NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Unfair competition from imports of products not subject to environmental requirements or social standards – E-002444/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002444/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maria Grapini (S&D)

    The reindustrialisation of the EU is one of the objectives of the single market.

    The previous Commission introduced a reindustrialisation programme with the aim of reducing dependence on third countries.

    Despite this, European manufacturing is being eroded by imports of products from third countries that do not have the same production, quality, social and environmental standards as those imposed on European producers.

    One example is the ceramic tiles industry in Romania, Italy, France, Poland and other European countries, which is being greatly affected by imports from India.

    Prices of Indian ceramic tiles are half those of European prices, due to the use of cheaper gas from Russia and not having to pay a carbon tax on gas consumption or for Green Certificates (green taxation) for energy consumption.

    What are the Commission’s concrete proposals for action to end unfair competition from imports of products not subject to environmental requirements and social standards?

    The closure of European companies has led to the loss of jobs and sources of revenue for national budgets.

    Submitted: 17.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The wreck of the ‘Sea Diamond’ on the seabed of Santorini for 18 years as toxic waste – E-001879/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission carried out an informal dialogue with Greek authorities and assessed the study of the Technical University of Crete and the report of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research of 2012[1] in order to verify compliance with the Waste Framework Directive[2] as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-135/05[3].

    The Commission concluded that based on the available evidence[4] regarding the reports and actions already taken by the Greek authorities after the accident (impact study on pollution, continuous monitoring of the zone affected, etc.), no breach of EU law could be established.

    However, the Commission also informed the Greek authorities that they should remain vigilant as the adverse effects of the shipwreck could be revealed after a prolonged period of time.

    The Commission is not aware of any judicial expert opinions from 2019 and 2020 quoted by the Honourable Member.

    Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action.

    The Commission aims to swiftly follow up on systemic issues involving the application of EU law in EU countries. However, one-off instances are better dealt with at national level, as long as there are available remedies, including judicial ones. In these cases, it is up to the national courts to apply and enforce citizens’ rights under EU law.

    Should new elements arise, including pollution of the area, national courts are competent to verify the adequacy of the measures implemented by the Greek authorities with national and EU legislation.

    • [1] Report entitled ‘Μελέτη των επιπτώσεων της ρύπανσης που προκλήθηκε από το ατύχημα του κρουαζιερόπλοιου “Sea Diamond” στον όρμο Αθηνιος της Νήσου Θήρας » transmitted to the Commission by the Greek authorities.
    • [2] Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3-30, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109-140.
    • [3] https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=en&num=c-135/05.
    • [4] i.e.  absence of clear-cut evidence of the deterioration of the marine environment.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Building the new northern section of the A33 motorway through a Natura 2000 site – E-001537/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive[1] provides that if, in spite of a negative assessment of the implications for the site and in the absence of alternative solutions, a plan or project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, the Member State must take all compensatory measures necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of Natura 2000 is protected.

    It must inform the Commission of the compensatory measures adopted which enables the Commission to assess the manner in which the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network will be maintained in the long term. Appropriate compensatory measures are therefore necessary to obtain a positive Commission’s opinion.

    The compensatory measures must ensure the overall coherence of the network and may include the enlargement of an existing site or a designation of a new site. Thanks to this legal requirement the Natura 2000 site concerned is not called into question.

    It is however appropriate to assess, in the first place, whether mitigating measures pursuant to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, could be useful to tackle the adverse effects of the project to the protected site.

    According to the competent German authorities, 75% to 100% of the adverse effect of the project A33 on protected habitat types are caused by nitrogen deposition.

    A temporary speed limit during periods when the concentration is above the legal threshold may be an efficient mitigation measure to reduce emissions.

    • [1] Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supporting active travel in Skye and Raasay

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Work to promote and support active travel projects in Skye and Raasay is being backed by Highland Council.

    An Active Travel budget for 2025/26 has been agreed and earmarked towards capital works for the area.

    Monday’s meeting of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Committee noted ambitions for this resource to be used strategically to unlock additional investment, such as match funding from the Scottish Government.

    A project officer has been appointed for an initial two-year period to assist in delivery of the identified projects.

    They will work closely with a range of public sector partners and local community organisations to advance infrastructure projects, identify new or potential active travel development opportunities and improve access to public transport and sustainable travel options.

    The Project Officer will also provide a coordinating role for active travel infrastructure projects defined and developed through the Skye and Raasay Futures Initiative (SARF).

    Three key actions have been identified for more detailed exploration:

    • Integrating bikes and buses – including cycle parking at bus stops and stations, and retrofitting buses for bike storage.
    • A public cycle hire scheme.
    • Ongoing support for a local cycle network.

    The recently appointed Project Officer has undertaken a series of site/familiarisation visits covering potential projects and has met with key community groups through the Skye Active Travel Forum to understand their needs and priorities going forward.

    There are some works within the Portree Active Travel Masterplan that have been identified as being feasible for delivery in the next year, subject to updated cost estimates and agreement with elected members.

    These include work at Woodpark Road/A87 Roundabout crossings, Hedgefield Road signage and wayfinding, and Blaven Road/Home Farm Road junction minor improvements.

    Several of the more major actions will require works along the trunk road network.

    In these cases, officers will continue to progress discussions with colleagues in Transport Scotland and HITRANS.

    The Skye Cycle Way and Skye Cycle Network projects are currently being taken forward by local communities with support from HITRANS.

    Bids have been put forward to the Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund for the Skye Cycle Way, key initial section connecting Kyleakin with Broadford, as well as the Skye Cycle Network, Edinbane section, to connect the village with the campsite.

    The Council is working closely with HITRANS on a range of Active Travel projects and will monitor opportunities to support these pieces of work where possible.

    Additionally, a potential opportunity has been identified for the council to support works on the Old Sleat Road parallel to the A851, potentially providing another key piece of cycle route to be fully joined into the network at a later date.

    Chair of the Skye and Raasay Committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “Supporting active travel is a commitment to make it easier, safer and more convenient for people to walk, wheel and cycle.

    “This benefits individual health as well as our environment, so I welcome the work taking place in Skye and Raasay to encourage these projects.”

    During Monday’s meeting members were also given an update on housing performance in the ward.

    They were told that there had been a decrease in rent arrears, and a reduction in the numbers living in temporary accommodation over the past year.

    Further business on the agenda included updates on new school projects in Dunvegan and Broadford, as well as on the ongoing refurbishment of Tigh na Sgire in Portree.

    The building is being redeveloped as a co-location hub to accommodate a number of other agencies, as well as council departments.

    Figures detailing income generated through pay and display car parks in the ward were also provided for the area committee.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release – Fatal crash, Manurewa

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Please attribute to Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray:

    Police are formally releasing the name of the man who died in a fatal crash in Manurewa on Friday, 27 June.

    Today, he can be named as Iu Toalua, aged 45, of Auckland.

    Police extend our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

    A 56-year-old man has been charged with driving dangerously causing death, dangerous driving causing injury and driving while forbidden has been remanded in custody and will reappear in Manukau District Court on 18 July.

    Police enquiries will continue, and further charges cannot be ruled out as we investigate further.

    While matters are before the Court, we can advise that parties in both vehicles were known to each other.

    Police are continuing to ask any witnesses with information or footage to come forward.

    If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105.

    Please use reference number 250627/8090 or cite ‘Operation Highbury’.

    ENDS

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2025 Honours List and Justices of the Peace appointments

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         â€‹The 2025 Honours List and Justices of the Peace (JPs) appointments are published in the Government Gazette today (July 1).
     
    For the Honours List, the Chief Executive has given a total of 427 awards this year. The award recipients come from different walks of life with diverse backgrounds, benefitting various domains and sectors of the community, including public and community service, education, medical and public health, finance, trade and industry, innovation and technology, charity, arts and culture, sports, housing, transport, construction and urban development, environment, religion, labour and welfare, women and youth affairs, and professional services. Details are as follows:
     

         Award Number
    (a) Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) 3
    (b) Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) 20
    (c) Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) 29
    (d) Distinguished Service Medals for the disciplined services and the ICAC 12
    (e) Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) 46
    (f) Medal for Bravery (Bronze) (MBB) 3
    (g) Meritorious Service Medals for the disciplined services and the ICAC 46
    (h) Medal of Honour (MH) 111
    (i) Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service 76
    (j) Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/Public Service 81
      427

     
    The citations of the award recipients of the 2025 Honours List are provided in Appendix 1.
     
    The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, extends his congratulations to all award recipients and expresses gratitude for their significant contributions, hoping that they will continue to excel in their own fields and serve the community.
     
    Mr Lee said, “I also express my gratitude to nine officers for their outstanding contributions to safeguarding national security. In the situation facing targeted malicious attacks from external forces, they have remained fearlessly committed to duty and displayed an extraordinary level of determination in discharging their duties, and actively participated in work related to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They deserve the honours as recognition of their significant contributions.
     
    “Regarding the No. 3 alarm fire at New Lucky House in Jordan, which led to multiple deaths and injuries on April 10 last year, I would like to thank two citizens who bravely saved a number of trapped people, and therefore awarded the Medal for Bravery (Bronze) to these two citizens.
     
         “I also take this opportunity to express my thanks for the contributions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team deployed to assist in the search and rescue work in the quake-stricken areas in Myanmar in March and April this year, and therefore awarded the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service and the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/Public Service to these officers.”
     
    The presentation ceremony for the awards will be held later this year. 
     
    Moreover, a total of 66 persons have been appointed as JPs by the Chief Executive, of whom 48 were appointed under section 3(1)(b) of the Justices of the Peace Ordinance (Cap. 510) (commonly referred to as Non-official JPs), and 18 were appointed under section 3(1)(a) of the same ordinance (commonly referred to as Official JPs).
     
    The main function of JPs is to visit correctional institutions, detention centres or other institutions to ensure their effective management and that no individual is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights. JPs will ensure that complaints lodged by individuals are handled in a fair and transparent manner.
     
    The name list of JPs appointed under section 3(1)(b) and section 3(1)(a) of the Justices of the Peace Ordinance is provided in Appendix 2.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ferry service adjustments on July 3 and July 7

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Transport Department (TD) today (June 30) reminded the public that in view of special marine transport measures on the mornings of July 3 (Thursday) and July 7 (Monday), ferry services will be adjusted as follows:

    (1) Outlying island ferry services

    The following nine outlying island licensed ferry service routes operated via the Western Fairway will be suspended gradually on July 3 (Thursday) (about 7.20am to 9.50am) and July 7 (Monday) (about 10am to 12 noon).
     

    • Central – Cheung Chau
    • Central – Mui Wo
    • Central – Peng Chau
    • Central – Yung Shue Wan
    • Central – Sok Kwu Wan
    • Central – Discovery Bay
    • Ma Wan – Central
    • Aberdeen – Pak Kok Tsuen – Yung Shue Wan
    • Aberdeen – Sok Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat)

    The ferry operators will strengthen ferry services before 7.30am on July 3 for individual routes to ease the passenger flow during peak hours. In addition, the TD has coordinated with ferry operators to provide free of charge special ferry service routes (a total of seven round trips) during the morning peak hours on July 3 (about 7.40am to 9.30am) to Tsuen Wan West and Discovery Bay respectively, providing additional travel options for passengers in need as far as possible. Passengers can transfer to the MTR Tuen Ma Line or other road transports at Tsuen Wan West Station, or transfer to Residents’ Services at Discovery Bay to Tung Chung and Sunny Bay, and other destinations.
     

    • Cheung Chau – Tsuen Wan West
    • Peng Chau – Tsuen Wan West
    • Yung Shue Wan – Tsuen Wan West
    • Discovery Bay – Tsuen Wan West
    • Cheung Chau – Discovery Bay
    • Yung Shue Wan – Discovery Bay

    Details of the outlying island ferry service adjustments and the free of charge special outlying island ferry services are provided in the Annex.

    (2) Inner harbour ferry services

    Subject to the actual situation, temporary service adjustments for franchised and licensed ferry routes transiting through Victoria Harbour on the morning of July 7 (Monday) (about 10am to 12 noon) may be needed. For details, please refer to the TD and the ferry operators’ announcements.

    The TD and ferry operators will closely monitor the actual situation at sea, and will resume normal ferry services as soon as possible. The ferry and road transportation services will be enhanced as needed to ease passenger flow. The latest ferry service updates will be announced in a timely manner.

    During the period of ferry service adjustments, any request for emergency assistance can be directed to the “999” emergency hotline. Relevant departments handling emergency situations, including the Government Flying Service, will provide emergency rescue services.

    Ferry passengers, especially residents of outlying islands, are advised to plan their trips in advance, allow sufficient travelling time, and pay attention to the latest updates regarding ferry services. For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or “HKeMobility”. The ferry operators will also advise passengers of the temporary service adjustments through their websites and/or mobile applications, as well as by displaying notices at relevant piers and inside the vessels.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EIB and the European Commission announce a more flexible guarantee of €5 billion to boost global investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    On the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission announced today a new type of guarantee agreement that will provide up to €5 billion to de-risk investments and expand EIB operations outside the European Union (EU). Today’s guarantee has the potential to unlock up to €10 billion in funding for critical projects in clean energy, green infrastructure and access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in partner countries.

    This new guarantee is designed to support an increased number of companies – companies with a state participation or public organisations – that operate at local or regional levels in partner countries outside of the EU. The novelty about today’s new guarantee is that it can also apply to entities that borrow money from financial markets on their own terms – without State backing. Whereas the previous guarantees used to support only State-backed projects. With today’s new type of guarantee agreement, it will be more flexible and faster to back up investments. Ultimately, the new guarantee will advance Global Gateway investments by financing projects of public interest that are considered too risky for traditional lenders while ensuring affordable borrowing costs for partner countries.

    The guarantee will support investments in energy, hard infrastructure, economic resilience and SMEs in the North of Africa and the Middle East. It will also help finance telecommunication and energy infrastructure projects and support municipalities in the EU’s enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood regions, contributing strongly to the EU’s accession priorities. At the same time, the guarantee will enable for instance the development of the Transcaspian Corridor in Central Asia, enhance supply chain security for critical raw materials and advance the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    “Complementing policy with the right financing tools helps us boosting the economic potential of the Middle East and North Africa, which will be one of the pillars of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, and a fundamental one to foster job creation and mutual advantages for the EU and our partner countries. With this agreement, we are one step closer to a connected Mediterranean, especially when it comes to energy infrastructure and support to SMEs. We also aim at building a resilient Mediterranean region.”

    Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for Mediterranean

    “This new agreement will build on our valued partnership with the European Investment Bank. It will unlock essential financial resources for investment in key areas such as energy, digital and municipal infrastructure. These sectors are crucial for the seamless integration of accession countries into the EU and for sustainable economic growth in our Eastern Neighbourhood region.”

    Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

    “This agreement is an important boost for the Global Gateway, our strategy to support sustainable development, strengthen EU’s presence globally and deepen our international partnerships. We are providing a €5 billion guarantee to unlock high-impact Global Gateway investments where they are needed the most, from clean energy and infrastructure to empowering small businesses. By de-risking investments, we are enabling large-scale projects that would not happen otherwise. This will help us create new long-term opportunities both for Europe and our partners.”

    Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships

    “This new agreement will help to position Europe as a trustworthy and reliable partner around the world. It expands the scope of our financing and strengthens the European Union’s ability to invest in high impact projects from basic services like water, health and clean energy to value chains in critical raw materials to support for accessible transport in cities and regions. “

    “This new agreement will help to position Europe as a trustworthy and reliable partner around the world. It expands the scope of our financing and strengthens the European Union’s ability to invest in high impact projects from basic services like water, health and clean energy to value chains in critical raw materials to support for accessible transport in cities and regions.”

    Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank

    Background information

    Global Gateway

    Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy to boost global connectivity through sustainable partnerships. Launched in December 2021, it seeks to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments by 2027 to support projects in digital, climate and energy, transport, health, and education around the world. The strategy emphasises the advancement of smart, clean, and secure links while promoting environmental sustainability, social inclusiveness, and democratic values. Global Gateway serves as a European response to global infrastructure needs, offering transparent and value-based partnerships to foster economic growth worldwide.

    EFSD+

    The guarantee announced today falls under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), a key financing tool for the Global Gateway. It is part of the €26.7 billion guarantee envelope to support EIB lending outside the EU for the period 2021-2027.

    EFSD+ is part of the European Union’s investment framework and is the main financial instrument supporting the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. EFSD+ guarantees act as a safety net for lenders, covering potential losses if projects fail. If projects succeed, the guarantee remains unused, keeping EU funds available for other projects. In blended finance operations the EU combines a small grant contribution with loans to attract additional public and private funding, maximising the impact of projects.

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices across the world. Photos of EIB headquarters for media use are available here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Highlights Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Arrested in Florida Including Murderers, Pedophiles, and Rapists Ahead of Opening of Alligator Alcatraz

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    “Alligator Alcatraz, and other facilities like it, will give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered our country under the previous administration.” – Secretary Noem 

    WASHINGTON – Ahead of President Trump and Secretary Noem’s visit to Alligator Alcatraz this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is highlighting some of the worst of the worst arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida since President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE. This new detention facility expands facility and bed space by the thousands in just days.

    “Alligator Alcatraz, and other facilities like it, will give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered our country under the previous administration,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida. Make America safe again.” 

    Below are some of the dangerous criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE in Florida. These are the types of violent criminal illegal aliens who could end up being detained at Alligator Alcatraz. 

    • On May 20, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Santo Villaba-Reyes, an illegal alien from Venezuela, who was convicted of homicide.
    • On February 6, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Alberto Godinez-Lopez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, who was convicted of homicide.
    • On February 7, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Johnny Dieudonne, an illegal alien from Haiti, who was convicted of kidnapping-false imprisonment.
    • On March 1, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Jan Veslino, an illegal alien from the Philippines, who was convicted of obscene communication-traveling to meet a minor for sex.
    • On April 13, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Mauro Gomes-Barbosa, an illegal alien from Brazil, who was convicted of homicide.
    • On March 17, 2025, ICE Miami Paul Urquiza-Orosco, an illegal alien from Peru, who was convicted of producing and distributing child pornography.
    • On March 27, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Noel Acosta-Moya, an illegal alien from Venezuela, who was convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault of a child under 13.
    • On June 9, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Adolfo Santoscoy-Rodriguez, an illegal alien from Mexico, who was convicted of child abuse and forcible rape.
    • On June 13, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Roberto Mosquera-Del Peral, an illegal alien from Cuba, who was convicted of assault, escape from custody, vehicle theft, aggravated assault of a police officer, and homicide. He is also a member of the Latin Kings gang.
    • On June 22, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Maher Elbrahimizada, an illegal alien fromIran, who was convicted of arson and homicide.
    • On June 24, 2025, ICE Miami arrested Mauricio Lopez-Cardona, an illegal alien from Colombia, who was convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine, murder in connection with narcotics trafficking, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and conspiring to support a foreign terrorist organization.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Digital Services Act and Google Overview – E-002492/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002492/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christel Schaldemose (S&D), Stine Bosse (Renew)

    Google has launched its new AI Overview. This means that Google itself decides what is displayed when people do Google searches.

    Google controls critical infrastructure and flows of information.

    The media depends on Search traffic, and that traffic will be drastically reduced by AI Overview, which gives the user a full answer. What’s more, Google can design/manipulate its answers as it sees fit, thereby directly influencing children, young people and citizens in general, and promoting its own narratives. Studies show that chatbots have shifted to the right since January 2025.

    What is the Commission’s view on this, and is it in line with the Digital Services Act?

    Submitted: 20.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Future of European rail freight and winding up of Fret SNCF – E-002520/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002520/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marina Mesure (The Left)

    In the 1980s, the French rail network was one of the most extensive in Europe and was world-renowned for its quality. Today, however, it is at risk more than ever, thanks to the Commission’s neoliberal policies, which run counter to its own target of doubling rail freight by 2050.

    The winding up of the sole public rail transport operator, Fret SNCF – a decision that was made in the wake a procedure launched by the Commission against the French State for ‘unlawful aid not in line with competition rules’ – meant offloading 23 of the most profitable flows, the divestment of some 60 locomotives and the loss of 500 jobs. It represents between 300 000 and 520 000 more lorries on our roads at a time when the transport sector accounts for 31 % of CO2 emissions.

    • 1.Have the 23 flows in question been resumed?
    • 2.If so, to which operators have they been allocated?
    • 3.What does the Commission intend to do to achieve its ambitious target of doubling the volume of goods transported by rail by 2050?

    Submitted: 23.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Trade in seal products – E-002484/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002484/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Katri Kulmuni (Renew)

    On 19 September 2024, I submitted a written question to the Commission (E-001763/2024[1]) on the commercial exploitation of seal products. The reply I received referred to the fitness check on the EU Regulation on Trade in Seal Products and the EU Seal Pups Directive, and to a report to be drawn up on the basis of that fitness check. The Commission is to consider whether further measures are needed on the basis of the findings of the fitness check.

    The ban on placing seal products on the market is still causing problems for seal hunts. Seal hunting is permitted and even desirable under certain conditions to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources. However, seal carcasses may not be commercially exploited in any way, meaning that in practice the carcasses are hazardous waste. Allowing seal hunters to use the meat, skin, blubber and bones might also provide an incentive for hunting, although this would be at their own expense.

    In terms of the EU market as a whole, this is a very small issue. However, it is really important for individual seal hunters.

    Now that six months have passed, and on the basis of the foregoing, I would like to ask the following questions:

    • 1.On the basis of the fitness check on the EU rules on trade in seal products, have any proposals been made to allow trade in seal products obtained from legally hunted seals?
    • 2.If there are no plans to amend the regulations governing trade in seal products, on what grounds would requests to allow small-scale trade in seal products be turned down?

    Submitted: 20.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-001763_EN.html
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compatibility of Barcelona airport’s expansion with EU environmental law – E-002480/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002480/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left)

    On 10 June 2025, an agreement was reached between the Government of Catalonia, AENA and the Ministry of Transport on the expansion of Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The agreement legalises the destruction of part of the Natura 2000 Network, La Ricarda, thus constituting a failure to comply with the Commission’s 2021 letter of formal notice, which marked the opening of an infringement procedure.

    In addition, the aim of the expansion is to increase air traffic, which would increase CO2 emissions – this runs counter to greenhouse gas reduction policies adopted by the EU.

    Therefore:

    • 1.What measures will the Commission adopt in relation to this project to guarantee compliance with EU law in protecting the Natura 2000 network?
    • 2.How will the expansion of Barcelona-El Prat airport affect compliance with the targets established in Directive (EU) 2023/958 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC?

    Submitted: 19.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – List of invasive alien species, part 2 – E-002524/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002524/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Bryłka (PfE)

    In connection with the decision taken at the 21st meeting of the Committee on Invasive Alien Species on 20 June 2025, could the Commission please urgently provide clarification as to the inclusion of the American mink (Neogale vison) on the list of invasive alien species representing a threat to the European Union, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014.

    According to the information provided at that meeting, the introduction of a two-year transitional period before the entry into force of provisions restricting the rearing of American mink was considered appropriate. In light of the above:

    During the transitional period, will American mink farmers be allowed to:

    • 1.Continue breeding and selling live animals or furs?
    • 2.Invest in farm development and infrastructure?
    • 3.Propagate and transport mink within or outside the EU?

    Submitted: 24.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Development and revitalisation of Comiso Airport – E-002436/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002436/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

    Comiso Airport, which opened in 2013 at a cost of more than EUR 70 million[1], is now completely unused, with zero flights and zero passengers[2]. This is a serious waste of public funds and an obstacle to the European objective of territorial cohesion.

    Although Airports Council International has recognised the importance of smaller airports for tourism, connectivity and the development of peripheral regions, it would appear that the airport does not even have a business plan.

    This situation undermines territorial continuity, which is vital for ensuring minimum air transport services that meet the criteria of regularity, frequency and fair pricing, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008.

    The intermodal services and infrastructure required to fully develop the airport and make it competitive are also lacking.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of Comiso Airport’s business plan?
    • 2.What are the reasons for the delays, if any, in the most recent Comiso Airport procedure, within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, and what information can it provide in this regard?
    • 3.What specific EU resources can be used to ensure that Comiso Airport is fully operational, improve its infrastructure and foster the development of its intermodal services?

    Submitted: 17.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.enac.gov.it/app/uploads/2024/04/152-157_comiso.pdf.
    • [2] https://www.ragusaoggi.it/lo-strano-destino-dellaeroporto-di-comiso-prima-parte/.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need to protect production at SGL Carbon (formerly FISIPE) and jobs – E-001905/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    SGL Composites S.A., the Portuguese unit of SGL Carbon located in Lavradio, received a total of EUR 624 514, from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for two projects, through the Lisbon operational programme 2014-2020.

    In addition, the company received EUR 929 520[1], as of May 2025, for the ‘investment project for the decarbonisation of industrial activity and promotion of energy efficiency levels’ under the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

    According to the data published by the Portuguese authorities, both ERDF projects were finalised by end-2019, so there is no likely impact on the durability[2] of these operations.

    Following the SGC Carbon announcement of a restructuring of its carbon fibres business unit, justified by ongoing financial losses, in February 2025[3], the company announced in May 2025 the closure of its production site in Lavradio, Portugal[4]. No further information regarding other possible closures has been released.

    The Commission promotes corporate social responsibility in the EU and encourages enterprises to adhere to international principles and to follow socially responsible management when restructuring.

    However, it does not intervene in the management decisions of private companies. In the event of dismissals, workers may benefit from European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) support in their search for new employment under the conditions set out by the Member State’s programmes.

    Additionally, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for displaced workers (EGF) can assist dismissed workers to help them to find new employment in the face of an unexpected major restructuring event.

    • [1] The RRF is a performance-based instrument. This figure is according to the Mais Transparência website of the Portuguese authorities: https://transparencia.gov.pt/pt/fundos-europeus/prr/beneficiarios-projetos/projeto/02/C11-i01/2022.PC658685467-00471800/.
    • [2] As provided by the article 71 of Regulation 1303/2013.
    • [3] https://www.sglcarbon.com/en/newsroom/news/press-report/adhoc-notification-sgl-carbon-decides-to-restructure-its-carbon-fibers-business-unit-presentation-of-preliminary-figures-for-fiscal-year-2024/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
    • [4] https://www.sglcarbon.com/en/newsroom/news/press-report/closure-of-sgl-carbon-production-site-in-lavradio/.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Delays to the first flights of the day – E-001490/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. According to the rules governing the performance of air navigation service providers, Member States must set out incentives of financial nature for the achievement of binding national performance targets for air traffic control capacity in an effective and proportional manner, both for services to overflights and for services at and around airports.

    Member States also have the obligation to implement penalties for infringements of the regulation by, amongst others, air navigation services providers. National supervisory authorities must enforce necessary corrective measures in the event of non-compliance.

    The Commission does not foresee further regulatory actions beyond those under the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/2803[1] on the implementation of the Single Sky. The Commission nonetheless underlines that the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-353/20 Skeyes[2] has recognised a right for airspace users such as airlines to an effective remedy before the national courts against the air traffic services provider for any alleged failures by the latter in fulfilling its obligation to provide services.

    2. The Commission is relaunching the review of the Air Services Regulation[3]. One of the issues being looked at during that review is how to mitigate the impact of disruptions to air traffic control, in particular regarding overflights on air carriers’ freedom to provide services.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2803/oj/eng.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62020CJ0353.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1008/oj/eng.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Assistance to Eastern Neighbourhood countries following the loss of USAID funding – E-001472/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU continues to monitor the impacts of the termination of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s programmes as well as the US wider international support.

    The EU will also continue coordinating efforts on identifying and, where possible, meeting the most acute needs and key priorities in the region, including in Ukraine and Moldova .

    Regarding Ukraine, the impact has been significant in several areas including energy, capacity gaps in key institutions (where US-embedded experts were common), civil society and media, as well as social sectors (veterans’ mental health and psycho-social support, and economic reintegration).

    In Moldova, USAID programmes covered sectors such as justice, energy security, support to independent media, civil society and election monitoring.

    The EU will continue to support Moldova in these sectors with the aim to ensure there are no gaps for key priorities, notably for vetting and justice reform as well as energy security.

    The EU humanitarian funding for Ukraine and Moldova currently stands at EUR 1.214 billion (EUR 1.13 billion for Ukraine and EUR 84 million for Moldova) since February 2022.

    The EU will continue its humanitarian and emergency assistance to Ukraine for as long as needed, irrespective of the cuts in funding by other major donors.

    The Commission will not step back from its humanitarian commitments. On healthcare, it will continue supporting programmes related to primary healthcare, medical supplies and equipment, light repairs of health facilities, as well as sexual and reproductive health.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Supporting artisans/artists on the Greek islands – E-001701/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    During the period of the economic adjustment programmes (2010-2018), Greece implemented a wide range of fiscal and structural reforms aimed, among others, at improving the efficiency of public finances.

    Among these measures was the gradual elimination of reduced VAT rates for certain economically rich islands in the Cyclades, as part of a broader reform of simplifying the VAT structure, broadening the tax base, and eliminating various exemptions.

    It is noteworthy that the Ionian islands never benefited from reduced VAT rates, while the islands of Leros, Lesvos, Kos, Samos and Chios maintained reduced VAT rates.

    Following Greece’s successful completion of the financial assistance programmes, the country returned to normal economic governance under the European Semester framework.

    As such, decisions on tax policy fall entirely under the competence of the Greek authorities but need to comply with the rules set out in Council Directive (EU) 2022/542.

    The EU continues to provide targeted support to Greek islands through various instruments, including the Cohesion Policy Funds. As announced in the communication on ‘A modernised Cohesion policy:

    The mid-term review’, to support islands in addressing their challenges, the Commission will also launch a consultation on the development of a Strategy for Islands.

    Member States are free to design their tax systems, including how to determine the tax base and tax rates as well as appropriate incentives and tax breaks for taxpayers, as long as they respect primary and secondary EU law.

    Such policies must be designed carefully taking into account effectiveness, fairness, their fiscal impact and with minimal compliance costs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland, Fletcher, Reintroduce Push To Create Reproductive Health Travel Fund

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to provide grant assistance for those who travel long distances to receive reproductive health care, including abortion care.

    “In 2022, the Supreme Court ripped the promise of equitable access to reproductive medical care away from millions of Americans, and MAGA extremists have spent every day since then trying to enact a national abortion ban,” said Strickland. “Access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion, should be accessible to everyone, but care is too often out of reach for low-income families and women of color across the country. The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act fulfills our responsibility to guarantee reproductive freedom for all women regardless of where they live.”

    “Women and families in Texas and states across our country that have banned abortion are in crisis,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “One way to help people and organizations respond to this crisis is to authorize grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for women seeking abortion care in states where it is legal. I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Strickland in this effort to ensure that Americans can get the reproductive care they need no matter where they live.”

    The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act will establish a grant program to help community-based organizations and nonprofits provide financial support to those seeking abortion care. Eligible expenses include round-trip travel, lodging, childcare, doula care, and other travel-related expenses.

    Original cosponsors include Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Sean Casten (IL-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-5) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37). 

    Endorsing organizations include the National Network of Abortion Funds, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, Texas Equal Access, Fund Texas Choice, The Bridge Collective, Reproductive Freedom for All, The National Partnership for Women and Families, Center for Reproductive Rights, Jane’s Due Process, Physicians for Reproductive Health

    Read the full bill text here.

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland, Fletcher, Reintroduce Push To Create Reproductive Health Travel Fund

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to provide grant assistance for those who travel long distances to receive reproductive health care, including abortion care.

    “In 2022, the Supreme Court ripped the promise of equitable access to reproductive medical care away from millions of Americans, and MAGA extremists have spent every day since then trying to enact a national abortion ban,” said Strickland. “Access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion, should be accessible to everyone, but care is too often out of reach for low-income families and women of color across the country. The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act fulfills our responsibility to guarantee reproductive freedom for all women regardless of where they live.”

    “Women and families in Texas and states across our country that have banned abortion are in crisis,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “One way to help people and organizations respond to this crisis is to authorize grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for women seeking abortion care in states where it is legal. I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Strickland in this effort to ensure that Americans can get the reproductive care they need no matter where they live.”

    The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act will establish a grant program to help community-based organizations and nonprofits provide financial support to those seeking abortion care. Eligible expenses include round-trip travel, lodging, childcare, doula care, and other travel-related expenses.

    Original cosponsors include Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Sean Casten (IL-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-5) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37). 

    Endorsing organizations include the National Network of Abortion Funds, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, Texas Equal Access, Fund Texas Choice, The Bridge Collective, Reproductive Freedom for All, The National Partnership for Women and Families, Center for Reproductive Rights, Jane’s Due Process, Physicians for Reproductive Health

    Read the full bill text here.

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF REP. DWIGHT EVANS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Congressman Dwight Evans announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

    For more than four decades, Dwight Evans has served his hometown of Philadelphia as a teacher, community organizer, State Representative and Congressman. He has spent his entire career being a voice for the voiceless and fighting for economic justice in the urban communities that are too often left behind. 

    In Congress, Rep. Evans has served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where he has worked to protect Medicare and Social Security and ensure that our nation’s tax code works for everyone – not just the wealthiest 1%. During the 115th Congress as a freshman Member, Dwight introduced and ushered H.R. 6347, the Real Estate Appraisal Harmonization Act, into law to help small business owners get loans. As Republicans push their budget scheme to slash healthcare and nutritional assistance, Dwight has remained in steadfast opposition to this disastrous legislation on behalf of the people he is privileged to represent. 

    Throughout his Congressional career, Dwight has remained rooted in his beloved Philadelphia and has never lost sight of the people back home. He has been a trusted friend to me and so many others in the People’s House and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Phoenix removes Mexican fugitive

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NOGALES, Ariz. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed Edgar Damian Sandoval-Albarran, also known as “La Rana,” a 39-year-old Mexican fugitive wanted in Mexico for the offense of organized crime and forced disappearance of persons, June 26.

    ICE transported Sandoval-Albarran from the Florence Detention Center to the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, where he was transferred to the custody of Mexican authorities.

    “The removal of Sandoval-Albarran demonstrates the collaborative, whole-of-government approach that ICE supports in protecting the citizens of the U.S.,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Phoenix Field Office Director John Cantú. “Our dedicated officers and partners in law enforcement have worked tirelessly to ensure that such individuals are brought to justice and then removed from the United States.”

    Sandoval-Albarran was previously expelled to Mexico on eight occasions in May, June, Nov., and Dec., 2020. He reentered the U.S. illegally on an unknown date, at an unknown location. ERO Los Angeles Foreign Fugitive Unit (FFU), received an arrest warrant for Sandoval-Albarran issued by the Government of Mexico, for the offense of organized crime and forced disappearance of persons, Sept. 12, 2024. ERO Los Angeles, arrested Sandoval-Albarran during a targeted enforcement operation in Paso Robles, CA. Jan. 7.

    Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives, transnational gang members or other criminal aliens who are in the U.S. illegally, are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423, or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

    For more news and information on how ICE carries out its immigration enforcement mission in Arizona, follow us on X, @ERO_PHOENIX.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NYS Pays Off Unemployment Insurance Debt

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul rallied with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO to announce New York State has paid off the nearly $7 billion federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund loan — a move that will bring the fund to solvency, increase benefits for unemployed New Yorkers and cut costs to businesses. The Governor announced this action back in May as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page has photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Thank you, everyone. Is HTC in the house?

    […]

    Then I’m in the right place. So great to see a group of people who understands the power of leadership, and in Rich Maroko, you have the very best. He has been —

    […]

    We all love him. We love you, Richard. Great friend of ours.

    But also I am so fortunate to have partners that I trust and rely on to govern this state, and I want to tell you about Carl Heastie, the Speaker. I don’t think we had a single conversation for months where he didn’t raise the issue of like, “Governor, can we finally fix the unemployment insurance issue, then we get to everything else?” So he was dogged in his determination to make sure we got this done. I want to thank him. And Harry Bronson as well, our Assemblymember from Upstate New York. Anybody find Upstate New York on a map? It’s a great place. Okay. I know we have members up there as well, Harry, but Carl, thank you, thank you, thank you for being conscious.

    And Leader Steward-Cousins, making sure that the Senate was on board to drive this and get this over the finish line. These are the leaders that worked with me to say it is time we stood up for our workers. This is how we get it done. So thank you to them.

    Also, we have an extraordinary Commissioner of Labor who hearkens back to the legacy of Frances Perkins, who was so forward thinking when she was Commissioner of Labor for FDR when he was Governor. Did you know he was Governor first? Yeah, okay. Then he went to be President, he took her with him and they changed the course of history by lifting up people in the greatest time of need. And I want to thank Roberta Reardon for being our 2025 version of Frances Perkins.

    Alright. It’s time to just talk this time. Is this on? It is on. Alright.

    These are really tough times for our people. When we can do something like this, it sends a message that we care so deeply about every stress that people are going through, especially the high cost of living. It is oppressive. It is so discouraging because you work hard and many of you came from immigrant parents or grandparents or yourselves. You came here to live the American — in fact, I’ll say the New York Dream, and no matter how hard you’re working and you’re getting good wages because you have a great fighter — sometimes it just feels like we’re not getting ahead. No one counted on a pandemic to slam us down and to stop people from coming to our city, which is the bread and butter of this union. Remember those times. We tried to help you with resources at that time, and then when you think we’re out of the woods, now we’re going to be okay — this is New York — then inflation knocks us down. Everything you bought for your little kids taking care of your teenagers, your adult kids who needed your help, they sometimes didn’t even leave the basement, right? They couldn’t find a place to live, right? People have struggled, no fault of their own.

    So, I have declared for a long time that your family is my fight. I announced that with a whole set of reforms back as part of my State of the State. You know what we got done? Everything I wanted to do. It’s $5,000 back in families’ pockets and I want to thank our leaders once again because when I said we need a middle class tax cut the largest in seven years, they said yes. When I said we need an inflation rebate, putting $400 back in peoples’ pockets, they said yes. A Child Tax Credit — anybody with little kids? They’re pretty expensive, aren’t they? I mean, I’m New York’s first mom Governor. I know. And I’m a grandma too, so I know what it costs for families today. A $1,000 for families with a child under the age of four or $500 for older kids. And we’re going to pick up the cost of school lunches and breakfast. That adds up to $5,000 for New York families.

    So we have been laser focused on affordability and we’re just getting warmed up. We know we can do more. When I think about our union men and women now, we are the most unionized state in America. The most pro-union state in America? Yes, and I happen to come from the most unionized part of the most unionized State of New York, and that is Western New York. We got a Western New Yorker out there. Really? Where are you from? Alright. I’ll know you’re a real Western New York if you say, “Go Bills,” or — I’ll stop. I’ll stop. I know I’ll keep that for the season. Alright, let me get back on track. I am trying to unite Upstate and Downstate. There are three teams coupled, placed somewhere else, but okay, we’ll work on that.

    But it’s in my blood because grandpa was a very poor immigrant who lived in great poverty, worked as a migrant farm worker himself, came to Buffalo to make steel with his hands. My dad did the same, his brothers did the same. My next door workers worked at the GM plant. So it is in my blood to fight for working men and women. And when I know there’s something that happens periodically, because I’ve been on so many strike lines, then people need to strike for better wages and conditions — that first of all, to wait three weeks for those benefits to take effect. That’s a long hungry time for your family — long time. My dad was on strike when we were little kids at the steel plant. His parents tried to help him out. They struggled. I remember him telling me this. I didn’t know this story until much later in his life. So, families suffer when the parents are out there fighting for good wages and benefits. We can’t let that happen. It’s now three weeks down to two. We made that happen for you.

    But to think because there was this huge debt owed to our unemployment system, and I want to give — everybody give another round of applause to Roberta Reardon, who made sure the checks went out during the pandemic. We owed a lot of money and they said under the rules. You can’t raise that amount up from $504 a week. I said, “$504 a week. Who can live on that? Nobody. Nobody”. And I said, “Well, why aren’t we able to raise it?” Well, you have to pay down the debt. Alright, so we have these reserves, it’s going to be $7 billion that we shipped from here over here to pay it out. And that’s a lot of money. I worked hard and I said, “I’m saving that for a rainy day.” And all of a sudden I declared. It’s raining. It’s raining. It’s time to make sure that if people are on strike or unemployed, lose their job — $869 a week. That’s how we lift people up.

    And I’m going to continue because we have a long road ahead, but I’ll tell you, we’re all New Yorkers. There’s nobody tougher than us, right? We are strong, we’re resilient, and all these policies out of Washington are scarier than hell. Talk about the hotels losing business from the Canadians. It’s hard to blame them because they were insulted by our President, right? We’re trying to win them back. I was up in Elise Stefanik’s district Friday, meeting hotel owners up there and small businesses and people in the restaurants. They’re going to be starving because the Canadians used to come over. They’re our friends, they’re our neighbors. They used to spend weekends here in New York City staying at your hotels. And now they’re saying, we’re not coming. The President needs to reset that relationship now. Let them come back, fix that relationship now.

    And we’re on a high, we’re having a good time. This is New York. But if those bills that you hear about — the Big Ugly Bill that is being worked on by the Senate right now to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires out of your pockets — that is going to be devastating for people on Medicaid and people who need the support for childcare. And SNAP benefits, my gosh, so many families rely on this. So, I’m excited about what we can do here in New York, but we must continue to be the firewall to stop the insanity in Washington. Say no matter what they do, we have your back here in the great State of New York. You can count on that.

    Thank you, everybody. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Releases Third Annual State of Pride Report in Honor of Pride Month

    Source: US State of California

    State of Pride Report highlights DOJ’s actions to defend and expand the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community amid ongoing threats to justice and equality

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, in honor of Pride Month, issued a new “State of Pride Report” highlighting the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent actions to support, uplift, and defend the rights of LGBTQ+ communities across California and beyond. Pride Month is a time to celebrate the beautiful strength and diversity of LGBTQ+ communities, as well as reflect on the struggles, sacrifices, and historic accomplishments of the LBGTQ+ equality movement. Despite the immense progress that has been achieved, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face deeply rooted and emerging challenges across the nation. Amidst a rise in attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, DOJ remains steadfast in its commitment to fight alongside LGBTQ+ communities in pursuit of justice and equality.

    “As a proud ally and advocate, I stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month and every month,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Amidst a rise in attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, it is more important than ever that we recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equality, safety, and inclusion. Today’s report highlights our commitment to defending, expanding, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. It also underscores the work that remains to be done to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have access to all the rights and resources they deserve. As the People’s Attorney, I remain steadfast in my commitment to using every tool at my disposal to safeguard the rights, freedoms, and wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ community.”

    The State of Pride Report presents detailed insight into DOJ’s latest initiatives to confront hate crimes and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. The report emphasizes the importance of the Attorney General’s Hate Crime Rapid Response Protocol, which equips local law enforcement with essential resources to efficiently handle significant hate crimes and extremism. The report also focuses on DOJ’s work to cultivate safe and inclusive learning environments for LGBTQ+ students that are free from discrimination and harassment, enable transgender athletes to participate in sports aligned with their gender identity, and defend access to critical lifesaving care.

    The State of Pride Report also underscores the ongoing adversities LGBTQ+ individuals face in California and nationwide. Despite considerable progress, many LGBTQ+ individuals still experience discrimination, harassment, and violence in their daily lives. Transgender individuals are especially vulnerable, facing high rates of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. These challenges demonstrate the need for ongoing protective efforts to uphold and expand LGBTQ+ individuals’ rights, enable all individuals to live free from discrimination and violence, and collaborate toward creating a more just and inclusive society.

    Key data points in the State of Pride Report depict the reality of hate crimes and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals: 

    • In 2024, 2.8 million people in this state identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender — the largest number of any state in the nation at 9.5%.
    • Data reported to DOJ in 2024 shows that between 2023 and 2024, there were 172 reported hate crime events motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias (an increase of 13.9% from the previous year), 73 hate crime events motivated by anti-transgender bias (an increase of 12.3% from the previous year), 251 hate crime events motivated by anti-gay bias (an increase of 8.7% from the previous year), and 23 hate crime events motivated by anti-lesbian bias up from 17 the previous year. 
    • In 2024 alone, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the country – targeting healthcare, education, and public spaces.
    • The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most recent annual crime report showed a nearly 16% increase in reports of hate crimes nationally based on gender identity and a nearly 23% increase in reports of hate crimes based on sexual orientation.

    The State of Pride Report can be accessed here. For additional information on hate crimes please visit here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Reject Sen. Markey Effort to Protect Rural Hospitals from Republican Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Over 300 Rural Hospitals at Disproportionate Risk of Closure, Conversion, or Service Reductions Due to GOP Cuts

    Watch: Senator Markey forces vote on Senate floor

    Washington (June 30, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today forced a vote on a motion to cut any provision of Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” that would make it more likely that rural hospitals close or cut services altogether. Republicans overwhelmingly voted down the amendment from passing. The motion failed by a vote of 49-51.

    Earlier this month, Senator Markey released a list of more than 300 rural hospitals across the United States at disproportionate risk of closure, conversion, or service reductions due to proposed health care cuts in the bill. Republicans are proposing over $1.6 trillion in draconian spending cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for people with incomes over $500,0000. These cuts include $930 billion to Medicaid, $500 billion to Medicare, and $300 billion to the Affordable Care Act. 

    Below is an excerpt from Senator Markey’s remarks on the Senate floor.

    “A few weeks ago, I released a list of more than 300 rural hospitals across the country at risk of closing or stopping services because of ANY major cuts to Medicaid or Medicare. Today, that’s what Republicans are guaranteeing with the $1 trillion cut to our health care system they would create with this bill.

    “My Republican colleagues know these risks are real, which is why they’ve tried to create a so-called Medicaid Cuts Replacement Fund that is just a fraction of what they’re taking from Americans’ health care to give to billionaires. This Fund is like giving aspirin to a cancer patient. It is pathetically insufficient.

    “No billionaire tax break or Donald Trump pat on the back is worth the risk to people’s lives and livelihoods. Stop these cuts.”

    Previously, Senator Markey, along with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y), Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, released detailed data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concluding that Republican health care cuts in the House Republican-passed bill could place over 300 rural hospitals across the U.S. at disproportionate risk of closure, conversion, or service reductions. This includes 33 hospitals in Louisiana, 35 hospitals in Kentucky, and 21 hospitals in Oklahoma.

    In the face of these Republican cuts, a majority of adults living in rural areas are concerned that health care cuts will “negatively impact hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers in [their] community.” Rural hospitals are struggling; in 2023, there were 50 fewer rural hospitals than in 2017, and a lack of health care access in rural America is contributing to worse health outcomes. Faced with additional cuts to their revenue, many rural hospitals may be forced to stop providing certain services, including obstetric, mental health, and emergency room care, convert to clinics or standalone emergency centers, or close altogether. Rural hospitals are often the largest employers in rural communities, and when a rural hospital closes or scales back their services, communities are not only forced to grapple with losing access to health care, but also with job loss and the resulting financial insecurity.

    The 338 rural hospitals at-risk of reducing service lines, converting to a different type of health care facility, or closing include:

    Alaska

    Providence Valdez Medical Center

    Providence Seward Medical & Care Cen

    Prov. Kodiak Island Medical Center

    Cordova Community Medical Center

    Ketchikan Medical Center

    Alabama

    Community Hospital Inc.

    Marion Regional Medical Center

    Lawrence Medical Center

    Bullock County Hospital

    Hill Hospital of Sumter County

    Arkansas

    Wadley Medical Center at Hope

    Arizona

    Page Hospital

    Winslow Memorial Hospital

    Copper Queen Community Hospital

    Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital

    Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center

    California

    Adventist Health St. Helena

    Mad River Community Hospital

    Oroville Hospital

    St. Elizabeth Community Hospital

    Adventist Health Reedley

    Hi – Desert Medical Center

    Barstow Community Hospital

    Adventist Health Ukiah Valley

    Pioneers Mem. Hospital

    Memorial Hospital – Los Banos

    Eastern Plumas Health Care

    Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley

    Southern Inyo Hospital

    John C. Fremont Healthcare District

    Mayers Memorial Hospital

    Jerold Phelps Community Hospital

    Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital

    Mountains Community Hospital

    Kern Valley Healthcare District

    Trinity Hospital

    Fairchild Medical Center

    Adventist Health Clearlake

    Sutter Lakeside Hospital

    Modoc Medical Center

    Bear Valley Community Hospital

    Mee Memorial Hospital

    Hazel Hawkins Mem. Hospital

    Coalinga Regional Medical Center

    Colorado

    Delta County Memorial Hospital

    Conejos County Hospital

    Grand River Hospital District

    Prowers Medical Center

    Southwest Memorial Hospital

    Arkansas Valley Regional Med Center

    Connecticut

    Sharon Hospital

    Delaware

    Nanticoke Memorial Hospital

    Florida

    Lakeside Medical Center

    Georgia

    Washington Co Reg Med Center

    Irwin County Hospital

    Fannin Regional Hospital

    Flint River Community Hospital

    Hawaii

    Kau Hospital

    Kohala Hospital

    Molokai General Hospital

    Lanai Community Hospital

    Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital

    Hale Hoola Hamakua

    Iowa

    MercyOne – Newton Medical Center

    Manning Regional Healthcare Center

    Idaho

    Power County Hospital District

    St. Lukes Jerome Ltd

    Cassia Regional Hospital

    Illinois

    Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

    OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center

    Richland Memorial Hospital

    Harrisburg Medical Center Inc.

    Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital

    Franklin Hospital

    Massac Memorial Hospital

    Hardin County General Hospital

    Crawford Memorial Hospital

    Indiana

    Daviess Community Hospital

    Memorial Hospital Logansport

    Community Hospital of Bremen Inc.

    Ascension St. Vincent Randolph

    Ascension St. Vincent Jennings

    Ascension St. Vincent Clay

    Ascension St Vincent Salem

    IU Health Jay Hospital

    Franciscan Health Rensselaer

    Sullivan County Community Hospital

    Adams Memorial Hospital

    Harrison County Hospital

    Kansas

    Centura Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital

    UKHS Great Bend Campus

    Kiowa County Memorial Hospital

    Rush County Memorial Hospital

    Norton County Hospital

    Great Plains of Smith County, Inc.

    Kentucky

    Whitesburg ARH

    Highlands Regional Medical Center

    UofL Health-Shelbyville

    T.J. Samson Community Hospital

    St. Claire Medical Center

    Middlesboro ARH

    Spring View Hospital

    AdventHealth Manchester

    Bourbon Community Hospital

    Harlan ARH

    Deaconess Henderson Hospital

    Saint Joseph Mount Sterling

    Tug Valley ARH

    Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical

    Baptist Health Corbin

    Clark Regional Medical Center

    Baptist Health Madisonville

    The Medical Center of Albany

    Three Rivers Medical Center

    Kentucky River Medical Center

    TJ Health Columbia

    Pineville Community Health Center

    Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital

    Our Lady of The Way

    Casey County Hospital

    Carroll County Memorial Hosp

    The Medical Center at Caverna

    Fort Logan Hospital

    Mary Breckinridge Hospital

    Jane Todd Crawford Hospital

    Barbourville ARH Hospital

    Saint Joseph Berea

    Russell County Hospital

    McDowell ARH

    Fleming County Hospital

    Louisiana

    Ochsner St. Mary

    Savoy Medical Management Group Inc.

    Iberia Medical Center

    West Carroll Health Systems LLC

    North Louisiana Medical Center

    Winn Parish Medical Center

    Avoyelles Hospital

    Oakdale Community Hospital

    Morehouse General Hospital

    Desoto Regional Health System

    Allen Parish Hospital

    Franklin Medical Center

    Minden Medical Center

    Richland Parish Hospital Service District 1-B

    Byrd Regional Hospital

    Mercy Regional Medical Center

    Citizens Medical Center

    Caldwell Memorial Hospital

    East Carroll Parish Hospital

    Sabine Medical Center

    Our Lady of The Angels Hospital Mc

    Southeast Regional Medical Center

    Acadian Medical Center

    St. Helena Parish Hospital

    Union General Hospital Inc.

    West Feliciana Parish Hospital

    West Ascension Parish Hospital

    Hood Memorial Hospital

    Franklin Foundation Hospital

    Christus Coushatta Health Care Center

    Madison Parish Hospital

    Trinity Medical

    Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center

    Massachusetts

    Baystate Franklin Medical Center

    Maine

    The Aroostook Medical Center

    Maine Coast Memorial Hospital

    Michigan

    Mclaren Central Michigan

    Carson City Hospital

    Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital

    Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital

    Minnesota

    Range Regional Health Services

    Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont

    Missouri

    Bothwell Regional Health Center

    Scotland County Memorial Hospital

    Parkland Health Center – Bonne Terre

    Lafayette Regional Health Center

    Mississippi

    Alliance Healthcare System

    Delta Health-Northwest Regional

    Baptist Mem Hospital Booneville

    Greenwood Leflore Hospital

    Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center

    Highland Community Hospital

    Panola Medical Center

    Baptist Medical Center – Yazoo

    Montana

    Northeast Montana Healthcare-Poplar

    Prairie Community Hospital

    Garfield Co. Health Center

    Logan Health Cutbank

    Big Horn Hospital

    Northeast Montana Health Services

    Providence St Joseph Medical Center

    Big Sky Medical Center

    North Carolina

    UNC Rockingham Hospital

    Person Memorial Hospital Inc.

    Chatham Hospital Inc.

    MH Angel Medical Center LLLP

    Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

    North Dakota

    Nelson County Health System-Hospital

    Presentation Medical Center

    Mercy Hospital

    Nebraska

    Avera Creighton Hospital

    Ogallala Community Hospital

    New Hampshire

    Cheshire Medical Center

    New Mexico

    Alta Vista Regional Hospital

    Eastern New Mexico Medical Center

    Espanola Hospital

    Plains Regional Medical Center – Clovis

    Rehoboth Mckinley Christian Hospital

    Carlsbad Medical Center

    Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital

    Roosevelt General Hospital

    Lovelace Regional Hospital-Roswell

    Socorro General Hospital

    Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital

    Lincoln County Medical Center

    Miner Of Colfax Medical Center

    Mimbres Memorial Hospital

    Holy Cross Hospital

    Nevada

    Battle Mountain General Hospital

    Humboldt General Hospital

    New York

    Wyoming County Community Hospital

    Newark Wayne Community Hospital

    Geneva General Hospital

    Bon Secours Community Hospital

    Westfield Memorial Hospital

    Claxton Hepburn Medical Center

    Massena Memorial Hospital

    Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills

    Clifton-Fine Hospital

    Gouverneur Hospital

    Lewis County General Hospital

    Ohio

    Southern Ohio Medical Center

    Wayne Hospital Company

    East Liverpool City Hospital

    Coshocton Regional Medical Center

    Twin City Hospital

    Harrison Community Hospital

    Bucyrus Community Hospital

    Holzer Medical Center Jackson

    Galion Community Hospital

    Adams County Regional Medical Center

    Fayette County Memorial Hosp

    Oklahoma

    Integris Miami Hospital

    Blackwell Regional Hospital

    McAlester Regional Health Center

    Hillcrest Hospital Cushing

    Choctaw Memorial Hospital

    Sequoyah County City of Sallisaw Hos

    Integris Grove Hospital

    Perry Memorial Hospital

    Wagoner Hospital Authority

    Adair County Health Center

    Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta

    Lindsay Municipal Hospital Authority

    Mercy Hospital Watonga

    Mercy Hospital Tishomingo

    Mercy Health/Love County

    Mercy Hospital Healdton Inc.

    Cleveland Area Hospital

    Carnegie Tri-County Municipal Hospital

    Haskell Regional Hospital

    Harmon Memorial Hospital

    Memorial Hospital of Texas County

    Oregon

    Silverton Hospital

    Providence Seaside Hospital

    St Charles Madras

    Good Shepherd Medical Center

    Pennsylvania

    UPMC Jameson

    UPMC Northwest Hospital

    UPMC Kane

    UPMC Horizon Hospital

    Highlands Hospital

    South Carolina

    Oconee Memorial Hospital

    MUSC Health Chester Medical Center

    MUSC Health Marion Medical Center

    The Regional Medical Center

    Abbeville Area Medical Center

    South Dakota

    Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center

    Bennett County Hospital

    Tennessee

    Unicoi County Hospital

    Wayne Medical Center

    Baptist Mem Hospital Huntingdon

    West Tn Healthcare Volunteer Hospital

    Dyersburg Regional Medical Center

    St Thomas Dekalb Hospital

    Saint Thomas Highland Hospital

    Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital

    Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital

    Texas

    Anson General Hospital

    Ascension Seton Smithville

    Val Verde Regional Medical Center

    Falls Community Hospital and Clinic

    Covenant Hospital Plainview

    Scenic Mountain Medical Center

    El Campo Memorial Hospital

    Covenant Hospital Levelland

    North Runnels Hospital District

    Palacios Community Medical Center

    Haskell Memorial Hospital

    Mitchell County Hospital

    TMC Bonham Hospital

    Mid Coast Medical Center-Central

    Baylor Scott & White – Marble Falls

    Utah

    Fillmore Community Hospital

    Blue Mountain Hospital

    Beaver Valley Hospital

    Virginia

    Southampton Memorial Hospital

    Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center

    Community Memorial Hospital

    Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital

    Rappahannock General Hospital

    Lee County Community Hospital

    Washington:

    Samaritan Hospital

    Toppenish Community Hospital

    Summit Pacific Medical Center

    Odessa Memorial Hospital

    Coulee Medical Center

    Providence St Joseph’s Hospital

    Prosser Memorial Health

    Klickitat Valley Health

    Othello Community Hospital

    Three Rivers Hospital

    Forks Community Hospital

    Mid-Valley Hospital

    Astria Sunnyside Hospital

    Mason General Hospital

    Wisconsin:

    Holy Family Memorial Inc.

    MCHS Oakridge

    Aspirus Stanley Hospital

    West Virginia:

    Logan Regional Medical Center

    Welch Community Hospital

    Broaddus Hospital Association

    Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center

    Grafton City Hospital

    Montgomery General Hospital

    Jackson General Hospital

    Wyoming

    Summit Medical Center LLC

    Platte County Memorial Hospital

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy: Nobody Is Asking for 16 Million People to Lose Their Health Care Just So the Corporations and the Very Rich Can Get a New Tax Cut

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 30, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker to discuss Senate Republicans’ efforts to ram through a bill that kicks millions of Americans off their health care in the dead of night, the Trump administration’s lawless immigration policies and the Supreme Court’s enabling of his abuse of power, and the lessons Democrats can learn from Zohran Mamdani’s win the New York mayoral primary.

    Murphy highlighted how deeply unpopular the Republican reconciliation bill is: “By almost a two-to-one margin, the American people hate this piece of legislation because it’s going to represent the biggest transfer of wealth and money from the poor and middle class to the rich in the history of the country. It’s not about efficiencies in Medicaid. CBO – which is the Congressional Budget Office, non-partisan – says it’s going to kick between 10 and 15 million people off their health care, and for what? To be able to afford a new $270,000 tax cut for the richest families in the country. New tax cuts for corporations. New tax cuts for billionaires. This bill stinks. It’s a moral abomination. Everybody that learns about it hates it, and so there’s a chance that it won’t pass. That’s in part why we’re forcing them to read it, because every single day that people learn about it, they are flooding their members’ offices with calls to tell them to stop this bill. Nobody is asking for 16 million people to lose their health care just so the corporations and the very rich can get a new tax cut. That’s super unpopular, and we’re going to work this thing until the final vote.”

    Murphy slammed the Trump administration for its blatant disregard for immigration laws: “They are acting in a lawless manner every single day. They are not focusing on dangerous people. They are literally going to Home Depots. They are busting into people’s private homes. They are targeting Latinos all over the country, whether they are undocumented or not. This isn’t about trying to keep the country safer. This is about trying to make this country scared of folks who speak a different language or come from a different place…This is becoming a lawless administration. We are on a road to seeing our democracy atrophy to the point that it will be unrecognizable, and the border is just one example of many ways in which this administration doesn’t care about the law anymore.”

    On the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. CASA, Murphy said: “Both the Constitution and the law is clear: if you’re born in the United States of America, you’re a US citizen. But now, because there’s no longer going to be a federal policy, it’s going to be different in every state. A child born in Connecticut will be a citizen, but that same child, if they were born in Oklahoma, might not be. That’s chaos. By taking away the power of courts to restrain the President when he is clearly acting in an unlawful manner, as he is when he says that children born in the United States are no longer citizens, you are assisting him in trying to undermine the rule of law and undermine our democracy. So that case is really dangerous because it sets up a patchwork of citizenship laws, but it’s really dangerous because it will incentivize the president to act in a lawless manner. Because now only the Supreme Court, who can only take a handful of cases a year, can ever stop him from violating the laws of the Constitution.”

    Murphy urged the Democratic Party to learn from Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York mayoral primary: “He was laser-like focused on the issue of costs. He was laser-like focused on the issue of transferring power from people who have way too much of it, like the big real estate companies that jack up everybody’s rent in New York, and putting that power in the hands of regular citizens. He was authentic, right? I mean, yeah, he’s got some views that are a little bit out of the conventional mainstream. But you know what? The traditional political pundits have no idea what’s actually mainstream in this country. And when you’re talking about costs, when you’re talking about de-rigging the economy every single day, when you’re presenting big, bold ideas on how to do that, you’re going to do pretty well in elections. And so Democrats should learn from his victory.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy on Meet the Press: Nobody Is Asking for 16 Million People to Lose Their Health Care Just So the Corporations and the Very Rich Can Get a New Tax Cut

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 30, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker to discuss Senate Republicans’ efforts to ram through a bill that kicks millions of Americans off their health care in the dead of night, the Trump administration’s lawless immigration policies and the Supreme Court’s enabling of his abuse of power, and the lessons Democrats can learn from Zohran Mamdani’s win the New York mayoral primary.

    Murphy highlighted how deeply unpopular the Republican reconciliation bill is: “By almost a two-to-one margin, the American people hate this piece of legislation because it’s going to represent the biggest transfer of wealth and money from the poor and middle class to the rich in the history of the country. It’s not about efficiencies in Medicaid. CBO – which is the Congressional Budget Office, non-partisan – says it’s going to kick between 10 and 15 million people off their health care, and for what? To be able to afford a new $270,000 tax cut for the richest families in the country. New tax cuts for corporations. New tax cuts for billionaires. This bill stinks. It’s a moral abomination. Everybody that learns about it hates it, and so there’s a chance that it won’t pass. That’s in part why we’re forcing them to read it, because every single day that people learn about it, they are flooding their members’ offices with calls to tell them to stop this bill. Nobody is asking for 16 million people to lose their health care just so the corporations and the very rich can get a new tax cut. That’s super unpopular, and we’re going to work this thing until the final vote.”

    Murphy slammed the Trump administration for its blatant disregard for immigration laws: “They are acting in a lawless manner every single day. They are not focusing on dangerous people. They are literally going to Home Depots. They are busting into people’s private homes. They are targeting Latinos all over the country, whether they are undocumented or not. This isn’t about trying to keep the country safer. This is about trying to make this country scared of folks who speak a different language or come from a different place…This is becoming a lawless administration. We are on a road to seeing our democracy atrophy to the point that it will be unrecognizable, and the border is just one example of many ways in which this administration doesn’t care about the law anymore.”

    On the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. CASA, Murphy said: “Both the Constitution and the law is clear: if you’re born in the United States of America, you’re a US citizen. But now, because there’s no longer going to be a federal policy, it’s going to be different in every state. A child born in Connecticut will be a citizen, but that same child, if they were born in Oklahoma, might not be. That’s chaos. By taking away the power of courts to restrain the President when he is clearly acting in an unlawful manner, as he is when he says that children born in the United States are no longer citizens, you are assisting him in trying to undermine the rule of law and undermine our democracy. So that case is really dangerous because it sets up a patchwork of citizenship laws, but it’s really dangerous because it will incentivize the president to act in a lawless manner. Because now only the Supreme Court, who can only take a handful of cases a year, can ever stop him from violating the laws of the Constitution.”

    Murphy urged the Democratic Party to learn from Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York mayoral primary: “He was laser-like focused on the issue of costs. He was laser-like focused on the issue of transferring power from people who have way too much of it, like the big real estate companies that jack up everybody’s rent in New York, and putting that power in the hands of regular citizens. He was authentic, right? I mean, yeah, he’s got some views that are a little bit out of the conventional mainstream. But you know what? The traditional political pundits have no idea what’s actually mainstream in this country. And when you’re talking about costs, when you’re talking about de-rigging the economy every single day, when you’re presenting big, bold ideas on how to do that, you’re going to do pretty well in elections. And so Democrats should learn from his victory.”

    Click Here to Watch Murphy’s Full Interview

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Bipartisan Bill to End Organ Transplant Discrimination Against Individuals with Disabilites

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

    Washington, D.C. – Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, a landmark, bipartisan bill that protects Americans with disabilites from being denied life-saving organ transplants solely based on their disability. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), ensures that disability is never used as a barrier to receiving critical medical care.

    This bill upholds, clarifies, and builds upon protections established under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. It prohibits discrimination by covered entities–including hospitals, transplant centers, and insurance providers–in the organ transplant process. 

    Specifically, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Act bars the following actions solely based on disability: 

    • Determining that an individual is ineligible to receive an organ transplant
    • Denying an organ transplant or related medical services
    • Refusing to refer an individual to a transplant center
    • Declining to place an individual on a transplant waiting list
    • Denying insurance coverage for a transplant or related services

    “Baby Zion, a young infant with Down syndrome in Florida’s Third Congressional District, was denied a lifesaving heart transplant in 2021, and passed away. His life was worth saving, and we’re fighting to end discrimination in the organ transplant system so the same thing never happens again,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I am honored to work alongside Congresswoman Dingell and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in safeguarding the rights of those with disabilities.”

    “It’s unthinkable that people with disabilities are passed over for life-saving transplants based on discriminatory and subjective assumptions about their ability to comply with post-operative care,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “This bill takes important action to ensure that all Americans, regardless of disability status, receive equitable access to the care they need. I’m thankful to Rep. Kat Cammack for her partnership, and most of all, I’m thankful to Charlotte for her incredible energy, advocacy, and commitment to making a positive change. I’m glad to see it one step closer to becoming law. We need to get it done.”

    Background: 

    Named for Charlotte Woodward, an adult with Down syndrome who received a lifesaving heart transplant over a decade ago, the bill also recognizes the importance of auxiliary aids and services, the ability of an individual’s support network to assist with post-operative care, and the need for reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to make organ transplant systems and facilities more accessible to those with disabilities.

    Rep. Cammack’s inspiration for introducing the legislation is Baby Zion Sarmiento, from Ocala, Florida. Zion was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect in June 2021. After spending 40 days in the NICU and enduring five open-heart surgeries, Zion passed away after being denied a heart transplant because of his disability.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Hydrogen Growth, Water Risk – Can Africa Balance Both?

    Free Live Webinar Hosted by ESI Africa
    Reserve My Seat Now (https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH)

    As Africa positions itself to lead in the green hydrogen economy, one vital resource sits at the centre of this transformation: water.

    Green hydrogen production via electrolysis requires large quantities of water — a pressing challenge on a continent where water scarcity already threatens communities, agriculture, and industry.

    Join ESI Africa for a live webinar unpacking the complex connection between hydrogen development and water resource management across Africa. This session will explore the opportunities, trade-offs, and innovations shaping the continent’s sustainable hydrogen future.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • The water intensity of green hydrogen — and what it means for Africa
    • Technologies enabling hydrogen production with minimal freshwater use
    • Planning and policy tools to align hydrogen development with water sustainability
    • Africa’s potential to lead a balanced, green hydrogen economy

    Secure your seat now – space is limited (https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH)

    Why Attend?

    This is a critical conversation for energy planners, water authorities, hydrogen developers, policymakers, and anyone working at the intersection of Africa’s energy and environmental future. Learn how Africa can scale hydrogen without compromising water security.

    Date: 24 July 2025
    Time: 14:00–15:00 (SAST)
    Format: Free Virtual Webinar
    Registration Link: https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH

    Readers can also read more about the webinar here: https://apo-opa.co/4nsa2J3

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

    MIL OSI Africa –