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  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Grassley to Washington Post Editorial Board: Politics Shouldn’t Overcome Principle in the Debate Over Universal Injunctions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) highlighted the unconstitutional nature of universal injunctions in a response to the Washington Post Editorial Board. Read his Letter to the Editor below.
    To: Washington Post Editorial BoardFrom: Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Regarding the May 29 editorial, “In defense of nationwide injunctions”
    The Post’s Editorial Board argued that, in spite of the lack of historical precedent and constitutional basis for universal injunctions, this judicial maneuver is ostensibly a necessary “check on presidential power.”
    But allowing district judges to exert bloated authority beyond the cases and controversies before them only creates further imbalance among the branches of government. The Post should have taken into serious consideration Article III of the Constitution, which limits courts to deciding “cases” or “controversies” — as well as the first 150 years of American history, during which time, as the board acknowledged, scholars have found no documented use of a universal injunction.
    It’s not the judiciary’s responsibility to set policy; that power is vested in the people through their elected leaders. For decades, Congress has failed to write specific legislation, leaving the door open for a variety of interpretations. Congress can and must pass clearer laws, but the legislative branch’s past mistakes aren’t a free pass for district judges to overstep constitutional guardrails and play policymaker.
    The continued use of universal injunctions does far more harm than good to our nation’s system of checks and balances. What’s more, injunctions place severe pressure on the Supreme Court by frequently forcing it to respond to emergency appeals.
    The bill I introduced to eliminate universal injunctions would instead encourage appropriate appellate action by making temporary restraining orders immediately appealable. In those cases where widespread judicial relief is appropriate, Congress has already provided a mechanism: class-action lawsuits. Courts should no longer be permitted to avoid the class certification process by opting instead for universal injunctions.
    I hope the Supreme Court steps in quickly to address injunctions. In the meantime, I’ll keep moving my legislative fixes toward the finish line, including through reconciliation.
    I continue to encourage my Democratic colleagues to join me in this effort. Many Democrats have sharply criticized the practice in the past — including in the case of the mifepristone ban The Post’s editorial referenced — but have shelved their opposition to universal injunctions since President Donald Trump returned to office. The Post itself argued for limiting injunctions in a separate editorial last June.
    The constitutional dangers posed by universal injunctions haven’t changed over the past year; the only thing that has is the White House’s current occupant. We shouldn’t let politics overcome principle by failing to address this bipartisan problem now.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone, Hospital Leaders Warn of Catastrophic Consequences of Republican Medicaid Cuts at Saint Peter’s “Save Our Hospitals” Event

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    New Brunswick, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) was joined today by hospital leaders, physicians, patients, and health care advocates at Saint Peter’s University Hospital to warn that the Republican budget reconciliation bill slashes more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act over the next decade, which would devastate New Jersey’s safety-net hospitals and take health care away from hundreds of thousands of residents. This is the largest cut to Americans’ health care in history.  

    Speaking at a press conference, Pallone detailed how Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, which passed the House last month, would eliminate coverage for at least 360,000 New Jerseyans, and strip up to $3.6 billion a year from the state’s Medicaid program known as NJ FamilyCare. The cuts in the Republican bill would also slash an estimated $300 million in payments to New Jersey hospitals and other health care providers, forcing safety-net providers like Saint Peter’s to face catastrophic financial losses, reduce services, or close programs entirely.

    “Let’s be very clear: these cuts are not theoretical. They are real, they are dangerous, and they will directly harm patients,” Pallone said. “NJ FamilyCare covers nearly 1.8 million New Jerseyans, including 60 percent of those living in nursing home and 40 percent of all births statewide. If Republicans get their way, hospitals like Saint Peter’s will be forced to cut back services, lay off staff, or shutter programs entirely.”

    “The House Republican bill would slash Medicaid funding by hundreds of billions of dollars—cuts that would have devastating effects on our most vulnerable populations,” said Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, who also serves on the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees and as chair of its Regional Policy Board 2 for New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. “At Saint Peter’s, we are committed to a Catholic mission of humble service, especially to those most in need. Medicaid is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. Cuts to Medicaid could strip millions of individuals of access to even the most basic care. When people lose access to primary care, they turn to emergency departments, chronic conditions go untreated, health outcomes worsen, and tragically, preventable deaths increase. While we all agree that eliminating fraud, waste and abuse is important, gutting Medicaid is not the answer. These cuts could force painful decisions that would be felt immediately in the communities we serve.”

    “Any cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for patients, but also for the hospitals and health care providers who rely on this funding to keep their doors open,” said New Jersey Citizen Action Healthcare Program Director, Laura Waddell. “In New Jersey, these proposed cuts would slash $300 million in federal funding to our hospitals, cap $3.4 billion in Medicaid reimbursements through provider taxes, and lead to a significant rise in charity care cases.  The window of opportunity is closings to stop these cuts and we need all of our New Jersey federal delegation from both sides of the aisle, to join Congressman Pallone in standing up for the patients and health care consumers in our state and vote ‘no’ to any cuts to health care.”

    “The impact of any cuts to Medicaid funding for our 1.8million citizens would be devastating to the most vulnerable amongst us, children, working families, the elderly, people with disabilities. and those of lower incomes. These cuts are deeply alarming and completely unacceptable. I remain committed to working with our congressional delegation to do everything possible to ensure the well being of all our citizens and to protect this important program, “ Assemblyman Danielsen. 

    “The cuts to Medicaid will have grave consequences to our New Jersey residents-whether they are children, low-income adults, disabled individuals, and elderly residents,” said Assemblyman Egan (D-Middlesex, Somerset). “Hospitals, like Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas and Saint Peter’s University Hospital, may face major financial losses.  Many New Jersey residents will not receive the care they need from the hospitals they rely on, which could lead to needless deaths.  We need to work together to ensure that this does not happen, and I thank Congressman Pallone for fighting the good fight for New Jersey.”

    Saint Peter’s University Hospital faces potential losses of tens of millions of dollars annually if the Republican cuts are enacted. Health care leaders warned that the magnitude of the proposed cuts would force hospitals across New Jersey to reduce critical services such as maternity care, cancer treatment, mental health programs, and emergency care.

    The Republican Big Ugly Bill cuts funding to hospitals by limiting the payments that state Medicaid programs can make to hospitals, long-term care providers, and many other cash-strapped providers so they can stay in business and provide the services residents need. The Republican bill also cuts off a state’s ability to generate the funds they need to support their Medicaid programs—including payments to struggling hospitals—through a provider tax. 

    On Monday, Senate Republicans unveiled their bill that would even further reduce a state’s ability to generate these funds and cut provider payments–meaning even more devastating cuts for New Jersey and its hospitals. The House and Senate bill both prohibit new or increased provider taxes and prevent states from making certain new payments to providers, while the Senate bill also slashes the provider taxes and payments that states like New Jersey already have in place.

    Joining Pallone at the event were Garrick Stoldt, CFO of Saint Peter’s; Jim Choma, Vice President for Catholic Mission; Dr. Mariela Kapoor, Internal Medicine Physician at Saint Peter’s Family Health Center; Christine Stearns, Chief Government Relations Officer for the New Jersey Hospital Association; representatives from New Jersey Citizen Action; and local elected officials. A former patient of Saint Peter’s also spoke about how critical Medicaid coverage was to receiving care during a serious medical emergency.

    Pallone, who serves as top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has led Democratic opposition to the Republican Medicaid cuts in Congress. The House passed the Republican bill last month and now it is up for consideration in the Senate.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott, Colleagues Lead Effort to Strengthen Review of Foreign Land Purchases Near Sensitive U.S. Military Sites

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is leading an effort to strengthen national security by ensuring the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) can effectively review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites.

    The Protect Our Bases Act, which Senator Scott introduced along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), requires CFIUS member agencies to annually update records of the military, intelligence, and national laboratory facilities that should be designated as sensitive sites for national security purposes.   

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Senator Scott.

    “We must protect sensitive military and government sites from foreign adversaries pursuing intelligence activities on our own land,” said Senator Crapo. “Idaho has multiple military installations and the acclaimed Idaho National laboratory conducting vital research, development and training of critical national security efforts right here in our back yard, and increasing accountability about land sales around these sites is of utmost importance.”

    “We must address the growing threat from the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile regimes trying to get close to our most sensitive military and intelligence sites,” said Senator Tillis. “The Protect Our Bases Act ensures the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has the most up-to-date information on key U.S. national security locations so dangerous land purchases can be blocked well before they become security risks.”

    “Ensuring the safety and security of our military and government installations is a national priority,” said Senator Hagerty. “For too long, foreign adversaries have tried to exploit America’s open real estate market and rule of law in an attempt to gain strategic footholds. The Protect Our Bases Act gives our nation the tools to identify who is buying land near sensitive sites and stop transactions that could put the security of Americans at risk.”

    “As threats from our foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and Russia, continue to escalate, it’s paramount that we secure our intelligence,” said Senator Britt. “Allowing CFIUS to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military and government sites is just common sense. Proud to join this legislation that takes a crucial step toward strengthening our national security and safeguarding our strategic advantages.”

    “There’s no reason why America’s adversaries should be able to buy land next to our military bases,” said Senator Ricketts. “Farmland adjacent to sensitive sites should remain in the hands of American farmers and ranchers, not Communist China. This commonsense bill will help to protect our troops, prevent espionage, and counter our adversaries.”

    “It’s become all too apparent in recent years that our nation faces a threat from land purchases by foreign adversaries. Allowing the Chinese Communist Party to purchase land near our military bases and government sites poses a severe risk to our national security,” said Senator Moreno. “ We need to strengthen CFIUS to review these purchases near sensitive national security installations to protect our nation’s security from being compromised by the CCP and other enemies.”

    “The security of our nation’s military operations and intelligence cannot be taken lightly,” said Senator McCormick. “Conducting rigorous oversight of foreign real estate transactions near our bases is essential to upholding our national security. This legislation is a much-needed step toward combatting China’s malign influence.”

    BACKGROUND:

    In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) determined that it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive site for national security purposes. Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, the incident demonstrated a significant flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases. CFIUS relies on its member agencies to provide updated information on sensitive military, intelligence, and national laboratory sites in order to properly assess the security risk of foreign investment in our country. If CFIUS member agencies do not appropriately update their site lists, CFIUS cannot ensure an accurate review.

    In addition to requiring agencies represented on CFIUS to provide updated records of the military, intelligence, and national laboratory facilities that should be sensitive sites on an annual basis, the Protect Our Bases Act makes these records easier for CFIUS to use for national security reviews and requires CFIUS to submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of such reviews and the accuracy of its real estate listings.

    For bill text, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Advocates for Continued Funding for Freight & Passenger Rail Projects Across Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – During a hearing in the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) advocated for continued investments to upgrade railroad infrastructure in Michigan. During the hearing, Peters highlighted the success of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has invested more than $140 million to improve freight operations and passenger service across Michigan.  

    “No state better exemplifies the reality of, and the opportunities for, passenger and freight rail than my home state of Michigan… As the home of the auto industry, and the heart of American manufacturing, Michigan’s freight rail network delivers cars, agricultural products, construction materials, and everyday goods all over our state as well as across international borders,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety.  

    “Michigan is also leading the way when it comes to passenger rail. The Michigan Department of Transportation has effectively taken advantage of resources that Congress provided to improve passenger rail service,” Peters continued. “This includes efforts to restore Amtrak service to the historic Michigan Central station in downtown Detroit and to expand that service across the Canadian border into Windsor in the coming years, a project that I’m going to continue to fight for.” 

    Peters advocated for numerous federal programs that have supported rail projects in Michigan, including the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program, which is being used for the expansion of accessible and affordable rail transportation service between key urban and rural communities across the state. 

    “This funding has specifically allowed Michigan to conduct the analysis and the planning that they need to support future expansion of passenger rail on all three of our Amtrak lines, the Wolverine, the Blue Water, and the Pier Marquette,” Peters added. 

    To ensure these ongoing projects continue moving forward, Peters made it clear that more must be done to keep these programs on solid financial footing into the future.  

    “Michigan is certainly not alone. Communities across the country have benefited from increased resources to strengthen their rail infrastructure, but this work is far from over,” Peters said. “Programs like the Corridor ID and Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants can only reach their full potential if we follow up with continued investment to ensure projects that are already underway are not abandoned midway.” 

    In response, Ian Jefferies, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of American Railroads agreed with Peters, saying, “My concern, if you let those programs be dormant or stagnate, is that there’s going to be a lot of missed opportunities to partner with public agencies throughout the entire country… to do projects that otherwise may not get done. That will have real benefits to cities and towns across the U.S., and the movement of freight, goods, and people.”  

    To watch video of Senator Peters’ opening remarks and question at the hearing, click here.

    Peters has consistently advocated for investments in our rail infrastructure made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, including a $119 million investment to support five major commercial and passenger rail improvement projects across Michigan. In 2023, Peters helped announce $20 million in federal funding to replace the Manistee River Bridge in Manton to increase weight capacity and improve rail crossing safety. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Releases Statement Ahead of Juneteenth National Independence Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following video statement to honor Juneteenth National Independence Day, which commemorates the day the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom.

    “On Juneteenth National Independence Day, we commemorate the closing of one of our nation’s darkest and most painful chapters, and recommit ourselves to addressing the systemic inequalities and racial disparities that persist in our society,” said Senator Peters. “Together, we can create a better, more inclusive future, one where we tackle disparities in healthcare, education, job opportunities, and housing. And one where we protect the bedrock of our democracy: the fundamental right to vote.”

    Click here for video of his remarks and see below the text as delivered:

    “On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform over two hundred thousand of the last enslaved African Americans that they were free. This came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.  

    “On Juneteenth National Independence Day, we commemorate the closing of one of our nation’s darkest and most painful chapters, and recommit ourselves to addressing the systemic inequalities and racial disparities that persist in our society.? 

    “We’ve made significant progress toward creating a more just and equal society, but at the same time, we know there is still much more work to do to ensure every American has the same opportunities to succeed. No matter the challenges we face, the fight for fairness and equality must continue. 

    “Together, we can create a better, more inclusive future, one where we tackle disparities in healthcare, education, job opportunities and housing. And one where we protect the bedrock of our democracy: the fundamental right to vote.  

    “As we celebrate this holiday, let us remember the obligation we all share to the pursuit of justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Releases Statement Ahead of Juneteenth National Independence Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following video statement to honor Juneteenth National Independence Day, which commemorates the day the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom.

    “On Juneteenth National Independence Day, we commemorate the closing of one of our nation’s darkest and most painful chapters, and recommit ourselves to addressing the systemic inequalities and racial disparities that persist in our society,” said Senator Peters. “Together, we can create a better, more inclusive future, one where we tackle disparities in healthcare, education, job opportunities, and housing. And one where we protect the bedrock of our democracy: the fundamental right to vote.”

    Click here for video of his remarks and see below the text as delivered:

    “On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform over two hundred thousand of the last enslaved African Americans that they were free. This came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.  

    “On Juneteenth National Independence Day, we commemorate the closing of one of our nation’s darkest and most painful chapters, and recommit ourselves to addressing the systemic inequalities and racial disparities that persist in our society.? 

    “We’ve made significant progress toward creating a more just and equal society, but at the same time, we know there is still much more work to do to ensure every American has the same opportunities to succeed. No matter the challenges we face, the fight for fairness and equality must continue. 

    “Together, we can create a better, more inclusive future, one where we tackle disparities in healthcare, education, job opportunities and housing. And one where we protect the bedrock of our democracy: the fundamental right to vote.  

    “As we celebrate this holiday, let us remember the obligation we all share to the pursuit of justice, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Highlights Tax Priorities in Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today released the following statement on his tax priorities included in the Senate Finance Committee’s legislative text for the Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:  

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Congress to bend the spending curve, make key provisions of the Trump Tax Cuts permanent, and improve the lives of hardworking Texas families,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Under Chairman Crapo’s leadership, the Senate Finance Committee has worked around the clock to release this landmark legislation, marking an important step forward in our mission to deliver on President Trump’s mandate.”

    The Senate Finance Committee’s legislative text for the Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act contains the following provisions championed by Sen. Cornyn, a senior member of the committee:

    • Includes his Stop Funding Genital Mutilation Act, which would prohibit federal funding from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from going towards gender transition procedures at any age;
    • Includes a modified version of his Small Business Investment Act, which would make it easier for small and start-up businesses to access the financing they need to grow and succeed;
    • Cuts burdensome taxes and regulations of certain firearms and silencers;
    • Prevents a more-than $3,000 tax hike on the average Texas family;
    • Protects 547,000 Texas jobs from being lost;
    • Ensures more than 3.7 million Texas households’ child tax credit is not cut in half;
    • Shields more than two million Texas small business owners from a massive tax hike;
    • Makes sure more than 12 million Texas families’ standard deduction is not cut in half;
    • Establishes work requirements for able-bodied adults who are choosing not to work and do not have dependent children or elderly parents in their care;
    • And ensures no taxes on tips or overtime for millions of tipped and hourly workers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Delivers Opening Statement at Biden Health Cover-Up Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today delivered the following opening remarks during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing he co-chaired, “Unfit to Serve: How the Biden Cover-Up Endangered America and Undermined the Constitution.” Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.

    “Last June, the American public saw with their own eyes what many knew to be true but would not dare to admit publicly – our sitting Commander-in-Chief was suffering from severe cognitive decline.”

    “As we now know, there was a conspiracy to hide the President’s true condition by his family, by his staff, by the media, and many elected officials.”

    “This was a constitutional crisis bigger than President Biden, bigger than any single election, and one that cannot be absolved by the collective apology of the press and an election where the President’s party lost.”

    “We need to know who was in charge during the last months of the Biden administration. Was it his wife, his chief of staff, nameless others? None of these people were elected by the American people, nor were they authorized by the Constitution and laws of the United States to carry out the duties of the President of the United States.”

    “The 25th Amendment provides a roadmap for succession in instances of presidential incapacity. Section 4 gives the Vice President and a majority of the President’s Cabinet the authority to challenge the President’s ability to carry out the functions of his office, subject to a vote in Congress.”

     “But in this instance, the Vice President and the cabinet – the very ones authorized by the 25th Amendment to question the President’s capacity – they did nothing.”

    “Biden’s cabinet and the Vice President did not act in good faith. They acted in their political and personal self-interest.”

    “As a government, it is imperative that we have clear contingency plans when emergency strikes, and yes, it is an emergency when we have a sitting president who is unable to discharge the duties of that office.”

    “I will note that few of my Democratic colleagues are here today – thank you to Senator Welch from Vermont for being here – leaving us with no other option than to take the boycotting of this hearing as an admission of guilt for their role in this crisis.” 

    “It is not an overstatement to say that the future of our country could one day hinge on how we choose to act or not act on this very issue.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock, Marshall, Gallego Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Fatherhood Engagement, Improve Maternal Health Outcomes 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Warnock, Marshall, Gallego Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Fatherhood Engagement, Improve Maternal Health Outcomes 

    The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to improve maternal health outcomes through promoting fatherhood engagement
    Senator Reverend Warnock has worked to combat maternal mortality, promote healthy families
    Georgia has one of the highest rates of maternal deaths in the country
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is a crisis that we must address with every tool at our disposal. That includes redoubling our efforts to uplift the role of fathers in keeping their family healthy during pregnancy and early childhood”
    Senator Marshall: “Fathers play such a critical role in their households, and I am proud to support legislation that champions their role as providers, spouses, and caregivers”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve maternal health outcomes by promoting fatherhood engagement. The Dads Matter Act of 2025 would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to raise awareness about father inclusion and engagement through a public awareness campaign and to provide state-level guidance aimed at strengthening the role of fathers in supporting healthy mothers and babies. Last Congress, Senator Warnock introduced a resolution to uplift fathers and their role in maternal health. TheDads Matter Act, co-led by Senator Marshall, builds on the resolution that passed the Senate and would direct HHS to raise awareness about father inclusion and engagement through a public awareness campaign and guidance to states. 

    “Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is a crisis that we must address with every tool at our disposal. That includes redoubling our efforts to uplift the role of fathers in keeping their family healthy during pregnancy and early childhood,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Now is the time to spread awareness about the critical role of fathers in improving maternal health outcomes and creating thriving families and communities.” 

    “As an OBGYN for more than 25 years, I know firsthand the challenges facing mothers, and how important a stable support system can be to both pediatric and maternal health outcomes,” said Senator Marshall. “Fathers play such a critical role in their households, and I am proud to support legislation that champions their role as providers, spouses, and caregivers.”

    “Too many women in Arizona die from pregnancy-related causes. This bill helps reverse this trend by recognizing that engaged fathers are part of the solution. When dads show up, maternal health outcomes are better, babies are healthier, and families are stronger,” said Senator Gallego.

    The Dads Matter Act of 2025 would: 

    • Direct HHS to carry out a public awareness campaign to increase awareness of the importance of father inclusion and engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. 
    • Direct HHS to issue guidance to states to encourage and incentivize maternity care providers to provide training and education to health care professionals about the benefits of including and engaging fathers in the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum process. 
    • Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress that describes the results and effectiveness of this legislation. 

    Organizations supporting the legislation include March of Dimes, the National Fatherhood Initiative, the What to Expect Project, and 4Kira4Moms. 

    “National Fatherhood Initiative® applauds Senators Warnock and Marshall for reintroducing bipartisan legislation that has the potential for long-term impact on our nation’s well-being. This bill leverages a golden moment by focusing on increasing father engagement during the perinatal period when parents are most highly motivated for the father’s involvement in his child’s life,” said Christopher A. Brown, president, National Fatherhood Initiative®. “Research shows that maternal and child health outcomes are enhanced when the father becomes engaged during and after the child’s birth. It also increases the chance that the father stays involved for the long haul. There’s no more cost-effective time to invest in the well-being of whole families.”

    “The science and research are clear: Not only are fathers biologically hard wired to be nurturers, but they’re the best and most effective champions of maternal and infant health. When dads are involved in pregnancy, postpartum and infant care, the risks from nearly all preventable and treatable complications – from preeclampsia to preterm birth to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to sudden infant death are reduced. Breastfeeding rates soar, as does a baby’s development, future mental and behavioral health, success in school, and so much more. Yet for too long, we’ve sidelined fathers – in some communities, even seen them as part of the problem, not the solution they are. Excluded them from the conversation about our current maternal health crisis and from legislation intended to reverse it. That’s why the What to Expect Project and I are proud to support the Dads Matter Act, the first bill to address the measurable impact fathers have on maternal and infant health, safety, and wellbeing – and to improve awareness among health care providers and communities about the need to involve them. Because dads do matter. We’re grateful for the passionate leadership and tireless efforts and commitment from Senator Warnock, Senator Marshall, and Senator Gallego on behalf of all moms and dads,” said Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Founder of the What to Expect Project

    “We’re incredibly grateful to Senator Warnock, Senator Marshall, and Senator Gallego for their leadership on the Dads Matter Act. This critical legislation highlights the power of bipartisan collaboration in improving maternal health outcomes for all families. We believe that by empowering fathers, we can not only make our country safer for mothers and babies, but we can also strengthen our families,” said Charles Johnson, Founder & Board President, 4Kira4Moms

    “The Dads Matter Actis an important piece of federal maternal health legislation that brings awareness to the fact that maternal health is a fundamental human right not just a woman’s right. The Dads Matter Act will help enable education and training of fathers to be in service of mothers during their pregnancy journeys as a family! We are excited to help see this piece of legislation pass,” said Gabrielle Albert, Executive Director & Board Vice President & Secretary, 4Kira4Moms

    Senator Warnock has long championed legislation to combat maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for hardworking families. In 2022, Senator Warnock partnered with then-Senator Marco Rubio to pass the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, which provides federal funding to reduce maternal mortality and improve implicit bias training for providers to prevent maternal death. Senator Warnock also partnered with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to introduce the Kira Johnson Act, legislation to provide funding to community-based organizations leading the charge to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women. Additionally, in 2023, Senator Warnock introduced a bipartisan bill with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to support efforts to collect and analyze maternal health data to prevent maternal deaths; the bipartisan Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act would reauthorize programs to preserve maternal health throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and would address disparities in maternal health outcomes through data collection, analysis, and strategies for prevention. In 2023, Senator Warnock also traveled to North Georgia to hear from health care providers and Georgians at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville about the state’s maternal mortality crisis and why Congress must act to invest in better health care outcomes for women in Georgia and across the country. In 2024, Senator Warnock introduced a resolution designating January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day in order to raise public awareness about maternal health and promote initiatives to address and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Representatives Will Remain Available in Kahului and Lahaina

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the availability of SBA  Recovery Centers on Maui to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by wildfires occurring Aug. 9-Sept. 30, 2023.

    FEMA has announced an end to in-person staffing at the two public-facing recovery centers on June 18. SBA customer service representatives will remain on hand at the Recovery Centers in Kahului and Lahaina to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The following locations are open and continue to serve survivors:

    MAUI COUNTY
    Council for Native Hawaiian
     Advancement (CNHA)
    70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Unit D-1
    Kahului, HI  96732

    Mondays – Fridays, 
    9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    MAUI COUNTY
    Maui Office of Recovery West
    Lahaina Gateway, Unit 102-B
    (Near Ace Hardware)
    325 Keawe St.
    Lahaina, HI  96761

    Mondays –Fridays, 
    8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    “SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Business owners can visit these centers to meet face‑to‑face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery.”

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they opened in the impacted area.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 2.37% for nonprofits, and 2.50% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video, Transcript, and Photos: Representatives Goldman, Nadler Conduct Congressional Oversight of Immigration Proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Rep. Dan Goldman: “And the question is, why can’t we go in? What are they hiding? If they’re going to treat Comptroller Lander, if they’re going to treat Senator Padilla, if they’re going to treat Congresswoman McIver the way that these agents have been treating them, as if it’s the police state out in the open in public, how are they treating immigrants behind closed doors who have to sleep on floors for multiple nights?” 

     

    Rep. Dan Goldman: “This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that they denied our access, and we will be continuing to push for access with the executives at the Department of Homeland Security because they are violating the law. And we will not stop until we get to go in and observe what is going on in these detention centers with these non-criminal, nonviolent immigrants going through the process the correct way.” 

     

    Watch Video of Rep. Goldman Being Denied Access to Detention Area Here 

     

    Videos and Photos from the Press Conference Here 

    New York, NY — Congressmen Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jerry Nadler (NY-12) hosted a press conference today after observing court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza and being denied access to the federal building’s 10th floor, where immigrants are being detained for days and sleeping on the floor and benches in inhumane conditions. The Congressmembers confronted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Field Director Bill Joyce and Field Office Director Judith Almodovar, who confirmed reports that immigrants were sleeping on the floor. The members raised concerns about the detentions and ICE’s ongoing refusal to allow lawful congressional oversight of detention facilities. 

    The press conference came on the heels of continued ICE raids at federal immigration courts across the country, targeting law-abiding immigrants attending routine court appearances. Most recently, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was detained at 26 Federal Plaza while overseeing similar proceedings. 

    On May 29, Rep. Goldman observed similar court proceedings at 290 Broadway in Manhattan, where he confronted ICE and Department of Homeland Security agents about their continued use of face coverings while detaining law-abiding immigrants following routine asylum hearings. 

    A transcript of the Congressman’s comments is available below: 

    Rep. Dan Goldman: “Thank you. Thank you all for coming.  

    I’m here with Congressman Nadler in front of 26 Federal Plaza. We just went in to conduct our constitutional oversight authority of ICE and ICE detention facilities. We were denied access, even though we are allowed to show up unannounced by statute, and we must be allowed in. 

    We gave advance notice that we would be coming this morning, and they still denied our access. They said that this building is not being used as a, this is not a “detention facility,” even though the statute very clearly says that we are allowed into any facility that is being used to detain or otherwise house aliens. 

    The Deputy Field Director said that there are people who have been staying there for two nights or more after they have been processed, sleeping on benches and on the floor. We are very concerned about what conditions these immigrants are being held in while this mass deportation scheme is underway.  

    We observed the courtroom before that, where the government is trying to dismiss these immigration cases. 

    These are nonviolent, non-criminal immigrants going through the proper process, and the government is trying to dismiss the cases.  

    We observed two cases where the respondent, the immigrant, rejected the government’s motion to dismiss it and moved ahead with their asylum claim. So they were not arrested by the numerous federal agents in masks who were waiting outside of the courtroom. 

    And those federal agents are not just ICE agents. There are numerous FBI agents. These are people whose responsibility and job duties are to investigate serious crimes. And they’re being pulled away from investigating serious crimes so that they can arrest nonviolent, non-criminal immigrants going through the lawful legal process so that they can be deceptively removed in an expedited fashion. 

    And the question is, why can’t we go in? What are they hiding? If they’re going to treat Comptroller Lander, if they’re going to treat Senator Padilla, if they’re going to treat Congresswoman McIver the way that these agents have been treating them, as if it’s the police state out in the open in the public, how are they treating immigrants behind closed doors who have to sleep on floors for multiple nights? 

    This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that they denied our access, and we will be continuing to push for access with the executives at the Department of Homeland Security because they are violating the law. And we will not stop until we get to go in and observe what is going on in these detention centers with these non-criminal, nonviolent immigrants going through the process the correct way.  

    And the question for everybody to ask is, not only what are they hiding with the masks, but what are they hiding about this facility that they are using to house immigrants for multiple days?”

    Earlier this month, Rep. Goldman and and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) led 84 House Democrats in an oversight letter of inquiry to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem seeking answers regarding the rise in ICE employing its masked, plainclothes officers to detain non-violent, law-abiding immigrants immediately following and in coordination with the dismissal of their existing deportation cases by DHS attorneys.   

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 791 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran: FM spokesperson

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

    Up till now, with the active assistance and support of nearby countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy and consulate in Iran have organized and coordinated the evacuation of 791 Chinese citizens from Iran to safety, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

    At a daily press briefing, Guo elaborated on the Chinese government’s organization for the safe evacuation of Chinese citizens in Iran and Israel.

    Another 1,000-plus people are still being relocated and evacuated. Chinese embassies and consulates in neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, have sent working groups to border entry and exit points to assist fellow nationals in passing through the border and traveling back home. Some Chinese nationals have already been safely evacuated from Israel, Guo said.

    “We appreciate relevant countries’ support and assistance. Our Ministry and diplomatic and consular missions will continue to do everything possible to help our fellow nationals move to safety and evacuate,” he added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Han, Zhang star as China top Japan in Asia Cup warm-ups

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

    Chinese centers Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu finished double-doubles respectively, helping China win over Japan 101-92 at the Asia Cup warm-up series on Wednesday.

    Han scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Zhang had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and guard Yang Shuyu got 17 points. Japan’s Mai Kawai led her team with 13 points.

    In 2024, China suffered two defeats consecutively in the warm-ups against Japan in Xi’an. Before today’s clash, Chinese player Li Yuan told Xinhua that although Japan missed some of its best players, “we would prepare carefully for the game.”

    China took a 26-25 lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Zhang Ziyu bagged 10 points, bringing the home team a 49-44 lead before the half break.

    In the middle of the third quarter, China enjoyed a 10-4 run, extending the lead to 14 points. Japan netted five three-pointers, cutting the deficit to 10 before the final period.

    Although Japan narrowed the gap to seven points in the fourth quarter, China regained control with a 9-2 run.

    “Japan is actually a team with very prominent characteristics. They move fast and they are good at shooting beyond the arc,” said China head coach Gong Luming.

    “We showed our advantages in height and strength. What’s more, all the players had good performances in offense.”

    “However, we didn’t deal with Japanese three-pointer shooters well. We will do some adjustments in the next game,” added Gong.

    The two teams will meet again this Friday in Hefei, the capital of eastern China’s Anhui Province.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy backs McCormick, Fetterman resolution to condemn antisemitic violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and 33 bipartisan colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning the trend of political violence against Jewish people.

    “Attacking innocent people for their faith is an abhorrent betrayal of America’s fundamental principles. I’m sickened by the recent attacks on our Jewish community and stand firmly with my Senate colleagues in denouncing this vile, hateful ideology,” said Kennedy.

    The resolution recognizes and condemns the rise in attacks against Jewish individuals in the U.S., including the June 1, 2025, attack in Boulder, Colorado; the May 21, 2025, killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.; and the April 13, 2025, arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home.

    “Antisemitism has no place is America. Since October 7, 2023, the Jewish community has faced unprecedented and persistent antisemitic hate and violence. This hatred cannot stand. Living in Squirrel Hill, right around the corner from the site of the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018, really brings this issue home for me. Protecting my friends and neighbors, and all Jewish people across the country, must be a national priority. I’m proud to team up with Senator Fetterman, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to unequivocally condemn the alarming surge in antisemitic hate across the country,” said McCormick.

    “Amid a despicable rise in antisemitism, including the hateful arson at Governor Shapiro’s home in Pennsylvania, the shocking violence in Boulder, and the deadly attack on the Israeli embassy staff in D.C., we are starkly reminded that silence is complicity. These appalling attacks on our Jewish communities are not isolated events. After eleven lives were stolen at the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, I’ve felt an even stronger moral obligation to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and stand united against hate,” said Fetterman.

    Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) also cosponsored the resolution. 

    The full resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy backs McCormick, Fetterman resolution to condemn antisemitic violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and 33 bipartisan colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning the trend of political violence against Jewish people.

    “Attacking innocent people for their faith is an abhorrent betrayal of America’s fundamental principles. I’m sickened by the recent attacks on our Jewish community and stand firmly with my Senate colleagues in denouncing this vile, hateful ideology,” said Kennedy.

    The resolution recognizes and condemns the rise in attacks against Jewish individuals in the U.S., including the June 1, 2025, attack in Boulder, Colorado; the May 21, 2025, killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.; and the April 13, 2025, arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home.

    “Antisemitism has no place is America. Since October 7, 2023, the Jewish community has faced unprecedented and persistent antisemitic hate and violence. This hatred cannot stand. Living in Squirrel Hill, right around the corner from the site of the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018, really brings this issue home for me. Protecting my friends and neighbors, and all Jewish people across the country, must be a national priority. I’m proud to team up with Senator Fetterman, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to unequivocally condemn the alarming surge in antisemitic hate across the country,” said McCormick.

    “Amid a despicable rise in antisemitism, including the hateful arson at Governor Shapiro’s home in Pennsylvania, the shocking violence in Boulder, and the deadly attack on the Israeli embassy staff in D.C., we are starkly reminded that silence is complicity. These appalling attacks on our Jewish communities are not isolated events. After eleven lives were stolen at the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, I’ve felt an even stronger moral obligation to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and stand united against hate,” said Fetterman.

    Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) also cosponsored the resolution. 

    The full resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BENIN: IMF Executive Board Completes Sixth Reviews of Extended Fund and Extended Credit Facilities, and Third Review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 18, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board today completed the Sixth Reviews of Benin’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Third Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$ 90 million.
    • Benin’s successful fiscal reforms supported the convergence to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) fiscal deficit norm of 3 percent of GDP one year ahead of schedule, with sustained domestic revenue mobilization and prioritized social spending. The 2025 budget is designed to sustain this achievement.
    • A key challenge ahead for Benin is to preserve the reform momentum and strengthen policies that foster inclusive growth and an economic transformation that benefits all Beninese.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the Sixth Reviews under the 42-month blended Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangements, and the Third Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement. The EFF/ECF was approved by the IMF Executive Board in July 2022 (see PR 22/252) and complemented by the RSF in December 2023 (see PR 23/452).

    The completion of the reviews allows for the immediate disbursement of about US$ 36 million (SDR 26.2 million) under the EFF/ECF—bringing total disbursements under the program to about US$ 623 million (SDR 457.6 million)—and of about US$ 54 million (SDR 39.616 million) under the RSF arrangement.

    Economic activity in Benin accelerated over the past five years, and markedly in 2024. Growth reached 7.5 percent year-over-year—its highest level yet— and it is expected to remain strong in the medium term. The current account of the balance of payments deteriorated temporarily, due to large professional services imports related to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ). It is expected to recover gradually, as exports from the special economic zones increase and the services deficit continues to moderate over time. 

    Program performance under the EFF/ECF has been strong, with all end-December 2024 quantitative targets met and structural benchmarks completed. On the RSF front, the authorities adopted new regulations for water resources monitoring, construction, and renewable energy. They also revised electricity tariff regulations to improve the financial sustainability of electricity production and distribution companies. Benin’s partners have pledged financial support for the country’s climate agenda following COP29 and the 2024 climate finance roundtable. Accordingly, the authorities are working on a climate-related taxonomy that is aimed at further catalyzing climate finance.

    Following the Executive Board discussion on Benin, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director, and acting chair, issued the following statement:

    “Benin’s performance under its Fund-supported arrangements has been strong. Its strong institutional foundation and the authorities’ economic reform drive and sound macroeconomic management have yielded tangible dividends, with high and more stable growth, favorable access to international markets, and continued support from development partners. The authorities should nonetheless remain vigilant to regional and global risks, maintain fiscal discipline and reform momentum, and strengthen inclusive policies.

    “Frontloaded fiscal consolidation in 2024 supported Benin’s convergence to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) fiscal deficit norm of 3 percent of GDP, one year in advance. The 2025 budget continues to target compliance with the deficit norm, while the fiscal adjustment remains anchored in the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy. In that context, maintaining the tax collection efforts coupled with prudent spending will preserve fiscal discipline. Rebalancing the debt portfolio toward domestic debt over time while remaining cognizant of refinancing risks, in line with the authorities’ Medium-Term Debt Strategy, and together with continued proactive debt management, will help mitigate external rollover risks.

    “The authorities should continue laying the foundation for inclusive private sector-led growth to entrench the ongoing economic transformation. Fiscal transparency and good governance are key to maintaining market confidence. Further efforts are needed to support the development of SMEs. Regularly updating the social registry and developing a comprehensive mapping of social protection programs will improve the efficiency and targeting of social assistance initiatives toward vulnerable households across the country.

    “Continued vigilance by supervisory authorities vis-à-vis public and non-public financial sector risks will help safeguard financial stability and limit contingent liability risks.

    “The authorities have revised regulations for water resources monitoring, construction, electricity tariffs, and renewable energy in line with their climate agenda. The authorities should accelerate the reforms aimed at enhancing resilience to climate change and continue to advance their agenda under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), to promote long-term balance of payments stability and catalyze private-led climate finance.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/18/pr-25207-benin-imf-executive-board-completes-6th-reviews-of-eff-and-ecf-and-3rd-review-of-the-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Amnesty International – Urgent need to protect civilians amid unprecedented escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran

    Source: Amnesty International
    As more and more civilians bear the cruel toll of the terrifying military escalation in Iran and Israel since 13 June 2025, and amid threats of further escalation in the conflict, Amnesty International is urging the Israeli and Iranian authorities to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
    On 16 June, an Iranian government spokesperson reported that Israeli attacks had killed at least 224 people, including 74 women and children, without specifying how many of them were civilians. The health ministry also stated 1,800 people have been injured.
    In Israel, the Israeli Military Home Front reported that Iranian attacks had killed at least 24 people, including women and children, stating that they were all civilians, with nearly 600 injured.
    “As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
    “Further escalation of these hostilities risks unleashing devastating and far-reaching consequences for civilians across the region and beyond.
    “Statements by the US and the G7 so far have failed to recognise the catastrophic impact this escalation will have on civilians in both countries.
    “Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, states must ensure the protection of civilians. Preventing further suffering must be the priority – not the pursuit of military or geopolitical goals.
    “Both Israeli and Iranian authorities have time and again demonstrated their utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law, committing grave international crimes with impunity.
    “The world must not allow Israel to use this military escalation to divert attention away from its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, its illegal occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its system of apartheid against Palestinians.
    “Likewise, the international community must not ignore the suffering that decades of crimes under international law by the Iranian authorities have inflicted upon people inside Iran, that is now being compounded by relentless bombardment.”
    Under international humanitarian law, all parties must take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and minimize their suffering and casualties. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks which do not distinguish between military targets and civilians or civilian infrastructure.
    For this reason, weapons that are extremely inaccurate and have large warheads that produce large area effects, such as ballistic missiles, should never be used in areas with large populations of civilians. Attacks on military objectives that are likely to result in disproportionate civilian casualties or destruction of civilian objects are also prohibited.
    In the deadliest incident in Israel, eight people including three children, were killed in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on 15 June.
    In Iran, at least 12 people including children and a pregnant woman were killed in one attack in Tajrish square in Tehran on 15 June.
    In the shadow of this latest escalation, Israeli authorities continue to forcibly displace and starve Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing genocide. They have imposed a full closure on the West Bank, where state-backed settler violence continues to rise, further entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid system.
    Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have responded to Israel’s latest military attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists and dissidents within the country. They have also restricted prisoners’ communication with the outside world, including those in prisons near sites of the bombings. On 16 June, the Iranian authorities executed a man for alleged espionage for Israel, raising concerns about the fate of others on death row for similar charges. The Iranian authorities must release all human rights defenders and others arbitrarily detained and should relocate other prisoners away from locations at risk of being attacked by Israel.
    Sinister and fear-inducing ‘ warnings’
    Over the past three days, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Persian-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Kamal Pinchasi have issued alarming threats and overly broad, ineffective evacuation warnings to millions of civilians in Tehran a major city with a population of around 10 million people, located in Tehran province which is home to around 19 million people. In some cases, warnings were issued in the middle of the night when residents were asleep or did not clarify if they referred to the city or the province of Tehran.
    On 16 June, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense threatened on X that “the residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price” for the actions of the Iranian authorities. Hours later, the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson warned civilians to evacuate Tehran’s District Three – an area of approximately 30 square km and home to over 350,000 people- via a video showing unclear danger zones. The video included a map indicating danger zones for civilians but did not clearly specify targeted locations or areas of blast and fragmentation hazard, leaving residents uncertain about which areas to avoid. Iranian civil society activists later republished the map with cleared boundaries and locations named.
    Prior to the “evacuation” warnings on 16 June, the Israeli army had issued another overly broad warning in Persian, instructing people across the country to “immediately leave areas … [housing] military weapons manufacturing facilities and their support institutions”. The statement sowed panic and confusion among people, as the locations of military facilities are not known to the general public, and no clear guidance was provided on where civilians should or should not go to ensure their safety.
    Evacuation warnings, even if detailed and effective, do not release Israel from its other obligations under international humanitarian law. They must not treat as open-fire zones areas for which they have issued warnings. Millions of people in Tehran cannot leave, either because they have no alternative residences outside the city or due to limited mobility, disability, blocked roads, fuel shortages or other constraints. Israel has an obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to these civilians.
    Early morning Tehran time on 17 June, US President Donald Trump caused further panic with a Truth Social post stating: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House amplified the message on X, amid media reports that the United States may join Israel in striking Iran.
    In reaction to the Israeli warnings, Iranian state media reported on 15 June that the Iranian armed forces had issued warnings urging residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate. In a video aired on state media, Reza Sayed, spokesperson of the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces stated: “Leave the occupied territories [referring to Israel and the OPT], as they will undoubtedly become uninhabitable for you in the future … Do not allow the criminal regime to use you as human shields. Avoid residing or moving near the aforementioned locations and know that even underground shelters will not provide you with safety.”
    In Israel, these Iranian warnings have not triggered the same level of chaos and mass evacuation, largely due to the presence of the Iron Dome defense system and available shelters. However, there have been cases where civilians, particularly Palestinian citizens of Israel and Bedouin communities, who do not have access to underground shelters, such as the Khatib family in the Palestinian town of Tamra, were killed as a result of an Iranian missile strike. Israeli civil society groups are calling on the government to urgently address the chronic lack of protected space for non-Jewish Israeli citizens
    Parties to armed conflicts are prohibited from issuing threats of violence which are designed to spread terror among the civilian population. They cannot hide behind overly general warnings to claim that they have met their obligations under international law. To constitute effective warnings under international humanitarian law, parties must provide civilians with clear and practical instructions on moving away from military objectives that will be targeted rather than unlawfully calling for the mass exodus of millions – an approach that appears designed more to incite panic and terror among civilians than to ensure their protection.
    Internet shutdowns and media censorship
    In Iran, the authorities have disrupted access to the Internet and instant messaging applications, preventing millions of people caught up in the conflict from accessing essential information and communicating with loved ones both inside and outside the country and thereby exacerbating their suffering.
    “Access to the Internet is essential to protect human rights, especially in times of armed conflict where communications blackouts would prevent people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources, and staying informed. The Iranian authorities must immediately ensure full restoration of internet and communication services in all of Iran,” said Agnès Callamard.
    The Israeli authorities are also using vague security pretexts to target people over social media posts or sharing videos deemed to breach strict censorship rules.
    “Israeli authorities must refrain from using military escalations, as they have done in the past, as a further pretext to crack down on freedom of expression, disproportionately targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, including through arbitrary detention over unsubstantiated allegations of incitement,” said Agnès Callamard.
    Background
    On 13 June 2025, Israeli authorities launched air and drone strikes against Iranian territory. Shortly afterwards, Israeli officials announced that they launched the operation to target Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and decapitate Iran’s military leadership. The Israeli strikes began as Iran and the US were in the process of negotiating a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
    Iranian authorities have retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israeli territory.
    Israeli attacks have struck cities in multiple provinces across Iran, including the provinces of Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Esfahan, Fars, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Lorestan, Ilam, Markazi, Qom, Tehran, West Azerbaijan and Khorasan Razavi.
    Iranian attacks have struck several urban areas in Israel, such as Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Tamra, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, Haifa, Herzliya.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nirmala Naidoo to the annual conference of the National Campus and Community Radio Association

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Nanaimo, British Columbia
    June 18, 2025

    Nirmala Naidoo, Commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories
    Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

    Check against delivery

    Thank you for the invitation to speak today and for that warm welcome. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations. I thank them and pay respect to their Elders.

    Let me begin by saying: it’s great to be among my fellow broadcasters. In my short time with you today so far, I can see the excitement and exuberance for community broadcasting and news that so many of you have. It’s wonderful to be around that energy once again.

    My background is in the other side of broadcasting, of course, in television. But as a former journalist and anchor, and current CRTC Commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, I share your passion. Across my career I have seen firsthand how broadcasting connects people and how trusted sources of news can help inform public debate.

    And community and campus radio, as you all know, is all about connecting people. From its beginnings at Queen’s University amongst some student hobbyists in the 1920s, community and campus radio has blossomed into a vibrant community. There are stations across our country, from CHLY-FM here in Nanaimo to CJBI-FM broadcasting from Bell Island in Newfoundland and Labrador, and everywhere in between. Each of them plays a vital role in connecting Canadians in their communities to new opportunities, new artists, and the local news and information that matters to them.

    Campus and community stations continue to be a great entry point into radio for so many Canadians. I will give you a personal example from my own time at the University of Alberta to illustrate what I mean. For myself and so many of my fellow students, our campus radio station at the University of Alberta, CJSR, was our gateway into the world of local broadcasting. At CJSR we created content tailored specifically to our audience – our fellow students and the surrounding community.

    It was staffed and supported by the community it served. It was a place of hands-on learning, where students gained the real-world experience that would later become a career for some. It might have been only a few steps from our classrooms, but our time there prepared us better than any textbook could have.

    For some, campus and community radio provided the first step to a career in broadcast journalism or radio production. For others, community and campus radio provided a launching pad to stardom: Bob Cole, the longtime Hockey Night in Canada announcer started his career as a volunteer at CHFM in St. John’s; Tom Green hosted an overnight program in Ottawa on CHUO-FM; and back at the University of Alberta, I was lucky enough to witness k.d. lang’s rise from precocious talent to international star. Though lang would have certainly risen to the top regardless, I like to think CJSR played a small role in her emergence as we continually wore out recordings of her local band k.d. and the Reclines long before the artist’s Grammy wins and appearances on David Letterman.

    Connecting Canadians through broadcasting

    These are the types of Canadian success stories we love to see. And currently at the CRTC, we are focused on modernizing our broadcasting framework so we can ensure those same opportunities are still there for Canada’s next generation of radio producers, broadcast journalists, and yes, hockey announcers, comedians, and country western virtuosos.

    But before I get to the details of some of our ongoing proceedings, I’d like to give you one more example from my experiences, this one from earlier this year. I want to show you how the goals of NCRA members and those of the CRTC are often aligned and, importantly, how you can help us reach our goals together.

    Earlier this year I had the privilege of being on a panel that was considering two applications for a new radio licence to serve the community of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. The CRTC is still considering the applications and the public record, and we expect to issue our decision in the coming weeks.

    But I bring up that hearing not to discuss the decision, but to relate the incredible levels of engagement we saw in Yellowknife concerning local radio. Over two days in Yellowknife we convened in front of a packed and engaged audience, many of whom lined up first thing in the morning to ensure a seat. And in February, that meant braving temperatures of minus forty – you would have thought k.d. lang herself was going to be there.

    We heard from local and Indigenous residents, musicians, journalists, business owners and more. We heard, and could clearly see, how important local radio was to this community. How they depended on local news from trusted local sources. How evacuees and first responders relied on local radio for vital information during last year’s devastating wildfires. And we heard how important it was for those stations to be staffed and run by people in their communities who know their markets.

    I imagine for many of you that is starting to sound familiar, and well it should. Local radio is grounded in the communities they serve, whether they are broadcasting in remote areas or for localized communities living in our largest cities. And at the CRTC, we are working to ensure the conditions are favourable for radio stations to be part of the future of Canadian broadcasting.

    But to do that, we need your help. The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest and makes decisions based on the public record. And that last point is key. All of our decisions are based on the interventions, submissions, and contributions of anyone who wants to provide input on our proceedings – from the largest broadcasters to members of the public.

    So when it comes to shaping the future of Canadian broadcasting, everyone has a role to play. You know your communities better than anyone else – we need your input to help us understand the needs of your stations and the communities you serve.

    Public participation is critical to CRTC proceedings. It’s how we ensure that the decisions we make are in the public interest, and how we ensure Canadians have access to the media, entertainment, and news that they enjoy and need.

    There are so many ways you can engage with the CRTC: by submitting a formal intervention, chatting with me here today, or simply giving us a call with your questions. Some of my colleagues are here with me today. They would be happy to answer your questions, and we have brought some cards in case you need to contact us in the future.

    When you take part in our proceedings, you are giving your stations and the communities you serve a voice in the regulatory process. So I encourage you to do so, either as part of the NCRA, your individual station, or simply as someone who listens and watches to content on radio, television or online.

    I would like to take the rest of my time today to turn to the broadcasting modernization process, our environment, and a few of our ongoing proceedings.

    Modernizing the broadcasting industry and ongoing radio policy proceedings

    We started the modernization process soon after Parliament adopted the Online Streaming Act, which amended the Broadcasting Act. While we have been moving quickly, this is the first major overhaul of Canada’s broadcasting frameworks since 1993 – it’s a big job.

    And as we have been working, we have been watching alongside all of you as the world in which we operate has become more unstable and uncertain. We know that the broadcasting industry is not immune to those currents of change.

    So it has made our job doubly difficult: we must do what we can to address the current challenges facing the broadcasting industry while also ensuring the frameworks we create will sustain a successful broadcasting system years into the future.

    We are taking into account both of these goals in all of our proceedings. There are two ongoing in particular concerning audio broadcasting that I would like to touch on.

    The first is our proceeding focused on reducing the regulatory burden on radio stations operating in Canada. By streamlining requirements, our goal is to help radio stations remain dynamic and competitive while still ensuring their programming serves the public interest.

    I know the NCRA submitted an intervention in this proceeding, and we thank you for it. We will continue to review all the information submitted on the public record, and will make a decision on this key issue as quickly as possible.

    Secondly, there is a review of the definition of Canadian content for audio services. In line with our efforts on the audio-visual side, we need to modernize our approach to radio and audio regulatory policy. So earlier this year, we sought comments on the definition for audio services, and received comments from a wide range of groups, communities, and industry members. Everything submitted to us will help us update the definition of Canadian content for audio services.

    This included French-speaking, Indigenous and official language-minority communities – many of which I know your members serve. If we are going to ensure our broadcasting system supports our homegrown musicians, we need to ensure the definition of Canadian content captures the full breadth of our country.

    The updated definition will be used to support the creation, distribution, and discoverability of Canadian and Indigenous audio content across radio and online audio streaming platforms.

    Ultimately, we want to ensure our system gives Canadians access to the audio and music content they want, and our aim is to help ensure that content can be easily discovered and enjoyed.

    And the timing for this update is fortuitous – we can see that perhaps at no other time in Canadian history has there been such an appetite for Canadian talent and a desire across the country to see Canadians succeed. We want to help ensure our broadcasting frameworks are creating the conditions for Canadian musicians, artists, and performers to excel. 

    Supporting local news

    At the same time, we are focused on ensuring local news is part of the Canadian broadcasting system and widely available. Given the instability I mentioned before and the growing prevalence of natural disasters like the wildfires currently affecting the Prairies, ensuring local news and information is widely available is more critical than it has ever been.

    Just as we heard in Yellowknife, we know this includes community radio stations. That’s why we decided the Community Radio Fund of Canada would receive additional funding as part of last year’s decision on base contributions that online services must make to support the Canadian broadcasting system. Community, campus and Indigenous stations can benefit through the Local Journalism Initiative administered by the Fund.

    And we are also currently looking at how to help support local news produced by commercial radio stations. Late last year we held a consultation on this, and we are exploring how we can best support local stations in rural and remote communities. We are currently considering an application submitted by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to run this fund, as well as all submissions made to us as part of this proceeding. We hope to have a decision ready in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, as part of our implementation of the Online News Act, we have established a framework which aims to ensure the largest online platforms fairly compensate Canadian news organizations when their content appears on those services. Google has secured an exemption from the mandatory bargaining under the Act and has committed $100 million annually for five years to support Canadian news organizations. Google’s initial contribution is being disbursed by the Canadian Journalism Collective, and news organizations across Canada are now receiving funding as a result of the Act. 

    Finally, I want to mention a decision we made just last week to modify the Independent Local News Fund, or ILNF. The decision was made after a consultation last fall reviewing the ILNF and its support for local news. We wanted to make sure that local, independent television stations across the country were supported as they produced news. We also wanted to address how any additional funding coming into the audio-visual broadcasting system should be allocated.

    The decision is an important step in supporting local news and information, and confirms that high-quality and diverse local news are an integral part of the Canadian broadcasting system. It also ensures that Canadians have access to local news and information in whatever medium they prefer: all recipients of ILNF funding are now required to make their local news and information available online.

    Although this recent decision supports television broadcasters, I mention it to point out how seriously we are taking the importance of local news and content. It remains a central part of Canadian broadcasting, and impartial news and information is something to be protected and preserved for years into the future.

    Conclusion

    The decisions and proceedings I have detailed today are key pieces of our ongoing work, but they are just a part of our overall modernizing of Canada’s broadcasting frameworks.

    And the message I want to leave you with today is that taken together, all of our proceedings, whether we are talking about removing regulatory burden or revising Canadian content definitions, are about connecting people.

    These are goals the CRTC and NCRA members share.

    We want to connect Canadians to the music and content they enjoy.

    We want to connect artists to new opportunities and new audiences.

    And we want to connect all Canadians to the local news and information they need, when they need it.

    These goals shape our decisions in the same way they guide the work you do each and every day at your local station.

    So, as I mentioned before, work with us. Contribute to our proceedings. Help give your communities and your stations a voice.

    Let’s work together to set up the next generation of Canadian broadcasting to succeed, to excel, and to thrive.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Marshall Introduce Bill to Lower Costs and Improve Reliability of Freight Rail Service for American Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the Reliable Rail Service Act to help address the unreliable service and high costs of rail shipping for Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers. The legislation would strengthen our rail supply chain and ensure the largest freight railroads provide American businesses reliable services at reasonable rates so products can get to market more efficiently, and costs are lower for families. The Reliable Rail Service Act is supported by members of the agricultural industry, labor organizations, energy producers, and manufacturers who know firsthand how poor service, significant disruptions, and sky-high prices are impacting their businesses and prices for consumers.
    “Across the Badger State, our farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers rely on rail service to get their products to market and make ends meet,” said Senator Baldwin. “But when rail service is unreliable, it puts their livelihoods on the line, disrupts supply chains, and drives up costs for hardworking Wisconsin families. That’s why I am proud to work with my Republican colleague to once again introduce our Reliable Rail Service Act and help level the playing field for Wisconsin workers, grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, and keep costs down for consumers.”
    “Kansas’s farmers and ranchers depend upon reliable transport of their world-class goods to the rest of the country, and Class 1 railroads are not meeting expectations – this is a disservice to hard-working Kansans,” said Senator Marshall. “This bill lays out reasonable requirements for rail carriers to meet these important obligations, and I look forward to working with Senator Baldwin on getting this to the finish line.”
    Rail shippers including farmers, energy producers, and manufacturers continue to face poor service, significant service disruptions, and sky-high prices that are impacting communities and consumers, all while profits for the nation’s largest railroads are at record highs.
    The Reliable Rail Service Act takes a commonsense approach to addressing high costs and unreliable service by clarifying the “common carrier obligation,” which under current law requires rail carriers to serve the wider shipping public “on reasonable request.” Current ambiguity around this principle has contributed to insufficient rail services and exorbitant costs for American products to get to market. Clearly defining the “common carrier obligation” has taken on greater importance as the railroad industry faces consolidation and has undertaken Wall Street practices that reduce capacity on the rail network.
    The bill establishes specific criteria for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider when evaluating whether carriers are meeting their common carrier obligation to give shippers much-needed certainty that is currently lacking.
    “For years, dairy processors have struggled to use America’s rail system because of lack of reliability and reduced service schedules. The Reliable Rail Service Act is commonsense legislation that will provide greater clarity to the railroad’s common carrier obligations and ensure that they provide more dependable service at sensible rates,” said Dr. Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. “IDFA applauds Sen. Baldwin and Sen. Marshall for introducing this legislation to improve transparency in the rail industry and restore the balance between carriers and shippers so the U.S. dairy industry can move products more reliably by rail.”
    “Senators Baldwin and Marshall have proposed smart, and a much-needed reforms to help fix persistent freight rail service failures that are plaguing chemical manufacturers,” said Chris Jahn, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Chemistry Council. “If members of Congress are serious about bringing jobs back, leading global trade, and making more in America—not China—they should back this bill. We urge Democrats and Republicans to support this important legislation because it will help ensure that railroads deliver on their obligation to provide reliable service to U.S. manufacturers.”
    “IWLA strongly supports the Reliable Rail Service Act and thanks Senator Baldwin for reintroducing this important bill,” said Jay D. Strother, International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) President & CEO. “Clarifying the common carrier obligation is critical to ensuring that railroads provide consistent, fair, and timely service. This legislation gives the Surface Transportation Board the tools it needs to hold carriers accountable, enforce meaningful service standards, and support the 3PL warehouses that keep America’s supply chain moving.”
    “We applaud Senators Baldwin and Marshall for reintroducing the Reliable Rail Service Act to improve our nation’s freight rail network,” said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “Unfortunately, America’s freight rail companies too often fail to provide the equal, timely, and affordable service required of them by federal law. Let’s hold railroads accountable and better serve the small businesses, farmers, and other customers who rely on freight rail to transport their goods.”
    “Clarification of the common carrier obligation has been needed for decades and this bipartisan bill provides STB with clear oversight rules to help address our nation’s freight railroad supply chain challenges and improve rail service for agricultural shippers,” said Mike Seyfert, President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association. “NGFA members appreciate Senator Baldwin and Senator Marshall’s leadership in responding to rail service issues and for cosponsoring this legislation, which will help regulators respond to service disruptions that cause hardship for livestock producers, grain exporters, and grain processing facilities.”
    “The Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates the work of Sen. Baldwin to address the definition of common carrier service obligation and increase the authority of the Surface Transportation Board to address agricultural rail needs,” said Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. “Wisconsin farmers are dependent on the movement of agricultural goods by rail and we hope this increased authority will lead to greater efficiency within the rail industry.”
    The Reliable Rail Service Act is endorsed by the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Petroleum Institute, American Chemistry Council, American Forest & Paper Association, American Soybean Association, Consumer Brands Association, Essential Minerals Association, Freight Rail Customer Alliance, Glass Packaging Institute, Growth Energy, International Dairy Foods Association, International Warehouse Logistics Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Industrial Transportation League, National Milk Producers Federation, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, North American Millers’ Association, Private Rail Car Food and Beverage Association, The National Grange, Western Coal Traffic League, American Cement Association, Recycled Materials Association, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), National Farmers Union, Great Lakes Timber Professionals, American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED)-IBT, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters Rail Conference, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, SEIU (NCFO), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical Division (SMART-MD), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD), Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and Transportation Trades Department (TTD).
    A one-pager on the legislation is available here. Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Urges U.S. Senate to Reject the ‘Big Ugly Betrayal’ of Working Families That Cuts Medicaid Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Finance Committee released their portion of the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill,’ which U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has dubbed a ‘Big Ugly Betrayal’ of working families. 

    The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities outlines how the Senate Republican version of the reconciliation bill, which requires just 50 votes to pass the U.S. Senate, would decimate family and state budgets.  It includes steeper cuts to Medicaid than the House bill, which would terminate health care coverage for 16 million people, raise health care costs across the board, and cut more than $1 trillion from America’s health care system in order to give tax breaks to billionaires.

    Today, Senator Reed issued the following statement:

    “Somehow, Senate Republicans took the House’s terrible bill and made it worse.  They are going to decimate our health care system in order to give bigger tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

    “This deficit-shattering bill would take Medicaid from even more Americans who need it and inflict a heavier financial burden on patients, hospitals, and blue states.  Instead of shuttering hospitals, raising premiums, and making it harder for families to find a quality, affordable nursing home for their loved ones, Congress should be supporting access to essential health care for those who need it most.

    “While Medicaid and SNAP nutrition assistance are targeted for massive cuts, Big Oil gets a big handout.  Big Oil lobbyists were able to get their preferred industry-backed language in the bill that would solely benefit fossil-fuel companies at the expense of tax payers and clean energy.  This would be a job killer and a giveaway to polluters.

    “Gun lobbyists got a big gift in this bill too: Shockingly, it removes registration requirements not just for silencers but short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other weapons too.

    “Notably, the Senate Republican bill would shift considerable new costs to states and localities, posing a serious risk to critical public services such as schools, health care, and transportation projects.

    “President Trump and Congressional Republicans are prioritizing tax cuts for the rich and powerful at the expense of average Americans.  Billionaires and corporations get tax giveaways while more Americans are being squeezed and living paycheck to paycheck.  Yet the bulk of the benefits here go to the wealthiest while the safety net and basic services for average Americans gets shredded.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 18th, 2025 Heinrich Raises Alarm About New Mexico Public Lands at Risk in Republicans’ Reconciliation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member on the U.S. Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a list of public lands in New Mexico that are at risk of being sold off if Republicans’ reconciliation package becomes law. Senate Republicans’ reconciliation package mandates the unprecedented sale of two to three million acres of public land, including in both Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands.

    “Our public lands hold our shared identity: they are where we gather, fish, hunt, and hike. These lands house our collective history, support jobs, and sustain our rural economies. From the hiking trails near the Sandia Crest to the biking trails of the Monumental Loop to the lands surrounding the Santuario de Chimayo, these places are the anvil on which our identities are forged. We can’t let Republicans take them from us.

    “Republicans can’t fool us: their scheme to sell public lands has nothing to do with affordable housing or lowering costs for families. It’s a direct attack on every New Mexican, whether you have an elk tag, a fishing license, a backpack, a tent, a mountain bike, or a soft spot, special memory, or sacred connection to a particular place important to you, your family, and your ancestors.

    “Now is the time to raise your voices and join our fight to keep public lands in public hands – before we lose these lands forever.”

    The following list includes many, but not all, of the places in New Mexico at risk of being sold off if Senate Republicans’ reconciliation bill becomes law:

    BERNALILLO COUNTY

    • Manzanita Mountains Recreation Zone
      • Oak Flat
      • Pine Flat
      • Tunnel Canyon
      • Cedro Trailheads
    • Sandia Mountains
      • Forest Service Lands East of Sandia Crest
      • 10K Trail

    CHAVES COUNTY

    • BLM Land Surrounding Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

    CIBOLA COUNTY

    • Mount Taylor (Except Mines)
    • Lobo Canyon
    • La Jara Mesa
    • Zuni Canyon
    • Quartz Hill

    DOÑA ANA COUNTY

    • BLM Land Northeast of Las Cruces
    • Monumental Loop Mountain Biking Route

    EDDY COUNTY

    • La Cueva Trail System

    GRANT COUNTY

    • Fort Bayard Trail System
    • Little Walnut Trail
    • Dragonfly Trail

    LINCOLN COUNTY

    • Grindstone Canyon Loop Trail
    • Ski Run Road

    LOS ALAMOS COUNTY

    • St. Peter’s Dome Trail
    • Forest Service Land and Trails Around Pajarito Ski Area
    • Hiking Trails North and East of Los Alamos

    LUNA COUNTY

    • Little Florida Mountains, via Rockhound State Park
    • Florida Mountains Wilderness Study Area
    • Access to Cooke’s Peak WSA

    MCKINLEY COUNTY

    • Quaking Aspen Campground
    • Sixmile Canyon
    • The Hogback
    • Jagged Edge
    • Zuni Mountain Trail System

    OTERO COUNTY

    • Alamo Canyon trail
    • Dog Canyon Trail
    • Lower Karr Campground

    RIO ARRIBA COUNTY

    • Sombrillo Area of Critical Environmental Concern

    SAN JUAN COUNTY

    • Glade Run Recreation Area

    SAN MIGUEL COUNTY

    • Skyline Trailhead
    • Access to Pecos Wilderness

    SANDOVAL COUNTY

    • Ball Ranch/Espinosa Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern
    • Placitas Trailhead
    • Crest of Montezuma
    • Buffalo Tract
    • Strip Mine Trailhead

    SANTA FE COUNTY

    • Lands Between Santuario de Chimayo and Santa Cruz Lake
    • Diablo Canyon
    • Caja del Rio
    • Atalaya Trail
    • La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site
    • Borrego Mesa Trailhead and Campground

    SIERRA COUNTY

    • East Side of Caballo Lake

    SOCORRO COUNTY

    • The Box Recreation Area
    • San Lorenzo Canyon
    • Quebradas Backcountry Byway
    • Socorro Nature Area

    TAOS COUNTY

    • Lands Surrounding Historic High Road to Taos
    • Recreation Areas on Highway 64 Towards Angel Fire
    • Cabresto Lake and Access to the Latir Peak Wilderness
    • NMDGF Unit 49 Hunting Area

    VALENCIA COUNTY

    • Manzano Wilderness Study Area
    • Encino Trailhead
    • Trigo Canyon Trailhead

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Colleagues Urge Senate Leaders to Protect State and Local Pesticide Regulations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led a group of 20 of his colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to oppose any efforts to limit existing state and local authority to regulate pesticides in the upcoming Farm Bill or any other legislation.  

    “More than thirty states and hundreds of cities and counties have adopted pesticide laws and ordinances to protect workers, children, rural communities, and wildlife. State and local governments have long acted to supplement federal pesticide laws to protect people from the serious health problems—including neurological and behavioral issues, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease—that can be caused by unsafe exposure to pesticides,” the lawmakers wrote. “States and localities have implemented protective measures that fit their local needs, such as posting warnings when pesticides have been sprayed near schools and parks, protecting drinking water supplies, protecting and informing workers, and restricting the use of some pesticides on playgrounds. States and localities have also taken measures to protect endangered species that are especially susceptible to pesticides, like pollinators.”

    The lawmakers continued, “While federal regulations provide a base level of protection against the harms of pesticides, only localities and states are in the position to implement protective measures that are designed specifically to meet the needs of their citizens… Preempting these state and local laws prevents state and local officials from addressing local needs in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach.”

    The lawmakers also expressed strong opposition to any proposed legislation which would prohibit states from requiring manufacturers to disclose known risks about their pesticide products, such as carcinogenicity. 

    “Preemption proposals like these would eliminate laws that give consumers the ability to make informed decisions about using a pesticide product, based on the product’s risks to their health. These proposals would also take away consumers’ opportunity for redress if a manufacturer fails to issue warnings,” the lawmakers concluded. 

    The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    The Senators are joined by 133 state and local leaders and 187 organizations, who called on Congress to oppose federal pesticide preemption. You can read their letters here and here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economic growth still in the hole dug in 2024

    Source: NZCTU

    Data released by Stats NZ today shows that the economy grew on a quarterly basis by 0.8% but fell on an annual basis by 1.1% said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “This is positive data for the first quarter of this year, but the fact that the economy is about the same size it was in March 2023 tells you that essentially we have had almost zero economic growth (0.3%) over the past two years.”

    “GDP per capita ($52,872) is now lower than it was in March 2022 ($53,100). It took another fall on an annual basis of 2.4%. There were falls in 11 of the 16 sectors of the economy annually – led by construction (-9.3%), wholesale trade (-3.6%) , and business services (-2%). Both goods producing industries and service industries saw contraction this year.”

    “The data shows that workers incomes aren’t keeping up with profits. Stats NZ shows that compensation of employees rose 1.5% this quarter before inflation. Gross operating surplus and gross mixed incomes (a broad measure of profit) rose 2%. Employee compensation was revised down in the December quarter to -0.2%.”

    “The lack of business confidence in the economy is present in the business investment data. Business investment fell this year. Non-residential building investment fell 2.9%. Transport equipment purchases fell 6%. Households are feeling it to, with purchase of durable goods being lower than they were in December 2023,” Renney said.

    “This data shows us how far we fell over the past year in economic terms. The growth in GDP this quarter is welcome – but the economy is still smaller than at the election in real terms. With more recent data suggesting that the economy is struggling to grow, there is a real danger that we return to slow, no, or negative growth.”

    “It’s time for the Government to realise that its economic growth plan isn’t working. There are 23,000 more people on Jobseekers this year. 48% of workers in New Zealand got a pay cut in real terms. Business and consumer confidence are at levels associated with recessions. One quarter of data shouldn’t blind the government of the need for change.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economic surprise great news for Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Today’s surprise economic result is great news for workers, families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said today.
    “Stats NZ reported today that the economy grew 0.8 per cent in the first three months of the year, twice the rate forecast by the Treasury and the Reserve Bank a short time ago. 
    “This is the second consecutive quarter in which growth outstripped forecasters’ assumptions and confirms the economy was gaining momentum late last year and at the start of this year.
    “Since then, global conflict has increased and new tariffs have been introduced, but New Zealanders should take heart that the country is back on track after six years of economic mismanagement that fuelled inflation, discouraged investment and ratcheted up prices.
    “I know many households and businesses are still doing it tough but the steps the Government has taken to stop wasteful spending, grow the economy and provide more support to households are paying dividends. So are the efforts of the private sector.
    “It is also pleasing to see that Gross Domestic Product per person grew by 0.5 per in the quarter, the highest rate since September 2022 and the second consecutive quarter of growth after eight quarters of negative or no growth.  
    “Inflation is down, interest rates are down, and many families have a little more money in their pockets. 
    “That money is flowing through to business tills aided by the steps the Government has taken to reduce red tape, incentivise investment and boost tourism, and the export records being set by New Zealand farmers and growers,” Nicola Willis says.     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $12+ MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK THROUGH THE NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Communities From North Country, Finger Lakes, CNY, Capital Region Win Funding For Critical Community Projects Such As Upgrading Wastewater Infrastructure, Expanding Access To Healthcare & More 

    Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Flowing To Improve Upstate NY Infrastructure, Expand Healthcare & Create Jobs!

    U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $12,349,291 in federal funding for 14 projects across Upstate New York through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which the senators recently fought to reauthorize and expand. Schumer and Gillibrand said these projects will help address critical needs across the region, including upgrading wastewater infrastructure, expanding access to healthcare services, and more to improve quality of life and spur economic development in the region.

    “From expanding wastewater systems in the Finger Lakes Region to boosting access to healthcare in the North Country, this $12+ million in federal money via the excellent Northern Border Regional Commission will support major infrastructure upgrades and increase in vital services in Upstate New York. These federal investments will help create new jobs, strengthen our infrastructure, expand healthcare and boost quality of life across the region,” said Senator Schumer. “I have long fought to secure and increase funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission and expand this important federal support because it has played a unique and pivotal role in spurring economic development, upgrading infrastructure, improving quality of life, and creating jobs in communities across Upstate New York. I’m proud to have delivered this critical funding to help families and communities lay the foundation for a better future here in Upstate New York.”

    “These federal investments will support essential upgrades to infrastructure, expand access to health care, create jobs, and drive economic growth across Upstate New York,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Northern Border Regional Commission has already backed more than 75 projects in our state, and this additional $12 million will build on that progress and help communities thrive. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding, and I’ll keep fighting to protect the NBRC to ensure our families, workers, and small businesses have the resources they need to succeed.”

    A full list of projects can be found below:

    Recipient

    Region

    County

    Amount

    Description

    Town of Hunter

    Capital Region

    Greene

    $1,000,000

    The Town of Hunter will design, construct, and equip the Mountaintop Community Hall, supporting workforce development, business incubation, community programming, and emergency preparedness.

    Village of Whitehall

    Capital Region

    Washington

    $1,000,000

    The Village of Whitehall will upgrade its water infrastructure following a State of Emergency due to water supply disruptions. This project will safeguard drinking water for residents and businesses by enhancing the Pine Lake reservoir and Village Water Treatment Plant with modern monitoring and control systems.

    East Hill Family Medical, Inc

    Central NY

    Cayuga

    $1,000,000

    East Hill Family Medical, Inc will transform a newly acquired site in Sennett, NY into a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. The project will improve access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services, serving an estimated 4,500 additional patients and addressing regional provider shortages.

    Town of Schroeppel

    Central NY

    Oswego

    $80,000

    The Town of Schroeppel will conduct a comprehensive water infrastructure feasibility study, ensuring long-term access to safe and reliable water for residents and businesses.

    Town of Webb

    Mohawk Valley

    Herkimer

    $485,000

    The Town of Webb will modernize its aging wastewater collection system, addressing critical infrastructure deficiencies and environmental risks. This project will rehabilitate high-risk sewer lines, improve wastewater conveyance, and enhance treatment facility operations.

    Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board

    North Country

    Essex

    $240,000

    The Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board will identify development sites, conduct buildout analyses, and complete pre-development work for workforce housing in four Essex County communities. This initiative will address housing shortages while supporting workforce growth, economic stability, and community sustainability in the region.

    City of Plattsburgh

    North Country

    Clinton

    $100,000

    The City of Plattsburgh will conduct a feasibility study of its wastewater system in the Rugar Street corridor, ensuring capacity for future development. This study will assess infrastructure needs to support 150 new workforce housing units, additional commercial growth, and industrial expansion at the former Clinton County airport.

    Lake Placid Association for Music, Drama and Art

    North Country

    Essex

    $1,000,000

    Lake Placid Association for Music, Drama and Art will renovate and modernize a 52-year-old theatre, enhancing accessibility, energy efficiency, and performance capabilities. This revitalization will transform the auditorium, expand stage space, upgrade theatre technology, and improve visitor experience, ensuring the venue remains a vital hub for cultural tourism and community engagement.

    United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country, Inc.

    North Country

    St.Lawrence

    $615,625.72

    United Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country, Inc. will expand pediatric healthcare services at its Federally Qualified Health Centers in Canton and Ogdensburg, NY. This project will increase clinic capacity by constructing exam rooms, improving patient flow, and enhancing access to preventive care, vaccinations, and chronic disease management for children in medically underserved communities.

    Village of Waddington

    North Country

    St.Lawrence

    $793,000

    The Village of Waddington will replace deteriorating water mains in its downtown district, ensuring reliable access for residents and businesses while preventing further economic decline.

    Livingston County Water and Sewer Authority

    Rochester Finger-Lakes

    Livingston

    $1,000,000

    Livingston County Water and Sewer Authority will implement the LCWSA/Geneseo Water Interconnection Project, enhancing water system capacity, resiliency, and regional connectivity across multiple municipalities in Livingston County, NY.

    Village of Dansville

    Rochester-Finger Lakes

    Livingston

    $1,979,586.00

    The Village of Dansville will construct a public sewer extension, pedestrian infrastructure, and ADA-accessible playground equipment, improving community health and economic development. This project will provide wastewater service to Noyes Memorial Hospital and the planned YMCA, facilitating expansion and workforce growth, while new sidewalks, a walking trail, and a pedestrian bridge will enhance accessibility and safety.

    Village of Waterloo

    Rochester-Finger Lakes

    Seneca

    $3,000,000

    Village of Waterloo will improve storm sewer infrastructure, road drainage, sidewalks, and curbing, ensuring resilience against frequent flooding and supporting downtown revitalization efforts. These upgrades complement the Village’s recent $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) funding, enhancing economic stability, pedestrian safety, and stormwater management.

    Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Commission

    Rochester-Finger Lakes

    Wyoming

    $56,080

    The Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Commission will conduct a Housing Needs Assessment and Market Analysis, evaluating demographic and economic trends to inform comprehensive housing strategies. This study will identify gaps in the housing market and guide planning for projects that address the needs of low-to-moderate-income households, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

    After years of advocacy, Schumer and Gillibrand announced late last year that they had successfully reauthorized the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) for another 5 years, increasing funding and expanding the critical grant program that has delivered tens of millions of dollars for the North Country and Upstate NY. Despite the wide bipartisan support to reauthorize the NBRC, President Trump’s recent budget for Fiscal Year 2026 calls for the elimination of this program, an effort that the senators are actively pushing back against to ensure NBRC continues to be funded to provide critical investment to Upstate NY. From 2010-2024, the NBRC has invested in over 78 projects, totaling more than $48 million in federal funding for Upstate New York. Schumer introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Reauthorization Act of 2023 which paved the way for these key changes.

    In addition to reauthorizing the NBRC for an additional 5 years, the bill that passed into law at the end of last year also increased funding for the program from $33 million to $40 million. The bill made critical enhancements to the range of projects the NBRC is able to support to foster growth in the region, including a new program focused on addressing childcare and healthcare needs, increasing support for addiction treatment, and new support for capacity building for business retention, job training, and job creation. The NBRC reauthorization was included as part of the Economic Development Administration reauthorization in the bipartisan, bicameral Water Resources Development Act.

    Schumer and Gillibrand have a long history of championing the Northern Border Regional Commission and its positive economic impacts on Upstate New York. In 2021, the senator successfully secured $150 million for the NBRC, over triple its funding from previous years, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.

    Established in 2008, the NBRC is a federal-state partnership focused on the economic revitalization of communities across the Northern Border region, which includes New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Commission is composed of the governors of the four Northern Border states and a federal co-chair and provides financial and technical assistance to communities in the region to support entrepreneurs, improve water, broadband, and transportation infrastructure, and promote other initiatives to improve the region’s economy. The northern border region of New York State currently includes 30 counties: Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to final draft guidance on donanemab and lecanemab

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on final NICE draft guidance on the use of donanemab and lecanemab for Alzheimer’s disease. 

    Prof Charles Marshall, Professor of Clinical Neurology, Queen Mary University of London, said:

    “This will be very disappointing news to people living with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the decision is understandable given the high cost to the NHS of giving the drugs for a relatively modest benefit. There are several things which would help to get disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’ disease approved in the future. Firstly, we need better information about the true impact of living with Alzheimer’s disease for both the person affected and their family, so that we can better capture all of the benefit on quality of life that these drugs might have. Secondly, we need improved NHS clinics that can offer high quality diagnosis and monitoring of dementia so that the costs of setting up this diagnosis and monitoring are not weighed against the benefit of the drugs. Finally, we need more effective drugs so that the magnitude of benefit becomes indisputable, and there is currently good reason to be hopeful about this.”

    Prof Rob Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry, UCL, said:

    “Nobody should be surprised that NICE have confirmed their earlier view that the new Alzheimer’s disease treatments would not be cost-effective if used within the NHS. Well-conducted clinical trials demonstrated that the actual size of benefits experienced by patients were too small to be noticeable, treatment carries risks of side-effects, and the annual cost of the drugs and safety monitoring required would have been close to the cost of a nurse’s salary for each treated patient.

    “We need better treatments that can make an appreciable difference to the lives of people with dementia and these can only come from further research and study.”

     

    Prof Paresh Malhotra, Head, Division of Neurology, Imperial College London, said:

    “The draft guidance documents from NICE on lecanemab and donanemab mean that these treatments will not be available for people with Alzheimer’s Disease via the NHS. This is not totally unexpected but does create a significant gap between what is done in other countries as well as the private sector, and what will be done for NHS patients. The modest effects and significant costs of these drugs have, understandably, been used to justify these decisions. The treatments would require major infrastructure changes to deliver to all those who are potentially eligible. Perhaps the biggest impact (or lack of it), is that there will be no impetus to change our general approach to make dementia diagnosis faster and to provide longer-term specialist input for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. New and initially controversial treatments catalysed services and healthcare provision for other neurological conditions such as MS and stroke. People with Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia more broadly, will have to continue to wait. In the meantime, we will try to push against the more nihilistic attitudes that are sometimes associated with this very common devastating disease.”

     

    Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

    “This rejection is a painful setback for people affected by Alzheimer’s — but sadly not a surprising one. The drugs’ modest benefits, combined with the significant costs of delivering them in the NHS, meant they faced insurmountable challenges. People with early Alzheimer’s in England and Wales now face a long wait for innovative new treatments as they won’t be able to access lecanemab or donanemab unless they can afford to pay privately.

    “This decision sends a troubling signal to the life sciences sector — undermining confidence in the UK as a home for research, innovation and clinical trials. That risks lasting damage to both patients and the economy. NICE’s decision should ring alarm bells for a government that, only a year ago, pledged to make the UK a global leader in dementia treatments.

    “While these drugs are not a cure and do come with potentially serious side effects, they represent an important first step in changing the course of Alzheimer’s. With over 30 Alzheimer’s drugs now in late-stage trials globally, momentum is building – and more will enter regulatory systems in the years ahead. Without intervention from government, people with Alzheimer’s will continue to miss out — not because science is failing, but because the system is. Government must work with NICE, the NHS and industry to pilot licensed drugs, gather more data, and prepare the health system for what’s ahead.

    “One major barrier remains early and accurate diagnosis. Without it, patients can’t access current – or future – treatments. Alongside piloting, urgent investment in diagnostic services is vital if we are to give people a fair chance at the vast progress dementia research is making.”

    Professor Fiona Carragher, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Policy and Research Officer, said: 

    “There is no doubt that today’s decision is a setback for people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is highly disappointing that we are in a situation where treatments that slow the progression of the condition are not available on the NHS. 

    “The reality we’re faced with is that these treatments remain out of reach of both the NHS and most eligible people with Alzheimer’s disease. In other diseases like cancer, treatments have become more effective, safer and cheaper over time. It’s essential we see similar progress in dementia.  

    “The fact is, even if donanemab and lecanemab were made available on the NHS tomorrow, too many patients wouldn’t be able to access them because the health system isn’t ready to deliver them. The science is flying but the system is failing. 

    “What we need now is for the UK government to commit to the long-term investment needed to fundamentally change dementia diagnosis so that we are ready for new treatments.  This relies on an early diagnosis and access to specialist diagnostic tests, yet currently a third of people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis at all.  

    “The needs of people with dementia have long been overlooked and this cannot continue. We are heading towards a future where disease-slowing treatments reduce the devastating impact of dementia, and we cannot afford to delay preparing the NHS for them.” 

    NICE published final draft guidance on donanemab and final draft guidance on lecanemab at 00:01 UK time on Thursday 19th June. 

    Declared interests

    Prof Charles Marshall: I have received personal fees from Lilly, Eisai and Roche

    Prof Rob Howard: No COI

    Prof Paresh Malhotra:

    National Specialty Lead for Dementia and Neurodegeneration, NIHR Research Delivery Network

    Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

    Serviced Practice Consultant Neurologist, Cleveland Clinic London

    NHSE Working Group Member (Lecanemab and Amyloid PET)

    Trustee, Alzheimer’s Society

    Recipient of ‘Drugs Only’ Grant for NIHR funded Trial, Shire/Takeda

    Independent Data Monitoring Committee, J&J

    Research funding from NIHR, ARUK, Alzheimer’s Society, MRC, DPUK, BHF, Lifearc, FIFA, FA, UK DRI

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economic growth still in the hole dug in 2024 – CTU Economist

    Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

    Data released by Stats NZ today shows that the economy grew on a quarterly basis by 0.8% but fell on an annual basis by 1.1% said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “This is positive data for the first quarter of this year, but the fact that the economy is about the same size it was in March 2023 tells you that essentially we have had almost zero economic growth (0.3%) over the past two years.”

    “GDP per capita ($52,872) is now lower than it was in March 2022 ($53,100). It took another fall on an annual basis of 2.4%. There were falls in 11 of the 16 sectors of the economy annually – led by construction (-9.3%), wholesale trade (-3.6%) , and business services (-2%). Both goods producing industries and service industries saw contraction this year.”

    “The data shows that workers incomes aren’t keeping up with profits. Stats NZ shows that compensation of employees rose 1.5% this quarter before inflation. Gross operating surplus and gross mixed incomes (a broad measure of profit) rose 2%. Employee compensation was revised down in the December quarter to -0.2%.”

    “The lack of business confidence in the economy is present in the business investment data. Business investment fell this year. Non-residential building investment fell 2.9%. Transport equipment purchases fell 6%. Households are feeling it to, with purchase of durable goods being lower than they were in December 2023,” Renney said.

    “This data shows us how far we fell over the past year in economic terms. The growth in GDP this quarter is welcome – but the economy is still smaller than at the election in real terms. With more recent data suggesting that the economy is struggling to grow, there is a real danger that we return to slow, no, or negative growth.”

    “It’s time for the Government to realise that its economic growth plan isn’t working. There are 23,000 more people on Jobseekers this year. 48% of workers in New Zealand got a pay cut in real terms. Business and consumer confidence are at levels associated with recessions. One quarter of data shouldn’t blind the government of the need for change.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Engage with your stakeholders during SFTs

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Successor fund transfers can have a significant impact on members and their contributing employers. You should engage with your members, employers and gateways early for a smooth transition.

    Unique superannuation identifier (USI) details should be updated 28 days before they become effective so gateways, clearing houses and payroll providers can adjust their systems to reflect the changed details. This ensures rollovers and contributions go to the correct destination.

    At least 10 business days’ notice should be provided when updating non critical details and for best practice, submit critical changes at least 28 days before they become effective. Critical updates include changes to bank accounts, end-point service addresses, or end-dating a USI (product or fund is merging or winding up).

    You must provide an electronic service address for each USI, including both primary and secondary. If you use different gateway intermediary services for contributions and rollovers, we treat the contributions address as the primary service address and the rollover address as the secondary.

    During an SFT:

    • Consider the SuperStream Data and Payment StandardsExternal Link requirements.
    • Plan for availability of a fund Unique superannuation identifier (USI) through the SFT process.
    • Any limited-service period should prioritise minimal impact to employers and members. Black-out periods around quarterly super guarantee dates have adverse impacts for employers.
    • Notify members, employers, administrators, gateway operators, clearing houses and other service providers.
    • Discuss any applicable limitations and have ongoing discussions including solutions such as catch and hold.
    • Ensure all intermediaries have their access updated.

    For further guidance refer to the Successor and Intra-fund transfer reporting protocol.

    Looking for the latest news for Super funds? You can stay up to date by visiting our Super funds newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly Super funds newsletter and CRT alerts.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: O Mahurangi – Penlink to fully open in 2028

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    While O Mahurangi – Penlink is still scheduled for completion in 2028, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) had planned to open some sections of the road earlier near Stillwater and Ara Wēiti. However, a major slip at the project’s largest fill site has now delayed construction of these sections. While NZTA is still working to understand the full scheduling impacts, the project will now open as a single completed corridor.

    Cracking in the ground which was first identified in December last year required all activity in the area to pause while it could be assessed. Extensive testing and monitoring showed a deep layer under the surface (deep shear plane layer) was significantly weaker than experienced on other similar sites on the project where earthworks had been undertaken. 

    Due to the slips continued movement, emergency works were declared in March to allow remediation works to be undertaken sooner. This minimises the risk of the slip damaging existing assets and private property.   

    Regional Manager Transport Services Stephen Collett acknowledges that this delay will be frustrating to residents of Stillwater and Ara Wēiti, as well as all road users that wanted to use the road to access State Highway 1 earlier.  

    “As the project uses a cut fill balance approach for earthworks, the material at this location is unable to be stored elsewhere until we can implement a solution. Until the solution can be implemented, earthworks are unable to continue at the previous pace along the alignment.  

    “Despite the delay, O Mahurangi remains on track to open in line with the Wēiti River bridge, giving people the complete benefit of the project from day one. This will ensure a seamless and more connected journey to and from State Highway 1” says Mr Collett. 

    While remediation works are completed, construction has continued at pace in other areas of the site, including: 

    • the placement of beams and deck for the future overbridge at State Highway 1 are in place
    • the ramps from State Highway 1 are starting to be formed
    • future alignment along Duck Creek Road has had beams placed, decks poured and barriers installed. Next the team will dig out the earth from under the bridge to build the future State Highway 19
    • the western side abutment of the Wēiti River bridge is completed and the two land-based piers are at their final height. An additional two in river piers are currently being constructed.
    • landscaping along the alignment has begun
    • approximately 600,000 cubic meters of earth has been moved (about 250 Olympic sized swimming pools). 

    Once complete, O Mahurangi – Penlink will unlock long term benefits for the Auckland region, providing a more resilient network to get people where they need to be faster, supporting economic growth and connecting people to new housing developments.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HVO Bulletin Series, published 1913-1929, now available online

    Source: US Geological Survey

    HVO Bulletin Series, published 1913-1929, now available online

    The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Bulletin series was an informal publication issued between the years 1913 to 1929. Individual issues contain information on volcanic and earthquake activity, volcano research, and volcano monitoring in Hawaii, and issues often included photographs, sketches, and data plots. These resources were previously only available in print format. 

    Dr. Thomas Jaggar founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in 1912 and authored many of the Bulletins. 

    The Bulletin series was published by HVO through the Hawaiian Volcano Research Association. Print archives of these materials are housed by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) and other USGS archival repositories. HVO staff have scanned these resources and made them available digitally through the USGS Publications Warehouse: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory bulletins.

    Weekly Bulletins (initially called Reports) were issued between June 28, 1913, and July 1, 1914. Bulletins were issued monthly after July 1, 1914, though they were still named Weekly Bulletins until January 1919. Starting with the February 1919 issue, the Bulletins were named Monthly Bulletins, and they continued to be issued monthly until the series ceased in July 1929. 

    During a single year, 1915, Seismometric Bulletins were also issued quarterly. These four issues contain summaries of seismic observations recorded by the then-nascent Whitney Laboratory of Seismology, located underground in a vault near the summit of Kīlauea.

    MIL OSI USA News –