks, as well as various wearable technology saw sales rise by 40 to 50 percent compared with the previous period.

    Retailers across the country are capitalizing on this momentum, with many stores launching promotional campaigns. At an electronics store in Shanghai’s Qingpu District, inquiries from student customers have surged by more than 60 percent week-on-week. To better serve this group, the store has added dedicated staff to provide guidance and ensure government subsidy policies are effectively implemented.

    Beyond travel and electronics, some graduates are focusing their spending on self-improvement, such as learning to drive and beginning fitness training.

    At a commercial fitness center in Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area, specialized courses such as boxing, Pilates, and functional training have seen surging popularity. “Many of our new members are recent graduates hoping to get in better shape before starting university. Our membership grew by more than 50 percent month-on-month,” said a representative of the gym.

    Compared with working out on their own, graduates are more inclined to hire professional trainers. Female members tend to prefer strength training and stretching classes, while male members are drawn to boxing and functional workouts. Many opt for packages of around 36 sessions over two months, said the representative.

    Additionally, many graduates are also using the extended summer break for vision correction and dental treatments. Data from Chinese e-commerce platform Meituan shows that in the first week after the exam, orders for vision correction surgeries surged by 108 percent, while demand for orthodontics and teeth whitening rose by around 30 percent. Post-exam members of Generation Z are the main drivers of this growth.

    “The ‘post-exam economy’ reflects a vibrant wave of youth-driven consumption and serves as an important lens for observing trends among young consumers,” stated Long Shaobo, professor at Chongqing University’s School of Public Administration.

    The phenomenon extends beyond a temporary spending spike. “Governments and businesses must deepen their understanding of these needs, enhance quality offerings, and build long-term mechanisms to transform this short-term momentum into a sustainable driver for economic and consumer growth,” said Long. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Leader Schumer, Wyden Call on Republicans to Stop Solar Cuts that Threaten K-12 School Funds

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Lawmakers release data showing over 250 schools at risk of delayed projects and higher energy costs

    Letter Text and Full Dataset (PDF)

    Washington (June 27, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, today wrote to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-04), about the risk to K-12 funding from the Republican budget reconciliation proposal to eliminate federal tax credits that fund solar infrastructure projects in schools.

    Projects supported by tax credits have saved communities tens of thousands of dollars annually—including Wayne County Schools in West Virginia, which is projected to save the equivalent of three full-time teacher salaries over the course of their careers. Any cuts could delay or disrupt ongoing solar projects, prevent schools and school districts from accessing a tool to save on energy costs, and waste state and school district investments.

    In the letter, the lawmakers write, “By cutting federal clean energy incentives, the Republican budget reconciliation bill would interfere with K-12 school funding across the United States. Clean energy projects can reduce monthly energy costs, allowing schools to spend more on supporting students, faculty, and staff. With its draconian cuts to solar energy incentives, the Republican reconciliation bill promises to stall ongoing state and school district solar projects, disrupt their investments, and eliminate an essential cost-saving tool. We urge you to reconsider cuts to clean energy incentives that provide cost saving benefits to schools.”

    The lawmakers continue, “More school districts are planning solar projects that will help lower energy costs and prevent state budget cuts from impacting students, educators, and staff. But the proposed cuts in the Republican reconciliation bill threaten the delay, disruption, or cancellation of solar deployments. There are at least 251 school solar projects in 26 states in various stages of planning and construction. Projects that are not able to commence construction before proposed repeals take effect risk delay, wasted local and state investments in project development, higher energy costs, and increased burden on taxpayers. Among the identified projects are 74 school solar installations in Pennsylvania, 53 in Arizona, 15 in Texas, 12 in Kentucky, 5 in Utah, 4 in Iowa and Wisconsin, 2 in Indiana, and 1 in Idaho, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina and West Virginia.”

    Several stakeholders joined the lawmakers in voicing their opposition to the proposed cuts.

    “Over the last decade, schools across the country have turned to solar to reduce the cost of operating their facilities. In rural communities like Lawrence, Kansas and Greene County, Iowa, solar is how communities are able to maintain services for students in the face of rising costs and small or shrinking tax bases. Repealing these credits is one of a multitude of attacks on our public schools and the young people they serve in the disastrous budget reconciliation bill,” said Jonathan Klein, Chief Executive Officer of UndauntedK12.

    “Across the country, school districts have been saving taxpayers money by taking advantage of clean energy tax credits through direct pay. These projects have created jobs, reduced energy costs, and opened up opportunities for school building improvements out of reach for too long. Rolling back the clean energy tax credits would stop that progress in its tracks and increase costs to local communities. It is critical that these important initiatives remain available to our schools,” said Jason Walsh, Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance.

    “School districts across the country have been using clean energy tax credits to lower their energy costs and upgrade their facilities. Investments in things like cleaner running buses and new HVAC systems are reducing both indoor and outdoor air pollution, all while creating good paying jobs. We urge Republican leaders to abandon their efforts to end these tax credits,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

    “School districts across the country are attempting to move forward on sorely needed repairs and update their school buildings, and solar energy contributes important cost stability and resilience,” said Ally Talcott, Executive Director of the BASIC Coalition. “Our school leaders do not need whiplash amid the important work to finance improvements to our schools; they need support and stability. The cuts to solar energy incentives pull one more resource away from school districts trying to provide safe, modern, and healthy school buildings for their communities.”

    “Clean energy incentives help schools provide safer and healthier learning environments, lower energy costs, save taxpayer dollars, and redirect resources from paying expensive utility bills to supporting student success. We urge lawmakers to preserve these federal programs for local communities,” said James Rowan, CAE, SFO, Chief Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada acts to support its steel producers and workers

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 27, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    Today, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced the implementation of new tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for steel mill products imported into Canada from non-free trade agreement (FTA) partners. The TRQs, set at 2.6 million tonnes, will result in a 50 per cent surtax being applied on steel imports above 2024 levels from non-FTA partners. The measure is effective June 27, 2025, and will be reviewed in 30 days.

    This temporary trade measure will help stabilize the Canadian steel market by addressing the risk that steel originally destined for the United States is redirected to Canada. The combination of tariffs imposed by the U.S. on all steel imports and global overcapacity, caused by non-market practices, has led many exporters to seek new markets. This measure helps manage that pressure without disrupting supply for Canadian users.

    This measure builds on Canada’s broader strategy to defend its workers and industries against unfair trade, including non-market policies and practices. This surtax would be additive to any existing surtaxes or anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures, as well as forthcoming tariff measures based on the country of “melt and pour” for steel.

    The decision to impose these TRQs is based on the public consultations, held earlier this spring, on options to address risks to Canada’s steel industry. The quotas will be reviewed in 30 days from today to ensure their appropriateness and effectiveness in light of evolving market circumstances, including progress in the broader trading arrangement with the United States, and periodically thereafter. The reviews will be supported by the newly established industry-government steel task force, which met for the first time on June 26.

    The government remains prepared to take additional steps as needed and will continue to review the appropriateness of its response, pending developments with U.S. tariffs. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    June 27, 2025

    Federal grants heading to airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities, Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar investments that support local economies, ensure emergency services during wildfires and more.”

    “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities and economies – supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “This federal funding will allow several Oregon regional airports to make critical infrastructure improvements that will benefit our communities and economy. I’ll fight to protect the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports and the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

    “Investments in NW Oregon’s ports bolster our local economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “This federal funding will help upgrade aviation infrastructure on the coast and across rural Oregon. I will continue to advocate for resources that help Oregonians thrive.”

    “I’m happy to see these investments being made in Brookings and across Oregon to help improve safety, modernize equipment, and make these airports more viable for residents and tourists, alike,” said Rep. Hoyle. “These upgrades will grow local economies by making towns on the South Coast more accessible. I am grateful.”  

    The $1.08 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration will be distributed as follows:

    • $474,390 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for a new fuel farm with two fuel tanks, two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type to help the airport be as self-sustaining as possible.
    • $320,890 to the Port of Astoria for rebuilding a 12,800-square-foot, 10-unit hangar used for aircraft storage.
    • $159,000 to the city of Brookings to acquire and install new wind cone navigational aids, to install a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety, to rebuild a precision approach path indicator system, rebuild runway end identifier lights, rebuild medium intensity lighting.
    • $129,501 to the Oregon Department of Aviation for the Aurora State Airport to rehabilitate 5,003 feet of existing paved runway.

    Wyden, Merkley, Bonamci and Hoyle have long supported airports across Oregon. In May, the Oregon delegation announced $22 million for airport infrastructure investments statewide. In September 2024, Wyden and Merkley announced $10 million in federal grants for airports in Medford and Prineville. In July 2024, Merkley, Wyden and Hoyle announced $17 million from the federal Airport Improvement Program for airports across Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    June 27, 2025

    Federal grants heading to airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities, Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar investments that support local economies, ensure emergency services during wildfires and more.”

    “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities and economies – supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “This federal funding will allow several Oregon regional airports to make critical infrastructure improvements that will benefit our communities and economy. I’ll fight to protect the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports and the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

    “Investments in NW Oregon’s ports bolster our local economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “This federal funding will help upgrade aviation infrastructure on the coast and across rural Oregon. I will continue to advocate for resources that help Oregonians thrive.”

    “I’m happy to see these investments being made in Brookings and across Oregon to help improve safety, modernize equipment, and make these airports more viable for residents and tourists, alike,” said Rep. Hoyle. “These upgrades will grow local economies by making towns on the South Coast more accessible. I am grateful.”  

    The $1.08 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration will be distributed as follows:

    • $474,390 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for a new fuel farm with two fuel tanks, two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type to help the airport be as self-sustaining as possible.
    • $320,890 to the Port of Astoria for rebuilding a 12,800-square-foot, 10-unit hangar used for aircraft storage.
    • $159,000 to the city of Brookings to acquire and install new wind cone navigational aids, to install a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety, to rebuild a precision approach path indicator system, rebuild runway end identifier lights, rebuild medium intensity lighting.
    • $129,501 to the Oregon Department of Aviation for the Aurora State Airport to rehabilitate 5,003 feet of existing paved runway.

    Wyden, Merkley, Bonamci and Hoyle have long supported airports across Oregon. In May, the Oregon delegation announced $22 million for airport infrastructure investments statewide. In September 2024, Wyden and Merkley announced $10 million in federal grants for airports in Medford and Prineville. In July 2024, Merkley, Wyden and Hoyle announced $17 million from the federal Airport Improvement Program for airports across Oregon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc., which upheld the provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance companies to cover preventive services like cancer screenings and HIV prevention drugs:
    “I’m relieved that the Supreme Court has protected lifesaving care for millions of Americans.
    “The Court’s decision means insurers must continue to cover the cost of cancer screenings, medications that stop heart attacks before they start, and HIV prevention. It’s the kind of medical care that saves lives, makes hospitals less crowded, and – critically for my home state of Delaware – makes ER wait times shorter.
    “While today is a victory, this win comes as President Trump has unilaterally and illegally cut other programs that provide preventive health care. He’s trying to kick millions off Medicaid and has slashed funding from programs proven to prevent HIV transmission at home and abroad.
    “I will keep fighting for Americans’ right to affordable health care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell & Colleagues Demand Answers from SBA Administrator Loeffler and Commerce Secretary Lutnick on Gutting Support for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    06.27.25
    Cantwell & Colleagues Demand Answers from SBA Administrator Loeffler and Commerce Secretary Lutnick on Gutting Support for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
    “A failure to support small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses, will be a detriment to the entire American economy.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Senate colleagues in demanding answers from Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on the Trump Administration’s actions eliminating support for small businesses, including small minority-owned businesses.
    In March, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and several other agencies to reduce their functions to the minimum amount required by law. The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposes to abolish the MBDA and the Trump Administration seeks to eliminate the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women’s Business Centers and funding for SCORE, which provides mentorship and resources to small businesses, among other programs.
    These actions are already being felt across the country. For example, the MBDA Business Center in Tacoma, Washington has been forced to close after receiving a notice that its MBDA grant was terminated. Since receiving a $2 million MBDA grant in July 2021, the Center has helped minority-owned businesses create and retain 1,495 jobs, obtain $190.8 million in contracts, and obtain $216.9 million in financing. 
    “We demand answers from the Administration about how it intends to properly serve small business entrepreneurs from minority and underserved communities and follow Federal laws establishing support for such entrepreneurs,” wrote the Senators. “A failure to support small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses, will be a detriment to the entire American economy.”
    “The Administration actions to eliminate the MBDA is part of an overall attack on federal support to business owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals,” the Senators continued. “Federal agencies have several small business contracting goals, including for small businesses generally, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), and women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses.”
    Instead of expanding opportunities for more small businesses to grow and thrive, President Trump’s shortsighted actions are throwing cold water on entrepreneurship and job creation. 
    “Undermining and dismantling targeted federal programs that recognize the historic challenges faced by minority business owners will ultimately hurt local communities and weaken the U.S. economy,” concluded the Senators.
    Sen. Cantwell has been a staunch defender of the MBDA against the Trump Administration’s attempts to illegally dismantle the agency, including demanding answers about compliance with a court order halting the dismantling of the MBDA, demanding Commerce Secretary Lutnick  provide a full accounting of his actions to shutter the MBDA, and calling on the Secretary to honor his previous commitment to protect the MBDA and its mission.
    Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) also signed the letter. 
    The full text of the letter to Administrator Loeffler and Secretary Lutnick is below and HERE.
    Dear Administrator Loeffler and Secretary Lutnick,
    The Trump administration is undoing decades of progress supporting minority small business owners, including the attempt to dismantle the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), undermine small business contracting programs, and cut targeted resources and services. We demand answers from the Administration about how it intends to properly serve small business entrepreneurs from minority and underserved communities and follow Federal laws establishing support for such entrepreneurs. A failure to support small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses, will be a detriment to the entire American economy.
    In 1969, President Nixon created the MBDA to help minority business owners succeed. In 2021, Congress permanently authorized the MBDA, with overwhelming bipartisan support. One of the MBDA’s core functions, as defined in the Minority Business Development Act,[1] is operating a network of Business Centers through public-private partnerships. These Business Centers assist minority-owned businesses with accessing capital, contracts, and counseling, ultimately to facilitate their growth and create jobs. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the MBDA helped minority-owned businesses create or retain more than 23,000 jobs, secure almost $2.7 billion in contracts, and receive in excess of $1.5 billion in capital.[2]
    On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing the MBDA and several other agencies to reduce their functions to the minimum amount required by law.[3] On April 10, 2025, nearly every MBDA employee was let go or reassigned. The cancellation of all MBDA grants and Business Center contracts soon followed. Termination letters sent to MBDA grantees and Business Centers—and subsequently rescinded after the Rhode Island Federal District Court issued a preliminary injunction halting the executive order’s implementation—claimed their grants or contracts were no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities. But Congress, not the Trump administration, authorized the MBDA and established its purposes when it passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.[4] Oversight letters from Democratic members of the Senate Commerce Committee regarding the Administration’s actions have gone unanswered.
    The Administration actions to eliminate the MBDA is part of an overall attack on federal support to business owned by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals. Federal agencies have several small business contracting goals, including for small businesses generally, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), and women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. Each federal agency with procurement authority has an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to promote the use of small businesses to fulfill agency contracts. Small business goals and OSDBUs work in tandem to ensure that small businesses, not just large firms, benefit from the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, the U.S. government.
    In January 2025, the SBA lowered to 5 percent the goal of increasing the share of federal contracting dollars going to SDBs, a stark contrast to the Biden administration, which raised the SDB goal to 15 percent.[5] The Administration also appears to be undermining OSDBUs; according to reports, the Department of Health and Human Services, the fourth largest grantor of federal contracting dollars,[6] fired all OSDBU staff except one at the agency.[7]
    The President’s FY 2026 proposed budget doubles down on these actions by entirely eliminating several statutorily authorized and bipartisan entrepreneurial development programs, in addition to the MBDA. The President’s budget also proposes cutting Women’s Business Centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), technical assistance for the Microloan program, and more. The Administration justifies these cuts by stating the previous administration awarded “billions in funding to certain businesses solely based on race and gender.”[8] Although some of these programs target specific resources to certain communities, the vast majority of these programs serve all Americans.
    The Trump administration’s war on targeted federal programs is already hurting minority and underserved small businesses. The New York Times found that the Administration’s contract cancellations have disproportionately impacted minority- and women-owned small businesses while largely ignoring the largest federal contracts. As of March 2025, 19 percent of cancelled contracts listed on the DOGE website are for minority-owned businesses and 11 percent are women-owned businesses, despite representing just 10 percent and 5 percent of federal contracts, respectively.[9]
    Bloomberg reported that SBA employees are uncertain whether they can attend meetings with the Hmong Chamber of Commerce or Latino business associations, and some SBA employees are being directed to withhold annual small business awards that were supposed to go to minority entrepreneurs.[10]
    These actions are unacceptable and harm the American economy. Minority-owned businesses employ millions of Americans and generate more than $2 trillion in annual revenue.[11] In the contracting space, the importance of a fully inclusive supplier base has also been well-documented,[12] including in the manufacturing industry.[13] Rather than strengthening support for minority-owned firms, President Trump has instead dismantled the MBDA, lowered contracting goals for SDBs, undermined OSDBUs, and proposed eliminating various entrepreneurial development programs. Undermining and dismantling targeted federal programs that recognize the historic challenges faced by minority business owners will ultimately hurt local communities and weaken the U.S. economy.
    We request answers from the Administration in writing on the following questions by July 10, 2025:
    Please explain how the Department of Commerce plans to utilize congressionally appropriated MBDA funds in accordance with statutory requirements.
    The MBDA Business Centers program is statutorily authorized under 15 U.S.C. § 9523. Please explain how decisions to fire staff who service the program and cancel Business Center contracts were made.
    Please detail how the Trump administration plans to meet the existing SDB contracting goal. Will the SBA commit to advocating for the full staffing and resourcing of OSDBUs to ensure all small business contracting goals are met or exceeded? If not, why not?
    Please detail the specific reasons for the President’s request to eliminate “15 specialized and duplicative programs,”[14] including the Women’s Business Center Program, SCORE, the State Trade Expansion Program, Native American outreach, technical assistance for the Microloan program, Growth Accelerators, and Regional Innovation Clusters.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Treasury Corporation Announces Completion of Initial Bitcoin Acquisition Phase and Now Holds a Total of 771.37 Bitcoin

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.

    TORONTO, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Treasury Corporation (TSXV:BTCT) (“Bitcoin Treasury” or the “Corporation”), is pleased to announce that it has completed the initial phase of its Bitcoin accumulation plan in alignment with its core strategy to accumulate Bitcoin as a principal treasury asset. The Corporation acquired 478.57 Bitcoin for a total purchase price of CAD$70 million. The Corporation now holds 771.37 Bitcoin on its balance sheet. This results in a starting Bitcoin per Share (“BPS”) of approximately 0.0000634. BPS is calculated on a fully diluted basis, accounting for the convertible debentures but excluding warrants.

    Bitcoin Treasury Corporation will continue to accumulate Bitcoin as part of its broader strategy to build long-term shareholder value. The Corporation plans to deploy its Bitcoin holdings through institutional lending and liquidity services, offering counterparties access to capital while maintaining a strong focus on financial security and risk management. The Corporation views Bitcoin not only as a long-term reserve asset, but as a foundational pillar of its business model and revenue strategy. Through disciplined corporate finance and institutional-grade Bitcoin services, the Corporation aims to grow BPS and redefine corporate treasury management for the digital age.

    About Bitcoin Treasury

    Bitcoin Treasury Corporation is a Canadian-based company focused on institutional-grade Bitcoin services, initially offering Bitcoin-denominated loans. Bitcoin Treasury’s core strategy is to build shareholder value through the strategic accumulation and active deployment of Bitcoin. Recognizing Bitcoin’s finite supply and long-term potential, the Corporation intends to maintain a robust treasury position while supporting the development of its service offerings.

    For further information, please contact:

    Bitcoin Treasury Corporation
    Elliot Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
    Phone: 416-619-3403
    Email: ejohnson@btctcorp.com

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expect”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, or variations of such words and phrases) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: business integration risks; the Corporation’s operating results will experience significant fluctuations due to the highly volatile nature of Bitcoin; the Corporation operates in a heavily regulated environment and any material changes or actions could lead to negative adverse effects to the business model, operational results, and financial condition of the Corporation; evolving cryptocurrency regulatory requirements and the impact on the Corporation’s business plan; Bitcoin value risk; reliance on key personnel; implementation of the Corporation’s business plan; lack of operating history; competitive conditions; de banking and financial services risk; anti money laundering and corrupt business practices; additional capital; financing risks; global financial conditions; insurance and uninsured risks; cybersecurity risks; changes to bank fees or practices, or payment card networks; audit of tax filings; market for the Bitcoin Treasury Shares; market price of the Bitcoin Treasury Shares; conflicts of interest; internal controls; tariffs and the imposition of other restrictions on trade could adversely affect the Corporation’s business; risk of litigation; pandemics or other health crisis; acquisitions and integration; risk of dilution of Bitcoin Treasury securities; dividend policy; Bitcoin price volatility; custodial risks; technological vulnerabilities; Bitcoin transactions are irreversible and may result in significant losses; short history risk; limited history of the Bitcoin market; potential decrease in the global demand for Bitcoin; economic and political factors; top Bitcoin holders control a significant percentage of the outstanding Bitcoin; availability of exchange traded products liquidity; security breaches; the requirements that accompany being a publicly traded company may put a strain on the Corporation’s resources, divert attention from management, and adversely affect its ability to maintain and attract management and qualified board members; liquidity risk; leverage risk; and share price fluctuations.

    Although management of the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward -looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, change in management’s estimates or opinions, future circumstances or events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

    The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Business leaders from 28 countries take part in Join Sweden Summit, the Government’s investment conference

    Source: Government of Sweden

    More than 600 leading Swedish and international companies, investors and decision-makers gathered in Stockholm on 19 February for the Join Sweden Summit, the Government’s international investment conference that set a new attendance record this year. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted the conference.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV consultation and First Review Under the Extended Fund Facility for El Salvador

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 27, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board concluded El Salvador’s 2025 Article IV consultation and completed the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, allowing for an immediate disbursement of SDR 86.16 million (about US$118 million).
    • Program performance has been solid, with the economy continuing to expand as macroeconomic imbalances are being addressed.
    • Key fiscal and international reserve targets were met with margins and progress continues with the ambitious reform agenda in the areas of governance, transparency, and financial resilience.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded El Salvador’s 2025 Article IV consultation[1] and completed the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Completion of this review allows immediate disbursement of SDR 86.16 million (about US$118 million), bringing total disbursements under this arrangement to SDR 172.32 million (about US$231 million). The authorities have consented to the publication of this Staff Report.[2]

    El Salvador’s 40-month EFF arrangement was approved by the Executive Board on February 26, 2025, with total access of SDR 1,033.92 million (about US$1.4 billion or 360 percent of quota). The program remains focused on strengthening public finances, rebuilding external and financial buffers, and enhancing governance and transparency frameworks to create the conditions for stronger and more resilient growth.

    Program performance has been solid, with the economy continuing to expand as macroeconomic imbalances are being addressed. Key fiscal and international reserve targets were met with margins and progress continues with the ambitious reform agenda in the areas of governance, transparency, and financial resilience. Specifically, in the context of the first review, (i) a new Fiscal Sustainability Law has been enacted; (ii) a presidential decree limiting exceptions to the Procurement Law has been issued; (iii) financial information on the largest state-owned enterprises has been published; and (iv) information on public contracts has been made more accessible. Steps continue to be taken to mitigate Bitcoin associated risks and unwind the public sector’s participation in Chivo.

    The 2025 Article IV consultation focused on policies to boost medium-term growth and resilience. Special attention was given to policies to support foreign direct investment, employment and exports, while considering the implications of a more challenging external backdrop.

    Following the Executive Board discussion on El Salvador, Mr. Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

    “El Salvador’s economic program, supported by the Extended Fund Facility arrangement, had an auspicious start. Notably, the economy continues to expand, inflation has further moderated, and the current account deficit has narrowed amid efforts to address macroeconomic imbalances. Fiscal consolidation remains on track, external and financial buffers are being rebuilt, and governance and transparency reforms are proceeding in line with program commitments. In light of rising external risks, agile policy making and contingency planning remain essential to protect program objectives, including in the context of the dollarization regime.

    “Efforts to strengthen public finances must continue, especially through a further rationalization of the wage bill and other current spending. Beyond this year, comprehensive reforms to the civil service and pension reforms are needed to safeguard fiscal consolidation and protect priority social and infrastructure spending. Meanwhile, continued efforts to mobilize official support will help further reduce reliance on bank and pension fund financing and support private sector credit.

    “Sustained efforts are needed to rebuild financial sector buffers and enhance oversight and regulation. The steady implementation of the planned increases in banks’ reserve requirements and liquidity buffers is critical to enhancing resilience and preserving financial stability. These efforts should be complemented by enhancements in the oversight of banks as well as nonbank financial institutions.

    “Steps to strengthen governance and transparency must continue. A consistent and evenhanded application of the new Anti-Corruption Law remains critical, alongside efforts to reinforce the AML/CFT framework in line with international best practices. Boosting confidence and investment requires elevating standards of fiscal reporting and transparency about public contracts, and improved access to public information. Focused efforts should be considered to support foreign direct investment and address infrastructure gaps, including through well-designed public-private partnerships and investor protection schemes.

    “Bitcoin risks should continue to be mitigated. An early unwinding of the public sector’s participation in the government’s e-wallet (Chivo) remains critical, and efforts should continue to keep the public sector’s holdings of Bitcoin unchanged, and to improve the oversight of crypto assets to enhance consumer and investor protection.”

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They commended the Salvadoran authorities for the strong ownership and satisfactory performance under the Fund‑supported program and welcomed the continued efforts to address macroeconomic imbalances. Directors noted, however, downside risks related to escalating global trade tensions and tighter immigration policies elsewhere, which could negatively impact remittances and growth. Against this backdrop, Directors emphasized the importance of sustaining the reform momentum to safeguard macroeconomic stability and durably address El Salvador’s longstanding structural challenges and encouraged the authorities to stand ready to activate contingency plans as needed.

    Directors underscored the need to sustain fiscal consolidation by further rationalizing the wage bill and containing current expenditures to secure space for priority social and infrastructure spending and put debt firmly on a downward trajectory. They concurred that contingency measures to broaden tax revenues and streamline tax expenditures could also be considered. Directors welcomed the new Fiscal Responsibility Law and agreed that developing and implementing civil service and pension reforms and further strengthening public financial management are essential to underpin the fiscal adjustment over the medium term. Continuing to mobilize official external support would help reduce reliance on bank and pension fund financing and support private sector credit.

    While noting that the financial system remains sound, Directors emphasized the importance of further rebuilding financial sector buffers and strengthening oversight and regulation. They agreed that implementing the new Financial Stability Law and improving the supervision and governance of nonbank financial institutions in line with best practices are also key. Directors encouraged mitigating risks from the use of Bitcoin and boosting the oversight of crypto assets. They stressed the need to unwind the public sector’s participation in the government e‑wallet (Chivo) and to not increase overall Bitcoin holdings by the public sector and underscored the importance of clear and consistent communication in this regard. Directors also emphasized the need to enhance the autonomy of the central bank and strengthen its capital position and boost international reserves.

    Directors underscored the importance of advancing structural reforms to unlock El Salvador’s growth potential. They recommended further strengthening governance and transparency and, in this regard, encouraged enhancing the AML/CFT framework in line with FATF recommendations, securing the consistent and evenhanded application of the new anti‑corruption framework, and strengthening the transparency of public information, including in the procurement process. Noting that the improvements in domestic security offer a unique opportunity to further boost growth, Directors welcomed the authorities’ Long‑term Growth Strategy and encouraged reforms to raise productivity, improve the investment climate, and enhance financial inclusion. They welcomed ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and logistics costs, as well as plans to address large infrastructure and human capital gaps, with support of the private sector. Directors also encouraged strengthening resilience to climate‑related shocks.

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with El Salvador will be held in accordance with the Executive Board decision on consultation cycles for members with Fund arrangements.

    Table 1. El Salvador: Selected Economic Indicators

    I. Social Indicators

    Rank in UNDP Development Index 2021 (of 189)

    125

    		  

    Population (million, 2022)

    6.3

    Per capita income (U.S. dollars, 2022)

    5,366

    Life expectancy at birth in years (2021)

    71

    Percent of pop. below poverty line (2021)

    24.6

    		  

    Gini index (2019)

    		  

    39
                   

    II. Economic Indicators (percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    (Est.)

    2025

    (Proj.)

    2026

    (Proj.)

    Income and Prices

    		              

    Real GDP growth (percent)

    -7.9

    11.9

    2.9

    3.5

    2.6

    2.5

    2.5

    Consumer price inflation (average, percent)

    -0.4

    3.5

    7.2

    4.0

    0.9

    1.0

    1.8

    GDP Deflator (percent)

    0.7

    4.1

    6.6

    2.6

    1.8

    0.8

    2.2
                   

    Money and Credit

    		              

    Credit to the private sector

    65.3

    61.1

    62.6

    61.9

    62.5

    66.1

    69.1

    Broad money

    69.4

    60.9

    58.0

    59.5

    58.8

    59.1

    58.1

    Interest rate (time deposits, percent)

    4.2

    4.1

    4.5

    5.3

    5.6

    …

    …
                   

    External Sector

    		              

    Current account balance 

    1.1

    -4.3

    -6.7

    -1.1

    -1.8

    -0.8

    -2.1

    Trade balance

    -20.2

    -27.3

    -30.0

    -26.2

    -26.9

    -27.0

    -26.0

    Transfers (net)

    24.0

    26.1

    24.5

    24.2

    23.7

    25.2

    23.0

    Foreign direct investment (net)

    0.0

    -1.3

    -0.4

    -2.0

    -1.8

    -2.1

    -2.3

    Gross international reserves (mill. of US$)

    3,083

    3,426

    2,696

    3,081

    3,706

    4,252

    4,762
                   

    Nonfinancial Public Sector

    		              

    Overall balance

    -8.2

    -5.5

    -2.7

    -4.7

    -4.5

    -3.0

    -2.1

    Primary balance

    -3.8

    -1.0

    2.0

    -0.1

    0.0

    1.9

    2.9

    Of which: tax revenue

    18.3

    19.9

    20.1

    19.8

    20.6

    21.2

    21.2

    Gross debt 1/

    95.4

    88.0

    83.7

    85.1

    87.5

    88.0

    86.6
                   

    National Savings and Investment

    		              

    Gross capital formation

    17.2

    23.4

    24.5

    20.7

    20.3

    22.0

    21.6

    Private fixed investment 2/

    14.7

    21.0

    19.3

    18.8

    19.4

    19.7

    19.7

    National savings

    18.3

    19.0

    17.7

    19.6

    18.6

    21.1

    19.5

    Private sector

    23.9

    21.4

    18.3

    20.4

    19.4

    20.9

    18.4
                   

    Net Foreign Assets of the Financial System

    		              

    Millions of U.S. dollars

    3,618

    3,022

    1,488

    1,565

    2,298

    2,442

    2,730
                   

    Memorandum Items

    		              

    Nominal GDP (billions of US$)

    24.9

    29.0

    31.9

    33.9

    35.4

    36.5

    38.3
                   

    Sources: Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador, Ministry of Finance, and IMF staff estimates.

    1/ Nonfinancial public sector, including CIP-A pension bonds.

    2/ Excludes changes in inventories.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] Under the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, publication of documents that pertain to member countries is voluntary and requires the member consent. The staff report will be shortly published on https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/SLV.

    [3] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Brian Walker

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/27/imf-concludes-2025-article-iv-consultation-and-first-review-under-the-eff-for-el-salvador

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: Coleman County State Bank, Coleman, TX, Acquires Insured Deposits of The Santa Anna National Bank, Santa Anna, TX

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    WASHINGTON – The Santa Anna National Bank of Santa Anna, Texas, was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. The FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Coleman County State Bank of Coleman, Texas, to assume the insured deposits and some of the assets of the failed institution.

    The Santa Anna National Bank’s sole office will reopen on Monday, June 30, 2025, as a branch of Coleman County State Bank. Depositors of the failed bank will automatically become depositors of Coleman County State Bank. The insured deposits assumed by Coleman County State Bank will continue to be insured by the FDIC so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage.

    All Coleman County State Bank customers (formerly, The Santa Anna National Bank) will have access to their insured deposits and can write checks or use their ATM or debit cards up to their insured limits. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

    As of June 18, 2025, The Santa Anna National Bank reported total assets of $63.8 million and total deposits of $53.8 million. Approximately $2.8 million of the deposits exceeded FDIC insurance limits, an amount that is likely to change once the FDIC obtains additional information from customers. Once further information is available, the FDIC will consider whether to provide uninsured depositors an advance dividend (i.e. access to a portion of their uninsured funds) and will provide more information at that time.

    Customers with accounts greater than $250,000 should contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-314-1744 to set up an appointment to discuss their deposits. This phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Time (CT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CT; and thereafter from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.

    Customers who would like more information on today’s transaction can call the toll-free number or visit the FDIC’s website.  Beginning Monday, depositors of The Santa Anna National Bank with more than $250,000 in deposits may visit the FDIC’s webpage “Is My Account Fully Insured?” to determine their insurance coverage.

    Coleman County State Bank agreed to assume the insured deposits for a 5.16 percent premium. The FDIC will retain a large portion of the assets of The Santa Anna National Bank for later disposition. The FDIC preliminarily estimates that the failure will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) about $23.7 million. This loss estimate will change over time as the assets are sold. Suspected fraud contributed to the failure of the bank and estimated cost to the DIF.

    The Santa Anna National Bank is the second bank to fail in the nation this year. The last bank failure was Pulaski Savings Bank of Chicago on January 17, 2025. The last failure in Texas was The Enloe State Bank of Cooper, Texas on May 31, 2019.

    # # #

    MEDIA CONTACT: 
    Brian Sullivan                           
    202-412-1436
    brsullivan@fdic.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

    The Supreme Court greenlights states’ efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court created a new legal path that makes it easier for states to craft laws regulating what kids see and do on the internet.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Free Speech Coalition Inc. v. Paxton that Texas’ law obligating porn sites to block access to underage users is constitutional. The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.

    The majority on the court rejected both the porn industry’s argument for strict scrutiny – the toughest legal test that requires the government to prove a law is absolutely necessary – and Texas’ argument for mere rational basis review, which requires only a rational connection between the law’s legitimate aims and its actions. Instead, Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion established intermediate scrutiny, a middle ground that requires laws to serve important government interests without being overly burdensome, as the appropriate standard.

    The court’s reasoning hinged on characterizing the law as only “incidentally” burdening adults’ First Amendment rights. Since minors have no constitutional right to access pornography, the state can require age verification to prevent that unprotected activity. Any burden on adults is, according to the ruling, merely a side effect of this legitimate regulation.

    The court also pointed to dramatic technological changes since earlier similar laws were struck down in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, only 2 in 5 households had internet access, mostly through slow dial-up connections on desktop computers. Today, 95% of teens carry smartphones with constant internet access to massive libraries of content. Porn site Pornhub alone published over 150 years of new material in 2019. The court argued that earlier decisions “could not have conceived of these developments,” making age verification more necessary than judges could have imagined decades ago.

    More importantly for future legislation, the court embraced an “ordinary and appropriate means” doctrine: When states have authority to govern an area, they may use traditional methods to exercise that power. Since age verification is common for alcohol and tobacco, tattoos and piercings, firearms, driver’s licenses and voting, the court held that it’s similarly appropriate for regulating minors’ access to sexual content.

    The key takeaway: When states are trying to keep kids away from certain types of content that kids have no legal right to see anyway, requiring age verification is an ordinary and appropriate way to enforce that boundary.

    Implications for other laws

    This decision could resolve a fundamental enforcement problem in child privacy laws. Current laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act protect children only when companies have actual knowledge a user is under 13. But platforms routinely avoid this requirement by not asking users’ ages or letting them enter whatever age they want. Without age verification, there’s no actual knowledge and thus no privacy protections.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning changes this dynamic. Since the court emphasized that children lack the same constitutional rights as adults regarding certain protections, states may now be able to require age verification before data collection. California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code and similar state privacy laws would gain substantially more regulatory power under this framework.

    Meanwhile, social media platforms could face more restrictions. Several states have tried to limit how social media platforms interact with minors. Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning could protect laws that require age verification before kids can use certain platform features, such as direct messaging with strangers or livestreaming. However, laws that try to block kids from seeing general social media content would still face tough legal challenges, since that content is typically protected speech for everyone.

    The decision also supports state laws regulating how minors interact with app stores and gaming platforms. Minors generally can’t enter binding contracts without parental consent in the physical world, so states could require the same online. Proposed legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act would require parental approval before kids can download apps or agree to terms of service. States have also considered restrictions on “loot boxes” – digital gambling-like features – and surprise in-app purchases that can result in massive charges to parents.

    Since states already require an ID to buy lottery tickets or enter casinos, requiring age verification before kids can spend money on digital gambling mechanics follows the court’s logic.

    What comes next?

    But this decision doesn’t give states free rein to regulate the internet. The court’s reasoning applies to content that children have no legal right to access in the first place, specifically sexually explicit material. For most online content such as news, educational materials, general entertainment and political discussions, both adults and kids have constitutional rights to access.

    Laws trying to age-gate this protected content would still likely face the strict scrutiny’s standard and be struck down, but what online content and experiences underage users are constitutionally entitled to is not settled. Many advocates worry that while the “obscene for minors” standard in this case appears legally narrow, states will try to expand it or use similar reasoning to classify LGBTQ+-related educational content, health resources or community support materials as inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors.

    The court also emphasized that even under this more permissive standard, laws still have to be reasonable. Age verification requirements that are overly burdensome, sweep too broadly or create serious privacy problems could still be ruled unconstitutional. The court’s decision in this case gives state lawmakers much more room to effectively regulate how online platforms interact with children, but I believe successful laws will need to be carefully written.

    For parents worried about their kids’ online safety, this could mean more tools and protections. For tech companies, it likely means more compliance requirements and age verification systems. And for the broader internet, it represents a significant shift toward treating online spaces more like physical ones, where people have long accepted that some doors require showing ID to enter.

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

    – ref. Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-upholds-childproofing-porn-sites-260052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

    The Supreme Court greenlights states’ efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court created a new legal path that makes it easier for states to craft laws regulating what kids see and do on the internet.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Free Speech Coalition Inc. v. Paxton that Texas’ law obligating porn sites to block access to underage users is constitutional. The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.

    The majority on the court rejected both the porn industry’s argument for strict scrutiny – the toughest legal test that requires the government to prove a law is absolutely necessary – and Texas’ argument for mere rational basis review, which requires only a rational connection between the law’s legitimate aims and its actions. Instead, Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion established intermediate scrutiny, a middle ground that requires laws to serve important government interests without being overly burdensome, as the appropriate standard.

    The court’s reasoning hinged on characterizing the law as only “incidentally” burdening adults’ First Amendment rights. Since minors have no constitutional right to access pornography, the state can require age verification to prevent that unprotected activity. Any burden on adults is, according to the ruling, merely a side effect of this legitimate regulation.

    The court also pointed to dramatic technological changes since earlier similar laws were struck down in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, only 2 in 5 households had internet access, mostly through slow dial-up connections on desktop computers. Today, 95% of teens carry smartphones with constant internet access to massive libraries of content. Porn site Pornhub alone published over 150 years of new material in 2019. The court argued that earlier decisions “could not have conceived of these developments,” making age verification more necessary than judges could have imagined decades ago.

    More importantly for future legislation, the court embraced an “ordinary and appropriate means” doctrine: When states have authority to govern an area, they may use traditional methods to exercise that power. Since age verification is common for alcohol and tobacco, tattoos and piercings, firearms, driver’s licenses and voting, the court held that it’s similarly appropriate for regulating minors’ access to sexual content.

    The key takeaway: When states are trying to keep kids away from certain types of content that kids have no legal right to see anyway, requiring age verification is an ordinary and appropriate way to enforce that boundary.

    Implications for other laws

    This decision could resolve a fundamental enforcement problem in child privacy laws. Current laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act protect children only when companies have actual knowledge a user is under 13. But platforms routinely avoid this requirement by not asking users’ ages or letting them enter whatever age they want. Without age verification, there’s no actual knowledge and thus no privacy protections.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning changes this dynamic. Since the court emphasized that children lack the same constitutional rights as adults regarding certain protections, states may now be able to require age verification before data collection. California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code and similar state privacy laws would gain substantially more regulatory power under this framework.

    Meanwhile, social media platforms could face more restrictions. Several states have tried to limit how social media platforms interact with minors. Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning could protect laws that require age verification before kids can use certain platform features, such as direct messaging with strangers or livestreaming. However, laws that try to block kids from seeing general social media content would still face tough legal challenges, since that content is typically protected speech for everyone.

    The decision also supports state laws regulating how minors interact with app stores and gaming platforms. Minors generally can’t enter binding contracts without parental consent in the physical world, so states could require the same online. Proposed legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act would require parental approval before kids can download apps or agree to terms of service. States have also considered restrictions on “loot boxes” – digital gambling-like features – and surprise in-app purchases that can result in massive charges to parents.

    Since states already require an ID to buy lottery tickets or enter casinos, requiring age verification before kids can spend money on digital gambling mechanics follows the court’s logic.

    What comes next?

    But this decision doesn’t give states free rein to regulate the internet. The court’s reasoning applies to content that children have no legal right to access in the first place, specifically sexually explicit material. For most online content such as news, educational materials, general entertainment and political discussions, both adults and kids have constitutional rights to access.

    Laws trying to age-gate this protected content would still likely face the strict scrutiny’s standard and be struck down, but what online content and experiences underage users are constitutionally entitled to is not settled. Many advocates worry that while the “obscene for minors” standard in this case appears legally narrow, states will try to expand it or use similar reasoning to classify LGBTQ+-related educational content, health resources or community support materials as inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors.

    The court also emphasized that even under this more permissive standard, laws still have to be reasonable. Age verification requirements that are overly burdensome, sweep too broadly or create serious privacy problems could still be ruled unconstitutional. The court’s decision in this case gives state lawmakers much more room to effectively regulate how online platforms interact with children, but I believe successful laws will need to be carefully written.

    For parents worried about their kids’ online safety, this could mean more tools and protections. For tech companies, it likely means more compliance requirements and age verification systems. And for the broader internet, it represents a significant shift toward treating online spaces more like physical ones, where people have long accepted that some doors require showing ID to enter.

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

    – ref. Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-upholds-childproofing-porn-sites-260052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

    The Supreme Court greenlights states’ efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court created a new legal path that makes it easier for states to craft laws regulating what kids see and do on the internet.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Free Speech Coalition Inc. v. Paxton that Texas’ law obligating porn sites to block access to underage users is constitutional. The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.

    The majority on the court rejected both the porn industry’s argument for strict scrutiny – the toughest legal test that requires the government to prove a law is absolutely necessary – and Texas’ argument for mere rational basis review, which requires only a rational connection between the law’s legitimate aims and its actions. Instead, Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion established intermediate scrutiny, a middle ground that requires laws to serve important government interests without being overly burdensome, as the appropriate standard.

    The court’s reasoning hinged on characterizing the law as only “incidentally” burdening adults’ First Amendment rights. Since minors have no constitutional right to access pornography, the state can require age verification to prevent that unprotected activity. Any burden on adults is, according to the ruling, merely a side effect of this legitimate regulation.

    The court also pointed to dramatic technological changes since earlier similar laws were struck down in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, only 2 in 5 households had internet access, mostly through slow dial-up connections on desktop computers. Today, 95% of teens carry smartphones with constant internet access to massive libraries of content. Porn site Pornhub alone published over 150 years of new material in 2019. The court argued that earlier decisions “could not have conceived of these developments,” making age verification more necessary than judges could have imagined decades ago.

    More importantly for future legislation, the court embraced an “ordinary and appropriate means” doctrine: When states have authority to govern an area, they may use traditional methods to exercise that power. Since age verification is common for alcohol and tobacco, tattoos and piercings, firearms, driver’s licenses and voting, the court held that it’s similarly appropriate for regulating minors’ access to sexual content.

    The key takeaway: When states are trying to keep kids away from certain types of content that kids have no legal right to see anyway, requiring age verification is an ordinary and appropriate way to enforce that boundary.

    Implications for other laws

    This decision could resolve a fundamental enforcement problem in child privacy laws. Current laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act protect children only when companies have actual knowledge a user is under 13. But platforms routinely avoid this requirement by not asking users’ ages or letting them enter whatever age they want. Without age verification, there’s no actual knowledge and thus no privacy protections.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning changes this dynamic. Since the court emphasized that children lack the same constitutional rights as adults regarding certain protections, states may now be able to require age verification before data collection. California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code and similar state privacy laws would gain substantially more regulatory power under this framework.

    Meanwhile, social media platforms could face more restrictions. Several states have tried to limit how social media platforms interact with minors. Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning could protect laws that require age verification before kids can use certain platform features, such as direct messaging with strangers or livestreaming. However, laws that try to block kids from seeing general social media content would still face tough legal challenges, since that content is typically protected speech for everyone.

    The decision also supports state laws regulating how minors interact with app stores and gaming platforms. Minors generally can’t enter binding contracts without parental consent in the physical world, so states could require the same online. Proposed legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act would require parental approval before kids can download apps or agree to terms of service. States have also considered restrictions on “loot boxes” – digital gambling-like features – and surprise in-app purchases that can result in massive charges to parents.

    Since states already require an ID to buy lottery tickets or enter casinos, requiring age verification before kids can spend money on digital gambling mechanics follows the court’s logic.

    What comes next?

    But this decision doesn’t give states free rein to regulate the internet. The court’s reasoning applies to content that children have no legal right to access in the first place, specifically sexually explicit material. For most online content such as news, educational materials, general entertainment and political discussions, both adults and kids have constitutional rights to access.

    Laws trying to age-gate this protected content would still likely face the strict scrutiny’s standard and be struck down, but what online content and experiences underage users are constitutionally entitled to is not settled. Many advocates worry that while the “obscene for minors” standard in this case appears legally narrow, states will try to expand it or use similar reasoning to classify LGBTQ+-related educational content, health resources or community support materials as inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors.

    The court also emphasized that even under this more permissive standard, laws still have to be reasonable. Age verification requirements that are overly burdensome, sweep too broadly or create serious privacy problems could still be ruled unconstitutional. The court’s decision in this case gives state lawmakers much more room to effectively regulate how online platforms interact with children, but I believe successful laws will need to be carefully written.

    For parents worried about their kids’ online safety, this could mean more tools and protections. For tech companies, it likely means more compliance requirements and age verification systems. And for the broader internet, it represents a significant shift toward treating online spaces more like physical ones, where people have long accepted that some doors require showing ID to enter.

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

    – ref. Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-upholds-childproofing-porn-sites-260052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

    The Supreme Court greenlights states’ efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court created a new legal path that makes it easier for states to craft laws regulating what kids see and do on the internet.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Free Speech Coalition Inc. v. Paxton that Texas’ law obligating porn sites to block access to underage users is constitutional. The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.

    The majority on the court rejected both the porn industry’s argument for strict scrutiny – the toughest legal test that requires the government to prove a law is absolutely necessary – and Texas’ argument for mere rational basis review, which requires only a rational connection between the law’s legitimate aims and its actions. Instead, Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion established intermediate scrutiny, a middle ground that requires laws to serve important government interests without being overly burdensome, as the appropriate standard.

    The court’s reasoning hinged on characterizing the law as only “incidentally” burdening adults’ First Amendment rights. Since minors have no constitutional right to access pornography, the state can require age verification to prevent that unprotected activity. Any burden on adults is, according to the ruling, merely a side effect of this legitimate regulation.

    The court also pointed to dramatic technological changes since earlier similar laws were struck down in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, only 2 in 5 households had internet access, mostly through slow dial-up connections on desktop computers. Today, 95% of teens carry smartphones with constant internet access to massive libraries of content. Porn site Pornhub alone published over 150 years of new material in 2019. The court argued that earlier decisions “could not have conceived of these developments,” making age verification more necessary than judges could have imagined decades ago.

    More importantly for future legislation, the court embraced an “ordinary and appropriate means” doctrine: When states have authority to govern an area, they may use traditional methods to exercise that power. Since age verification is common for alcohol and tobacco, tattoos and piercings, firearms, driver’s licenses and voting, the court held that it’s similarly appropriate for regulating minors’ access to sexual content.

    The key takeaway: When states are trying to keep kids away from certain types of content that kids have no legal right to see anyway, requiring age verification is an ordinary and appropriate way to enforce that boundary.

    Implications for other laws

    This decision could resolve a fundamental enforcement problem in child privacy laws. Current laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act protect children only when companies have actual knowledge a user is under 13. But platforms routinely avoid this requirement by not asking users’ ages or letting them enter whatever age they want. Without age verification, there’s no actual knowledge and thus no privacy protections.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning changes this dynamic. Since the court emphasized that children lack the same constitutional rights as adults regarding certain protections, states may now be able to require age verification before data collection. California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code and similar state privacy laws would gain substantially more regulatory power under this framework.

    Meanwhile, social media platforms could face more restrictions. Several states have tried to limit how social media platforms interact with minors. Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning could protect laws that require age verification before kids can use certain platform features, such as direct messaging with strangers or livestreaming. However, laws that try to block kids from seeing general social media content would still face tough legal challenges, since that content is typically protected speech for everyone.

    The decision also supports state laws regulating how minors interact with app stores and gaming platforms. Minors generally can’t enter binding contracts without parental consent in the physical world, so states could require the same online. Proposed legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act would require parental approval before kids can download apps or agree to terms of service. States have also considered restrictions on “loot boxes” – digital gambling-like features – and surprise in-app purchases that can result in massive charges to parents.

    Since states already require an ID to buy lottery tickets or enter casinos, requiring age verification before kids can spend money on digital gambling mechanics follows the court’s logic.

    What comes next?

    But this decision doesn’t give states free rein to regulate the internet. The court’s reasoning applies to content that children have no legal right to access in the first place, specifically sexually explicit material. For most online content such as news, educational materials, general entertainment and political discussions, both adults and kids have constitutional rights to access.

    Laws trying to age-gate this protected content would still likely face the strict scrutiny’s standard and be struck down, but what online content and experiences underage users are constitutionally entitled to is not settled. Many advocates worry that while the “obscene for minors” standard in this case appears legally narrow, states will try to expand it or use similar reasoning to classify LGBTQ+-related educational content, health resources or community support materials as inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors.

    The court also emphasized that even under this more permissive standard, laws still have to be reasonable. Age verification requirements that are overly burdensome, sweep too broadly or create serious privacy problems could still be ruled unconstitutional. The court’s decision in this case gives state lawmakers much more room to effectively regulate how online platforms interact with children, but I believe successful laws will need to be carefully written.

    For parents worried about their kids’ online safety, this could mean more tools and protections. For tech companies, it likely means more compliance requirements and age verification systems. And for the broader internet, it represents a significant shift toward treating online spaces more like physical ones, where people have long accepted that some doors require showing ID to enter.

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

    – ref. Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-upholds-childproofing-porn-sites-260052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

    The Supreme Court greenlights states’ efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court created a new legal path that makes it easier for states to craft laws regulating what kids see and do on the internet.

    In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Free Speech Coalition Inc. v. Paxton that Texas’ law obligating porn sites to block access to underage users is constitutional. The law requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages – for example by making users scan and upload their driver’s license – before granting access to content that is deemed obscene for minors but not adults.

    The majority on the court rejected both the porn industry’s argument for strict scrutiny – the toughest legal test that requires the government to prove a law is absolutely necessary – and Texas’ argument for mere rational basis review, which requires only a rational connection between the law’s legitimate aims and its actions. Instead, Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion established intermediate scrutiny, a middle ground that requires laws to serve important government interests without being overly burdensome, as the appropriate standard.

    The court’s reasoning hinged on characterizing the law as only “incidentally” burdening adults’ First Amendment rights. Since minors have no constitutional right to access pornography, the state can require age verification to prevent that unprotected activity. Any burden on adults is, according to the ruling, merely a side effect of this legitimate regulation.

    The court also pointed to dramatic technological changes since earlier similar laws were struck down in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, only 2 in 5 households had internet access, mostly through slow dial-up connections on desktop computers. Today, 95% of teens carry smartphones with constant internet access to massive libraries of content. Porn site Pornhub alone published over 150 years of new material in 2019. The court argued that earlier decisions “could not have conceived of these developments,” making age verification more necessary than judges could have imagined decades ago.

    More importantly for future legislation, the court embraced an “ordinary and appropriate means” doctrine: When states have authority to govern an area, they may use traditional methods to exercise that power. Since age verification is common for alcohol and tobacco, tattoos and piercings, firearms, driver’s licenses and voting, the court held that it’s similarly appropriate for regulating minors’ access to sexual content.

    The key takeaway: When states are trying to keep kids away from certain types of content that kids have no legal right to see anyway, requiring age verification is an ordinary and appropriate way to enforce that boundary.

    Implications for other laws

    This decision could resolve a fundamental enforcement problem in child privacy laws. Current laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act protect children only when companies have actual knowledge a user is under 13. But platforms routinely avoid this requirement by not asking users’ ages or letting them enter whatever age they want. Without age verification, there’s no actual knowledge and thus no privacy protections.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning changes this dynamic. Since the court emphasized that children lack the same constitutional rights as adults regarding certain protections, states may now be able to require age verification before data collection. California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code and similar state privacy laws would gain substantially more regulatory power under this framework.

    Meanwhile, social media platforms could face more restrictions. Several states have tried to limit how social media platforms interact with minors. Florida recently banned kids under 14 from having social media accounts entirely, while other states have targeted specific features such as endless scrolling or push notifications designed to keep kids hooked.

    The Supreme Court’s reasoning could protect laws that require age verification before kids can use certain platform features, such as direct messaging with strangers or livestreaming. However, laws that try to block kids from seeing general social media content would still face tough legal challenges, since that content is typically protected speech for everyone.

    The decision also supports state laws regulating how minors interact with app stores and gaming platforms. Minors generally can’t enter binding contracts without parental consent in the physical world, so states could require the same online. Proposed legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act would require parental approval before kids can download apps or agree to terms of service. States have also considered restrictions on “loot boxes” – digital gambling-like features – and surprise in-app purchases that can result in massive charges to parents.

    Since states already require an ID to buy lottery tickets or enter casinos, requiring age verification before kids can spend money on digital gambling mechanics follows the court’s logic.

    What comes next?

    But this decision doesn’t give states free rein to regulate the internet. The court’s reasoning applies to content that children have no legal right to access in the first place, specifically sexually explicit material. For most online content such as news, educational materials, general entertainment and political discussions, both adults and kids have constitutional rights to access.

    Laws trying to age-gate this protected content would still likely face the strict scrutiny’s standard and be struck down, but what online content and experiences underage users are constitutionally entitled to is not settled. Many advocates worry that while the “obscene for minors” standard in this case appears legally narrow, states will try to expand it or use similar reasoning to classify LGBTQ+-related educational content, health resources or community support materials as inherently sexual and inappropriate for minors.

    The court also emphasized that even under this more permissive standard, laws still have to be reasonable. Age verification requirements that are overly burdensome, sweep too broadly or create serious privacy problems could still be ruled unconstitutional. The court’s decision in this case gives state lawmakers much more room to effectively regulate how online platforms interact with children, but I believe successful laws will need to be carefully written.

    For parents worried about their kids’ online safety, this could mean more tools and protections. For tech companies, it likely means more compliance requirements and age verification systems. And for the broader internet, it represents a significant shift toward treating online spaces more like physical ones, where people have long accepted that some doors require showing ID to enter.

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

    – ref. Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-upholds-childproofing-porn-sites-260052

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    June 27, 2025

    Federal grants heading to airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    For Immediate Release: June 27, 2025 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    “I’m happy to see these investments being made in Brookings and across Oregon to help improve safety, modernize equipment, and make these airports more viable for residents and tourists, alike,” said Rep. Hoyle. “These upgrades will grow local economies by making towns on the South Coast more accessible. I am grateful.”  

    “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar investments that support local economies, ensure emergency services during wildfires and more.”

    “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities and economies – supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “This federal funding will allow several Oregon regional airports to make critical infrastructure improvements that will benefit our communities and economy. I’ll fight to protect the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports and the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.” 

    “Investments in NW Oregon’s ports bolster our local economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “This federal funding will help upgrade aviation infrastructure on the coast and across rural Oregon. I will continue to advocate for resources that help Oregonians thrive.”

    The $1.08 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration will be distributed as follows:

    • $474,390 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for a new fuel farm with two fuel tanks, two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type to help the airport be as self-sustaining as possible. 

    • $320,890 to the Port of Astoria for rebuilding a 12,800-square-foot, 10-unit hangar used for aircraft storage.

    • $159,000 to the city of Brookings to acquire and install new wind cone navigational aids, to install a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety, to rebuild a precision approach path indicator system, rebuild runway end identifier lights, rebuild medium intensity lighting.

    • $129,501 to the Oregon Department of Aviation for the Aurora State Airport to rehabilitate 5,003 feet of existing paved runway.

    Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici have long supported airports across Oregon. In May, the Oregon delegation announced $22 million for airport infrastructure investments statewide. In September 2024, Wyden and Merkley announced $10 millionin federal grants for airports in Medford and Prineville. In July 2024, Hoyle, Merkley, and Wyden announced $17 million from the federal Airport Improvement Program for airports across Oregon.

    A web version of the release is here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici Announce $1 Million for Airports on Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    June 27, 2025

    Federal grants heading to airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    For Immediate Release: June 27, 2025 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), today announced $1.08 million combined in federal infrastructure investments at airports in Tillamook, Astoria, Brookings and Aurora.

    “I’m happy to see these investments being made in Brookings and across Oregon to help improve safety, modernize equipment, and make these airports more viable for residents and tourists, alike,” said Rep. Hoyle. “These upgrades will grow local economies by making towns on the South Coast more accessible. I am grateful.”  

    “Federal investments in smaller airports throughout Oregon are a must to enhance quality of life in rural communities,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified these federal resources are heading to our state, and I’ll keep battling for similar investments that support local economies, ensure emergency services during wildfires and more.”

    “Oregon’s regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities and economies – supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-class recreational opportunities, and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “This federal funding will allow several Oregon regional airports to make critical infrastructure improvements that will benefit our communities and economy. I’ll fight to protect the efficiency and safety of Oregon’s airports and the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.” 

    “Investments in NW Oregon’s ports bolster our local economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “This federal funding will help upgrade aviation infrastructure on the coast and across rural Oregon. I will continue to advocate for resources that help Oregonians thrive.”

    The $1.08 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration will be distributed as follows:

    • $474,390 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for a new fuel farm with two fuel tanks, two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type to help the airport be as self-sustaining as possible. 

    • $320,890 to the Port of Astoria for rebuilding a 12,800-square-foot, 10-unit hangar used for aircraft storage.

    • $159,000 to the city of Brookings to acquire and install new wind cone navigational aids, to install a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety, to rebuild a precision approach path indicator system, rebuild runway end identifier lights, rebuild medium intensity lighting.

    • $129,501 to the Oregon Department of Aviation for the Aurora State Airport to rehabilitate 5,003 feet of existing paved runway.

    Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici have long supported airports across Oregon. In May, the Oregon delegation announced $22 million for airport infrastructure investments statewide. In September 2024, Wyden and Merkley announced $10 millionin federal grants for airports in Medford and Prineville. In July 2024, Hoyle, Merkley, and Wyden announced $17 million from the federal Airport Improvement Program for airports across Oregon.

    A web version of the release is here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: So Alberta, what’s next? | Alors, quelle est la prochaine étape pour l’Alberta?

    [embedded content]

    Albertans are frustrated after 10 years of punitive policies, enacted by the federal government, attacking Alberta’s economy and targeting its core industries.

    Chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, the Alberta Next panel will bring together a broad mix of leaders, experts, and community voices to gather input, discuss solutions, and provide feedback to government on how Alberta can better protect its interests, defend its economy, and assert its place in Confederation.

    The panel will consult across the province over the summer and early fall to ensure that those living, working, doing business and raising families are the ones to drive Alberta’s future forward. The work will include identifying solutions advanced by Albertans on how to make Alberta stronger and more sovereign within a united Canada that respects and empowers the province to achieve its full potential. It will also include making recommendations to the government on potential referendum questions for Albertans to vote on in 2026.

    It will consider and hear from Albertans on the risks and benefits of ideas like a establishing an Alberta Pension Plan, using an Alberta Provincial Police Service rather than the RCMP for community policing, whether Albertans should consider pursuing constitutional changes, which (if any) changes to federal transfer payments and equalization Albertans should demand of the federal government, potential immigration reform that would give the provincial government more oversight into who comes to the province, and changes to how Alberta collects personal income tax. Albertans will also have the opportunity to put forward their own ideas for discussion.

    “This isn’t just about talk. It’s about action. The Alberta Next Panel is giving everyday Albertans a direct say in the direction of our province. It’s time to stand up to Ottawa’s overreach and make sure decisions about Alberta’s future are made here, by the people who live and work here.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    “Right now, there is a need to restore fairness and functionality in the country. Years of problematic policy and decisions from Ottawa have hurt Albertan and Canadian prosperity. I am honoured to be asked by Premier Smith to participate in the Alberta Next Panel. This panel is about listening to Albertans on how we build a stronger Alberta within a united Canada, to which I, and the Business Council of Alberta, are firmly committed.”

    Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta

    Chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, the panel includes 13 additional members, including elected officials, academics, business leaders and community advocates:

    • Honourable Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta
    • Brandon Lunty, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont
    • Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock
    • Tara Sawyer, MLA-elect for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills
    • Bruce McDonald, former justice, Court of Appeal of Alberta
    • Trevor Tombe, director of fiscal and economic policy, the University of Calgary School of Public Policy
    • Adam Legge, president, Business Council of Alberta
    • Andrew Judson, vice chairman (prairies), Fraser Institute
    • Sumita Anand, vice president, Above and Beyond Care Services
    • Melody Garner-Skiba, business and agricultural advocate
    • Grant Fagerheim, president and CEO, Whitecap Resources Inc.
    • Dr. Akin Osakuade, physician and section chief, Didsbury Hospital
    • Dr. Benny Xu, community health expert
    • Michael Binnion, president, Questerre Energy

    Albertans have a choice: let Ottawa continue calling the shots—or come together to chart our own course. What’s next? You decide.

    Key facts:

    • Town hall dates and sites, along with other opportunities to participate in this engagement, are available online at Alberta.ca/Next. Exact locations will be posted in the weeks ahead of the event, and Albertans will be asked to RSVP online.
    • The panel’s recommendations will be submitted to government by Dec. 31, 2025.
    • It is anticipated that the panel will add additional members in the coming weeks.

    Related information

    • Alberta.ca/Next
    • Panel member biographies

    Related news

    • Alberta Next: Albertans to choose path forward (May 5, 2025)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference
    • Listen to the news conference

    Ce sont les Albertains, et non Ottawa, qui devraient façonner l’avenir de l’Alberta. Le groupe d’experts Alberta Next prend la route pour consulter directement les Albertains et tracer la voie à suivre pour la province.

    Les Albertains sont frustrés après 10 ans de politiques punitives adoptées par le gouvernement fédéral qui s’en prennent à l’économie de la province et qui ciblent ses principales industries.

    Le groupe d’experts Alberta Next, présidé par la première ministre Danielle Smith, réunira un large éventail de chefs de file, d’experts et de membres de la collectivité pour recueillir des commentaires, discuter de solutions et fournir une rétroaction au gouvernement sur la façon dont l’Alberta peut mieux protéger ses intérêts. défendre son économie et affirmer sa place dans la Confédération.

    Le groupe d’experts tiendra des consultations dans toute la province au cours de l’été et au début de l’automne pour veiller à ce que les personnes qui vivent, travaillent, font des affaires et élèvent une famille soient celles qui conduiront l’avenir de l’Alberta. Le travail consistera notamment à trouver des solutions proposées par les Albertains pour rendre l’Alberta plus forte et plus souveraine au sein d’un Canada uni qui respecte la province et qui lui donne les moyens de réaliser son plein potentiel. Il s’agira également de formuler des recommandations au gouvernement sur les questions référendaires potentielles sur lesquelles les Albertains pourront se prononcer en 2026.

    Il tiendra compte des risques et des avantages d’idées comme l’établissement d’un régime de retraite de l’Alberta, le recours à un service de police provincial de l’Alberta plutôt qu’à la Gendarmerie royale du Canada pour les services de police communautaires et entendra ce que les Albertains ont à dire à ce sujet. Il déterminera si les Albertains devraient envisager de modifier la Constitution, (s’il y a lieu) des changements aux paiements de transfert fédéraux et à la péréquation que les Albertains devraient exiger du gouvernement fédéral, une réforme potentielle de l’immigration qui donnerait au gouvernement provincial plus de contrôle sur ceux qui viennent dans la province, et des changements à la façon dont l’Alberta perçoit l’impôt sur le revenu des particuliers. Les Albertains auront également l’occasion de présenter leurs propres idées aux fins de discussion.

    « Il ne s’agit pas seulement de paroles. Il s’agit d’agir. Le groupe d’experts Alberta Next donne aux Albertains ordinaires la chance d’experimer leur point de vue sur l’orientation de notre province. Il est temps de résister à l’excès d’Ottawa et de veiller à ce que les décisions concernant l’avenir de l’Alberta soient prises ici, par les gens qui vivent et travaillent ici. »

    Danielle Smith, première ministre

    « Il est désormais nécessaire de rétablir l’équité et la fonctionnalité du pays. Des années de politiques et de décisions problématiques d’Ottawa ont nui à la prospérité de l’Alberta et du Canada. Je suis honoré d’avoir été invité par la première ministre Smith à participer au groupe d’experts Alberta Next. Ce groupe d’expers a pour objectif d’écouter les points de vue des Albertains sur la façonde bâtir une Alberta plus forte au sein d’un Canada uni, ce à quoi le Business Council of Alberta et moi-même tenons fermement. »

    Adam Legge, président du Business Council of Alberta

    Le groupe d’experts, présidé par la première ministre Danielle Smith, comprend 13 autres membres, y compris des représentants élus, des universitaires, des chefs d’entreprise et des défenseurs de la collectivité :

    • L’honorable Rebecca Schulz, ministre de l’Environnement et des Aires protégées de l’Alberta
    • Brandon Lunty, député de Leduc-Beaumont
    • Glenn van Dijken, député d’Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock
    • Tara Sawyer, députée élue d’Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills
    • Bruce McDonald, ancien juge, Cour d’appel de l’Alberta
    • Trevor Tombe, directeur de la politique fiscale et économique, École de politique publique de l’Université de Calgary
    • Adam Legge, président, Business Council of Alberta
    • Andrew Judson, vice-président (Prairies), Institut Fraser
    • Sumita Anand, vice-présidente, Above and Beyond Care Services
    • Melody Garner-Skiba, défenseure des affaires et de l’agriculture
    • Grant Fagerheim, président-directeur général, Whitecap Resources Inc.
    • Dr Akin Osakuade, médecin et chef de section, Hôpital Didsbury
    • Dr Benny Xu, expert en santé communautaire
    • Michael Binnion, président, Questerre Energy

    Les Albertains ont le choix : laisser Ottawa continuer à prendre les décisions ou s’unir pour tracer notre propre voie. Prochaines étapes? C’est vous qui décidez.

    Faits saillants :

    • Les dates et les sites des assemblées publiques locales, ainsi que d’autres occasions de participer à cette consultation, sont disponibles en ligne à Alberta.ca/Next. Les lieux exacts seront publiés dans les semaines précédant l’événement et les Albertains seront invités à confirmer leur présence en ligne.
    • Les recommandations du groupe d’experts seront soumises au gouvernement d’ici le 31 décembre 2025.
    • On prévoit que le groupe d’experts ajoutera d’autres membres au cours des prochaines semaines.

    Renseignements connexes

    • Alberta.ca/Next
    • Biographies des membres du groupe d’experts (en anglais seulement)

    Nouvelles connexes

    • Alberta Next: Albertans to choose path forward (5 mai 2025)

    Multimédia

    • Visionnez la conférence de presse (en anglais seulement)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation Announces Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: PNRG, today announced that it has appointed Withum Smith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective June 27, 2025.

    The decision to change auditors was recommended and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

    PrimeEnergy Resources is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of hydrocarbons, primarily in Texas. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol PNRG.

    For investor inquiries, contact: Connie Ng – (713) 735-0000 ext. 6416

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes”, “projects” and “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may vary materially from what is expressed or forecast in such statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the possibility of drilling cost overruns and technical difficulties, volatility of oil and gas prices, competition, risks inherent in the Company’s oil and gas operations, the inexact nature of interpretation of seismic and other geological and geophysical data, imprecision of reserve estimates, and the Company’s ability to replace and expand oil and gas reserves. Accordingly, stockholders and potential investors are cautioned that certain events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation Announces Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PrimeEnergy Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: PNRG, today announced that it has appointed Withum Smith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective June 27, 2025.

    The decision to change auditors was recommended and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

    PrimeEnergy Resources is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of hydrocarbons, primarily in Texas. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol PNRG.

    For investor inquiries, contact: Connie Ng – (713) 735-0000 ext. 6416

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes”, “projects” and “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may vary materially from what is expressed or forecast in such statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the possibility of drilling cost overruns and technical difficulties, volatility of oil and gas prices, competition, risks inherent in the Company’s oil and gas operations, the inexact nature of interpretation of seismic and other geological and geophysical data, imprecision of reserve estimates, and the Company’s ability to replace and expand oil and gas reserves. Accordingly, stockholders and potential investors are cautioned that certain events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXCO ENERGY CORPORATION REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDLAND, TX, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mexco Energy Corporation (NYSE American: MXC) reported results on its Annual Report, Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. The Company reported net income of $1,712,368, or $0.81 per diluted share, a 27% increase compared to fiscal 2024.

    Operating revenues for fiscal 2025 were $7,358,066, an 11% increase when compared to fiscal 2024. This increase was primarily due to an increase in oil and natural gas production volumes and partially offset by a decrease in the average sale prices of oil and natural gas. Natural gas prices have been low due to limited pipeline capacities in the Permian Basin. For the year ended March 31, 2025, the average realized price for oil was $73.54 per barrel and the average realized price for natural gas was $1.70 per thousand cubic feet.

    The Company participated in the drilling of 35 horizontal wells at a cost of approximately $1,100,000 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, of which 17 are to be completed this fiscal year. Twenty-nine of these wells are in the Delaware Basin located in the western portion of the Permian Basin in Lea and Eddy Counties, New Mexico. The Company also expended approximately $300,000, the balance required to complete 19 horizontal wells which were drilled during fiscal 2024.

    In addition to the above working interests, there were 120 gross wells (.09 net wells) drilled by other operators on the Company’s royalty interests. Approximately 31% of the fiscal 2025 operating revenues were produced from royalties free of operational costs to Mexco.

    The Company currently expects to participate in the drilling of 27 and completion of 17 horizontal wells at an estimated aggregate cost of approximately $1.2 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, of which approximately $300,000 has been expended to date. The Company is evaluating other prospects for participation during this fiscal year.

    The Company’s estimated present value of proved reserves at March 31, 2025 was approximately $23 million based on estimated future net revenues discounted at 10% per annum, pricing and other assumptions set forth in “Item 2 – Properties” of Form 10-K. The Company’s estimated proved oil reserves at March 31, 2025 decreased 15% to 675 thousand barrels of oil and natural gas reserves decreased 4% to 4.360 billion cubic feet compared to the prior fiscal year primarily as a result of decreased prices of oil and natural gas in the past fiscal year. For fiscal 2025, oil constituted approximately 51% of the Company’s total proved reserves and approximately 86% of the Company’s oil and gas sales.

    The President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company said, “We have approximately $2.2 million cash on hand, no outstanding indebtedness on our bank line of credit and are actively seeking opportunities.”

    Throughout the year, the Company acquired various royalty and mineral interests in 840 gross wells (2.31 net wells) primarily in Adams, Broomfield and Weld Counties, Colorado; DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Eddy County, New Mexico; Karnes, Live Oak, Reagan, Reeves and Upton Counties, Texas; Laramie County, Wyoming; and, multiple counties in Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Montana, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.0 million. These and other related expenditures were funded from cash on hand.

    Mexco Energy Corporation, a Colorado corporation, is an independent oil and gas company located in Midland, Texas engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties primarily in the Permian Basin. For more information on Mexco Energy Corporation, go to www.mexcoenergy.com.

    In accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Mexco Energy Corporation cautions that statements in this press release which are forward-looking and which provide other than historical information involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company’s actual results of operations. These risks include, but are not limited to, production variance from expectations, volatility of oil and gas prices, the need to develop and replace reserves, exploration risks, uncertainties about estimates of reserves, competition, government regulation, and mechanical and other inherent risks associated with oil and gas production. A discussion of these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties, is set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. Mexco Energy Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements.

    For additional information, please contact: Tammy L. McComic, President and Chief Financial Officer of Mexco Energy Corporation, (432) 682-1119.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Trisura Group Announces Results Of Annual And Special Meeting Of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura Group” or the “Company”) (TSX: TSU) today announced the results of the Company’s virtual annual and special meeting of shareholders held on June 27, 2025 (the “Meeting”).

    At the Meeting, all nine nominees proposed for election to the board of director by shareholders were elected. Management received the following proxies from shareholders in regard to the election of directors:

    Director Nominee Votes For % Votes Withheld %
    David Clare 34,235,415 97.59% 843,841 2.41%
    Paul Gallagher 34,123,007 97.27% 956,249 2.73%
    Sacha Haque 34,243,472 97.62% 835,784 2.38%
    Barton Hedges 34,265,242 97.68% 814,014 2.32%
    Anik Lanthier 34,163,571 97.39% 915,685 2.61%
    Janice Madon 34,262,812 97.67% 816,444 2.33%
    George E. Myhal 32,940,147 93.90% 2,139,109 6.10%
    Lilia Sham 34,261,547 97.67% 817,709 2.33%
    Robert Taylor 34,119,101 97.26% 960,155 2.74%
             

    About Trisura Group

    Trisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSU”.

    Further information is available at https://www.trisura.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    For more information, please contact:

    Name: Bryan Sinclair
    Tel: 416 607 2135
    Email: bryan.sinclair@trisura.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Uzbekistan and Public-Private Partnerships: Country Lessons, Republic of Uzbekistan

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) utilize private sector expertise, risk sharing, management, and financing to improve public investment. However, these benefits also carry risks. Project level risks include poor selection, optimism bias, off-budget financing, and contract renegotiation. Countries can manage these risks by integrating PPPs into the public investment plan, testing assumptions via scenario analysis, and evaluating risks during the selection process. Macroeconomic risks can arise if PPPs perform poorly or accumulate too rapidly. These risks can be addressed by implementing an annual cap on new projects or a cap on the PPP stock. Having a robust system to monitor PPPs improves implementation and guards losses from contingent liabilities.

    Subject: Budget planning and preparation, Contingent liabilities, Expenditure, Financial institutions, Fiscal risks, Infrastructure, National accounts, PPP legislation, Public financial management (PFM), Public investment spending, Risks of public-private partnership, Stocks

    Keywords: Budget planning and preparation, Contingent liabilities, Fiscal risks, Government liabilities, Infrastructure, National Subsidies, PPP legislation, Public Enterprise Governance, Public Enterprise Performance, Public Infrastructure, Public Investment, Public investment spending, Public Private, Public vs Private, Public-Private Partnerships, Risks of public-private partnership, Scope of Government, Sectoral analysis, Stocks

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Antioch Police Officer Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Civil Rights Violation, Falsification of Records, and Wire Fraud Offenses

    Source: US FBI

    OAKLAND – Former Antioch police officer Morteza Amiri was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for violating the civil rights of an individual through excessive force, falsifying records related to that violation, and participating in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain.  The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, who presided over two trials that resulted in Amiri’s convictions for these crimes.  

    In August 2024, following a four-day trial, a jury found Amiri, 34, guilty of one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the fraudulently-obtained degree scheme.  Thereafter, in March 2025, following eight-day trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification of records in connection with a July 2019 arrest.  Amiri was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals on March 18, 2025, and has remained in federal custody since then.  

    “Amiri misused his police dog to inflict unnecessary and excessive force against a victim and cheated his way into a pay raise.  These crimes are appalling in themselves, but even more so that they were committed by a police officer. With this sentence, Amiri is now being held to account for his multiple betrayals of the public trust,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.

    “Amiri betrayed the public’s trust, abused his authority, and violated the civil rights of a person he was sworn to protect.  His actions undermine the integrity of law enforcement and erode public confidence.  Today’s sentence sends a clear message: no badge is a shield from accountability. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect the civil rights of all people and to hold those who abuse their power accountable under the law,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.  

    Amiri was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department.  According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial in March 2025, Amiri, a K-9 handler, deployed his K-9 to bite even when it was not necessary.  On July 24, 2019, Amiri pulled over and stopped a bicyclist identified as A.A., who, according to Amiri, did not have his bicycle light on.  Amiri approached A.A., punched and took the victim to the ground, and then called for his K-9 to bite the victim.  As a result, A.A. sustained injuries.  At the time, Amiri was accompanied by a police officer with a neighboring agency as a ride-along, and that officer assisted with the deployment of the K-9.  Afterwards, Amiri shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers.  One officer responded, “Yeah buddy good boy,” referring to the K-9, and “Lol you bit [A.A.].”  In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.”  

    Amiri later wrote to the officer who accompanied him on the ride-along, “you got to see [the K-9] in action lol,” and stated that detectives got the victim “a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t go to court for the bite. Easy,” referring to the victim going into custody for a parole/probation violation.  Amiri then falsified a police report of the incident, stating that one of the reasons he deployed his K-9 was because he was alone, when instead the ride-along police officer was with him at the time and had helped Amiri deploy the K-9.

    Separately, the evidence presented at the trial in August 2024 showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree.  Instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and/or financial incentives from their police department employers.  They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments.

    In addition to the prison term, Judge White also sentenced Amiri to three years of supervised release and ordered Amiri to pay restitution in the amount of $3,180 to victim A.A. and $10,526 to the City of Antioch.

    The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

    * * *

    These charges against Amiri were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburgh police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud.  The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:
     

    Case Name and Number Statute(s)

    Defendant

    (Bold: multiple case numbers)

    		 Status

    Fraud

    23-cr-00264

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) Patrick Berhan Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
    Morteza Amiri Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 6/24/25
    Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24
    Samantha Peterson Sentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24
    Ernesto Mejia-Orozco Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
    Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24

    Obstruction

    23-cr-00267

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Timothy Manly Williams Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 8/19/25

    Anabolic Steroid Distribution

    23-cr-00268

    		 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Daniel Harris Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25

    21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);

    18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)

    		 Devon Wenger Convicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending

    Civil Rights

    23-cr-00269

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Morteza Amiri Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 6/24/25
    18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Eric Rombough Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 8/19/25
    18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Devon Wenger Trial 8/4/25

    Anabolic Steroid Distribution

    24-cr-00157

    		 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Patrick Berhan Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24

    Bank Fraud

    24-cr-00502

    		 18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud) Daniel Harris Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Record Notional Value of Shares Traded on the Nasdaq Closing Cross During the 2025 Russell US Indexes Reconstitution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced the Nasdaq Closing Cross had a record day as it was used to rebalance Nasdaq-listed securities in the entire family of Russell US Indexes, part of global index provider FTSE Russell, during its annual reconstitution. This year marks the 41st anniversary of the Russell 3000® Index and the 22nd year that the Closing Cross has been used to calculate the Russell Reconstitution.

    2,506,428,416 shares, representing a record $102.455 billion, were executed in the Closing Cross in 0.871 seconds across Nasdaq-listed securities, representing the largest liquidity event on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange for the Russell Reconstitution. The new milestone compares with 2024’s record, which represented $95.257 billion, executed in 0.878 seconds across Nasdaq-listed securities during Russell’s annual reconstitution.

    “The Nasdaq Closing Cross serves a critical role in capital markets infrastructure, processing trades and providing transparent price facilitation, particularly as U.S equities see unprecedented volumes and message traffic,” said Kevin Kennedy, Executive Vice President of North American Markets at Nasdaq. “We are thrilled to celebrate a new record notional value of shares traded during the Russell Reconstitution and to continue delivering the highest level of performance, resilience and precision for the market every day, including during the market’s most critical events.”

    “Russell Reconstitution is a cornerstone event for the US equity markets, ensuring the full suite of Russell US Indexes remain precise and representative of the ever-evolving marketplace,” said Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell. “This year’s record notional volume underscores the continued trust the investment community places in our transparent and rules-based process. We’re proud to celebrate the successful completion of this year’s rebalancing with our longstanding friends at Nasdaq, marking another milestone in our shared commitment to market integrity and efficiency.”

    The Closing Cross brings together buy and sell interests executing all shares for each stock at a single price, one that reflects the accurate supply and demand for these securities. The technology reflects each symbol’s true supply and demand, providing unparalleled insight into the market close.

    All Russell US Indexes are subsets of the Russell 3000E™ Index, which represents approximately 98% of the US equity market. Russell US Indexes allow investors to track current and historical market performance by specific market segment (large cap/small cap) or investment style (growth/value/defensive/dynamic). Today, approximately $10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked to or invested in products based on the Russell US Indexes.

    Russell reconstitution day is one of the year’s most highly anticipated and heaviest trading days in the US equity market, as asset managers seek to reconfigure their portfolios to reflect the composition of Russell’s newly reconstituted US indexes. The index reconstitution process was completed today, and the newly reconstituted index membership will take effect when markets open on Monday, June 30th, 2025. Please visit our website for more information on the Nasdaq Closing Cross.

    Continued expansion in trading volumes

    Since the Nasdaq Closing Cross began calculating the Russell Reconstitution over two decades ago, the Cross has reduced latency by over 85% while effectively keeping pace with an increasing trade volume growth of over 550% and an increasing notional volume growth of over 1500%. To maintain the liquidity and resiliency of its systems during these evolving market conditions, Nasdaq has made considerable investments in market modernization and capacity enhancement. These efforts are consistent with Nasdaq’s broader commitment to providing technology solutions that enhance transparency and support the global financial ecosystem.

    Trading volume increases have been felt not just by Nasdaq, but by firms globally, necessitating the development and deployment of technologically enhanced markets and trading infrastructure. Leveraging its expansive experience operating leading exchange businesses in the world’s most advanced markets, Nasdaq recently launched Eqlipse, the fourth generation of its marketplace technology platform. The launch followed years of strategic investment to develop a unified and interoperable suite of solutions across trading, clearing, central securities depository, and data intelligence. It allows Nasdaq to form deeper strategic technology partnerships with market infrastructure providers, which includes more than 135 clients around the world, reinforcing Nasdaq’s ability to enhance liquidity, transparency and integrity across global capital markets.

    About Nasdaq
    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    About FTSE Russell:
    FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally. 

    FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. Approximately $18.1 trillion is benchmarked to FTSE Russell indexes. Leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks choose FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives.

    A core set of universal principles guides FTSE Russell index design and management: a transparent rules-based methodology is informed by independent committees of leading market participants. FTSE Russell is focused on applying the highest industry standards in index design and governance and embraces the IOSCO Principles. FTSE Russell is also focused on index innovation and customer partnerships as it seeks to enhance the breadth, depth and reach of its offering. 

    FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. 

    For more information, visit FTSE Russell.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Nasdaq and its products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These factors include but are not limited to factors detailed in Nasdaq’s annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

    Nasdaq Media Contacts:
    Gabrielle Vennitti
    (914) 510-3354
    Gabrielle.Vennitti@nasdaq.com

    FTSE Russell Media Contact:
    Simon Henrick
    +44 (0)20 7797 1222 
    newsroom@lseg.com

    – NDAQG –

    The MIL Network –