NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Russia: For two years now, unique electric river vessels — unmatched anywhere else in the world — have been operating in Moscow.

    Since the launch of these river routes, regular passenger services have transformed the Moskva River into a fully-fledged transport artery for the city.

    Trips on these electric vessels are included in the Ediny (Unified) travel passes for 30, 90, and 365 days. Two years after the launch of regular electric river transport, residents of the capital now have the opportunity to:

    Use three year-round river routes with a total length of 29 km

    Quickly and conveniently cross to the opposite bank of the Moskva River thanks to the electric vessels

    Moreover, the launch created 350 new jobs, and the Moskva River has become much safer. Thanks to regular patrols, crews can promptly spot people who end up in the water — and they have already saved four lives.

    On June 20, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin opened the third route of the regular electric river transport, Novospasskiy — ZIL, improving transport accessibility for more than 55,000 Muscovites living in four districts. The ZIL pier is now the terminal stop for two lines at once, allowing passengers to travel from Pechatniki to Novospasskiy on the most innovative type of urban transport in the capital, — said Maksim Liksutov.

    MIL OSI Russia 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 Canada: Update 8: Alberta wildfire update (June 27, 4:30 p.m.)

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: F1cam, KWcam, and laser rangefinder reinstalled at Kīlauea summit

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The F1cam, KWcam, and continuous laser rangefinder went offline on March 26 of this year, as tephra fallout from lava fountaining during episode 15 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption damaged the monitoring infrastructure. The instruments were recently reinstalled with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at a location on the rim farther away from the active vents.

    MIL OSI USA 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 USA: McClellan Statement on Resignation of UVA President

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), a University of Virginia School of Law alumna, issued the following statement today after the resignation of the University of Virginia’s president, James E. Ryan:

    “Thomas Jefferson founded UVA to engage in intellectual curiosity without fear of retaliation. The bullying of his beloved university by Trump and his Justice Department is exactly the kind of government overreach he feared.

    “University leaders should be accountable to the university community and its governing bodies, not subject to political pressure from the President.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Lankford Lead Senate Resolution After Deadly Antisemitic Attacks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Bipartisan Resolution Condemns Antisemitic Attacks In Washington, DC, And Boulder, Colorado
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitism and the recent antisemitic attacks in the United States, specifically the brutal murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in Washington, DC, and the violent attack in Boulder, Colorado. Rosen and Lankford serve as co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.
    “Communities across our country are experiencing an increase in antisemitic vandalism, threats, and violence that endangers the safety of Jewish Americans, like the recent attacks in Washington and Colorado,” said Senator Rosen. “We have a responsibility to call out antisemitism and do everything we can to combat acts of hate in all of its forms. Senator Lankford and I introduced this bipartisan resolution to condemn recent attacks and recommit to doing all we can to tackle the alarming rise of antisemitic incidents. As one of the co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, I look forward to continuing this important work.”
    “The recent brutal murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky and the violent attack in Boulder are horrific reminders of the unfortunate rise in antisemitism across our country,” said Senator Lankford. “This resolution makes it clear: we unequivocally condemn antisemitism in all its forms. Our Jewish friends and neighbors should not live in fear because of their faith and heritage, and this resolution affirms the right to live their faith freely.”
    Joining Rosen and Lankford in co-sponsoring the resolution are Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), as well as Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Dave McCormick (R-PA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Jerry Moran (R-KS).
    Senator Rosen has been a leader in the fight to combat antisemitism. In February, Rosen introduced the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directs the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating antisemitic acts on college campuses.  Senator Rosen helped launch the first-ever Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism with Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and led the push to create the first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Statement on Supreme Court Decision Limiting Nationwide Injunctions, Allowing Unconstitutional Birthright Citizenship Order to Go Into Effect

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision limiting the ability of federal district courts to issue nationwide injunctions—even when actions are clearly unconstitutional, such as the President’s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship. The ruling significantly weakens the authority of lower courts to halt the nationwide implementation of unlawful and unconstitutional federal actions.
    “This Supreme Court decision is a blow to Americans’ ability to get equal justice under the law,” said Senator Rosen. “By limiting nationwide injunctions, the Court is stripping away a critical tool used to protect against illegal or unconstitutional actions from Donald Trump and any future administration. Congress needs to pass my bill that’ll stop Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order on birthright citizenship from being implemented, recognizing that children born in the U.S. are American citizens.”
    Senator Rosen has been a leader in fighting back against Donald Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to overturn automatic citizenship for kids born in the United States. She was one of the first Congressional leaders to come out forcefully against it. Her Born In The USA Act would effectively block the President’s unconstitutional birthright citizenship Executive Order.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cortez Masto Announce Critical Funding for Nevada’s Vital Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $42,985,481 in grants to international, regional, rural, and Tribal airports in the State of Nevada. This funding will allow airports to make necessary infrastructure improvements and support Nevada’s travel and tourism economy.
    “Nevada’s airports are essential to our state’s tourism economy,” said Senator Rosen. “This funding will help modernize infrastructure, improve safety, and support the continued growth of communities across our state. I’ll keep working to bring federal investments back to Nevada and ensure our airports have the resources they need to thrive.”
    “I’m pleased to see this funding come into the Silver State to upgrade the critical infrastructure of our airports.” said Senator Cortez Masto. “These improvements will protect the comfort and safety of all travelers, whether they’re coming to visit or returning home. I will continue to work in the Senate to support Nevada’s travel and tourism economy and our aviation infrastructure, everywhere from Las Vegas to Elko.”
    A full breakdown of the funding can be found below:

    $41,618,872 for the Harry Reid International Airport for runway, baggage handling, and drainage system improvements.
    $337,375 for the Winnemucca Municipal Airport for wind cone and signage installation and precision approach path indicator systems.
    $305,000 for the Carson City Airport for repavement projects.
    $219,621 for the Jackpot/Hayden Field/County of Elko Airport for runway rehabilitation.
    $114,762 for the Mesquite Airport for service road reconstruction.
    $109,830 for the Owyhee, NV/Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation Airport for construction of a new terminal.
    $109,772 for the Battle Mountain/County of Lander Airport for construction of a new airport hangar.
    $107,882 for the Minden-Tahoe/County of Douglas Airport for installation of new lighting to enhance safety.
    $62,367 for the Hawthorne Industrial Airport to infrastructure for snow removal.

    Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have consistently worked to ensure Nevada receives its fair share of federal funding for its airports. They have secured millions in funding for clean transportation and improvements at Harry Reid International Airport and at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Both Senators prioritized important airport terminal funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and also pushed to secure funds through the American Rescue Plan to support Nevada’s airports and airline workers through the pandemic’s economic crisis to the industry. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins’ Statement on Iran War Powers Resolution

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: June 27, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement prior to the Senate vote on the War Powers Resolution offered by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia:
    “Since the despicable attacks on October 7, 2023, Iran has continued to use proxies and empowered terrorist groups to attack American servicemembers and our ally Israel. This week, Iran threatened to attack Americans on our own soil and around the world. 
    “I supported the President’s targeted strike on Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities because a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an unacceptable threat to America and our allies. I also applaud the current ceasefire. Given this backdrop, it is the wrong time to consider this resolution and to risk inadvertently sending a message to Iran that the President cannot swiftly defend Americans at home and abroad.
    “There has always been a Constitutional tension between Article I vesting in Congress the power to declare war and Article II designating the President as Commander-in-Chief. I continue to believe that Congress has an important responsibility to authorize the sustained use of military force. That is not the situation we are facing now. The President has the authority to defend our nation and our troops around the world against the threat of attack.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Strengthen Services for Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Bill would reauthorize the Older Americans Act, strengthening critical programs for seniors.

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act, legislation that renews funding and strengthens services for American seniors. Senator Collins is an original cosponsor of the bill, and she was a member of the bipartisan working group that authored this legislation. 

    Since 1965, the OAA has supported and improved the lives of seniors—particularly those who are low-income—through programs that promote nutrition, improve transportation options, support caregivers, offer employment and community service opportunities, and prevent abuse and neglect. This critical law was last reauthorized in 2020.

    “Programs established by the Older Americans Act play a vital role in supporting the health, well-being, and independence of our nation’s seniors,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill reaffirms our commitment to older Americans and ensures that these critical programs will continue to meet their needs.”

    Specifically, this legislation would reauthorize OAA programs through Fiscal Year 2030 and make improvements to promote innovation and flexibility, strengthen program integrity, and better support family caregivers and direct care workers. The bill also takes steps to better serve Tribal seniors and those with disabilities in their communities.  

    The OAA authorizes an array of services through a network of 56 State Units on Aging and more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging serving older Americans throughout the nation. In the last year alone, OAA programs served more than 12 million caregivers and older adults, including providing more than 2.4 million seniors with at-home or congregate meals.
     
    In addition to Senator Collins, the bill was introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Edward Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

    The complete text of the bill can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Ruiz’s Statement on the Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Decision

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz released the following statement: 

    “The Supreme Court’s decision to limit the authority of federal district courts to issue nationwide injunctions is a reckless blow to our system of checks and balances. But let me be clear: the fight to protect birthright citizenship is far from over.

    “Every child born in the United States is a citizen of this nation. That is not up for debate—it is a constitutional right. We will continue to stand up, speak out, and pursue every legal avenue to ensure that this right is robustly defended and fully vindicated.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New digital platform to help women detect breast cancer earlier

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Around 135,000 women across New Zealand who are eligible but not currently enrolled for breast cancer screening will benefit from the successful national rollout of a new digital platform, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

    “The launch of Te Puna across the country is a major step forward for delivering faster and smarter screening services,” Mr Brown says. 

    “Te Puna replaces an outdated legacy system with a modern, streamlined platform that makes it easier for women to enrol, book, and manage their breast screening appointments – helping more women get screened earlier.” 

    The new system, which began rolling out in February, is now live nationwide. It introduces a more proactive approach to screening, with women now automatically identified when they become eligible and invited to book a mammogram – shifting from an opt-in to an opt-out model. 

    “This change will significantly boost participation and help close the gap for the 135,000 eligible women who aren’t currently getting screened. 

    “Early detection through regular mammograms is critical. Women diagnosed through screening are about 34 per cent less likely to die from breast cancer. This new system will make it easier for more women to get the checks they need, when they need them.” 

    Te Puna significantly enhances data tracking, accuracy, and reporting – helping providers identify and reach women who have never screened or don’t screen regularly. It also improves convenience for patients, allowing women to book or change appointments using a secure personalised link or QR code sent via text, email, or letter.  

    “This Government is focused on lifting screening rates to save more lives and improve treatment outcomes. Te Puna will play a vital role in achieving that. 

    “We’re also delivering on our commitment to extend breast screening to women aged 70 to 74, with rollout of the expansion beginning later this year. 

    “Every woman deserves the chance for early detection and timely treatment. Te Puna is about putting the right tools in place to deliver better care, faster – and ultimately, to save lives,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Enquiries progress into assault on walking track

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are continuing investigations after a sexual assault on a woman on the Rangituhi/Colonial Knob walking track, near Porirua, on Wednesday 18 June.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Middlemiss says Police have received a great amount of information from the public, and are calling for anyone else who was in the area to come forward.

    “We’re especially interested in speaking to anybody who entered or exited the walkway from the Raiha Street carpark entrance between 3pm and 4.30pm, on 18 June.

    “From the information we have already received, we have some lines of enquiry which the investigation team is continuing to follow.”

    Police are still appealing for any information about a man who was wearing a dark-coloured long sleeve top, dark-coloured track pants and a cap.

    If you have any information, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online.

    Please reference file number 250618/1395.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Democratic Republic of Congo – Joint Security Council Media Stakeout | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Joint Security Council Stakeout on the Democratic Republic of Congo by Women, Peace and Security Shared Commitments Group, led by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, and accompanied by Security Council Members.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpNOrP1Ef8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce $5,058,755 in Federal Funding for Virginia Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $5,058,755 in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at seven airports across Virginia. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant program, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

    “Investing in our airports means investing in safety, connectivity, and economic opportunity for communities across the Commonwealth,” said the senators. “We’re proud to support these improvements that will help ensure Virginia’s airports continue to serve travelers and local economies for years to come.”

    The funding is broken down as follows:

    • 2,948,555 to the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission to upgrade taxiways B, B1, B2, B3, and B4 at the Roanoke Regional Airport;
    • $730,000 to the City of Suffolk to expand the terminal apron Suffolk Executive Airport to allow for a wider variety of aircrafts;
    • $661,200 to the Chesapeake Airport Authority to remove trees obstructing operations at the Chesapeake Regional Airport;
    • $260,000 to the County of Halifax to install runway end identifier lights and a precision approach path indicator system at Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
    • $190,000 to the Town of Farmville to reconstruct the precision approach path indicator system for Runway 3/21 at Farmville Regional Airport;
    • $159,000 to the Dinwiddie County Airport and Industrial Authority to construct a new hanger for aircraft storage at Dinwiddie County Airport;
    • $110,000 to the Town of Tangier to reseal taxiway and apron pavement prolonging their lifespan at Tangier Island Airport.

     Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports. Sens. Warner and Kaine have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In January of this year the senators announced over $12 million for improvements to Virginia’s airports. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalizations efforts, and in September 2024, they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Dulles.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor to end practice of seeking liquidated damages in Wage and Hour investigations

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today issued a field assistance bulletin clarifying that it may not seek or collect the payment of liquidated damages in any administrative matter under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

    The FAB reiterates that Congress made clear that such damages are reserved for judicial proceedings and responsibility falls to the courts of law – not the Department of Labor. 

    Historically, the department did not seek liquidated damages in the administrative investigation stage until 2010, when the Obama administration began seeking liquidated damages prior to referral for litigation. In 2020, the Trump administration issued FAB 2020-2 to place guardrails on this controversial and legally questionable practice. 

    The following year, the Biden administration issued FAB 2021-2, which outright rescinded the 2020 FAB and authorized the division to once again seek liquidated damages in administrative matters. This Biden-era FAB provided the regulated community with vague guidance on whether such damages would be sought, giving the agency virtually unfettered discretion. 

    Today, the issuance of FAB 2025-3 ends the division’s ability to seek such damages in administrative proceedings. Ending this practice will foster more effective dispute resolution and ensure more fair, timely outcomes for American workers and businesses.

    For additional guidance beyond the field assistance bulletin, workers and employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 468

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL8

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 468
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    520 PM CDT Fri Jun 27 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    North Dakota

    * Effective this Friday afternoon and Saturday morning from 520
    PM until 100 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Widespread large hail likely with isolated very large hail
    events to 4 inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph likely

    SUMMARY…Severe storms including supercells are expected to develop
    through early/mid-evening within a very unstable environment, amidst
    moderately strong atmospheric winds. These supercells may be intense
    and capable of very large hail along with some tornado risk. Severe
    wind gust potential will likely increase later this evening as
    storms progress east-southeastward.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 105 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 50 miles west southwest of Garrison
    ND to 40 miles north northeast of Jamestown ND. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 466…WW 467…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 4 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean
    storm motion vector 29025.

    …Guyer

    SEL8

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 468
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    520 PM CDT Fri Jun 27 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    North Dakota

    * Effective this Friday afternoon and Saturday morning from 520
    PM until 100 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Widespread large hail likely with isolated very large hail
    events to 4 inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80
    mph likely

    SUMMARY…Severe storms including supercells are expected to develop
    through early/mid-evening within a very unstable environment, amidst
    moderately strong atmospheric winds. These supercells may be intense
    and capable of very large hail along with some tornado risk. Severe
    wind gust potential will likely increase later this evening as
    storms progress east-southeastward.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 105 statute miles
    north and south of a line from 50 miles west southwest of Garrison
    ND to 40 miles north northeast of Jamestown ND. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 466…WW 467…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 4 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 600. Mean
    storm motion vector 29025.

    …Guyer

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW8
    WW 468 TORNADO ND 272220Z – 280600Z
    AXIS..105 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    50WSW N60/GARRISON ND/ – 40NNE JMS/JAMESTOWN ND/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 90NM N/S /34NNE DIK – 55WSW GFK/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..4 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..70 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 600. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 29025.

    LAT…LON 48890242 48989835 45949835 45850242

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU8.

    Watch 468 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (60%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (50%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes Fifth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and the Third Review Under the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility of Paraguay

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 27, 2025

    • On June 27, 2025, the IMF Executive Board concluded the fifth review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and the third review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement.
    • The Paraguayan economy remains robust underpinned by buoyant domestic demand. Staying the course with the fiscal consolidation plan and structural reforms will be critical to preserve macroeconomic stability.
    • Program performance under the PCI and RSF remains very satisfactory, underpinned by a strong commitment to pursue prudent macroeconomic policies and structural reforms to enhance the country’s prospects for long-term sustainable and inclusive growth.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fifth review under the PCI arrangement and the third review under the RSF arrangement. The completion of the reviews provides the authorities with access to approximately US$ 285 million (SDR 211.46 million) under the RSF, of which the authorities have requested disbursement of US$ 195 million (SDR 146 million).

    The Paraguayan economy remains resilient, with real GDP growing 4.2 percent in 2024. Buoyant private consumption and gross fixed capital formation outweighed a negative contribution from net exports owing mainly to lower electricity production and exports. Economic activity continued its strong momentum in early 2025 with real GDP expected to expand 3.8 percent this year. Headline inflation remains contained within the central bank’s tolerance range.

    Fiscal consolidation is progressing, with the fiscal deficit falling to 2.6 percent of GDP in 2024, down from 4.1 percent in 2023, supported by a substantial increase in tax revenue. The fiscal deficit is projected to decline further to 1.9 percent of GDP in 2025. The current account deficit widened to 3.7 percent of GDP in 2024, from 0.4 percent in 2023, primarily due to lower export revenues, driven in large part by lower soybean prices and a drop in hydroelectricity exports because of low river water levels. Foreign reserves remain comfortably above standard adequacy metrics.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Nigel Clarke, Deputy Managing Director, and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

    “The Paraguayan economy remains resilient, owing to its strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the authorities’ continued prudent macroeconomic management. The outlook is favorable, with growth expected to remain robust, but is subject to elevated global risks and to adverse weather shocks. Against this backdrop, staying the course with prudent macroeconomic management continues to serve as a cornerstone of macroeconomic stability.

    “With inflation contained within the central bank’s tolerance range, monetary policy should remain data driven. The exchange rate should continue to serve as a shock absorber. The banking sector is well capitalized, liquid, and profitable, and the authorities plan to deepen and modernize capital markets. Further strengthening AML/CFT frameworks, including by promptly finalizing the National Risk Assessment, is essential.

    “The authorities remain resolute in advancing the fiscal consolidation plan, aiming to reduce the deficit to 1.5 percent of GDP by 2026—the ceiling established by the Fiscal Responsibility Law. Efforts to bolster tax revenues and improve the efficiency of public expenditure should continue to support fiscal consolidation goals.

    “Addressing the sustainability of the public employees’ pension fund is essential to mitigate medium-term fiscal risks. The overall risk of sovereign stress is low, and ongoing efforts to gradually decrease the proportion of debt denominated in foreign currency would help further strengthen the risk profile of public debt.

    “Policy reforms under the Policy Coordination Instrument and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility are further strengthening macroeconomic stability and resilience. Sustained progress on the reform agenda—including continuing efforts to reduce informality, strengthen governance and anti-corruption frameworks, and enhance resilience to natural disasters—will further improve the business environment, boost Paraguay’s appeal as an investment destination, and reinforce macroeconomic stability.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/27/pr-25224-paraguay-imf-concludes-5th-rev-under-pci-and-3rd-rev-under-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Larsen Announces Hiring of Chief of Staff

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

    Larsen Announces Hiring of Chief of Staff

    Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025

    Today, Rep. Rick Larsen released the following statement:

    “I am pleased to announce that I have hired Collin Davenport to be my office’s new Chief of Staff,” said Rep. Larsen. “Collin has many years of experience working with the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was a good friend of my office. Collin served as the regional District Director and then Legislative Director for Rep. Connolly’s personal office, and he was most recently the Deputy Staff Director of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. I got to know Collin through the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. I was consistently impressed with his organizational skills, leadership, and focus on getting things done.”

    “It’s an honor to join Congressman Larsen’s incredible team and help advance the work he’s doing for the people of Northwest Washington,” said Mr. Davenport. “I’m looking forward to supporting the Congressman and his staff as we continue delivering results for our constituents.”

    “Collin replaces my current Chief of Staff, Robin Chand, who is returning to his hometown to be a prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office,” said Rep. Larsen. “Robin has been a great leader and partner and I wish him all the best. Collin will start in the office on July 21st as Deputy Chief of Staff and work with Robin to get up to speed, and then he will take over as Chief of Staff on August 18th.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Larsen Releases Update on Cascade Job Corps Center

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

    Today, Rep. Rick Larsen released the following update on the Cascade Job Corps Center:

    “When the Administration announced the terrible decision to close all Job Corps centers earlier this month, I met with local leaders, former Job Corps students, and folks around the region about the negative impact this would have. The people I spoke to wanted me and the community to rally behind Cascade Job Corps Center and fight to keep it open, and that’s exactly what we did.

    “I worked with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in Congress to push back against this decision and help the Secretary of Labor understand how important Job Corps centers are. Local leaders from the Port of Skagit, Skagit Valley College, county government, and the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County all banded together to make the case for the Cascade Job Corps Center.

    “This week, a federal judge blocked the Administration’s decision to close the Job Corps centers. Cascade Job Corps Center is returning to the important work of helping young people in Northwest Washington state complete college credits and professional certifications.

    “I want to thank everyone who contacted my office about this issue and spoke out about how important Job Corps centers are. I’m very glad Cascade Job Corps Center students are back to learning, and staff are continuing the great work they’ve been doing for the past four decades.”

    Watch Rep. Larsen’s video statement here.

    ###

    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 New Zealand: Medspartner Support Program for Patients Facing High Drug Costs

    Source: Press Release Service

    Headline: Medspartner Support Program for Patients Facing High Drug Costs

    Medspartner helps New Zealanders legally access affordable cancer and rare disease drugs from global FDA/EMA-approved manufacturers through guided personal importation and patient support.

    The post Medspartner Support Program for Patients Facing High Drug Costs first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Winter Slowdown Drives Tax-Deductible Website Upgrades

    Source: Press Release Service

    Headline: Winter Slowdown Drives Tax-Deductible Website Upgrades

    With tax returns due 7 July, NZ businesses are urged to invest in website upgrades now. It’s a smart, tax-deductible move during the winter slowdown.

    The post Winter Slowdown Drives Tax-Deductible Website Upgrades first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bean Statement: Caring for Our Veterans, Rebuilding Our Military, and Investing in Our National Security

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) issued the following statement regarding the House passage of H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026. 

    Upon House passage, Congressman Bean said: “As the son of a WWII veteran, I understand that veterans’ benefits are not entitlements—they’re earned. Our veterans should never be stuck in the bureaucratic process or ever think twice about getting the care they need. I was proud to help pass this bill, which fully funds our veterans’ benefits and healthcare, makes significant investments in mental health services, and strengthens the quality of life for our troops and their loved ones through additional housing and childcare resources. The bill also fortifies our southern border with robust investments in critical security infrastructure because safeguarding our nation begins by securing our borders.”

    KEY BACKGROUND

    Champions our veterans by:

    • Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
    • Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
    • Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
    • Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.

    Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by: 

    • Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
    • Following through with President Trump’s Executive Orders to prohibit funds for DEI, gender-affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.
    • Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

    Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:  

    • Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and infrastructure necessary to support United States advanced weapons systems.
    • Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
    • Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.

    The measure passed by a vote of 218 to 206.

     

    ###

     

     

    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 –