Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement on House passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
“We worked closely with our House colleagues throughout this process to deliver on a shared goal of making our country stronger, safer and more prosperous. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we are extending pro-growth tax policy, ensuring Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money, providing additional tax relief to those who need it most, and taking long-overdue action toward getting our fiscal house in order.
“This legislation achieves the most significant spending reductions in history. According to nonpartisan scorekeepers, by targeting waste, fraud and abuse in our federal spending programs, it reduces federal spending by over $1.5 trillion and will reduce the deficit by more than $500 billion over ten years. That is before taking into account the dynamic pro-growth elements of the bill, which the Council of Economic Advisers estimates will increase federal revenues by more than $4 trillion when combined with other elements of President Trump’s economic agenda. That’s nearly $4.5 trillion in deficit reduction.
“Despite false narratives about ‘tax cuts for billionaires and corporations,’ the reality is this legislation not only prevents massive across-the-board tax hikes, but also provides new tax relief that overwhelmingly benefits low- and middle-class familiesand workers. Through policies like a standard deduction boost, tax benefits for child care affordability, and delivering on the President’s agenda on no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime and tax relief for seniors, low- and middle-income Americans are the biggest winners under this bill.
“Today is a good day for the American people, and I applaud my colleagues and thank them for their partnership in this historic effort that will restore economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans.”
As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, Crapo is one of the chief architects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For more information on the provisions within the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, click HERE.
(July 7, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his offices in Washington, D.C. and Lebanon Borough, NJ, are now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Internship Program. This competitive program offers college students a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the fast-paced environment of a congressional office.
Interns will play an essential role in the daily operations of the office, working alongside experienced staff on a range of responsibilities—including legislative research, constituent services, communications, and more. Participating students will also gain valuable insight into the legislative process and the ways in which a Member of Congress serves the residents of their district.
“My team and I are excited to offer this opportunity to students who are eager to learn about government and dedicated to public service,” said Congressman Kean. “Interns in my offices—both in Lebanon Borough and Washington, D.C.—play an essential role in our day-to-day operations. They help support the work we do on behalf of the people of New Jersey’s Seventh District and build skills that will serve them in future careers—whether in government, law, communications, or community advocacy. It is always inspiring to watch the next generation of leaders grow through this program, and I look forward to welcoming a new class this fall.”
Interested students must be currently enrolled in college and should complete the online application form at kean.house.gov/services/internships. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 25 at 5:00 PM. Positions are available in both the Washington, D.C. and District offices.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)
span>Washington, D.C. — Last week, Representatives Maria Salazar (FL-27) Dave Min (CA-47), Grace Meng (NY-06) Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to support families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a pilot program that would award grants to nonprofits, community health centers, and hospitals for evidence-based caregiver skills training for family members of children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.
“I’m proud to co-lead the Autism Family Caregivers Act, bipartisan legislation delivering essential support directly to the families who need it most,” said Rep. María Elvira Salazar. “This pilot program equips caregivers in Florida’s 27th district and nationwide with critical skills to care for loved ones with autism and developmental disabilities. Strong caregivers build resilient families, and resilient families strengthen America.”
“Roughly one in thirty one children are diagnosed with autism in America,” said Rep. Min. “We need to provide parents with the tools and support to empower their children’s growth and development. Caregiver skill training is proven to help children with special needs flourish. We owe it to our kids to provide them with the resources they need to thrive.”
“Too many families navigating autism face the journey without the guidance and support they deserve. The Autism Family Caregivers Act takes direct action—delivering practical training through local organizations to help caregivers build skills, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for their children. I’ve been working with families and advocates across our PA-1 community who’ve made one thing clear: if we want better results, we have to better equip those doing the work at home. This bill answers that call—and I’m committed to driving it forward,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
“Children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities deserve to have all the tools they need to reach their full potential in life,” said Rep. Grace Meng. “In order to make that possible, we must make sure caregivers are equipped with the training and support to provide the level of assistance each child needs. This bipartisan bill demonstrates our commitment in Congress to the dedicated caregivers who are giving endless amounts of time and energy toward helping their loved ones live full and complete lives. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this important bill.”
“I’m pleased to co-lead the Autism Family Caregivers Act, important bipartisan legislation providing essential skills training to family caregivers of children with autism and developmental disabilities,” said Rep. Bacon. “This five-year pilot program will award grants to community organizations nationwide. Through evidence-based training, we’ll help families better support their loved ones with improved communication, daily living skills, and behavior management.”
“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, I am committed to empowering caregivers that serve children with autism,” said Rep. Cuellar. “I applaud my colleagues for working across the aisle to help introduce the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act. This bill will train family caregivers using existing medical facilities and organizations to help improve the well-being of children with autism and developmental disabilities.”
“We’re grateful to Representatives David Min, Grace Meng, Brian Fitzpatrick, Henry Cuellar, Don Bacon, and Maria Salazar for reintroducing this important legislation,” said Keith Wargo, President & CEO of Autism Speaks. “Families have told us time and again how critical caregiver support and training are to their children’s growth and well-being. The Autism Family Caregivers Act responds to that need—bringing evidence-based skills training into communities across the country and helping to address disparities in access to care. Empowering caregivers ultimately means empowering autistic people to thrive.”
“Easterseals Southern California strongly supports the Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025,” said Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Chief Clinical Officer of Easterseals Southern California. As one of the largest autism therapy service providers in the US, we see how caregiver training significantly improves the well-being of autistic children and their families. There are few evidence-based and demonstrated caregiver training programs, and the demand for training far surpasses the supply of resources. We are confident the benefits of autism family caregivers training will improve the lives of the children, families and communities where they reside. We support this bipartisan bill and applaud the cosponsors for addressing this healthcare void.”
“As a leading nonprofit organization with 25 years of experience serving Korean American families of children with Autism and related developmental disabilities, we wholeheartedly support Autism Family Caregiver Act of 2025,” said Dr. Hyun Park, M.D. with the Korean Special Education Center (KASEC). “Through our work, we have seen firsthand many challenges of raising a child with disability and the importance of teaching culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies to improve wellbeing of children with developmental disability and their caregivers. This experience has reinforced our strong belief in the importance of caregiver training, making us especially excited about this bill’s potential to empower families, equip caregivers with essential skills, and create a lasting positive impact on children with autism and their communities.”
This bill is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Speaks, Autism Society, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, Chinese American Association for the Autistic Community, Community Inclusion & Development Alliance, Easterseals of Southern California, Easterseals, Inc., Family Voices, Korean American Special Education Center, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and The Arc.
The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Grace Meng (NY-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Bacon (NE-02), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Lou Correa (CA-46), David Valadao (CA-22), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Eleanor Norton Holmes (DC-AL), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), John Mannion (NY-22), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Robert Garcia (CA-42).
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Angler fined for not putting back protected eel he caught
Penalty also covers not having a rod licence
Environment Agency officers were called to a small fire on the banks of the River Medway, where they found Piotr Wieclaw fishing and an eel he’d caught.
A fisherman from south-west London who failed to return a critically-endangered eel to a river in Kent last summer has been fined £800.
Fisheries enforcement officers from the Environment Agency reported Piotr Wieclaw for illegal fishing in the River Medway after getting a tip-off from a member of the public.
One weekend last August, 52-year-old Wieclaw travelled from his home in Merton to a stretch of the 70-mile-long river between Tonbridge and Maidstone.
Small fire
The observant onlooker called the Environment Agency’s incident hotline, 0800 807060, after spotting a small fire burning near where Wieclaw and 3 other men were fishing. Anyone can ring the number if they think an environmental crime or pollution has been committed.
When the 2 Environment Agency officers arrived at Porters Lock, near Tonbridge, they found a dead eel under a towel next to the fire. Wieclaw was unable to produce a valid rod licence when challenged.
Anyone aged 13 or over needs a licence to fish for salmon, trout, eels or freshwater species. Information on when you need a licence and to buy one are at https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence. They can also be purchased by phone: 0344 800 5386. Concessions are available.
Kye Jerrom, a senior enforcement officer with the Environment Agency, said:
“There are many possible reasons for the decline in eel numbers in the past 40 years. Over-fishing, habitat loss and fragmentation, parasites and climate change could all be to blame, which is why eels must be returned to the water when caught.
“Fishing licences are great value and less expensive than fines. The income helps with the sustainable management of fisheries. It’s quick, easy and cheap to get a licence: by phone and online – search ‘fishing licence’ on gov.uk.
“Our fisheries enforcement officers check private lakes, rivers, ponds and canals for illegal fishing, supported by clubs, the Angling Trust and police.”
Eels are an important part of the water environment. They feed on invertebrates, fish, molluscs and crustaceans, helping to recycle nutrients. In turn, they are an important food source for other species.
Eel-fishing strictly controlled
Fishing for eels is strictly controlled to maintain stocks. Any eels caught must be returned to the river with as little harm as possible.
Wieclaw, of Hillyard Place, in Merton, pleaded guilty to fishing without a valid rod licence, and removing one eel from the Medway.
Wimbledon magistrates’ court fined him £800, with costs of £135, and a victim surcharge of £320.
For not having a current rod licence to fish for freshwater fish or eels on 3 August 2024, Wieclaw was charged under section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
In removing the eel from the water and not putting it back on the same date, Wieclaw broke national byelaw 3 under schedule 25 and sections 210 and 211 of the Water Resources Act 1991.
Headline: With Improved Conditions, DHS Ends TPS for Honduras
ASHINGTON – After finding improved country conditions in Honduras, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status, as required by the statute
The termination will be effective 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice
Honduras was designated for TPS in 1999 after the impact of Hurricane Mitch in 1998
The Government of Honduras has made tremendous strides over the years to recover from the hurricane and, as a result of those efforts, it is safe for their nationals to return home
“Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that—temporary,” said Secretary Kristi Noem
“It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago
Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return
Honduras has been a wonderful partner of the Trump Administration, helping us deliver on key promises to the American people
We look forward to continuing our work with them
” After conferring with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Honduras no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements
The Secretary’s decision was based on a U
S
Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions in Honduras and in consultation with the Department of State
The Secretary determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Hondurans can return home in safety
Additionally, under President Castro, Honduras has taken steps to welcome home their citizens, providing access to economic and food assistance programs, as well as labor integration and job training
Honduran nationals departing the United States are encouraged to use the U
S
Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States and take advantage of a safe, secure way to leave the United States with a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus to help them resettle in Honduras, and preserve future opportunities for legal immigration
Headline: DHS Terminates TPS for Nicaragua: It Was Never Meant to Last 25 Years
ASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua, which will expire on July 5, 2025
The termination will be effective 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice
At least 60 days before a TPS designation expires, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with appropriate U
S
government agencies, must review the conditions in a country designated for TPS to determine whether the conditions supporting the designation continue to be met and, if so, how long to extend the designation
“Temporary Protected Status was never meant to last a quarter of a century,” said a DHS Spokesperson
“The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist
The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home
This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary
” After conferring with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Nicaragua no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements
The Secretary’s decision was based on a U
S
Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions in Nicaragua and in consultation with the Department of State
The Secretary determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Nicaraguans can return home in safety
Nicaraguan nationals departing the United States are encouraged to use the U
S
Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States and take advantage of a safe, secure way to self-deport which includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration
A riotous expanse of gas, dust, and stars stake out the dazzling territory of a duo of star clusters in this combined image from NASA’s Hubble and Webb space telescopes. Open clusters NGC 460 and NGC 456 reside in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. Open clusters consist of anywhere from a few dozen to a few thousand young stars loosely bound together by gravity. These particular clusters are part of an extensive complex of star clusters and nebulae that are likely linked to one another. As clouds of gas collapse, stars are born. These young, hot stars expel intense stellar winds that shape the nebulae around them, carving out the clouds and triggering other collapses, which in turn give rise to more stars. In these images, Hubble’s view captures the glowing, ionized gas as stellar radiation blows “bubbles” in the clouds of gas and dust (blue), while Webb’s infrared vision highlights the clumps and delicate filamentary structures of dust (red). In Hubble images, dust is often seen silhouetted against and blocking light, but in Webb’s view, the dust – warmed by starlight – shines with its own infrared glow. This mixture of gas and dust between the universe’s stars is known as the interstellar medium.
The nodules visible in these images are scenes of active star formation, with stars ranging from just one to 10 million years old. In contrast, our Sun is 4.5 billion years old. The region that holds these clusters, known as the N83-84-85 complex, is home to multiple, rare O-type stars, hot and extremely massive stars that burn hydrogen like our Sun. Astronomers estimate there are only around 20,000 O-type stars among the approximately 400 billion stars in the Milky Way.
The Small Magellanic Cloud is of great interest to researchers because it is less enriched in metals than the Milky Way. Astronomers call all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium – that is, with more than two protons in the atom’s nucleus – “metals.” This state mimics conditions in the early universe, so the Small Magellanic Cloud provides a relatively nearby laboratory to explore theories about star formation and the interstellar medium at early stages of cosmic history. With these observations of NGC 460 and NGC 456, researchers intend to study how gas flows in the region converge or divide; refine the collision history between the Small Magellanic Cloud and its fellow dwarf galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud; examine how bursts of star formation occur in such gravitational interactions between galaxies; and better understand the interstellar medium. Explore More
Media Contact: Claire AndreoliNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MDclaire.andreoli@nasa.gov
The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is calling for an increased and standalone post-2027 CAP budget and a reduced administrative burden for farmers.
In the current geopolitical context, EU farming that secures constant access to food is a critical component of EU security and defence policies, say MEPs. Their report on the future of agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy (CAP) was adopted by the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committee on Monday by 29 votes in favour, 9 votes against, and with 8 abstentions.
MEPs therefore demand an increased and standalone CAP budget. The CAP must not be integrated with other funding areas in a single fund or become part of a total envelope used by member states for purposes other than agriculture.
Direct income support for all active, professional farmers following an area-based model should be reinforced. To support rural development efficiently, the CAP’s second pillar must remain independent from cohesion policies. Voluntary coupled income support payments for sectors in difficulty should be maintained or increased, add MEPs.
Simplification and digitalisation
Reducing the administrative burden for farmers must be one of the CAP’s guiding principles. MEPs call for an incentive-based system for farmers to achieve environmental and social objectives. Eco-schemes should therefore remain voluntary and be accompanied by remuneration. The implementation of good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC) requirements must take existing farming practices into account.
All farmers must have access to innovative and digital solutions that support sustainable agriculture, boost their income and reduce the administrative workload. To minimise stressful farm inspection procedures, monitoring of the use of CAP funds should be based on satellite imagery and self-certification, in a centralised, electronic reporting system, say MEPs.
Generational renewal on farms
Generational renewal is essential for the future of EU agriculture. Yet almost 58% of farmers in the EU are over 55 years of age while those aged under 35 represent only 6% of all farmers. The AGRI Committee therefore wants to increase financing from the CAP and raise the number of tax and loan incentives, so as to remove barriers to becoming a farmer.
Harmonised EU labelling of agri-food products
More than 70% of consumers in the EU decide what to buy based on the information on packaging. To prevent them from being misled, MEPs are calling for harmonised European labelling including information about the origin, quality and production standards of agri-food products.
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Rapporteur Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES) said: “We need a CAP that strengthens food supply, supports rural communities, and empowers farmers through innovation, generational renewal, and fair market conditions. But we strongly reject any attempts to nationalise the CAP or merge its funding with other EU instruments. It must remain a true common policy with dedicated funds and independent pillars, ensuring equal support for all European farmers.”
On Monday, the Environment and Internal Market Committees adopted their proposals on new EU rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment.
The regulation would apply to cars and vans one year after its entry into force (five years for buses, heavy-duty vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, quads, mopeds and minicars). There are some exceptions, for instance for special-purpose vehicles and vehicles of historical interest. MEPs also want to exempt vehicles designed and built for use by the armed forces, civil defence, fire and emergency medical services, and vehicles of special cultural interest.
The new rules would require new vehicles to be designed so as to allow the easy removal of as many parts and components as possible by authorised treatment facilities, with a view to their replacement, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing or refurbishing, where technically possible. MEPs add that manufacturers should not hinder the removal and replacement of parts and components using software updates.
MEPs also want the plastic used in each new vehicle type to contain minimum 20% recycled plastic, within six years of the rules’ entry into force. To ensure the necessary long-term perspective for the industry and unlock investment, they want manufacturers to meet a target of at least 25% within 10 years of entry into force, if enough recycled plastic is available at non-excessive prices. The Commission should introduce targets for recycled steel and aluminium and its alloys, following a feasibility study.
Improving end-of-life management of vehicles and enforcement of rules
Manufacturers would have extended producer responsibility, covering the cost of the collection and treatment of their vehicles that have reached the end-of-life stage. Specific requirements would apply for the removal of parts and components, of liquids, and of components containing gases, refrigerants, and hazardous substances before shredding. MEPs want national authorities to do more regular inspections of facilities involved in the handling and treatment of end-of-life vehicles, and to develop inspection plans to identify illegal activities.
Strengthening export rules for used vehicles
Used vehicles should only be exported if they are not considered end-of-life vehicles, the text says. MEPs propose to clarify the criteria determining when a used vehicle is an end-of-life vehicle, as well as the necessary documentation for customs authorities.
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Co-rapporteurs Jens Gieseke (EPP, DE – ENVI) and Paulius Saudargas (EPP, LT – IMCO) said: “Today’s committee vote is a success: the Parliament compromise, supported by a broad majority, promotes a circular economy in the automotive sector. It advances resource security, protects the environment, and ensures sustainability. To avoid overburdening the industry, we secured feasibility with realistic targets, less red tape, and fair competition. A solid basis for the plenary vote in September.”
Next steps
The report, adopted by 79 votes in favour, 27 against and 11 abstentions, is expected to be adopted during the 8-11 September plenary session.
In 2023, 14.8 million motor vehicles were manufactured in the EU, while 12.4 million vehicles were registered. There are 285.6 million motor vehicles on EU roads and every year around 6.5 million vehicles come to the end of their lives.
Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the situation and may decide to take appropriate action.
Directive 2014/17/EU[1] on mortgage credit agreements introduced specific rules to protect consumers where the credit is denominated in a foreign currency (e.g. explanations on the implications for consumers, right to convert the credit agreement into an alternative currency or other arrangements in place to limit the exchange rate risk ). The directive only applies to mortgage credit contracts concluded as from 21 March 2016.
Directive 93/13/EEC[2] on unfair contract terms requires Member States to ensure that terms in all consumer contracts are fair and intelligible, and that consumers are not bound by unfair contract terms.
The Commission does not intervene in contractual agreements between lenders and borrowers. In case of legal disputes, it is for Greek authorities and courts to assess, based on the circumstances of each case, whether Greek banks complied with their obligations regarding the fairness and transparency of contract terms, such as exposing the borrower to a foreign exchange risk[3].
Regarding enforcement actions, the Commission does not have powers to intervene in individual consumer disputes or to review decisions of national authorities and courts.
[1] Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 Text with EEA relevance, OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34-85.
[2] Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts, OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29-34.
[3] Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-186/16 Andriciuc.
1. Between 2021 and 2027, the Greek authorities are set to receive more than EUR 1.5 billion under Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)[1], Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI)[2] and Internal Security Fund (ISF)[3], a large part of which is allocated for the reinforcement of police presence at the Greek borders[4]. Additional funding will be made available to Greece[5] for the implementation of the Pact for Migration and Asylum.
2. Under shared management, Member States are primarily responsible for the sound financial management of EU funds allocated to them. Member States have established management and control systems to monitor how the home affairs funds are used and they report on that to the Commission[6]. The Commission regularly monitors how Member States implement programmes[7] and carries out system and ex-post audits on the use of EU funding[8]. The Schengen evaluation of Greece has shown that the Greek authorities deploy a significant number of staff from other regional police units to Evros area using national and EU funding for staff redeployment and acquisition of mobile surveillance equipment. At the Greek-Turkish land border, the Greek authorities have implemented an integrated technical surveillance system to increase the detection and response capabilities. The Greek police has recruited and trained specialised border guards for border surveillance purposes in that area, with strong support of the Commission. The Greek army is also supporting the patrolling of the Greek-Turkish land border, including the Evros River, and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has been organising permanent patrolling operations since 2010.
[1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
[2] Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.
[3] Regulation (EU) 2021/1149 establishing the Internal Security Fund.
[4] For more information, please visit the Managing Authority’s website: https://tamey.gov.gr/.
[5] For more information on the resources to be allocated to Greece please find the following links (Section Thematic Facility: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/funding/borders-and-visa-funds/integrated-border-management-fund-border-management-and-visa-instrument-2021-27_en , https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/funding/asylum-migration-and-integration-funds/asylum-migration-and-integration-fund-2021-2027_en . To be noted that resources will be also made available following the Mid Term Review of the programmes, in line with the relevant provisions of the specific Home Affairs funds Regulations.
[6] In accordance with Articles 38 and 40 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, s uch reporting is conducted through Annual Performance Reports and through Monitoring Committee meetings .
[7] The Commission’s monitoring is carried out in accordance with Articles 38, 39, 40 and 41 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, which includes conducting Annual performance reviews. As per Article 45 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1147, Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 and Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1149, the Commission also performs a mid-term evaluation of the programmes.
[8] In accordance with Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060.
The EIB has announced the signature of agreements with Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure totalling €410 million.
The agreements will channel new funding to urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
The funds come from the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with Buenavista Infrastructure and Arcano Partners to channel a total of €410 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the launch of a new EIB-managed instrument to channel financing via financial intermediaries to back urban development and sustainable tourism.
The intermediaries selected by the EIB will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote urban development in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism. The investment period runs until December 2030.
The first two intermediaries selected for the distribution of these funds were Arcano Partners (with a €210 million signature) and Buenavista Infrastructure (€200 million).
The first two intermediaries selected for the deployment of these funds were Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure. Arcano Partners has been allocated €210 million by the EIB, which it will channel through “Spanish Urban Development SICC” fund. Buenavista Infrastructure was allocated €200 million to be channelled through “Buenavista NextGen Urban SICC” fund. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this action. Funding can happen in the form of both equity investment and debt, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is 22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt.
“These agreements are a further step forward in the rollout of the EIB Group-managed Regional Resilience Fund and will drive new investment to promote urban development and sustainable tourism. The resources can also go to affordable housing projects, which is one of the EIB Group’s strategic priorities,” said EIB Director General of Financing and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux. “Close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise made it possible to launch this new line of action for the Regional Resilience Fund, promoting key investments in Spain’s regions.”
“Thanks to the signature of these agreements, the implementation of the intermediated instrument for urban development and sustainable tourism materialised. This instrument is one of the pillars of the Regional Resilience Fund. It will channel funds to relatively small projects that aim to invest in social and affordable housing and urban regeneration, as well as sustainable tourism activities. Furthermore, funds from the Regional Resilience Fund continue to be a crucial tool for the green transition in Spain, supporting projects that promote sustainability in key areas such as housing and tourism in various regions of the country,” said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Finance at the Treasury.
Partner in Asset Management at Arcano Partners Eduardo Fernández-Cuesta added: “We are very proud to be once again have the confidence of the European Investment Bank to channel vital financing to bolster our national infrastructure, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This combined debt and equity strategy will enable Arcano Partners to continue to diversify our capabilities and deliver the excellence we guarantee to our private investors and the public sector institutions that rely on us to manage investments.”
Managing Partner at Buenavista Infrastructure Victoriano López-Pinto said: “We are very grateful for the vote of confidence in our judgment and expertise in facilitating the use of EU funds. With this new allocation, we have become one of the leading European fund managers by volume of European funds under management. Our team is one of the most experienced in managing public funds and we are excited to be able to contribute to this project promoting local connections, sustainable urban development and the renovation of our national tourism infrastructure to make it more sustainable.”
Background information
EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.
In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the country’s green and digital transition, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.
High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.
Regional Resilience Fund
The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.
The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.
The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:
a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.
Arcano Partners
Arcano Partners, founded in 2003, is an independent global firm with more than 20 years of experience in international financial advisory and private markets’ asset management. Arcano currently has four business areas:
Asset Management, with more than €12.5 billion managed and advised since the start of its activity in 2006, and with six asset classes: Private Equity, Credit Strategies, Real Estate, Sus-tainable Infrastructure, Venture Capital and Aviation Finance; Arcano has a strong focus on sustainability and responsible investment, being one of the benchmark asset managers in ESG.
Investment Banking provides advisory services in M&A, refinancing, restructuring and capi-tal markets transactions to companies in various sectors; Arcano has specialized teams by sector, and additionally offers a transversal technology/digital approach.
Research & Consulting provides economic, real estate and differential market analysis, as well as geopolitical and technological analysis of both local and global trends. This analysis is extremely useful for optimizing business decisions, especially in environments of extreme uncertainty where the impacts of making mistakes are profound and can be mitigated by in-vesting in quality analysis.
Asset Finance, an area that allows investors to participate in the creation of solutions for the financing of real or intangible assets in Spain.
Arcano Partners has a team of more than 260 professionals of more than 20 nationalities across 7 offices in Europe and the United States and has become one of the independent firms of reference in the European private markets industry.
Buenavista Equity Partners is an independent asset manager founded in 1996 that operates in the middle-market segment. It currently manages more than €1 billion through different Private Equity, Infrastructure and Venture Capital vehicles.
The EIB has announced the signature of agreements with Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure totalling €410 million.
The agreements will channel new funding to urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
The funds come from the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with Buenavista Infrastructure and Arcano Partners to channel a total of €410 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the launch of a new EIB-managed instrument to channel financing via financial intermediaries to back urban development and sustainable tourism.
The intermediaries selected by the EIB will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote urban development in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism. The investment period runs until December 2030.
The first two intermediaries selected for the distribution of these funds were Arcano Partners (with a €210 million signature) and Buenavista Infrastructure (€200 million).
The first two intermediaries selected for the deployment of these funds were Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure. Arcano Partners has been allocated €210 million by the EIB, which it will channel through “Spanish Urban Development SICC” fund. Buenavista Infrastructure was allocated €200 million to be channelled through “Buenavista NextGen Urban SICC” fund. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this action. Funding can happen in the form of both equity investment and debt, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is 22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt.
“These agreements are a further step forward in the rollout of the EIB Group-managed Regional Resilience Fund and will drive new investment to promote urban development and sustainable tourism. The resources can also go to affordable housing projects, which is one of the EIB Group’s strategic priorities,” said EIB Director General of Financing and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux. “Close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise made it possible to launch this new line of action for the Regional Resilience Fund, promoting key investments in Spain’s regions.”
“Thanks to the signature of these agreements, the implementation of the intermediated instrument for urban development and sustainable tourism materialised. This instrument is one of the pillars of the Regional Resilience Fund. It will channel funds to relatively small projects that aim to invest in social and affordable housing and urban regeneration, as well as sustainable tourism activities. Furthermore, funds from the Regional Resilience Fund continue to be a crucial tool for the green transition in Spain, supporting projects that promote sustainability in key areas such as housing and tourism in various regions of the country,” said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Finance at the Treasury.
Partner in Asset Management at Arcano Partners Eduardo Fernández-Cuesta added: “We are very proud to be once again have the confidence of the European Investment Bank to channel vital financing to bolster our national infrastructure, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This combined debt and equity strategy will enable Arcano Partners to continue to diversify our capabilities and deliver the excellence we guarantee to our private investors and the public sector institutions that rely on us to manage investments.”
Managing Partner at Buenavista Infrastructure Victoriano López-Pinto said: “We are very grateful for the vote of confidence in our judgment and expertise in facilitating the use of EU funds. With this new allocation, we have become one of the leading European fund managers by volume of European funds under management. Our team is one of the most experienced in managing public funds and we are excited to be able to contribute to this project promoting local connections, sustainable urban development and the renovation of our national tourism infrastructure to make it more sustainable.”
Background information
EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.
In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the country’s green and digital transition, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.
High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.
Regional Resilience Fund
The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.
The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.
The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:
a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.
Arcano Partners
Arcano Partners, founded in 2003, is an independent global firm with more than 20 years of experience in international financial advisory and private markets’ asset management. Arcano currently has four business areas:
Asset Management, with more than €12.5 billion managed and advised since the start of its activity in 2006, and with six asset classes: Private Equity, Credit Strategies, Real Estate, Sus-tainable Infrastructure, Venture Capital and Aviation Finance; Arcano has a strong focus on sustainability and responsible investment, being one of the benchmark asset managers in ESG.
Investment Banking provides advisory services in M&A, refinancing, restructuring and capi-tal markets transactions to companies in various sectors; Arcano has specialized teams by sector, and additionally offers a transversal technology/digital approach.
Research & Consulting provides economic, real estate and differential market analysis, as well as geopolitical and technological analysis of both local and global trends. This analysis is extremely useful for optimizing business decisions, especially in environments of extreme uncertainty where the impacts of making mistakes are profound and can be mitigated by in-vesting in quality analysis.
Asset Finance, an area that allows investors to participate in the creation of solutions for the financing of real or intangible assets in Spain.
Arcano Partners has a team of more than 260 professionals of more than 20 nationalities across 7 offices in Europe and the United States and has become one of the independent firms of reference in the European private markets industry.
Buenavista Equity Partners is an independent asset manager founded in 1996 that operates in the middle-market segment. It currently manages more than €1 billion through different Private Equity, Infrastructure and Venture Capital vehicles.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) today issued its findings on Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Fiji, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Tuvalu, after reviewing these States parties.
The findings contain positive aspects of each country’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the Committee’s main concerns and recommendations. Some of the key issues include:
On Afghanistan, the Committee expressed profound concern at the institutionalized torture and ill-treatment of women, particularly on accusations of adultery, and the continued exclusion of girls from formal education. The Committee heard that some 78% of young women are now out of education, employment, or training, leading to increased child marriage, labour exploitation and poverty. It urged the de facto authorities to revoke the March 2024 decree allowing for women to be beaten or sentenced to death by stoning, abolish all corporal punishment and lift all education bans.
On Botswana, the Committee was concerned about continued discriminatory sociocultural norms which reinforce male dominance and gender-based violence against women and girls. It recommended expanding dialogue between the government and traditional, religious, and private sector leaders on a national strategy to promote gender equality and eliminate patriarchal attitudes, and to criminalize sexual violence as well as improve support services for survivors.
On Chad, the Committee noted that the country registered 1.8 million displaced or stateless people and 1.2 million as refugees in 2024 alone and commends its adoption of an asylum law granting equal rights to education, healthcare and social protection to refugees as to Chadian citizens. However, the Committee expressed concern that in practice. these groups have limited access to basic services and face intersecting forms of discrimination. It called on the authorities to address them.
On Fiji, the Committee welcomed the adoption of laws and policies against gender-based violence but noted with concern its high prevalence and the continued judicial practice of referring to survivors’ prior sexual history during rape trials. It also expressed concern that Fijian women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions, urging among others the introduction of targeted measures to increase their representation.
On Ireland, the Committee noted with regret that a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine gender-neutral language about care within families was defeated in a referendum last year, and recommended that the State party, among other steps, undertake inclusive public consultations to find alternative wording, with a view to holding another referendum on the matter, so as to eliminate from the constitution stereotypical language on the role of women in the home.
On Mexico, the Committee hailed the elevation of the National Institute for Women to a ministerial-level secretariat. It also expressed concern that the madres buscadoras (searching mothers) are still subjected violence and discrimination. It recommended effective and sustainable investment in women’s rights and gender equality programmes, and formal recognition of the “buscadoras” as a special category of human rights defenders.
On San Marino, the Committee noted with concern that judges, lawyers, and the general public, including women, have limited awareness of the Convention and urged the authorities to take measures to make it widely known. It also noted with concern the lack of disaggregated data in key areas, including gender-based violence against women, and urged the State party to address the gap in gender data collection.
On the Solomon Islands, the Committee acknowledged progress made in implementing the affirmative action strategy but noted with concern that comprehensive temporary special measures to accelerate substantive equality of women and men have yet to be adopted. The Committee State urged the government to take all necessary measures to eradicate intra-family sexual abuse against women and girls and repeal the criminalization of victims of incest over the age of 15.
On Thailand, the Committee expressed concern that women and girls continue to be subjected to online gender-based violence, and called on the authorities to investigate and prosecute any such acts, to adopt policies to combat increasing misogyny online and offline and to exercise due diligence in creating a culture of respect for women and promote gender equality in the private sector, particularly in the innovation economy.
On Tuvalu, the Committee acknowledged the existential threat posed by climate change to Tuvalu’s people, territory and culture, and its disproportionate impact on women and girls. It urged the State party to take measures to prioritize constitutional protections for women and girls over traditional norms and customs.
The above findings, officially named Concluding Observations, are now available online on the session page.
– on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
New York, NY – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on ABC’s The View where he highlighted the devastating impacts of Donald Trump and House Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill that was signed into law last week.
SARA HAINES: Well, when you first started speaking, people thought that you would delay the vote by an hour. And instead, you spoke on the Senate floor for eight hours and 44 minutes. This is becoming a trend for you. What was behind the decision to keep going?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I thought first of all, that this kind of bill, which is going to have such a dramatic impact on people all across the country. I mean, literally millions of everyday Americans are going to be hurt. And it’s all being done to reward billionaires—Unacceptable, right, unconscionable, un-American—that it needed to be debated in the light of day, not passed in the middle of the night, which was the original intention. This debate started at 3:28 a.m. And so, you know, this is such an unprecedented assault on healthcare, on the economy, on nutritional assistance, on higher education, on everything, that we just wanted to be able to do everything that we could to fully air the challenges with the bill, but also see if we can persuade just a handful of Republicans to do the right thing by the American people.
SUNNY HOSTIN: Well, you persuaded two and one person as I understand was absent from the vote, which could’ve changed it. But you’re calling this the One Big Ugly Bill. And not only is it projected by the Congressional Budget Office to add $3.4 trillion to our national debt, it extends tax cuts for the rich, as you mentioned. It also includes though, big cuts to healthcare programs, such as Medicaid, cuts to SNAP benefits for the poor. My understanding is in New York, about 1 million people will be affected by this. Can you talk about the implications for healthcare and how it affects people who don’t even use these programs?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, first of all, like, in America, healthcare shouldn’t simply be a privilege, it should be a right to every single American. Presidents throughout the years, whether that’s, you know, Roosevelt or Truman, you know, President Johnson, President Clinton, President Obama, President Biden, have all worked to expand access to healthcare. But what’s so extraordinary about this bill is that more than 17 million people will lose healthcare as a result of the, you know, cuts to Medicaid, the attack on Medicare, the attack on the Affordable Care Act, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Planned Parenthood.
ANA NAVARRO: And by the way, MAGA kept saying that it was illegal aliens that were going to be kicked out. Explain to folks that there’s not 17 million illegal aliens that are receiving free Medicaid.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Actually federal law, to your point, Ana, explicitly prohibits federal dollars from being used to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants. And so, that was always a lie. But we’re dealing with some folks where facts don’t matter, hypocrisy is not a constraint to their behavior and people actually have concluded that shamelessness is a superpower. And so, our view is we just have to aggressively push back with righteous intensity, continue to press on, as I indicated, as John Lewis would always inspire us to do, speak up, show up, stand up so we can get the type of America that this country deserves.
SUNNY HOSTIN: But don’t you then also—I think that’s right—shouldn’t you and other Democrats be screaming from the mountaintops and tether the Republicans to this bill, tether because there’s going to be true human loss here, right? People are going to really feel it.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, real pain and suffering. I mean, the attack on healthcare is not just going to result on millions of people losing access, but hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down, community-based health clinics won’t be able to provide assistance.
SUNNY HOSTIN: Rural hospitals.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Rural hospitals in particular are at great risk. And in fact, people who have private insurance, once you attack the healthcare ecosystem, premiums, co-pays and deductibles for tens of millions of others are going to go up. And so it’s a big problem. It’s an immoral thing that just took place on the floor of the House of Representatives. An immoral thing.
ANA NAVARRO: And at the same time that this bill—by the way, I think instead of calling it the Big Ugly Bill, you should call it BUL—Big Ugly Law. But at the same time that it cuts SNAP benefits and it cuts healthcare for the neediest amongst us, it sets aside 170 billion for ICE mass deportation efforts, a bigger budget than the FBI and federal prison system combined. And last week, we saw the administration opened a new migrant detention center in my home state of Florida. They’re calling it Alligator Alcatraz. And we’ve also seen military style ICE raids throughout cities in this country. People are being imprisoned and deported and disappeared and taken away by masked men without any due process. And the worst part is, you know, my community in particular, Latinos, are being racially profiled and targeted. Communities and families are being torn apart. But for me, the saddest part is that people feel helpless and hopeless, that there is nothing they can do. They feel there’s nothing you can do, as a minority in the House. What’s your message to these people that feel such lack of hope and such fear?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, we are seeing sort of an unprecedented flood of extremism being unleashed on the American people. And it’s happened from the very beginning, January 20, months and months and months, you know, of chaos, of cruelty, of corruption. But I think we can never lose hope in the resilience of the American people to face turbulence—and this is an incredibly turbulent moment—but to power our way through it and to come out stronger on the other side. It’s not to say it’s going to be easy. It will be challenging. But I think I still believe in the fundamental goodness of the American people. A recognition—one of the reasons why this bill is so deeply unpopular and it is, is because they recognize that this is not what America should be all about in terms of the deportation situation. One, we have to, of course, secure the border. We have a broken immigration system. We need to fix it. We should fix it in a bipartisan and comprehensive way. But we should also never abandon the fact that, yes, we are a nation anchored in the rule of law. We are also a nation of immigrants. E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. It’s one of the great strengths of the United States of America. We should not abandon it. And so, as House Democrats, our view is that while we, you know, work on making sure the border can remain secure, while we work to fix our broken immigration system, we also are going to stand up for Dreamers, for farmworkers and for law-abiding immigrant families at all times, at all times.
[…]
ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: So Leader Jeffries, you wear many hats, and one of your jobs is to try to win back the House for Democrats. I mean, we were talking about immigration before we went to break. Now, some Democrats, amid the criticisms of ICE right now to do these ICE raids, have started calling for defunding ICE. Do you think that’s effective going into the midterms, and do you support those calls?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I definitely think that we need aggressive oversight as it relates to the overly aggressive behavior that we’ve seen, you know, from ICE, from the Department of Homeland Security. It’s not what the American people actually, in my view, voted for. Donald Trump and Republicans promised to go after violent felons. But instead, they’re going after law-abiding immigrant families, and in fact, in some cases, deporting American citizens and children, some with cancer. And America is better than this, and that’s the reality. In terms of what House Democrats stand for, we believe that in this country, you work hard and you play by the rules, you should be able to experience the American dream. You should able to afford to live the good life. And we believe that that’s, you know, that’s a good paying job, good healthcare, good housing, good education for your children and a good retirement. And a good retirement, by the way, means keep your hands off of Social Security and Medicare, now and at all times. That’s the good life.
ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: I also want to ask you, because I could argue you’re the most important Democrat in New York right now, and Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary, is poised to become the next mayor of New York City. Now, he ran as an avowed socialist. He called for defunding the police in 2020. That would mean the New York Police Department. You have yet to endorse him. Will you be endorsing him, and do you have any concerns about some of his past positions?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, he’s actually said that he plans to keep the police fully funded. I’m scheduled to meet with him next week, and we’ll have a conversation about his vision. He did run a campaign that was actually focused largely on affordability, and that was the right issue to focus on because New York City’s too expensive. America right now is too expensive.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Ain’t nobody got any money because money is all dissipated.
LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s a very—you’re right—it’s a very challenging situation in terms of affordability that we have to lean in on. In fact, Donald Trump promised that he would lower costs on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’re going up in America. And now we have to deal with the consequences of this One Big Ugly Bill, which is now One Big Ugly Law, Ana, as you pointed out. So, we’ll sit down, we’ll talk. I also want to talk to him about the importance of Democrats taking back control of the United States House of Representatives next year so we can have some balance in the country, which is what the founders envisioned.
SUNNY HOSTIN: Can’t you also roll back this Big Ugly Bill some, because it doesn’t take effect until after the midterms, correct?
LEADER JEFFRIES: It has several provisions in the legislation that will not take effect until after the 2026 midterm elections.
ANA NAVARRO: Before you go, I want to ask you—I want you to say something about Texas, because the entire country is in mourning and people have questions about why this happened, and could it have been avoided? Is there something that you can do?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it’s an unspeakable and horrific tragedy. And, you know, our thoughts and prayers go out to every single family that has experienced a loss. And we know, you know, I mean, no parent should ever have to bury their child. And dozens will now have to bury their children. And so, with extreme weather events and the climate crisis and these natural disasters, we should never play politics, ever. Not play politics with the wildfires, not play politics with these floods and get the American people the relief that they need and deserve. That’s my commitment.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Our thanks to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
July 01, 2025
The Department of Justice—under Principal Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove’s leadership, a Trump judicial nominee—allegedly misled the courts and evaded court orders to advance Trump’s illegal mass deportation scheme
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in further investigatingwhistleblower accusations made by Mr. Erez Reuveni, formerly the Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ), against Principal Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove and senior DOJ leadership.
In a letter to Attorney General Bondi, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Noem, and Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Hegseth, the Senators write: “We write concerning grave allegations that senior Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership misled the courts and evaded court orders. These credible accusations are included in the protected whistleblower disclosure of Erez Reuveni, former Acting Deputy Director for the DOJ Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL). This disclosure, which was lawfully transmitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee under the Whistleblower Protection Act, describes multiple instances where senior DOJ officials advocated for ignoring court orders, delayed compliance with court orders, presented baseless legal arguments, misrepresented facts or made false statements in court, and directed Mr. Reuveni to misrepresent facts in court.”
The Senators then cite multiple allegations raising alarm regarding Mr. Bove’s conduct, including suggestions that DOJ should consider telling a court “f— you” and ignore a court order and that DHS should violate an order, writing: “DOJ leadership provided instructions to agency clients to facilitate removals to El Salvador in violation of the existing injunction, and ‘report[ed] “down the chain” that the government was not going to answer the court’s questions about anything that happened before 7:26 p.m. on March 15, and so not to provide information about when the flights took off.’ Mr. Reuveni’s superiors indicated that Mr. Bove was unhappy with his efforts to prevent the violation of a court order by providing consistent instructions to agency clients, including DHS and DOD.”
The Senators then cited concerning attempts at retaliation against the whistleblower, writing: “In addition to the legal and ethical concerns with DOJ’s attempts to mislead the courts and evade court orders, the disclosure details multiple instances where senior DOJ officials attempted to prevent Mr. Reuveni from creating records that could subject this misconduct to outside scrutiny. It also details apparent retaliation against Mr. Reuveni for following his professional ethical obligations as a member of the bar by placing him on administrative leave and ultimately terminating him.”
The Senators concluded with requests for any communications or records concerning these events, as well as transcribed interviews with senior DOJ leadership, writing: “The gravity of these allegations and the preexisting public record that corroborates the disclosure necessitate an immediate investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Additionally, given Mr. Bove’s prominent alleged role in this disclosure and the Committee’s current consideration of his nomination to a lifetime appointment as a judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, we ask that you provide the following information and materials no later than July 14, 2025.”
In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
For a PDF of the letter, click here.
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Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Hanmer Springs today as part of the rural health roadshow across the country.
“The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
“I started the roadshow in Levin and have since visited Wairoa, Wānaka and Oamaru. I am excited to now be in the beautiful Hanmer Springs to hear from the community and people working in rural health.”
The roadshow builds on initiatives already in train to improve rural health care services.
“Budget 2025 delivered for Kiwis living in rural and remote communities. The Government is investing $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and afterhours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.
“We are also improving access to primary care including access to 24/7 digital care, training more new doctors and investing to increase the number of nurses in primary care.
“I was pleased to hear from our hardworking farmers at Fieldays where I heard loud and clear that access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities.
“To improve access to mental health support I was pleased that the Government recently announced $3 million over four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialised services. The Government is also doubling its investment in the Rural Wellbeing Fund to $4 million over the next four years.
“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health and mental health outcomes, including for the one in five living in our rural communities.
“It is important that the Government continues the conversation with rural communities on how rural health care services can be improved. I have been thrilled with the support the roadshow has received so far, and I look forward to continuing to hear from our rural communities.”
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey is in Gore today for the rural health roadshow happening across the country.
“The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
“I started the roadshow in Levin and have since visited Wairoa, Wānaka, Oamaru and Hanmer Springs. I am excited to now be in Gore to hear from the community and people working in rural health.”
The roadshow builds on initiatives already in train to improve rural health care services.
“Budget 2025 delivered for Kiwis living in rural and remote communities. The Government is investing $164 million over four years to strengthen urgent and after hours care nationwide, meaning 98 per cent of Kiwis will be able to access these services within one hour’s drive of their home.
“We are also improving access to primary care including access to 24/7 digital care, training more new doctors and investing to increase the number of nurses in primary care. “I was pleased to hear from our hardworking farmers at Fieldays where I heard loud and clear that access to healthcare is one of the biggest concerns for people living in rural and remote communities.
“To improve access to mental health support I was pleased that the Government recently announced $3 million over four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialised services. The Government is also doubling its investment in the Rural Wellbeing Fund to $4 million over the next four years.
“All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health and mental health outcomes, including for the one in five living in our rural communities.
“It is important that the Government continues the conversation with rural communities on how rural health care services can be improved. I have been thrilled with the support the roadshow has received so far, and I look forward to continuing to hear from our rural communities.”
Wheeling, WV – Late this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals led Mountain State Fugitive Task Force arrested wanted fugitive Devin Roberts, 42. Roberts was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for murder as well as by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for probation violations.
On June 16, 2025, Cleveland Police responded to gunshots in the area of Parkgate Ave. and East 105th St. When officers arrived, they received information that one victim had been shot and that the suspect was possibly located in a home nearby. The victim of the shooting, De’Ante Kidd, 34, was found deceased on the porch of a home on Parkgate Ave. Cleveland SWAT responded to a second location where they believed the suspect to be. At the time the suspect, Devin Roberts, was not located. A warrant was issued for Roberts’ arrest and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) began searching for him.
As members of the NOVFTF began searching for Roberts, they believed that he had fled the Cleveland area after the crime. Today, information was provided to the U.S. Marshals in Wheeling, West Virginia that Roberts may be hiding in their area. The task force was able to locate Roberts in Brilliant, Ohio. He was arrested without incident during a traffic stop in the area of 1400 3rd St. Roberts will remain in custody until he can be extradited back to Cleveland for the charges against him.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This suspect has brought violence and fear to the Cleveland community, we are thankful for the dedicated work of the Detectives in the Cleveland homicide unit as well as the quick actions by members of our task force and in West Virginia. The suspect is behind bars and the communities are safer.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.
Wheeling, WV – Late this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals led Mountain State Fugitive Task Force arrested wanted fugitive Devin Roberts, 42. Roberts was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for murder as well as by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department for probation violations.
On June 16, 2025, Cleveland Police responded to gunshots in the area of Parkgate Ave. and East 105th St. When officers arrived, they received information that one victim had been shot and that the suspect was possibly located in a home nearby. The victim of the shooting, De’Ante Kidd, 34, was found deceased on the porch of a home on Parkgate Ave. Cleveland SWAT responded to a second location where they believed the suspect to be. At the time the suspect, Devin Roberts, was not located. A warrant was issued for Roberts’ arrest and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) began searching for him.
As members of the NOVFTF began searching for Roberts, they believed that he had fled the Cleveland area after the crime. Today, information was provided to the U.S. Marshals in Wheeling, West Virginia that Roberts may be hiding in their area. The task force was able to locate Roberts in Brilliant, Ohio. He was arrested without incident during a traffic stop in the area of 1400 3rd St. Roberts will remain in custody until he can be extradited back to Cleveland for the charges against him.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This suspect has brought violence and fear to the Cleveland community, we are thankful for the dedicated work of the Detectives in the Cleveland homicide unit as well as the quick actions by members of our task force and in West Virginia. The suspect is behind bars and the communities are safer.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.
Just as birthdays are traditionally marked with celebration and some reflection, South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently blew out the candles in celebration of its 30th birthday, having continued to make a positive impact on society.
Few of us can envision a democratic South Africa minus the apex court that was birthed by our country’s world-famous Constitution.
In the most basic form of our understanding of the court, most of us have come to associate the court with the human rights contained in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. That loose definition is not too far off the bat. As the highest court in the land on constitutional matters, it deals exclusively with matters that raise questions about the application or interpretation of the Constitution.
Given our painful history where torture and the real threat of death were the order of the day for the majority, South Africans care a lot about their human rights and that of others.
The court is an integral part of South African life, traversing even to the core of matters of life and death. In its S v Makwanyane (1995) landmark case on the constitutionality of the death penalty, which was a feature of the apartheid regime, the court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional as it violated the right to life as enshrined in Section 11 of the Bill of Rights.
That seminal ruling was proof that the law which was previously used to oppress non-whites in the apartheid era, could and did work in favour of South Africa’s people in all their diversity.
It was a needed and powerful ruling that spoke to the sacredness of life.
While that ruling of the court was made many years ago, its impact and effectiveness has continued to echo through the various stages democratic South Africa has gone through. Even when citizens and political formations, among others, called for a referendum to bring back the death penalty, government though the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services responded by stating that the Constitution strives “to eradicate the injustices of the past, to protect us from our own whims and to advance the rule of law and to guarantee equality before the law.”
Section 74 of the Constitution states that the founding provisions in section 1 of the Constitution may only be amended by a bill passed by the National Assembly with a supporting vote of at least 75% of its members and a supporting vote of at least 6 provinces in the National Council of Provinces. Government said that any decision of the return or otherwise of the death penalty could not be legally done via a referendum.
And while one may say that the public outcry expressed by society back in 2019 over not only the brutal murder of student Uyinene Mrwetyana, but the overall levels of violent crimes committed against women and children necessitated the referendum, the supreme nature of the Constitution as the law of the republic has remained.
This is seen in how government responded to the matter while also highlighting that conduct that is inconsistent with the Constitution is invalid and that obligations imposed by it must be fulfilled.
This was also evidenced by the August v Electoral Commission (1999) case which sought to confirm the right of prisoners to vote and subsequently, since 1999 the Electoral Commission and the Department of Correctional Services has worked to provide voter registration and voting opportunities for inmates in line with the Constitutional right extended to prisoners to vote.
These judgements and others that followed, including the Government of the RSA v Grootboom (2000) case on the right to housing, which President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to at a ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the court, show that the work of the court does not favour one particular sect of society, but champions the validity and integrity of the Constitution instead.
These judgements have not only educated the public on the Constitution but have also strengthened the country’s law-making capabilities while also strengthening South Africa’s democracy.
As we reflect on the body of work that the Concourt has produced over the years, what remains is that while the faces of government administrations have changed, the court and indeed other courts around the country have and continue to maintain their sacrosanct independence.
And while the court has had to force the hand of government to implement rights contained in the Bill of Rights such as the right to housing in the Grootboom matter in which the applicant Irene Grootboom died without a decent house is something that government must still work on.
In his commentary on the matter, President Ramaphosa said that deepening respect for constitutionalism across all sectors must start with the state and that Grootboom’s death without her dream having been realised, “will forever remain a blight on our democracy.”
And while the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, with the Constitutional Court as the highest court in the land on constitutional matters, our democracy makes provision for the amending of the Constitution where necessary.
Recently, Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee concluded deliberations on the feasibility of amending the Constitution, following up on legacy submissions inherited from the previous Parliament.
In the sixth Parliament, the submissions were subjected to public hearings with the committee having considered 10 legal opinions.
These opinions provided by the Parliamentary Legal Services, informed the committee’s assessment of various proposals for constitutional amendment.
The actual amendment to the Constitution can only be considered through a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament.
The court is not merely a building, but a breathing, living element of a present and future South Africa, warts and all. May it continue to live long into the future. –SAnews.gov.za
Neo Semono is the Features Editor atwww.SAnews.gov.za, in the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
EUGENE, OR– As wildfire season begins across Oregon and the West, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) is inviting Oregonians to join her for a Wildfire Preparedness Webinar on Wednesday, July 9th at 5:30 PM (Pacific Time). This virtual event will feature special guest Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple, who will share expert guidance on how families can protect themselves, their homes, and their communities this fire season.
“With record-breaking heat and ongoing drought conditions, wildfire season is already here—and it’s only getting more dangerous,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This webinar is about making sure every Oregonian has the tools and information they need to stay safe. I’m grateful to Fire Marshal Ruiz-Temple for joining us to share her expertise.”
What: Wildfire Preparedness Webinar
Who: Rep. Val Hoyle, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple
When: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM PT
Where: LIVE on Rep. Hoyle’s YouTube – no registration required.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A and a recording of the webinar will be made available on YouTube following the event.
For more information, please contact Rep. Hoyle’s office at (202) 225-6416.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a group of 18 Senators in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue efforts to bring home wrongfully detained Americans in Venezuela.
Cruz and Schatz were joined by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
Below are highlights and excerpts from the letter:
Secretary Rubio,
We commend the Department of State for securing the January 31, 2025 release of six Americans who had been wrongfully detained in Venezuela, as well as the May 20 release of one additional wrongful detainee. Their return is a positive and important step. We write to express our continuing support for your efforts to bring all Americans home from Venezuela.
Today, at least eight Americans remain wrongfully detained in Venezuela, denied their freedom, separated from their loved ones, and unable to continue their lives. Their imprisonment is an ongoing injustice that necessitates immediate and decisive action by the U.S. government.
…
…
We stand ready to work with you to ensure that every American wrongfully detained in Venezuela is returned home without further delay.
Sincerely,
Click here to read the full letter.
NEWARK, N.J. –U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Newark and multiple federal, state and local partners made 18 arrests of alleged co-conspirators for roles in a drug trafficking organization July 1 in Newark, New Jersey.
The arrests are a result of a 14-month HSI Newark investigation with the Newark Police Department and the U.S. District Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
“In addition to the 18 arrests, HSI’s investigation led to federal charges filed against 24 individuals and we executed seven federal search warrants in and around Essex County, New Jersey,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel during a press conference following the operation. “Law enforcement partnership and teamwork were essential in our success. I am proud to say these alleged conspirators operating the sale of narcotics primarily from the Bradley Court Public Housing Complex have been stopped thanks to thousands of hours of police work. The livelihood of the tenants throughout 10 three-story apartment buildings who have been plagued by this dangerous enterprise for far too long can now feel a sense of safety and security.”
On July 2, two additional defendants were arrested. Four remain at large.
HSI Newark’s investigation uncovered a complex criminal enterprise with ties to transnational organized crime, that distributed more than 400 grams of fentanyl and a kilo of heroin. During the takedown operation, approximately $113,000 dollars in bulk cash/drug proceeds, illicit firearms, ammunition, narcotics, including 28 bricks of fentanyl and heroin, and vehicles were seized.
According to the investigation, the defendants are members or associates of Sex, Money, Murder—a Blood affiliated criminal street gang that controls the drug trade in Bradley Court Housing Complex located near North Munn Avenue and Tremont Avenue in Newark. The enterprise is also known as Munn Block, M-Blok, and Tombstone Gang. Munn Block are closely aligned with another Blood affiliated gang known as Voorhees, who operate around Voorhees Street—members and associates of the enterprise refer to the collective union as “MunnHees”.
“It is critical for the public to understand that these individuals engaged in the most dangerous of action, were armed and were involved in shootings,” said Patel. “They peddled narcotics to include fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine, all while risking the lives of those around them for power and money. Surveillance, undercover activity and electronic monitoring were just some of the necessary steps needed to bring these individuals to justice.”
For over a year, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area, conducted numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, seized narcotics through enforcement action, and analyzed telephone records, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions between and among the charged defendants. Members and associates of the enterprise are known to use social media on a variety of platforms and mobile applications, including Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp to conduct the business of the enterprise, communicate with one another, promote the Enterprise through sharing photographs and videos, and further the enterprise’s goals. Specifically, the enterprise uses the release and promotion of drill rap songs and music videos on social media to intimidate rival gang members, witnesses, and other members of the community, and to promote the enterprise.
“For far too long, the Bloods have overtaken the Bradley Court Housing Complex — turning its courtyards and residential buildings into a hub for pumping deadly fentanyl into the city of Newark, while endangering the lives of the citizens who call this community home.” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. “This poison has ripped families apart and stolen countless lives. That stops today. These arrests affirm my office’s commitment to taking guns and drugs off the streets and serves as a clear warning to anyone who considers engaging in violent activity. The defendants in this case, as in all criminal cases, are presumed innocent unless, and until proven guilty. However, everyone should understand that if you spread this poison or engage in this violent activity, we will use every resource necessary to find you, dismantle your operation, and prosecute you.”
Other agencies who supported HSI Newark’s investigation and operations included U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, Newark Police Department, East Orange Police Department and the Newark Housing Authority Security Department.
The following Essex County residents were each charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine:
Shamon Freshley aka Hitta, 26.
Orlando Pizzaro aka Lando, 26.
Zakir Jefferson aka Gu, aka Tank 26.
Quayyon Johnson aka Weeze, 22.
Melvin Faines, aka Spaz, 34.
Afrika Islam, aka Sexx, 29.
Shaheem Webb, aka YC, 23.
Eustace Weeks, aka Juxx, 26.
Ali Baker, aka Surf, 34.
Jose Ward aka Hec, 22.
Brandon Sneed aka Pops, 31.
Eric Banks aka Lil Maneskii, 19.
Tauheed Carney aka Bmunn, 21.
Tykee Stokes aka Big, 32.
Shafeek Barker aka Sha, 28.
Ibn Perry aka Loop, 38.
Alvin Jones aka Lucky, 41.
Kirk Mansook aka Crow, 39.
Tyjanique Green aka Ski, 24.
Jubar Hughes aka Dudu, 27.
Daisean Williams aka Khaos, 22.
Jason Wardlaw aka Jayr, 30.
Rana James aka Pooh, 28.
Sebastian Pierrecent aka Sosa, 21, Quayyan Johnson, and Tauheed Carney are also each charged with possession of a machine gun. In addition, Pierrecent is charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Pierrecent, Johnson, and Carney, are also charged with possession of a machine gun that was used in the June 17 shooting in rival gang territory near Mapes Avenue in Newark.
The defendants charged in the drug conspiracy face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, with potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Pierrecent, Johnson, and Carney each face up to 10 years in prison for possession of the machinegun. Pierrecent faces up to 15 years in prison for possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)
Last week, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding through 2029 for the United States Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard the nation’s borders, facilitate maritime commerce, ensure maritime safety, and more.
“The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 marks a critical step forward in bolstering our national security, modernizing maritime infrastructure, and supporting the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard. I commend Chairman Graves for his vision in shaping this important legislation. Our bipartisan bill equips our service members with the tools, training, and advanced technologies needed to counter emerging threats, secure our borders, and promote safe, efficient maritime commerce. As Chairman of the Subcommittee, I’m proud of the collaborative effort that brought this bill to life and of our shared commitment to ensuring the Coast Guard remains mission-ready. This legislation builds on the Administration’s Force Design 2028 strategy, laying the foundation for a stronger, more agile maritime force,”said Subcommittee Chairman Ezell.
“The Coast Guard is one of our nation’s six armed services, and Congress must provide these brave men and women the support they need to carry out their many missions. That’s exactly what this bill does,” said T&I Committee Chairman Graves. “From protecting our maritime borders, to stemming the tide of illegal migrants and drugs into the country, to ensuring the safety of mariners and much more, this bill supports the important security, safety, and economically critical work of the Coast Guard.”
“The women and men who keep our seas and coastlines safe from my home state of Washington to the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut deserve our full support, and that’s what this bipartisan bill delivers,” said T&I Committee Ranking Member Larsen. “From preventing oil spills on the U.S.-Canada border near the Puget Sound to ensuring the Coast Guard is prepared for tsunamis to cracking down on the scourge of sexual assault and harassment in the service, this bill will improve the quality of life for Coasties, increase maritime safety and strengthen our national security. I look forward to its swift passage.”
“Every single day, the Coast Guard goes to work to protect seafarers and beachgoers, and reinforce our national defense,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill delivers critical resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its missions, modernize infrastructure and safety systems, and enhance quality of life for our Coasties. Just as importantly, it renews our shared commitment to holding the service accountable for meaningful reforms to root out sexual assault and harassment from its ranks.”
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations for the Service through fiscal year 2029. These authorizations will support Coast Guard operations and the continued recapitalization of its historically underfunded cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. The bill modernizes the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, increases transparency and accountability in the Service’s recapitalization efforts, and opens a pathway to the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies.
The bill, with a provision led by Ezell, also creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment, based on legislation the T&I Committee introduced last Congress following the Service’s Operation Fouled Anchor.
Furthermore, the legislation strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy, robust U.S. shipbuilding industry, while also making changes to maritime safety laws, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials to facilitate an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners, increasing vessel safety, and improving regulatory processes.
Source: US Whitehouse
President Donald J. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — now the law of the land — is a sweeping legislative triumph that combines the largest tax cuts in history with landmark investments in America’s future and defense. From No Tax on Social Security for millions of seniors to permanent relief for small businesses and historic funding for national security, this bill unleashes economic prosperity and empowers every American while strengthening our nation’s defenses and boldly looking to the future.
MustReadAlaska.com: Big Beautiful Icebreakers are Alaska wins, as Russia and China work together to gain foothold in Arctic
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, includes a historic investment in US Arctic security, totaling nearly $9 billion for icebreakers that may put America back in charge of the frozen frontier.
The legislation delivers $4.3 billion for heavy Polar security cutters, $3.5 billion for medium Arctic security cutters, and an additional $816 million for lighter ice-capable vessels. It’s the largest Arctic maritime investment in US history, and it comes at a moment of escalating geopolitical stakes in the Far North.”
WFTV (Orlando, Florida): Big Beautiful Bill Act prompts largest investment in U.S. Coast Guard Service’s history
“The U.S. Coast Guard has received nearly $25 billion in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, marking the largest investment in the Service’s history. This historic funding will strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to combat drugs and improve maritime security by enabling the purchase of new vessels and aircraft, and upgrading infrastructure.”
ABC15 (Phoenix, Arizona): Advocates for Arizona radiation exposure victims score big win in Congress
“After decades of fighting, advocates for those who faced radiation exposure in Arizona and elsewhere are getting a big win through President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill.
That push in Congress to carry on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, is finding victory after more than 30 years.”
National Federation of Independent Business: America’s Small Businesses Applaud President Trump, Congress for Stopping Massive Tax Hike on Main Street
“Since 2017, the Small Business Tax Deduction has allowed small businesses to deduct up to 20% of their business income. Without immediate action by Congress, this essential tax deduction was set to expire at the end of the year, raising taxes on millions of small businesses. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides permanent tax relief, freeing America’s small businesses to invest in their businesses and employees. Along with making the Small Business Deduction permanent, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes additional wins for small businesses:
Increases Section 179, Small Business Expensing Cap from $1.25 million to $2.5 million. This will allow small businesses to fully expense business equipment purchases in the first year.
Makes the 2017 marginal rate cuts permanent. Without this provision, five out of seven marginal (individual) income tax rates will rise at the end of the year. Nine out of 10 small businesses are organized as pass-through businesses and pay regular income tax rates rather than the C-corporation rate.
Increases and makes permanent the Small Business Estate Tax Exemption. The new exemption thresholds will be set at $15 million for individual filers and $30 million for joint filers.”
National Hog Farmer: The National Pork Producers Council thanks President Trump for signing into law the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”
“NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, said, ‘The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for American agriculture in years. It helps producers protect our herds by fending off foreign animal diseases, and it also cuts red tape, allowing us to more easily pass down our farms to the next generation.’ NPPC thanks President Trump for signing ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ into law and Chairmen Thompson and Boozman for listening to our input and shepherding this legislation through their respective chambers.”
AgDaily: Farmers repeatedly praise this one piece of Trump’s budget bill
“‘Thank you, President Trump.’ That sentiment has been repeated often by farmers during conversations and across social media in the days since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed through Congress and was signed into law. Farmers have specifically celebrated how the bill overhauls the ‘death tax’ — the taxes imposed by the federal and some state governments on someone’s estate upon death …
This is particularly important for commodity and other traditionally large-scale agricultural producers. Unlike liquid assets such as stocks or bank accounts, a farm’s value is often tied up in land, equipment, and other hard assets. It’s not uncommon for a modest, family-run farm to be worth millions of dollars on paper, even if the family running it isn’t living a life of luxury. When those hard assets are included in an estate calculation, especially as the value of an acre increases, it doesn’t take long for farmland to hit the exemption threshold.
‘For farm families, estate taxes aren’t just an abstract policy debate — they’re a very real threat to generational farms and the livelihoods they support,’ said Amanda Zaluckyj, an AGDAILY columnist, lawyer, and part of a family farm in Michigan. ‘Land-rich but cash-poor families may be forced to sell land, equipment, or even the farm itself just to pay the estate tax bill. That’s not just a financial inconvenience — it’s a devastating blow to families who have spent generations building their operations with the intention of passing them on to their children and grandchildren.’”
Retail Insight Network: Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ wins praise from US retailers
“With Congress approving President Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” ahead of Independence Day, US retailers are voicing strong support for the legislation’s pro-growth measures, hailing it as a historic step for the economy.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: President Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ will unleash parallel prosperity
“We have seen American workers benefit from the president’s economic approach before. Under President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, the net worth of the bottom 50% of households increased faster than the net worth of the top 10% of households. That will happen again under the One Big Beautiful Bill. The bill prevents a $4.5 trillion tax hike on the American people. This will allow the average worker to keep an additional $4,000 to $7,200 in annual real wages and allow the average family of four to keep an additional $7,600 to $10,900 in take-home pay. Add to this the president’s ambitious deregulation agenda, which could save the average family of four an additional $10,000. For millions of Americans, these savings are the difference between being able to make a mortgage payment, buy a car, or send a child to college.
The president is delivering on his promise to seniors as well. The bill provides an additional $6,000 deduction for seniors, which will mean that 88% of seniors receiving Social Security income will pay no tax on their Social Security benefits.
The One Big Beautiful Bill also codifies no tax on tips and no tax on overtime pay—both policies designed to provide financial relief to America’s working class. These tax breaks will ensure Main Street workers keep more of their hard-earned income. And they will bolster productivity by rewarding Americans who work extra hours … These productivity-enhancing measures dovetail with the second booster in the blue-collar boom: providing 100% expensing for new factories and existing factories that expand operations, plus car loan interest deductibility to support Made-in-America.”
Rep. Riley Moore: One Big Beautiful Bill Delivers for West Virginia
“President Trump’s signature legislation is a huge win for the American people that puts our nation on the path to a new Golden Age. I’m proud to have voted in favor of this legislation that puts America First.
The One Big Beautiful Bill gives the Trump Administration the tools it needs to reclaim our national sovereignty and ramp up mass deportations. It delivers the largest tax cut for working and middle-class families in American history. It also unleashes American energy, which is critical to powering our economy, reindustrializing the heartland, and winning the global AI arms race.”
Rep. Randy Feenstra: Making President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ the law of the land
“This pro-family, pro-worker, pro-growth economic package is the culmination of President Trump’s campaign promises and conservative economic principles, which will dramatically grow our economy, cut deficits, and create jobs. It is the largest tax cut in American history for families, farmers, workers, and small businesses, ensuring that Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money – not the federal government.
The provisions of the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ will be jet fuel for our economy. Estimates by the Council of Economic Advisers suggest that our GDP could grow by as much as 5.2% in the short run and 3.5% in the long run while investment in our country could see a 14.5% boost with more than four million jobs created in the long term. These figures underscore the positive effects of tax cuts, sensible deregulation, and certainty for businesses and manufacturers.”
BEAUMONT, Texas – A federal inmate has been charged with violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
John Robert Bond, 55, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with making threats against a federal official.
The indictment alleges that on May 25, 2025, Bond, a federal inmate housed with the Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont, threatened to assault and murder the Federal Bureau of Prisons Camp Administrator.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Bond faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
BEAUMONT, Texas – A federal inmate has been charged with violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Juan Arturo Mendoza, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with assault, resisting or impeding a federal correctional officer.
The indictment alleges that on November 13, 2024, Mendoza, a federal inmate housed with the Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont, had a physical altercation with two corrections officers resulting in bodily injuries to the officers.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Mendoza faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Jered Shay Picard, age 35, of Nespelem, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country and Attempted Witness Tampering. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Picard to 48 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on December 13, 2024, Picard got into a fight with the victim, his intimate partner. The victim locked herself inside a pickup truck to get away from Picard. Picard then pointed a rifle at the victim’s face before firing a shot into the sky. When the victim tried to start the truck and escape, Picard shot out the front driver side tire so she could not leave. The victim recorded the incident on video.
The next morning, the Colville Tribal Police Department located and arrested Picard and booked him into jail.
During several jail telephone calls with the victim, Picard told her to tell investigators she did not want to press charges, avoid meeting with the FBI, delete the video of the incident, and tell investigators she and Picard were drunk at the time of the incident. Picard also implied the victim should not show up to court if the case was federally prosecuted.
“Mr. Picard’s actions were both life-threatening and deeply disturbing,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “He used a firearm to terrorize his intimate partner and then attempted to manipulate her into obstructing justice. This sentence reflects the grave danger posed by armed domestic abusers—not only to their current victims, but to future partners and to the integrity of the justice system itself.”
“Mr. Picard’s violent and intimidating actions were inexcusable, continuing in an aggressive and dangerous pursuit even when his victim tried to flee in a vehicle. He then compounded his crimes by continuing to intimidate the victim in a brazen attempt to avoid accountability for his actions,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “I hope this sentence provides the first steps to closure and reinforces our commitment to combatting violent crime in all its forms. Along with our partners, the FBI is dedicated to making our state’s tribal lands a safer place.”
Data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners, and in addition to their lethality, firearms are used by abusers to inflict fear, intimidation, and coercive control. Additionally, when a violent intimate partner has access to a firearm, nonfatal abuse may increase in severity, even when firearms are not directly used in a violent incident.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Colville Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Vander Giessen.
The potential of AI is limitless, but to truly unlock the full potential of what it can do, user inputs that power personalised experiences are critical. AI needs to understand you — your preferences and your routines — to deliver a mobile experience that feels like a natural extension of your everyday life.
Intuitive, context-aware Galaxy AI features bring these personalised experiences to life, transforming your smartphone from a tool to a smart companion that anticipates your needs and offers suggestions designed to make your life more productive, creative and connected.
To deliver a fully personalised experience, your device naturally needs access to certain data. This is what allows AI to understand you and tailor its responses in ways that are genuinely helpful and suited to your lifestyle. To ensure your personal data is safeguarded in this era of AI, we’re constantly innovating data protection on your device, so that nothing falls into the wrong hands.
Personalization Made Possible with the Personal Data Engine
Samsung Electronics’ Personal Data Engine (PDE)[1] is a key component of safely delivering these highly personal experiences. First introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, the PDE is the powerhouse behind some of Galaxy’s most life-changing AI experiences yet. It works silently behind the scenes to learn from your habits and preferences, resulting in a truly personalised, unique experience.
Whether it’s Now Brief[2] guiding you through your day with curated updates or simply finding that one perfect photo in your Gallery with natural language input, Galaxy AI makes every AI-powered action feel seamless. And because the PDE securely processes your data on-device, you can enjoy all the benefits of deeply customised AI — without compromising privacy.
Powerful Advancements with Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection
To further strengthen the security of Galaxy AI experiences, Samsung developed Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP)[3] — a powerful new layer of on-device security that protects your most sensitive data without interrupting your experience. First developed for the PDE, KEEP now also secures other Galaxy AI features like Smart Suggestions, Now Brief, Samsung Moments and more, running quietly in the background to ensure that each supported app is kept secure.
Think of your phone like a house. Each app has its own room — separate, but all under the same roof. Then there’s Secure Folder,[4] which works like a fully detached guesthouse with its own key, set apart from the main home. It’s great for keeping certain things extra private, especially when you want complete isolation from the rest of your device. But as AI features like the PDE start handling more sensitive tasks in real time, there’s a growing need for security that’s just as strong, yet more connected to your everyday experience.
That’s where KEEP comes in. Imagine turning part of the house into a private suite — still under the same roof, but with its own secure entrance that only you can use. It’s more private than a regular room, but not completely separate like the guesthouse. KEEP works the same way: it creates a secure, dedicated space for individual apps — like the PDE — so it can safely handle your data without sending it anywhere or getting in the way of how you use your phone.
As our mobile experiences become more intelligent, KEEP ensures your most personal data stays safe by design. Together with tools like Secure Folder, it reinforces Samsung’s multi-layered approach to data protection — giving both users and services the right type of security for different privacy needs.
With Galaxy AI becoming more personal, features like the Personal Data Engine and Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection are setting a new standard for mobile intelligence — where personalisation and privacy go hand in hand. As these experiences grow smarter and more attuned to your needs, you can rest assured that your most sensitive information will stay secure on your device, exactly where it belongs.
[1]The Personal Data Engine functions when the Personal Data Intelligence menu is on. Analyzed data will be deleted once the Personal Data Intelligence menu is turned off.
[2]Now Brief feature requires a Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model and apps. Some features may require a network connection.
[3]Available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets with One UI 8 or later.
[4]Secure Folder offers users a separate and protected area of their phone or tablet to store sensitive apps and data. It allows users to set up separate profiles which can duplicate your apps. Users can customize the Secure Folder app and set up their own lock type, including PIN, pattern, password and fingerprint. For enhanced security, Secure Folder users are also provided with an option to hide and encrypt the Secure Folder, which helps keep data safe from advanced cybersecurity threats. While hidden, the apps will stop working to keep your data safe. Once the Secure Folder is opened again, the encryption will be deactivated, and the apps will resume normal operation.