Headline: Argentina accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, five remaining for entry into force
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I warmly welcome Argentina’s formal acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As one of the world’s leading fishing nations and exporters, Argentina’s commitment underscores this Agreement’s importance for protecting marine ecosystems and promoting responsible practices for people’s livelihoods and food security. This milestone brings us closer to the shared goal of curbing harmful fisheries subsidies worldwide: we are only five ratifications away from the Agreement entering into force.”
Ambassador Lunazzi said: “Today, with the deposit of the instrument of ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the Argentine Republic is taking an important step. This firm commitment to fairer and freer trade not only strengthens our economy, but also protects the marine resources in the South Atlantic, preserving them for future generations. We look forward to the rapid entry into force of this Agreement, which reflects the collaborative spirit of WTO members and their commitment to the founding principles of the Organization.”
Formal acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are required for the Agreement to enter into force — representing 111 members. The list of the 106 WTO members which have deposited their instruments of acceptance with the WTO is available here.
At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva in June 2022, ministers adopted by consensus the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, setting new, binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas.
Ministers also recognized the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries by establishing a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help governments that have formally accepted the Agreement to implement the new obligations.
The Fish Fund launched a Call for Proposals on 6 June, inviting developing economies and LDCs that have ratified the Agreement to submit requests for project grants aimed at helping them implement the Agreement. The WTO Fish Fund portal can be found here.
WTO members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiating on remaining fisheries subsidies issues. The objective is to find consensus on additional provisions to further strengthen the disciplines on fisheries subsidies.
Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.
Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), and several of his Senate Republicans colleagues, in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.
“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,”wrote the senators.“These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”
The letter also urges the Administration to designate a senior political official within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to lead trade discussions on pharmaceutical pricing in the near term, and to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the long-vacant Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator role, who would ultimately assume leadership of this effort. Created by Congress in 2015, the position was intended to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.”
“Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term,”the senators wrote.
U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also joined in signing the letter.
Read the full letter text HERE and below:
Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,
We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.
Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.” Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.
Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.
Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.
Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.
We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.
Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), and several of his Senate Republicans colleagues, in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.
“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,”wrote the senators.“These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”
The letter also urges the Administration to designate a senior political official within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to lead trade discussions on pharmaceutical pricing in the near term, and to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the long-vacant Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator role, who would ultimately assume leadership of this effort. Created by Congress in 2015, the position was intended to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.”
“Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term,”the senators wrote.
U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also joined in signing the letter.
Read the full letter text HERE and below:
Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,
We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.
Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.” Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.
Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.
Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.
Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.
We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.
Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Jobs and Families of Canada. His Excellency, Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC Her Excellency Beatrice Karago, Deputy Permanent Representative of The Republic of Kenya to UN-Habitat Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It is a privilege to join you today for this important dialogue. I thank the President of ECOSOC and UN-Habitat for convening us at such a critical moment. Let me begin with a simple question: What did it take for us to be here today? We woke up somewhere safe. We had an address where documents could reach us, where our families knew to find us. We had a place to eat a meal, charge our phones, and prepare for this day. For almost three billion people on our planet, none of that is guaranteed. This is why today’s dialogue – at this critical moment during the High-Level Political Forum – matters so urgently. Housing is not simply about a roof over one’s head. It is a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which peace itself rests. Sustainable development and sustainable peace are inseparable. Today, in an increasingly urbanized world, almost three billion people still live in inadequate conditions, in informal settlements, overcrowded housing, or with no shelter at all. Among them are more than 120 million refugees and internally displaced persons – families torn from their homes by conflict, persecution, and violence. When homes are destroyed, when families are forced to flee, when communities are uprooted, we witness how housing becomes both a casualty and weapon of war. In Gaza, in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Yemen, in Myanmar, and beyond, we have seen this time and again. There is no safe housing in rubble, and without shelter, we lose the very basis of social cohesion and stability that makes peace possible. This crisis touches every Sustainable Development Goal we’ve committed to achieving by 2030. We often say that home is where the heart is. Our work on housing sits at the very heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, and when we secure adequate housing for all, we nurture the conditions where every other goal can flourish. We know that when people have access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing, children perform better in school. Workers are more productive. Health outcomes improve dramatically. Decent work becomes accessible. Communities become more resilient to the forces that fuel conflict and division. And while adequate housing cannot eliminate gender-based violence within the home, it reduces women and girls’ exposure to violence in public spaces. So, the reality is that the ambition of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind begins with something as fundamental as a safe place to call home. By 2030, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities, rising to nearly 70% by 2050. We have the tools and the commitment to grow cities, not slums—guided by the New Urban Agenda’ call for planned, inclusive urbanization that ensures housing, services, and dignity for all. Success or failure to deliver on our commitments will depend on our ability to act urgently and work together. At the Financing for Development Forum, Member States rightly called for bold reforms and investments to strengthen the social contract. That must include housing, not as a standalone project, but as a driver of inclusive development. The Pact for the Future reaffirmed the 2030 Agenda and gave us a mandate to make multilateralism deliver in the lives of people, in the neighbourhoods where they live. It also gave us a mandate to prevent conflict and sustain peace – and housing sits at the intersection of both. Later this year, the Second World Social Summit offers us an opportunity to reaffirm that housing is critical for social protection, decent work, access to services, and essential to building a just and cohesive society. It is also an opportunity to recognize housing as a pillar of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. As Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, I see how country teams are working every day with governments, civil society and local and regional governments to advance these goals. But we need to do more. Concretely, that means aligning political commitment and financing with the urgency and scale of the challenge. It means investing in adequate housing, not just as development infrastructure, but peace infrastructure. We also need to bring to the centre those who are too often pushed to the margins: women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, displaced populations, and people living in homelessness. Their voices and experiences must inform the policies and solutions because they know what works, what’s missing, and they can inform the solutions we need to scale. They also know intimately the connections between displacement, insecurity, and conflict. Their involvement is the best measure of our commitment to equity, dignity, and human rights.
Ladies and gentlemen, The first place where opportunity begins or where it is denied is not an office building or a school – it’s a home. Together, let’s deliver not only shelter, but lasting solutions that offer security and a path to prosperity. Not only four walls and a roof, but the opportunity to live in dignity. Thank you.
British Columbia shoppers will have more choice, while workers and professionals will have greater freedom to move between provinces after the signing of three internal trade agreements at the Council of the Federation.
Premier David Eby signed separate agreements with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton. All have agreed to continue working to remove trade barriers between provinces and territories.
“At a time when we’re facing an unprecedented attack on our economy, it’s more important than ever that we work together to remove trade barriers between provinces,” Premier Eby said. “With these trade agreements, we’re making it easier to buy and sell our great Canadian products to our fellow Canadian neighbours. This is another important step towards building a stronger economy here at home — one that’s less reliant on the U.S and works better for people.”
The agreement with Ontario makes it easier for people in regulated trades and professions to work in either province. The two provinces also agreed to work on a framework for a direct-to-consumer system for alcoholic beverages, so producers will have easier access to markets, while consumers will get more choice.
The Manitoba agreement includes measures to increase the mobility of regulated workers and professionals. B.C. will also endeavour to allow alcoholic beverages from Manitoba to be sold directly to B.C. consumers. Manitoba already permits this for B.C.’s alcoholic beverages.
B.C. and Yukon agreed to collaborate on removing barriers to trade. Both will also align standards for regulated occupations and registration processes. In May, both governments signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the potential of connecting electrical grids.
The agreements were signed during a gathering of all 13 provincial and territorial premiers at the Council of the Federation meeting in Huntsville, Ont.
Topics discussed at the council’s summer meeting, which was hosted by Premier Ford, included health, public safety, energy security, labour mobility, immigration, Canada-U.S. relations, sovereignty and national security, emergency management, and energy security, as well as international and internal trade.
When signing the agreements, Premier Eby presented B.C.-themed gifts to his fellow premiers, including a signed B.C. Lions football jersey for Premier Kinew.
Quotes:
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario –
“With President Trump’s ongoing threats to our economy, there’s never been a more important time to boost internal trade to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. By signing these MOUs and working together, we’re helping Canada unlock up to $200 billion in economic potential and standing shoulder to shoulder to protect Canadian workers across the country.”
Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba –
“These agreements reflect Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety. By working with partners across the nation, we are unlocking opportunities for people and businesses and building up this country we all love so much.”
Mike Pemberton, Premier of Yukon –
“The Yukon and British Columbia already have a strong track record of working together from exploring the potential to connect our electrical grids to aligning standards across key sectors. This new internal trade agreement reinforces that collaboration and sets the stage for reducing barriers for regulated workers and professionals, so it’s easier for people to live, work, and do business across both jurisdictions.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)
ICMYI: Estes Joins Fox & Friends
U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Fox & Friends to discuss the loss of his intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, crime in Washington D.C., and more. See below for highlights and watch the interview on YouTube and Rumble.
On Eric’s legacy and the impact he left on Congressman Estes’ office:
“It’s really a sad story, because you have such a great person, like Eric, who was such a nice young man. Everybody that he greeted, he was friendly, and whether they came in the office or [he] talked to them on the telephone.
“As a parent, you really want your children to have opportunities like this, to come here in our nation’s capital, and you want to have a safe environment. You want to make sure that our government is actually helping promote and make sure that we have safe cities in the United States.
“He’d been with us only a month, but he really fit into the office. It worked out really well with him being around and becoming part of our team as we focused on helping provide services for the constituents in the fourth district of Kansas.
“He was a friendly face and voice when people that he met came in and talked to him. He was actually so enthusiastic to be here in Washington and being able to participate in actually helping make our government run.
“It’s just sad that when you have people that are actually going out and doing bad things that our law enforcement and our prosecutors won’t prosecute them for the crimes that they commit against great people like Eric.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
July 22, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) re-introduced legislation that would enshrine the right for small cannabis producers to ship and sell their products directly to consumers. This bill, theSmall and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act, would enable small farmers and producers to operate their businesses within and across state lines. The legislation is specifically targeted to support the smallest family farmers and help them sustain their businesses under a larger federal legalization law.
“Larger, commercialized cannabis operators are infiltrating the market and squeezing out our local farmers in the process,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “So when the antiquated federal prohibition on cannabis finally gets repealed, we need to have substantial legislation ready to help these small businesses survive. My legislation would ensure that folks can ship their products straight to consumers, which would both help expand small businesses and ensure farmers stay afloat. When full legalization is guaranteed, we must commit to not leaving our smallest family-farmers behind.”
“Nearly 15 years into the experiment of state-level cannabis legalization, the cracks in the system are clear: small and craft producers are being pushed to the margins, safe access for consumers and patients is shrinking, and the industry is consolidating into the hands of a few,” said Ross Gordon, Co-Founder at National Craft Cannabis Coalition and Policy Analyst at Origins Council. “Without direct-to-consumer shipping, federal cannabis legalization risks reinforcing these failures instead of correcting them. The SHIP Act is a make-or-break policy for the future of small cannabis businesses in California and across the country.”
“Our state’s DTC framework helps support nearly 1,700 cultivators in a state of 1.2 million people,” said Mark Barnett, Co-Founder at National Craft Cannabis Coalition and Policy Director atMaine Craft Cannabis Association. “Without these opportunities, quality in the legal market will suffer, and consumers will look elsewhere. The SHIP Act would guarantee that small farmers have a pathway to participate in one of the country’s most promising new economic frontiers.”
“The regulation of cannabis has, unfortunately, not equated to adequate access,” said Frederika McClary Easley, President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA). “Many patients and consumers navigate plant deserts that have been created due to municipal opt-outs and zoning restrictions. The SHIP Act will help to address this while prioritizing access for small craft producers, which in turn positively impacts their success and sustainability. MCBA is proud to support this piece of federal legislation that recognizes the importance of craft growing and small businesses as the bedrock of this burgeoning industry.”
This bill is co-sponsored by Representative Val Hoyle.
It is endorsed by National Craft Cannabis Coalition, Minority Cannabis Business Association, National Cannabis Industry Association, Drug Policy Alliance, Parabola Center, Marijuana Justice, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Origins Council, Washington Sun & Craft Growers Association, Vermont Growers Association, Maine Craft Cannabis Association, Humboldt County Growers Alliance, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Trinity County Agricultural Alliance, and the Central California Cannabis Club.
MOFA response to French government’s National Strategic Review 2025 conveying concern over Taiwan and cross-strait security
Date：2025-07-15 Data Source：Department of European Affairs
July 15, 2025On July 14, the French government released its National Strategic Review 2025, which mentioned the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan six times. The report noted that China has continued to strengthen its military capabilities, increase the intensity of military exercises around Taiwan, exert pressure on Taiwan through military force and other means, and fuel tensions and instability in the region. The 2022 version of the policy document also stated that China’s military expansion had threatened the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. However, this year’s report devoted more attention to China’s threats against Taiwan. It also expressed France’s concerns regarding Taiwan and cross-strait security. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates the strategic review. Through the report, France has once again expressed concern over cross-strait security and reiterated the importance of Taiwan. The review follows from the joint declaration issued after President Emmanuel Macron of France met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom in London on July 10 for the 37th UK-France summit. In the declaration, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Taiwan, as an indispensable member of the Indo-Pacific region, will continue to work with France and other democratic partners to defend freedom and democracy and staunchly uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – July 22, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair Ted Lieu and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene held a press conference on Trump and Republicans’ One Big Ugly Law raising health care costs while sinking Republican chances of holding on to the House.
CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Grateful to be joined today by DCCC Chair, Suzan DelBene and the Vice Chair, Ted Lieu. At the DCCC today, we had a productive Caucus meeting across the street. Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one. We’re six months into this Trump Administration, and prices are rising because of reckless tariffs, inflation is still too high and now health care costs are going to skyrocket. For the 24 million Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act, health insurance will go up by as much as 75 percent. And these price hikes don’t even include the tax credits that Republicans are going to let expire, so even more Americans are going to see higher costs and could lose their health care coverage. Democrats have been warning about the dangers of the Republican cuts to Medicaid leading to higher prices for everyone. The American people were told that Donald Trump and Republicans were going to turn the economy around and prioritize families. But that couldn’t be further from the truth: they’ve spent the last six months putting more money in billionaires’ pockets and cutting health care. But they did make private jets tax deductible, so there’s that. They’re even shielding Jeffrey Epstein and his associates—including the President of the United States—from accountability, despite promising for years to release the files that implicate those involved. At a time when family budgets are stretched thin, Republicans are only prioritizing the needs of billionaires. It’s not just bad policy that will make the economy worse, it’s a slap in the face to working people who voted to bring down costs. Now, I’ll introduce Vice Chair Ted Lieu.
VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. This morning, I went on this interesting website called HouseRepublicanPriceHike.com. And if you go on that website, you can see the increases in grocery prices starting from the beginning of this year. Beef prices, for example, are at an all-time high. Donald Trump promised that he was going to lower inflation on day one. He lied. Inflation has continuously increased. The most recent report has inflation increasing above expectations to 2.7 percent. Core CPI increased even more to 2.9 percent. And what are Congressional Republicans doing? Nothing. In fact, it’s even worse than that. They are actually ending this week early because they’re afraid to cast votes on the Jeffrey Epstein issue.
The Rules Committee is not meeting because they’re afraid to cast votes to release the Epstein files. So you’ve got this Epstein issue affecting Congressional operations and making sure that the Congressional Republicans don’t work on trying to lower costs. So this is an epic cover-up, right? This is a cover-up of epic proportions, where you’ve got the majority party literally having us leave Congress early, and not having the Rules Committee meet, because they don’t want to deal with releasing the Epstein files. We should release the Epstein files. It is what Donald Trump campaigned on. It’s what Attorney General Pam Bondi talked about this February when she said that Epstein’s client list was, ‘sitting on my desk right now.’ Why don’t we have that client list? And these are the questions the American people keep asking, and the story is not going to go away. Because at its core, this is an issue about underage women who were sexually abused and assaulted. Attorney General Pam Bondi should not be protecting Jeffrey Epstein’s legacy, nor his clients, nor should Congressional Republicans be doing the same. With that, it is my honor to introduce our amazing field general for the DCCC, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. She’s done a fantastic job, and she’s going to discuss what we talked about this morning.
DCCC CHAIR DELBENE: Thanks Vice Chair Lieu and Chairman Aguilar. Good morning, everyone. This morning, in Caucus, we presented how we’re holding House Republicans accountable for their disastrous agenda and our path to retake the majority. We hear over and over and over again from people back home that the top issue for them is affordability and lowering costs—lowering costs for everyday goods. By all accounts, Republicans have failed miserably in the time that they’ve had the trifecta. Prices are still rising, whether it’s housing, health insurance premiums or everyday things like food and groceries. Republicans broke their promise to lower costs. Their Big Ugly Law is just another broken promise. It rips coverage away from millions of people and will raise health care bills for everyone, regardless of what kind of insurance that they have, and it takes food off the table from hungry families and children. It guts funding for rural hospitals and increases ER wait times. Energy bills will go up for families across the country. Republicans did all of this to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest few. Their agenda is cruel, it’s extreme and an absolute disaster, and the American people agree.
In poll after poll, we see that the Republicans’ bill is massively unpopular. The more people learn about it, the more they oppose it. The one lie Republicans keep telling themselves is that voters won’t punish them in the midterms because the American people won’t feel the pain of the cuts until after the election. Aside from the fact that this is exactly the kind of insincere political gamesmanship the public hates, it’s also not true. In a matter of months, millions of people will see their health insurance costs go up by an average of 75 percent—rural hospitals are already announcing they’ll close down and cut services. So no matter how many legislative games that Republicans try to play, there’s no hiding from the facts—the Big Ugly Law will have devastating consequences that will absolutely be felt by working families.
Republicans are poised to lose the majority next year, and they know it. You can tell by the way they’re behaving. They avoid in-person town halls because they’re afraid to face the public when they have to talk about their Big Ugly Bill. House Republicans are headed for the exits. We already have three vulnerable Republicans decide to retire or not run for re-election because they know they’re not going to take the majority. And we know there are more with one foot out the door, who may soon announce that they won’t seek re-election. So in these last six months, Republicans have broken promise after promise, feeding into a larger narrative that reminds everyone that they don’t work for the American people—they work for the elite, the powerful and the billionaires. It’s a theme we hear on the ground day after day, and if House Republicans would take the time to listen to their constituents back home, instead of only working and waiting for Donald Trump to tell them what to do, they would know. But instead, they blindly follow his orders that are hurting our economy and hitting the American families in their pocketbooks, and that’s why they’ll lose the majority.
House Democrats will hold every single vulnerable Republican accountable for their betrayal against their communities when they supported the Big Ugly Bill. We have the better message, we have stronger candidates and public sentiment is on our side. And next year, we’ll have the gavels. Thank you and I’ll turn it back to the Chairman.
Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening the swimming area at the Hope Community Service Pond in Scituate for swimming because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels.
RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOH’s beaches telephone line (401-222-2751).
ADVISORY – CAMERON COUNTY – Pennsylvania Department of Aging to Announce $3 Million Investment to Help Renovate, Upgrade Senior Community Centers Across the Commonwealth
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich will join regional leaders to highlight the success of the Senior Community Center (SCC) grant program that provides $3 million in competitive and non-competitive grants. This investment will help SCCs across the Commonwealth fund larger scale projects and smaller needs, ensuring older Pennsylvanians have a safe, community-centered place to gather.
The Department recently partnered with the National Center to Reframe Aging to explore ways to promote and strengthen Pennsylvania’s 400+ Senior Community Centers as vibrant, in-person community hubs that connects older adults to vital resources, services and broader community life.
This partnership is a key tactic in Aging Our Way, PA – Pennsylvania’s 10-year multisector plan on aging that was designed to meet the needs and preferences of older adults across the Commonwealth. The Department received funding from Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget to invest in the development of the PA CareKit, another key tactic of the plan.
In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Governor Shapiro invests more in older Pennsylvanians by including $3 million for year two implementation of the plan. The Department will focus on modernizing and strengthening the PA Link, which serves as Pennsylvania’s Aging and Disability Resource Center network, designed to streamline access to long-term services and supports. Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal also includes $2 millionso the Department canincrease accountability and oversight of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network which, among other things, provides resources and protective services for older adults, and a $20 million investment for those AAAs so they can continue to provide key services to older adults.
WHO: Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich Cameron County Commissioners Jessica Herzing, James Moate and Joshua Zucal Kim Briggs, Executive Director, Cameron/Elk/McKean Area Agency on Aging Don Perry, Board President, Emporium Senior Center
WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 11:00 AM
WHERE: Emporium Senior Center 105 E. 4th St. Emporium, PA 15834
MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of photographer/reporter to agingcomms@pa.gov.
ADVISORY – MIFFLIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Visit Lewistown Small Businesses, Highlight Proposed Budget Investments in PA Main Streets
Governor Josh Shapiro will join DCED Secretary Rick Siger, local community leaders, and business owners to visit small businesses in Lewistown. This visit follows the Governor’s Main Street Matters stops in Chinatown and Lancaster this year, highlighting the real economic opportunities his 2025-26 budget will create for Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.
Main Street Matters has built upon and modernized the Keystone Communities program and serves as a critical element of the Governor’s Economic Development Strategy. The Governor proposed an additional $20 million for the Main Street Matters program in his budget after its success in 2024, supporting small businesses and commercial corridors as the backbone of communities across the Commonwealth.
WHO: Governor Josh Shapiro Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger Commissioner Kevin Kodish, Mifflin County Commissioners Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, PA Downtown Center Ryan Cherry, Owner, East End Coffee Co.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
WHERE: East End Coffee Co. 18 E Market St Lewistown, PA 17044
LIVE STREAM: pacast.com/live/gov governor.pa.gov/live/
RSVP: Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.
HONG KONG, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dreamland Limited (the “Company” or “Dreamland”), a Hong Kong-based event management service provider, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 2,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, 1,340,000 of which are being offered by the Company and 660,000 by an existing shareholder (the “Selling Shareholder”), at a public offering price of US$4.00 per Class A ordinary share. The Company is also filing a resale prospectus concurrent with the Offering for the resale of 5,416,740 Class A ordinary shares held by Prime Crest Holdings Limited, Fuji Holdings Limited, Yield Rights Group Limited and Allied Target Limited (the “Resale Shareholders”). The Class A ordinary shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and are expected to commence trading on July 23, 2025 under the ticker symbol “TDIC.”
The Company expects to receive aggregate gross proceeds of US$8,000,000 from the Offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A ordinary shares offered by the Selling Shareholder or Resale Shareholders in the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or about July 24, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Net proceeds from the Offering due to the Company will be used for: (i) acquiring multi-territorial IP licenses; (ii) setting up the Company’s own ticketing platform; (iii) possible strategic acquisitions; (iv) expanding the Company’s marketing department and financing and administration department; (v) upgrading the Company’s enterprise resource planning system; (vi) repaying loans made by a director in connection with the payment of costs and expenses in connection with the Offering and obtaining a listing of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market; and (vii) working capital and other corporate purposes.
The Offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. Bancroft Capital, LLC is acting as the lead managing underwriter for the Offering (the “Underwriters”). Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is acting as U.S. counsel to the Underwriters, led by W. David Mannheim, Kathryn Simons and Ashley Wu, in connection with the Offering.
A registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File No.: 333-286471), as amended, and was declared effective by the SEC on June 30, 2025. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, when available, may be obtained from Bancroft Capital, LLC by email at investmentbanking@bancroft4vets.com, by standard mail to 501 Office Center Drive, Suite 130, Fort Washington, PA 19034, or by telephone at +1 (484) 546-8000. In addition, copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, when available, may be obtained via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more information about the Company and the Offering. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Company’s securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
About Dreamland Limited
Dreamland Limited is a Hong Kong-based event management service provider. The Company specializes in organizing, planning, promoting and managing themed touring walk-through experience events for intellectual property owners of characters in well-publicized animated cartoons and/or live action theatrical motion pictures. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: http://www.trendicint.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s proposed Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the proposed Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “should”, “seek”, “estimate”, “will”, “aim” and “anticipate” or other similar expressions in the prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.
For over 21 months, the world has been bearing witness to unfathomable levels of death and destruction in the occupied Gaza Strip. Israel’s brutal onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, wiped out entire families, flattened residential neighbourhoods, destroyed critical infrastructure and forcibly displaced nearly the entirety of Gaza’s residents., causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
Amnesty International has been working with trusted, exceptionally professional and dedicated fieldworkers in Gaza. Despite all odds, they have continued to document violations, visit sites of strikes, collect evidence and share stories, all while attempting to protect their families and hang on to what remains of their life under Israel’s ongoing genocide.
In this moving account, our fieldworker bravely shares how his hopes of a ceasefire have been torn apart. The reality of his life is now truly unbearable. His home has been destroyed, he and his family are facing displacement once again and the little food that is available just isn’t enough. He is hungry, worried and afraid of what’s next...
When the ceasefire in Gaza was announced, we were overjoyed that we would finally be able to return to our home in the north. We returned on 8 February, but we were more afraid than happy — afraid that our home might have been completely destroyed. Thankfully, it was still standing, though there were some shells that had hit the front of the house and burn marks on the walls.
But inside, there was no furniture, none of the clothes we had left behind when we were displaced in October 2023, not even kitchen tools remained. The house had been looted. Still, we stayed. We cleaned and repaired it, bought some basic furniture, adapted to the situation, and lived in it for three months. We struggled to secure drinking water, but at least during the ceasefire we were not waiting for death. The truce was broken, and war came back again to claim what remained of our souls. By then the crossings had been closed, prices soared and goods began to disappear, bit by bit.
I planted some vegetables behind the house, like mint, pumpkin, chili peppers, eggplants, and basil, so they would be readily available. But we returned to the bigger struggle — hunger. There was no flour, no food. Overnight, our life turned into hell.
Israeli military stormed our neighborhood
On 15 May, the Israeli military stormed our neighborhood and began indiscriminately shelling the area. We fled our home under gunfire and shelling, taking nothing with us. We ran into the street and wandered aimlessly down an unknown path. We realized we had returned to the worst suffering — displacement.
We took refuge in my daughter’s home in Gaza City. It’s a small home — two rooms, a small living room, and a kitchen. She, her husband, and their two children took one room, and we stayed in the other.
After three months of closed crossings, even if flour could be found, its price was unimaginable. To withdraw cash, you have to pay up to 45% commission. For a large family like mine, expenses are extremely high, and many types of food were missing from the markets. We craved many foods, and we hadn’t tasted meat, chicken, or sweets in months. We live through intense famine.
We are torn apart watching our children suffer from hunger. There is nothing to sustain life. Life in Gaza has become unlivable. We live in humiliation and degradation.
We are being starved
Yes, limited aid enters the Strip, but it doesn’t meet the huge needs, and even the drops that get in reach very few people.
I am not ashamed to say this publicly: I, like my family and my children, am hungry.
I speak the truth as it is. We cannot stand from the pain of hunger.
We are not weak — but the war has broken our bones, and the siege has hollowed out our stomachs.
We are not beggars. We are people entitled to our human rights. We are people of this land.
We are being besieged. We are being starved.
I said what I feel — what every home in Gaza feels. Our children are hungry, and we are fighting to survive. Fighting for a single bite of food. Fighting for life.
I am a human being. I am a father, a brother, a neighbor.
I know people’s pain because I live it every moment.
After we were displaced from our home in the north during the latest incursion, the Israeli forces advanced into our neighborhood for a short period and destroyed every house. Our home was among them. It was destroyed savagely. They destroyed our memories in that home, every moment we had lived there for nine years.
Nothing remains now
We had a beautiful, warm house, full of peace. In front of it was a small piece of land where we planted vegetables, olives, and thyme. We had a room for raising poultry and a spot to sit in at the end of the day. Nothing remains now. No house, no land to plant.
We are not only dying from bombings. We are dying from hunger too.
Hunger has destroyed homes, made the elderly weep like children, and made bread a dream.
We used to criticize the airdropped aid. It was dangerous and ineffective., On some occasions, the airdropped cans caused fatalities. But it turns out that it was more merciful than this current method of distribution, which takes dozens of lives every day.
Amnesty says meeting with President Trump is a ‘major test’ of the Scottish Government’s commitment to global justice and equality
Call to protect protest rights amid concerns over heavy-handed policing of Pro-Palestinian demonstrations
‘In a moment of global crisis for these values, the question is whether the First Minister will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of authoritarian practices’ – Liz Thomson
In a critical moment for global human rights, Amnesty International has called on First Minister John Swinney to stand firm against authoritarian practices and defend the principles of universal human rights and international justice during his meeting with President Donald Trump.
Amnesty has warned that the meeting will be a serious test of the Scottish Government’s stated commitment to human rights – both at home and internationally.
In a letter sent to the First Minister, Amnesty wrote:
‘This meeting will be a major test of the Scottish Government’s commitment to global justice, one which [you must] meet with a resolve to defend universal human rights and to stand against the authoritarian practices of the Trump Administration.’
Amnesty noted that the Trump Administration’s sweeping attacks on civic space, refugee and migrant rights, the rule of law, women’s rights, racial justice, and LGBTI protections have fuelled human rights crises and emboldened anti-rights leaders and movements and said the First Minister must be prepared to challenge those practices when the two meet. The letter continued with:
‘You have said in recent days that it is in Scotland’s interest for you meet with the President. It is in Scotland’s interest that political leaders reject the President’s anti-rights agenda and stand firm against authoritarian practices.’
Amnesty also called on the Scottish Government to ensure Police Scotland and other forces involved in policing the President’s visit uphold the right to peaceful protest– amid growing concern over recent reports of heavy-handed responses to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Liz Thomson, Amnesty International’s Scotland Programme Director said:
“President Trump’s administration has fully embraced authoritarian tactics while furthering an anti-rights agenda – no UK leader should be rolling out the red carpet to welcome him.
“If the Scottish Government wants to be seen as a principled global actor, warm words on human rights must translate into action – especially in high-stakes moments like this.
“The First Minister’s priority during his visit should be to directly challenge the serious human rights violations the Trump administration is responsible for, and to ensure that those who wish o peacefully protest are fully able to without fear of heavy-handed policing.
“This meeting will be a major test of the First Minister’s commitment to human rights and international justice. In a moment of global crisis for these values, the question is whether he will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of authoritarian practices.”
We write to urge you to prioritize human rights in the forthcoming European Union (EU)-China Summit to be held in China on July 24-25. At the recent G7 meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a “new China shock,” and urged that G7 members respond with greater cooperation, resilience and alternative approaches. We believe similar ambition should apply to the approach of the EU and its member states regarding the deepening human rights crisis in China, and that new initiatives be publicly articulated at the forthcoming Summit to build on and go beyond existing commitments set out in the March 2019 EU-China Strategic Outlook.
We appreciate the EU’s longtime support to independent civil society and human rights defenders across China, and welcome public remarks, such as strong statements at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, identifying particular cases of concern. We thank the EU for condemning the arbitrary detention of human rights legal activists Xu Yan and Yu Wensheng, who were detained en route to meeting with EU officials. In September 2022, then-High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell helpfully echoed the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) concern that Chinese government policies in the Uyghur region “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” We acknowledge the recent – the fortieth – round of the EU-China human rights dialogue.
Yet these EU and member states’ initiatives have not deterred Chinese authorities’ wholesale assault on human rights since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012. He and other officials are confident in their impunity for widespread arbitrary detention, forced assimilation, forcedlabour and torture in China; and transnational repression, including in Europe. Chinese authorities not only refuse to comply with the vast majority of their international human rights obligations, they also seek to rewrite global human rights norms and weaken key international institutions.
We urge the EU and its member states to confront this human rights crisis—which increasingly affects not only people across China but also people worldwide—with the same determination to identify and commit to alternative approaches as it is now setting out on security and trade issues.
In that spirit, our organizations urge you to use the Summit to ensure justice for victims and survivors of Beijing’s violations and abuses by publicly:
Condemning the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity, and the impunity that sustains them, echoing the findings and recommendations of UN bodies, including the August 2022 OHCHR report on Xinjiang, the 2023 reviews of China by the Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the 2024 Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and UN Special Procedures. The EU should reiterate that crimes against humanity are subject to universal jurisdiction, and that those responsible can and should be held criminally responsible and face justice, including in EU member states. The 18 June 2025 announcement by Argentina’s highest criminal court to hear a case brought by Uyghurs alleging Chinese authorities have committed genocide and crimes against humanity should lend confidence and momentum to similar initiatives across EU member states, and to a push for accountability through UN mechanisms. Doing so is consistent with High Representative Kaja Kallas’ March 2025 remarks broadly supporting international law and the need for perpetrators to be “brought to justice.”
Calling for the immediate and unconditional releases of human rights defenders who have been detained for their work, naming individuals explicitly, including EU citizen Gui Minhai, Sakharov Prize laureate Ilham Tohti and others identified in the most recent EU statement at the UN Human Rights Council: Gulshan Abbas, Anya Sengdra, Ekpar Asat, Chadrel Rinpoche, Rahile Dawut, Ding Jiaxi, Ding Yuande, Dong Yuyu, Drugdra, Gao Zhen, Gao Zhisheng, Go Sherab Gyatso, Golog Palden, He Fangmei, Huang Qi, Huang Xueqin, Hushtar Isa, Yalkun Isa, Ji Xiaolong, Li Yanhe, Lobsang Gephel, Lobsang, Khedrub, Lu Siwei, Peng Lifa, Qin Yongmin, Ruan Xiaohuan, Semkyi Dolma, Tashi Dorje, Tashpolat Tiyip, Wang Bingzhang, Pastor Wang Yi, Kamile Wayit, Xie Yang, Xu Na, Xu Zhiyong, Yang Hengjun, Yang Maodong, Yu Wensheng, Pastor Zhang Chunlei and Zhang Zhan.
Emphasizing the commitments made at the G7 to ending transnational repression (TNR), including abuses undertaken by the Chinese government, both across EU member states and elsewhere. Those commitments can be demonstrated through investigations and prosecutions, while also supporting and protecting individuals and communities who may be or have already been targeted by TNR. These human rights abuses include intimidation, surveillance, threats or acts of physical violence, threats against family members and digital repression, in particular sexual harassment or degrading language targeting women.
Reiterating that the EU and its member states are ready to use all tools at their disposal to hold Chinese government officials accountable for human rights violations, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, such as in the context of the selection of the next Dalai Lama.
Stressing that the EU expects the Chinese government to comply with its freely-undertaken human rights obligations under international law, and calling for the urgent repeal of laws and criminal provisions incompatible with those obligations, including but not limited to the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” “subversion” and “inciting subversion of state power,” and the criminal procedure of “residential surveillance at a designated location,” in line with recommendations by UN human rights bodies.
After 50 years of EU-China relations, the EU should take stock of deepening Chinese government repression inside and outside the country, and express solidarity with people across China who seek to exercise, uphold and defend human rights. The EU’s recent decision to cancel an economic and trade dialogue with the Chinese government over serious differences suggests a willingness to pressure Beijing in new and different ways. Grave and worsening human rights violations by Chinese authorities should motivate new strategies. Without those, people across China—and in Europe—are increasingly at risk.
Amnesty International
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Chinese Human Rights Defenders
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation Front Line Defenders
Hong Kong Watch Human Rights in China Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Without Frontiers International Campaign for Tibet
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) International Service for Human Rights
The Rights Practice
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Dinushka Disanayake attends the anniversary commemorations of the the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia
A week ago, I stood in silence by a graveside and watched as seven coffins were lowered into the soil. But this was no normal funeral. Those being laid to rest had been killed three decades earlier alongside more than 8,300 men and boys, over a period of several days in July 1995. This was Srebrenica and I was there with thousands of others, beneath a hot sun, looking out across a lush valley filled with white marble headstones that fanned out as far as the eye could see.
The seven people being buried were only being laid to rest now because – like many of those brutally executed in the campaign of genocide against Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica – their bodies had been moved multiple times, using heavy machinery, sometimes across hundreds of kilometres and across multiple mass burial sites. All of this a concerted effort to erase the evidence of these massacres and impede future investigations into these crimes. As a result, the remains of nearly a thousand people presumed killed during those days are still missing.
Before coming to the graveside, the mourners and dignitaries had gathered in one of the cavernous halls of a former battery factory. In 1995, it had been the temporary headquarters of a lightly armed Dutch contingent of a UN peacekeeping force assigned to safeguard more than 20,000 civilians seeking refuge from the approaching Army of Republika Srpska. In this same hall, children, women and men had sheltered hoping for protection. But the international community failed to meet its most basic obligations under international humanitarian law, and they were fatally let down.
The so-called UN safe area was overrun. Men and teenage boys were separated from their families and executed. Women and children were forcibly transferred from Srebrenica, and many women and girls were raped and killed.
One of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that silence is never neutral
In this same hall, besuited representatives of governments from around the world now gathered. As promises of “never again” fell from the mouths of these state officials whose governments persist in transferring arms to Israel which has not relented in its genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, I felt the hypocrisy hang heavy from the rafters.
In her speech, Munira Subašić, one of the Mothers of Srebrenica, spoke of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and reminded the audience that grief knows no boundaries and that silence is never neutral.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, and neighbouring Serbia, denial and historical revisionism persist despite the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia finding that the crimes committed in Srebrenica were part of a well-planned and coordinated operation and amounted to a genocide. The masterminds behind the operation, Bosnian Serb leaders Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, were found guilty of genocide by the same tribunal. Yet justice, truth and reparations remain elusive for many survivors and victims’ families. Far too many perpetrators of this and other crimes have never brought to justice.
Whilst in Srebrenica, I was reminded of other mass graves in Chemmani, near Jaffna, Sri Lanka – and how, earlier this year, routine building excavations had unearthed 19 human skeletons. Yet another mass grave resulting from the bloody assault on Tamil populations in the north of Sri Lanka likely during the civil war. Some of the skeletons were of babies. Another belonged to a child buried under the clay with their UNICEF-issued bag, a toy, a bangle, and a slipper. It was a haunting reminder that no one – no matter how young – was spared from violence and mass killings in a state that has avoided accountability for these crimes since 2009, despite multiple UN resolutions calling for it. Tamil mothers of the disappeared continue to demand justice, truth and accountability as hope fades and time passes.
In Potočari, the commemoration ceremony prompted tears of pain and rage, and a quiet grief. The wounds as fresh as they were 30 years ago.
If world leaders really mean ‘never again’, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
For the Mothers of Srebrenica, justice does not lie in the empty words of world leaders that converge in Potočari once a year to shake hands and take photos in front of a sea of graves. “Never again” means stopping genocide before it happens. Justice means knowing where their loved ones are buried, finding out the truth about what happened to them, and seeing the perpetrators held to account in a recognized court of law. It is about reparations, healing and seeing a world in which crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide are prevented and ended.
If world leaders really mean “never again”, they must bring a swift end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They must ensure the perpetrators of international crimes, wherever they occur, are held to account, and they must demonstrate genuine commitment towards justice and human rights for all. The white marble headstones in Potočari should remain on their conscience.
Dinushka Disanayake is Amnesty’s Deputy Director for Europe and attended the anniversary ceremony in Srebrenica.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)
WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has announced the reintroduction of legislation to provide much-needed tax relief for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurance policyholders across Southwest Florida, the Sunshine State, and the nation.
H.R. 4494 – “The Flood Insurance Relief Act” is the 18th piece of legislation proposed by Congressman Donalds during the 119th Congress. Specifically, this bill combats the rising cost of flood insurance by creating a non-refundable tax deduction for flood insurance premiums.
Senate Companion bill, S. 2313 – “The Flood Insurance Relief Act” is sponsored by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and co-led by Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL). Last Congress, the “The Flood Insurance Relief Act” was introduced by Rep. Donalds as H.R. 8102 and by Sen. Rick Scott as S. 4143.
“For far too long, the rising cost of flood insurance has crushed hardworking Floridians. This is unacceptable, this must change, and this critical issue must be addressed to ensure our economy works for all Americans. The time for action is now, and I’m proud to join Senator Rick Scott in introducing the Flood Insurance Relief Act to provide this overdue relief to policyholders across our Southwest Florida community, the Sunshine State, and the nation,” said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL).
“Floridians know well that flood insurance can be a crucial but costly asset, and it is unacceptable that many are left struggling to find flood insurance coverage they can afford. Families shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their homes and putting food on the table. I’ve been working on several bills to fix the broken NFIP system and encourage private-sector participation to allow for a more robust, affordable flood insurance market, but we must do more to help families ASAP. My Flood Insurance Relief Act offers a practical way to directly ease the financial burden of flood insurance for families by allowing a tax deduction on their premiums, whether through the NFIP or the private market. I’m glad to have my fellow Floridians Senator Ashley Moody and Congressman Byron Donalds joining me in leading this effort,” said Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).
“As I travel around the Sunshine State, one thing folks continue to tell me is that they are worried about the rising cost of flood insurance. That is why today, Senator Scott and I are working to ease the financial burden on Florida families by proposing a bill that would create a tax deduction on their flood insurance premiums. The Flood Insurance Relief Act is a critical solution that will directly benefit Floridians, ” said Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL).
Bill Overview:
This bill allows individuals to deduct the cost of qualified flood insurance premiums paid during the year from their taxable income.
The deduction applies to premiums, federal policy fees, and surcharges associated with the National Flood Insurance Program and qualifying private flood insurance.
This bill limits any individuals who have a gross income (AGI) of more than $200,000 or $400,000 for joint filers from taking this deduction focusing on middle-class families.
The deduction applies only to premiums tied to property owned by the taxpayer.
Bill Background:
Flood insurance premiums have been rapidly rising, but are not deductible under federal tax law, despite being a mandatory expense for many homeowners with federally backed mortgages in high-risk flood zones.
As we work to restore the economy for all hardworking Americans, providing tax relief for flood insurance premiums helps to alleviate a major financial burden for many Floridians.
More:
Read text of H.R. 4494 – the Donalds “Flood Insurance Relief Act” HERE.
See bill profile of H.R. 4494 HERE.
Read text of S. 2313 – the Scott “Flood Insurance Relief Act” HERE.
The 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC) concluded in Accra, Ghana on the 19th of July, 2025, with a decision to allow the three Sahel countries that have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) as Non-ECOWAS Members.
The Ministers present at the high-level meeting unanimously considered the importance of dealing with insecurity in the region in a collaborative manner. The decision will be transmitted to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government for consideration.
During the session,Nigeria’s Minister of Justice handed over the chairmanship of the GMC to the Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone, who assumes the role as the new Chair of the Committee.
The meeting was officially declared open by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
July 17, 2025
More than $241 million in federal funding is being withheld from Illinois schools
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in sending a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs across America that the Trump Administration abruptly and indefinitely blocked earlier this month. More than $241 million of the nearly $7 billion in federal funding being withheld is for Illinois schools.
The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts scrambling to determine how they could fill the significant budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. Some school districts have announced they will have to end after school programs, told parents to prepare backup options and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.
“We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the Senators. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”
The lawmakers blasted the Trump Administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs nationwide scrambling: “We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration.”
They noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide: “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning. These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”
Warning of how denying these funds will cause schools to lay off teachers and cut back on teacher training, the Senators wrote: “This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.”
The lawmakers also detailed how the move affects adult learners nationwide: “This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.”
The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this Administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:
Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services and improving school technology, among many others.
English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, Murray, Sanders and Baldwin, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.
This position is located in the UNDRR Office in Bonn, Germany. The Programme Officer will report to the Head of the UNDRR Bonn Office under the overall guidance of the Chief, Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity-Development Branch.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: –
Develops, implements and evaluates assigned systems programmes/projects of significant importance for the Department; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. In particular, oversees and supports the management and updating of the online monitoring system to track progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases.
Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. –
Provides expert advice and coordinates the roll-out of the Disaster Tracking System in all Member States, liaising with the concerned regional offices. Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies. –
Leads and coordinates the official reporting on Sendai Framework and SDGs, among others, and organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, technical reports, including advance analytics using AI-based tools.
Develops, implements and monitors application of standards and guidelines. Oversees the preparation of technical and user documentation for systems; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations including technical guidelines to support the reporting against the indicators to assess progress towards the targets of Sendai Framework, as recommended by the open-ended intergovernmental expert working group on indicators and terminology. Works in close collaboration with the UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in Incheon and contributes to the development of training modules on Sendai Framework Monitoring Process. Collaborates and coordinates closely with UNDRR Regional Offices in support of strengthening the capacity of Member States to use the online Sendai Framework Monitoring system and their ability to report against the indicators. –
Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. –
Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan of the Section and of the Branch. Contributes to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service. Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc. – Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, management, economics, statistics or a related field is required. A first-level degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project planning, implementation and monitoring or a related area is required.
Experience in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, and disaster risk reduction is required.
Experience in data management and statistics is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special notice
The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council
2025 Session,
25th Meeting (PM)
ECOSOC/7215
The Economic and Social Council continues the general debate of its annual high-level segment, including the three-day ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”.
The segment, which began 21 July, will run through 24 July.
Member States will make statements this afternoon under the theme “UN@80: Catalyzing Change for Sustainable Development”.
Also in the afternoon, the Council will continue its voluntary national reviews with Germany, Kazakhstan, Seychelles, Japan, Gambia, Indonesia and Suriname. Council President Bob Rae and Vice President Lok Bahadur Thapa will chair the reviews.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement upon Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) being named as a member of the panel.
“Randy is a battle-tested conservative and a fierce defender of America’s interests. The Foreign Affairs Committee is stronger with him on board. Proud to welcome my fellow Floridian to the fight.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement upon Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) being named as a member of the panel.
“Randy is a battle-tested conservative and a fierce defender of America’s interests. The Foreign Affairs Committee is stronger with him on board. Proud to welcome my fellow Floridian to the fight.”
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
For Immediate Release: July 22, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today the leadership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) praised the Consumer Brands Association for its pledge on behalf of the makers of the nation’s food and beverage products to remove certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) petroleum-based colors from America’s food supply. With support from the Trump Administration, this pledge urges member companies to stop manufacturing with FD&C colors by December 31, 2027. President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have made the removal of artificial colors a priority. This pledge is another example of the Trump Administration and industry working together to bring results quickly to the American people. “America is entering a new era of nutrition,” said Secretary Kennedy. “In just a few months, the nation’s leading food and beverage producers have taken bold steps to clean up products loved by children and families. Replacing synthetic food dyes with natural colors marks another major victory in our mission to Make America Healthy Again.” “Promises made, promises kept,” said FDA Commissioner Makary. “We’ve worked hard with industry over the past three months to meet our goal to phase out all petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply. During this time, the FDA also approved four new natural color additives. Today is a win for America’s kids.” Consumer Brands Association recently announced a voluntary commitment to remove FD&C colors from foods served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Through today’s voluntary commitment they are agreeing to eliminate the use of FD&C Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6 from their product portfolios.
Consumer:888-INFO-FDA
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Boilerplate
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.
The following is a guest post by foreign law intern, Yuri Rattanaboonsen. Yuri works with Foreign Law Specialist, Sayuri Umeda, in the Global Legal Research Directorate in the Law Library of Congress.
In Thailand, surnames are generally unique to family lines, and more often than not, we rarely meet a stranger who has the same surname if he or she is not a distant relative.
Before the enactment of the Thai Nationality Act in 1913, which is also known as the Surname Act, surnames were uncommon for the general public. This law required all Thai citizens and permanent residents to register a family surname for the first time. As a result, many families had to create a new surname. One important feature of the law was that each family’s surname had to be unique. (Thai Nationality Act sec.12(5).) If a name was already registered, the family would have to register a different one.
Currently, the Person’s Name Act B.E. 2505 (1962), as amended by the Person’s Name Act (No. 3), B.E. 2548 (2005), governs the rules for personal names in Thailand. It still states “[t]he surname shall not repeat … a registered surname.” (sec. 8(3).)
Thai Surnames
Originally, Thai surnames often reflected a person’s ancestry, place of origin, or occupation, and usually consisted of two to three syllables. They can relate to information about religion, social class, or even links to royalty or heritage.
Thai immigrant families’ surnames are often long. For example, because many Chinese families’ surnames were the same and were already in use, many immigrant families had to modify or expand them to register unique surnames under the 1913 law. Some families chose Thai words that sounded similar to their original Chinese surname. Others created longer surnames by adding extra syllables or translating the original name’s meaning into Thai. As a result, many names and surnames today are long and complex.
The Person’s Name Act limits the length of a surname. It states “[t]he surname shall … not be comprised of more than 10 alphabetical letters….” (Id. sec. 8(5).) This only applies to the Thai alphabet. Therefore, a romanized Thai surname often has more than 10 Roman characters.
It is rare, but some overlap of Thai surnames exists because technology was not advanced enough to detect all registered surnames nationwide at the time the registry was created. The Department of Provincial Administration’s system, which can check the population registration going back to 1984, came online to link data nationwide in 1993. It was then discovered that many people are not relatives but have the same last names.
Name Change
When a surname is changed to a new one, it often becomes quite long. In Thailand, people can change their names for any reason. (Id. sec. 17) Many individuals choose to change their names for personal, cultural, or spiritual reasons.
Some people change names based on astrological beliefs, selecting letters that are thought to be compatible with the individual’s birthday. In these naming calculations, each letter and vowel has a specific meaning. People try to make the total value of their name and surname lucky or strong. To do this, they often need to use more letters, which results in longer names and surnames. However, many people who do not hold these beliefs still have short surnames.
Permission to Use Another Person’s Surname
A Thai person who is not a spouse or relative of another person and who has a different surname can have the person’s surname upon permission of the person who registered the surname. The act states that the permission “can be made by filing an application to the local Registrar in the area where he or she has his or her name on the household registry …The permission … shall be valid only upon the local Registrar’s issuance of a letter showing the permission to use such surname to” a particular person. (Id. sec. 11.)
Romanization of surnames
The same Thai names might be spelled differently in Roman characters on passports or national identity cards due to the different practices in different registrars’ offices. In addition, the registrar’s consideration and opinion affected the registration process. (Id. sec. 18.)
In July 2023, Bangkok Metropolitan sent a letter to the Department of Provincial Administration to discuss the practice of using Roman characters for first and last names on national identity cards. The Department of Provincial Administration responded by stating that a person’s name must be romanized through transliteration based on phonetic principles, as written in the Prime Minister’s Office Announcement of English transliteration criteria on August 26, 1989, and the Royal Institute criteria for transliteration of Thai into Roman letters by phonetic means on January 11, 1999. The Department of Provincial Administration also forwarded this response to all provincial governors to study and practice in the same way. No other specific regulation was made apart from what the Person’s Name Act B.E. 2505 (1962) provides.
Nickname of Thai People
Although it is not officially registered or recognized under Thai law, nicknames are widely used in everyday life. Most Thai individuals receive a nickname at birth. Thai people do not usually change their nicknames; some do, but fewer compared to changes in their first names and surnames. Thais’ nicknames have changed over time. In the past, most nicknames were in Thai, which were short and simple. usually named after animals, fruits, colors, and nature, such as Khao (Rice), Kai (Chicken), Fah (Sky/Blue), and Ploy (Gemstone). Nowadays, the number of syllables increases, and the use of foreign languages in nicknames has increased. Nicknames can be random English words, such as Donut, Golf, or New Year, brand names, such as Porsche, Benz, or Pepsi, or even be an alphabet letter, such as A, B, S, or X.
A person may go by their nickname socially and professionally for their entire life, but only their official given name will appear in legal contracts, government records, and academic certifications. In daily life, individuals are more commonly known by their nickname than their full legal name.
Further Reading
If you would like to know how other countries regulate names, do not forget to check out our other blog posts on that topic, among them, Jenny’s post on naming laws in Germany, Kelly’s post on banning baby names in New Zealand, Laney’s on how many times you can change a name in Taiwan, or Elin’s post on Icelandic name laws.
Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.
IAM Rail Division representatives, public safety experts and members of the community met near East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a devastating train derailment in 2023, for a town hall discussion on rail safety. Attendees also met with two bipartisan members of U.S. Congress to discuss the urgent need for passage of the Railway Safety Act. A major concern among attendees is the rail industry’s desire to reduce human visual track inspections, and other inspections that are crucial in preventing derailments.
The post IAM Union Joins Allies in East Palestine to Continue Fight for Rail Safety appeared first on IAM Union.
Headline: Windows 11 is the home for AI on the PC, with more experiences available today
AI is changing the way we use our PCs. According to a new consumer AI report commissioned by Microsoft, nearly 60% of people report using generative AI for work and business purposes in the past year. Even more (64%) report using AI for hobbies and personal interests like art, music and DIY projects.
As the world adapts to this new era of AI infused with daily life, Windows is here to meet you where you are, with intuitive experiences built in to make what you already do on your PC even easier.
Windows 11 is the home for AI, offering the most expansive and capable AI experiences for consumers today on Copilot+ PCs—with exclusive AI superpowers like Recall (preview), Click to Do (preview) and improved Windows search, as well as groundbreaking new ways to interact with your PC, like Copilot Vision on Windows, all available now.
Today, we continue to make new experiences generally available for Windows 11 and Copilot+ PC users that make Windows more intuitive, more accessible and ultimately more useful.
Read on to discover what’s available and how to get started using these experiences today.
Changing Windows Settings has never been easier, with Windows’ first agent
It’s never been easier to adjust your settings in Windows. Now on Copilot+ PCs, you can use your own words in the settings search box to describe something you’d like to change, and instantly get recommendations, including actions to adjust the relevant setting with one click.
This is made possible through the new agent in Settings, Windows’ first agent optimized for Copilot+ PCs.
Hundreds of settings across displays, connectivity, accessibility and much more are now customizable through the agent in Settings, with the ability to enable or undo any setting you change.
To use the agent in Settings:
Open Settings from the Taskbar or Start Menu
Type in the Settings search box what you want to change using your own words, such as “I want to enable quiet hours” or “connect Bluetooth device.” For some settings, you can even make specific requests, such “change my resolution to 1920×1080.”
If the agent can make the change, it will offer an option to complete the action to change the setting, as well as an option to undo any setting you change.
When settings are unable to be adjusted by the agent, improved Windows search will surface relevant settings to help you get closer to what you’re looking for, faster.
The agent in Settings begins to become available starting today for Windows customers using English on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with availability on Intel and AMD devices coming at a later datei.
Learn more about how you can use Settings agent and other Windows features like Copilot Vision on Windows to troubleshoot your PC.
Do even more with Click to Do (preview)
Click to Do keeps you in the flow to get things done faster, providing contextual actions to text and images on your screen.
After invoking Click to Do, relevant text or visual actions will appear that include the ability to prompt Copilot, search the web, create bulleted lists, start a draft of a document or email, or even schedule a Teams meeting—all without leaving your current window.
New actions available starting today includeii:
Practice in Reading Coachiii is a new Click to Do text action that helps you improve reading fluency and pronunciation. Select text on your screen, choose Practice in Reading Coach, and read the text aloud. Reading Coach gives you feedback and shows where to improve.
Read with Immersive Reader is a new text action in Click to Do that displays text in a focused, distraction-free environment. It helps improve reading and writing for all skill levels and abilities. You can adjust text size, spacing, font and background theme, have text read aloud, break words into syllables and highlight parts of speech. The picture dictionary shows images for unfamiliar words.
Draft with Copilot in Wordiv is a new text action enabling you to quickly turn any recognized text into a full draft. Whether it’s a sentence in an email or a snippet on your screen, press Win + Click on the recognized text, then select Draft with Copilot in Word. No more blank pages. No more writer’s block. Just momentum.
Click to Do now supports actions through Microsoft Teams. When you select an email address recognized by Click to Do on your screen, you can choose to send a Teams message or schedule a Teams meeting. These options make it easy to ask a question or set up time to talk without interrupting your workflow.
To get started with Click to Do:
Press the Windows key + mouse click, Windows key + Q, or access through the Start menu and Snipping Tool.
Click to Do also supports hardware-specific options like double clicking your pen on your pen-capable device or swiping from the right with your pen or finger on your touch screen.
Learn more about all the ways you can use Click to Do to get more done on your Copilot+ PC.
Photos relight brings professional lighting controls to your pictures
Relight in the Photos app brings professional lighting controls to your snapshots. Open any image in Photos, select Edit > Relight, and then click to place up to three virtual light sources around your subject.
Adjust each light’s intensity, color and position with simple sliders, or choose from built-in presets like “Studio Portrait” and “Cinematic Glow.”
To use relight in Photos:
Open the Photos app and select the image you want to relight.
Select Edit, then select Relight from the available options.
Choose one of the lighting presets, and optionally customize each light’s location, brightness, softness or color, and the overall intensity of the effect.
Learn more about tips to get the most out of your photos.
This feature is available now on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Series processors, with support for Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel and AMD coming soon.
Paint adds even more creative capabilities with sticker generator and object select
In May, we introduced multiple enhancements to elevate your creative experience, now available on Copilot+ PCs.
Sticker generatorv is a new AI-powered feature in Paint that lets you create custom stickers by simply typing a prompt. To get started, click on the Sticker generator button in the Copilot menu. From there, you can type in a description of the sticker you want to create, like “a cat wearing sunglasses,” and hit the Generate button.
Paint will then generate a set of unique stickers based on your prompt. Once the stickers are generated, you can click on any one of them to instantly apply it to your canvas, copy the sticker for use in other applications, or save it for later. To access your recently generated stickers, click on the new Stickers option in the Paint toolbar.
We’re also releasing object select, a smart selection tool that uses AI to help you isolate and edit individual elements in your image. To get started, click on the Object select tool in the toolbar and simply pinpoint specific elements on the canvas to select and make edits instantly.
To use the new updates in Paint:
Open the Paint app.
Explore the new welcome experience to learn more about features like Cocreator, generative erase, sticker generator, object select and Layers.
Try out the new sticker generator and object select features.
Be more productive with Snipping Tool perfect screenshot and color picker
Snipping Tool’s screen capture and perfect screenshot capturing a specific area of the screen.
We’ve also added two new features to Snipping Tool—perfect screenshot and color picker.
Perfect screenshot is a new AI-powered feature exclusive to Copilot+ PCs that allows you to precisely capture content on your screen with the Snipping Tool app without the need to crop or resize it post-capture.
To try Snipping Tool perfect screenshot:
Invoke the Snipping Tool capture toolbar from within the app or by using the Print Screen keyboard shortcut.
Select the Perfect screenshot button from the toolbar when in rectangle mode and start selecting a region of your screen.
Once activated, perfect screenshot will intelligently resize based on the content in your selection. You can also quickly enable perfect screenshot by holding the Ctrl keyboard shortcut after invoking Snipping Tool while selecting a region of your screen.
Move or edit the area before confirming your capture, ensuring you get the perfect screenshot every time!
For all Windows 11 PCs, we have also added the ability to easily identify and capture colors seen on your screen through the introduction of color picker. Color picker is great for anyone who might need to quickly match a color you see on your screen as part of a project—whether that be designers, developers or everyday color aficionados.
Snipping Tool’s color picker tool selecting a color on the screen to inspect.
To try color picker in Snipping Tool:
Invoke the Snipping Tool capture toolbar from within the app or by using the Print Screen keyboard shortcut.
Select Color picker from the toolbar and then inspect or select a color code on your screen, choosing from HEX, RGB or HSL values. Need to be more precise? You can zoom by scrolling in on your pointer or using by using the Ctrl +/- keyboard shortcuts.
Do more with Microsoft Copilot and Edge on Windows 11
Copilot Vision on Windows, now available in the U.S., is a new way to engage with your Windows 11 PC. When you enable it, it can see what you see on your device and talk to you about it in real time.
It acts as your second set of eyes, able to analyze content, help when you’re lost, provide insights and answer your questions as you go. Whether you’re browsing, working or deep in a project, Copilot Vision offers instant insights and answers.
And with Highlights, you can go a step further and ask Copilot “show me how” for a specific task and it will show you within the app you’re in where to click and what to do. On Windows, Copilot can help you navigate multiple apps at once, including your full desktop, serving as a true companion to help you accomplish any task.
To get started with Copilot Vision on Windows:
Open the Copilot app and click the glasses icon in your composer.
Select which browser window or app you want to share.
Ask Copilot to help with whatever you’re working on. To stop sharing, press ‘Stop’ or ‘X’ in the composer. It’s a fully opt-in experience that always puts you at the controls.
Microsoft Edge is also the only browser built for Windows, offering the most seamless PC browsing experience with AI-powered tools, productivity features, and built-in performance and security features that help you browse quickly and safely.
With features like Edge Game Assist, now available on Windows 11vi, you can get tips and guides for many of the top PC games, easy access to essential sites like Discord, Spotify, and Twitch, and more — all right in your game.
To use Edge Game Assist, simply press Win+G to open Game Bar and start using Microsoft Edge for a seamless and immersive gaming experience.
Learn more about how you can get the most out of Edge on Windows.
Making the unexpected easier with faster recovery
Unexpected restarts are frustrating, that’s why starting today, people will begin to experience several improvements that make this experience quicker and more user friendly so you can pick up right where you left off.
With quick machine recovery, a new recovery mechanism for Windows 11 PCs, your PC will automatically detect and fix widespread issues during an unexpected restart using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
We’ve also streamlined the unexpected restart experience, reducing the time users spend on the screen from 40 seconds to just 2 seconds for most consumer devices on Windows 11, version 24H2.vii
As part of these changes, we also made an update to how our interface appears during an unexpected restart, introducing a simplified user interface (UI) that pairs with the shortened experience to display a more readable layout while keeping the technical details visible.
Learn more about the changes to the unexpected restart experience here.
Move forward with Windows 11
From modern security to faster performance and the latest features and experiences, Windows 11 is built to help you work, play and create with ease. With support for Windows 10 ending on Oct. 14, 2025, we’re here to ensure your transition is smooth, secure and up to date.
We understand that moving to a new PC can take time, and we’re here to support you throughout the process. The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is designed to keep your current Windows 10 PC protected after support ends—helping you stay secure during the transition.
Starting today, individuals will begin to see an enrollment wizard through notifications and in Settings, making it simple to select the best option for you and enroll in ESU directly from your personal Windows 10 PC.
Learn more about Windows 10 end of support and explore the tools and resources available to help you transition with confidence.
How to get these updates
Over the next month, we will be gradually rolling out several of these features via controlled feature rollout (CFR) to consumers. Some of these experiences are available today via this month’s Windows non-security preview update, as well as updates available in the Microsoft Store.
Consumers who would like to be among the first to experience new enhancements can simply go to Settings > Windows Update and turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.” Then select “Check for updates” to download and install the most recent non-security preview release.
Ensure that Microsoft Paint, Photos and Copilot applications are updated to the latest versions available.
For a full list of features available via today’s Windows Update, learn more here.
End notes:
i Available now in most global markets on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon® X Series. Limited initially to English-language inputs. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs processors.
ii These Click to Do actions are not available in the European Economic Area.
iii To use this feature, install the free Microsoft Reading Coach app from the Microsoft Store.
iv For “Draft with Copilot in Word” – a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription is required.
v Optimized for English text prompts and requires a Microsoft account and internet connection to access cloud services that help ensure the responsible use of AI.
vi Game Assist is available where Edge is available. Enhanced game content is available English-only at this time. Game Assist experience may also vary depending on game and geography.
vii Source: Internal testing of Windows 11 memory dump write speed, October 2022.
Headline: Introducing Surface Laptop 5G: Seamless connectivity, built for business
We’re excited to announce the expansion of our Surface Copilot+ PC portfolio for business customers. The new Surface Laptop 5G, 13.8-inch powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, will begin shipping Aug. 26, and the new Surface Laptop, 13-inch and Surface Pro, 12-inch are available starting today.[1]
AI is every organization’s competitive edge—but only when it’s accessible the moment it’s needed. Surface Laptop 5G delivers that advantage with a 40+ trillion operations per second (TOPS) Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that powers fast, on-device intelligence, making everyday workflows more intuitive and efficient. Whether it’s staying focused in meetings, finding and acting on information faster, or reducing routine tasks, AI accelerates what matters most. With an integrated 5G modem, users stay continuously connected to Microsoft 365 Copilot[2] and other cloud tools, enabling deeper insights and real-time collaboration.
Adding 5G to Surface Laptop has been one of the most requested features from our business customers. But the ask was never just about adding a modem—it reflected a deeper need to eliminate friction, with the ability to connect instantly, securely and reliably without worrying about signal strength or searching for a hotspot.
Meeting that need was the driving force behind the design of Surface Laptop 5G. We set out to build the best 5G-connected laptop—one where connectivity fades into the background. Whether you’re a consultant joining a Teams call on a train, a field engineer uploading site data from the field or a sales leader finishing a proposal in a hotel lobby, Surface Laptop 5G keeps business moving wherever work happens.
Surface Laptop 5G represents Microsoft’s end-to-end innovation in action. Hardware, software and cloud services come together to deliver intelligent, secure and connected experiences for today’s mobile workforce. The Surface for Business portfolio offers a complete solution for every user scenario, from tablet-first flexibility to high-performance laptops, all supported by Microsoft’s modern management and industry-leading security.
Engineered for seamless 5G performance
Adding 5G to Surface Laptop required more than just dropping in a modem. Every layer of Surface Laptop 5G was reengineered to deliver a seamless, reliable and secure experience, while preserving the design, performance and portability our customers expect.
Dynamic antenna system
At the heart of Surface Laptop 5G is a dynamic antenna system that continuously adapts to its environment. With six strategically placed antennas, the device automatically adjusts signal paths and power based on how it’s being held or used, ensuring strong, reliable connectivity exactly when and where it’s needed.[4] As users move between environments, the device seamlessly transitions between 5G and Wi-Fi networks, keeping a steady and secure connection to cloud-based apps, updates, and corporate resources. This innovative antenna design also enables Surface Laptop 5G to act as a mobile hotspot, securely sharing its 5G connection with other devices when Wi-Fi isn’t available.[3]
Thoughtfully designed hardware
Many laptops place antennas near the base, where signals are more likely to be blocked by objects or the user’s legs. Surface Laptop 5G was designed differently, with antennas strategically positioned higher on the device to reduce interference and maintain a strong, reliable and consistent connection.
This design required a new material, one that allows radio signals to pass through without impacting performance, while still delivering the durability, premium feel and lightness our customers are looking for. We developed a custom multi-layered laminate that meets all of these needs, enabling reliable 5G performance without compromising portability or design.
Surface Laptop 5G also includes both NanoSIM and eSIM options, integrated to preserve its slim profile while enabling global connectivity.[4] Weighing under 3 pounds, it is light and easy to carry across campuses, through airports or from meeting to meeting.
Tested for the real world
In Surface we don’t just simulate real-world use, we build for it. Surface Laptop 5G was tested in homes, apartments and active office environments replicating everyday scenarios. Moving between rooms, switching networks, multitasking and working from laps helped us fine-tune antenna placement, thermal performance and connectivity behavior to reflect how people actually work.
To ensure global performance, the 5G hardware was field-tested with over 100 mobile operators across more than 50 countries. The result is reliable 5G connectivity that travels with your workforce around the world.[5]
Secure and connected for smarter management
With support for 5G built-in, Surface Laptop devices stay continuously connected, enabling IT to deliver security updates, enforce policies and access real-time insights, from almost anywhere. This integration is possible because Surface is engineered in partnership with Windows and Intune, combining hardware, software and cloud-based management into a unified Microsoft solution.
IT can remotely deploy and manage eSIM profiles, allowing cellular connectivity to be preconfigured and pushed to enrolled Surface devices.6 Paired with Windows Autopilot, it enables a true zero-touch deployment experience where devices arrive fully configured, secured and ready to use.
The Surface Management Portal within the Intune Admin Center provides centralized visibility into device health, compliance and usage across the Surface fleet. Now with Security Copilot integrated, IT can act faster with AI-powered tools to detect issues, assess risk and respond with greater confidence.
For an extra layer of protection, the PanzerGlass Privacy Screen Protector helps safeguard on-screen information and can reduce the risk of visual data exposure when working in public spaces.[6]
Surface is where Microsoft’s hardware, software and cloud come together to deliver an experience that’s easy to manage, safe to deploy and ready for AI from day one.
A connected future, built for business
Surface offers powerful protection that safeguards your data and privacy while enabling your employees to achieve more.
Surface Laptop 5G joins a growing portfolio of Copilot+ PCs designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce. With the Surface Pro for Business, 12-inch and Surface Laptop for Business, 13-inch now shipping, and Surface Laptop 5G arriving on Aug. 26, organizations have more choice than ever to modernize their device fleets with powerful, secure and AI-ready tools.
When paired with Verizon’s secure, reliable 5G network, Surface devices unlock even greater productivity. The combination of Surface Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft 365 Copilot and high-speed mobile connectivity enables a seamless experience that helps businesses work easier and efficiently, in the office or out in the field. In the U.S., Surface for Business devices are available through a broad network of partners, including Verizon Business, with selected Verizon stores rolling out in the coming months.
With support ending for Windows 10 PCs on Oct. 14, 2025, now is the time to begin the transition to a modern Windows experience—one that’s optimized for AI, secured by design and built for mobility.
To learn more about the new Surface Laptop 5G, Surface Pro, 12-inch and Surface Laptop, 13-inch visit Surface.com/Business to find an authorized reseller, or visit the Microsoft Store. When you shop at Microsoft.com, you’ll get free shipping and an extended 60-day price protection and return window. For a deeper technical dive, see the Surface IT Pro Blog.
[1] 5G will be available later in 2025 and only on specific SKUs of Surface Laptop for Business 13.8-inch | Intel, but not in all areas; compatibility and performance depends on carrier network, plan and other factors. See carrier for details and pricing.
[2] Per user license sold separately; also requires eligible Microsoft 365 plan.
[3] Mobile hotspot support may vary by country and/or carrier; additional fees may apply.
[4] eSIM support and availability may vary by carrier and country.
[5] Service availability and performance subject to service provider’s network. Contact your service provider for details, compatibility, pricing, SIM card and activation. See all specs and frequencies at surface.com. Availability of data plans for eSIM varies by market and by carrier.
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
The discussion draft builds on the CLARITY Act, which passed the House of Representatives last week with strong bipartisan support
WASHINGTON—Today,United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Cythia Lummis (R-WY), Chairwoman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, and Bernie Moreno (R-OH), in releasing an initial discussion draft of digital asset market structure legislation covering issues under the Banking Committee’s jurisdiction. The discussion draft builds on the CLARITY Act, which passed the House of Representatives last week with strong bipartisan support. Along with the discussion draft, the Senators are issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for stakeholders to submit feedback on the draft and on a wide range of questions.
“For too long, outdated laws and regulatory uncertainty around digital asset market structure have hindered American innovation and left consumers without adequate protections,” said Senator Hagerty. “This discussion draft demonstrates a strong commitment to unlocking the full potential of the digital asset economy by delivering responsible legislation that reflects input from stakeholders, fosters innovation, establishes consistent guardrails, and ensures the United States remains a global leader in digital assets.”
“My colleagues and I in the House and Senate share the same goal: to provide clear rules of the road for digital assets that protect investors, foster innovation, and keep the future of digital finance anchored in America,” said Chairman Scott. “I’m grateful for the hard work of our House counterparts to craft smart, bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to building on their work here in the Senate. Working with President Trump, we can deliver a comprehensive, bipartisan regulatory framework for digital assets.”
“The time for regulatory uncertainty in the digital asset space has come to an end,” said Senator Lummis. “This discussion draft represents a thoughtful, balanced approach that will provide the clarity our innovators need while providing robust consumer protections. We cannot allow regulatory confusion to continue driving American innovation overseas. Market structure legislation will establish clear distinctions between digital asset securities and commodities, modernize our regulatory framework, and position the United States as the global leader in digital asset innovation.”
“The GENIUS Act was a critical stride toward ensuring the United States is a leader in Digital Assets,” said Senator Moreno. “This draft represents the next step in putting a bipartisan regulatory framework on President Trump’s desk and I look forward to continuing our important work to encourage innovation, protect consumers, and strengthen national security and US dollar dominance.”
The discussion draft takes important steps to:
Define Ancillary Assets – The discussion draft clearly defines an “ancillary asset” to clarify which digital assets are not securities.
Create Disclosure Requirements – The discussion draft creates disclosure requirements that are tailored for offers, sales, or distributions of ancillary assets.
Promulgate New Rules – The discussion draft requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promulgate new rules:
Regulation DA: To exempt certain offers or sales of ancillary assets from SEC registration, including offers of sales that do not exceed $75 million in gross proceeds per year over four years.
Investment Contracts: To more clearly define what constitutes an investment contract.
Modernize Securities Regulations – The discussion draft directs the SEC to tailor existing requirements to digital asset activity, so that regulations are no longer outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome in light of the unique technological characteristics of digital assets.
Prevent Illicit Finance – The discussion draft requires the creation of examination standards for digital assets and encourages private sector entities to partner with federal law enforcement, to detect and deter illicit finance.
Promote Responsible Banking Innovation – The discussion draft ensures financial holding companies can use a digital asset or distributed ledger system to perform, provide, or deliver any activity, function, product, or service that banks are otherwise authorized by law to perform, provide, or deliver.
Full text of the discussion draft can be found here.
In addition to the discussion draft, the Senators are calling on stakeholders to submit their feedback on a wide range of questions around:
Regulatory Clarity and Tailoring
Investor Protection
Trading Venues and Market Infrastructure
Custody
Illicit Finance
Banking
Innovation
Preemption
To participate in the Request for Information (RFI), please submit your feedback to MarketStructure_RFI@banking.senate.gov.