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Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do countries have a duty to prevent climate harm? The world’s highest court is about to answer this crucial question

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato

    Getty Images

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will issue a highly anticipated advisory opinion overnight to clarify state obligations related to climate change.

    It will answer two urgent questions: what are the obligations of states under international law to protect the climate and environment from greenhouse gas emissions, and what are the legal consequences for states that have caused significant harm to Earth’s atmosphere and environment?

    ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding. But coming from the world’s highest court, they provide an authoritative opinion on serious issues that can be highly persuasive.

    This advisory opinion marks the culmination of a campaign that began in 2019 when students and youth organisations in Vanuatu – one of the most vulnerable nations to climate-related impacts – persuaded their government to seek clarification on what states should be doing to protect them.

    Led by Vanuatu and co-sponsored by 132 member states, including New Zealand and Australia, the United Nations General Assembly formally requested the advisory opinion in March 2023.

    More than two years of public consultation and deliberation ensued, leading to this week’s announcement.

    What to expect

    Looking at the specific questions to be addressed, at least three aspects stand out.

    First, the sources and areas of international law under scrutiny are not confined to the UN’s climate change framework. This invites the ICJ to consider a broad range of law – including trans-boundary environmental law, human rights law, international investment law, humanitarian law, trade law and beyond – and to draw on both treaty-related obligations and customary international law.

    Such an encyclopaedic examination could produce a complex and integrated opinion on states’ obligations to protect the environment and climate system.

    Second, the opinion will address what obligations exist, not just to those present today, but to future generations. This follows acknowledgement of the so-called “intertemporal characteristics” of climate change in recent climate-related court decisions and the need to respond effectively to both the current climate crisis and its likely ongoing consequences.

    Third, the opinion won’t just address what obligations states have, but also what the consequences should be for nations:

    where they, by their acts and omissions have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment.

    Addressing consequences as well as obligations should cause states to pay closer attention and make the ICJ’s advisory more relevant to domestic climate litigation and policy discussions.

    Representatives from Pacific island nations gathered outside the International Court of Justice during the hearings.
    Michel Porro/Getty Images

    Global judicial direction

    Two recent court findings may offer clues as to the potential scope of the ICJ’s findings.

    Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights published its own advisory opinion on state obligations in response to climate change.

    Explicitly connecting fundamental human rights with a healthy ecosystem, this opinion affirmed states have an imperative duty to prevent irreversible harm to the climate system. Moreover, the duty to safeguard the common ecosystem must be understood as a fundamental principle of international law to which states must adhere.

    Meanwhile last week, an Australian federal court dismissed a landmark climate case, determining that the Australian government does not owe a duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders to protect them from the consequences of climate change.

    The court accepted the claimants face significant loss and damage from climate impacts and that previous Australian government policies on greenhouse gas emissions were not aligned with the best science to limit climate change. But it nevertheless determined that “matters of high or core government policy” are not subject to common law duties of care.

    Whether the ICJ will complement the Inter-American court’s bold approach or opt for a more constrained and conservative response is not certain. But now is the time for clear and ambitious judicial direction with global scope.

    Implications for New Zealand

    Aotearoa New Zealand aspires to climate leadership through its Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. This set 2050 targets of reducing emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) to net zero, and biogenic methane by 25-47%.

    However, actions to date are likely insufficient to meet this target. Transport emissions continue to rise and agriculture – responsible for nearly half of the country’s emissions – is lightly regulated.

    Although the government plans to double renewable energy by 2050, it is also in the process of lifting a 2018 ban on offshore gas exploration and has pledged $200 million to co-invest in the development of new fields.

    Critics also point out the government has made little progress towards its promise to install 10,000 EV charging stations by 2030 while axing a clean-investment fund.

    Although a final decision is yet to be made, the government is also considering to lower the target for cuts to methane emissions from livestock, against advice from the Climate Change Commission.

    With the next global climate summit coming up in November, the ICJ opinion may offer timely encouragement for states to reconsider their emissions targets and the ambition of climate policies.

    Most countries have yet to submit their latest emissions reduction pledges (known as nationally determined contributions) under the Paris Agreement. New Zealand has made its pledge, but it has been described as “underwhelming”. This may present a chance to adjust ambition upwards.

    If the ICJ affirms that states have binding obligations to prevent climate harm, including trans-boundary impacts, New Zealand’s climate change policies and progress to date could face increased legal scrutiny.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do countries have a duty to prevent climate harm? The world’s highest court is about to answer this crucial question – https://theconversation.com/do-countries-have-a-duty-to-prevent-climate-harm-the-worlds-highest-court-is-about-to-answer-this-crucial-question-261396

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: The United States and Indonesia Reach Historic Trade Deal

    Source: US Whitehouse

    DELIVERING ON RECIPROCAL TRADE: President Donald J. Trump announced a landmark trade deal with Indonesia that will provide Americans with market access in Indonesia once considered impossible and unlock major breakthroughs for America’s manufacturing, agriculture, and digital sectors.

    • Under this deal, Indonesia will pay the United States a reciprocal tariff rate of 19%.
    • The key terms of the U.S.-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade will include:
      • Eliminating Tariff Barriers: Indonesia will eliminate tariff barriers, on a preferential basis, on over 99% of U.S. products exported to Indonesia across all sectors, including for all agricultural products, health products, seafood, information and communications technology, automotive products, and chemicals, which will create commercially meaningful market access opportunities for the full range of U.S. exports, supporting high-quality American jobs.
      • Breaking Down Non-Tariff Barriers for U.S. Industrial Exports: Indonesia will address a range of non-tariff barriers, including by: (1) exempting U.S. companies and originating goods from local content requirements; (2) accepting vehicles built to U.S. federal motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; (3) accepting FDA certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceuticals; (4) exempting U.S. exports of cosmetics, medical devices, and other manufactured goods from burdensome certification and labeling requirements; (5) removing import restrictions or licensing requirements on U.S. remanufactured goods and their parts; (6) eliminating pre-shipment inspection or verification requirements on imports of U.S. goods; (7) adopting and implementing good regulatory practices; (8) taking steps to resolve many long-standing intellectual property issues identified in USTR’s Special 301 Report; and (9) addressing U.S. concerns with conformity assessment procedures.
      • Breaking Down Non-Tariff Barriers for U.S. Agriculture Exports: Indonesia will address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in the Indonesian market, including by: (1) exempting U.S. food and agricultural products from all of Indonesia’s import licensing regimes including its commodity balance policy; (2) ensuring transparency and fairness with respect to geographical indications (GIs) including meats and cheeses; (3) providing permanent Fresh Food of Plant Origin (FFPO) designation for all applicable U.S. plant products; and (4) recognizing U.S. regulatory oversight, including listing of all U.S. meat, poultry, and dairy facilities and accepting certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities.
      • Strengthening Rules of Origin: The United States and Indonesia will negotiate facilitative rules of origin that ensure that the benefits from the agreement accrue to the United States and Indonesia, not third-countries.
      • Removing Barriers for Digital Trade: The United States and Indonesia will finalize commitments on digital trade, services, and investment. Indonesia has committed to eliminate existing HTS tariff lines on “intangible products” and suspend related requirements on import declarations; support a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) immediately and without conditions; and take effective actions to implement the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, including submitting its revised Specific Commitments for certification by the WTO. Indonesia will provide certainty regarding the ability to move personal data out of its territory to the United States through recognition of the United States as a country or jurisdiction that provides adequate data protection under Indonesia’s law. American companies have sought these reforms for years.
      • Aligning on Economic Security: Indonesia has committed to join the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity and take effective actions to address global excess capacity in the steel sector and its impacts. The United States and Indonesia are committed to strengthening cooperation to increase supply chain resilience. This includes addressing duty evasion and cooperating on export controls and investment security. Indonesia will remove restrictions on exports to the United States for all industrial commodities, including critical minerals.
      • Improving Labor Standards: Indonesia has committed to adopt and implement a forced labor import ban and remove provisions that restrict workers and unions from exercising freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.
      • Notching Commercial Deals: The United States and Indonesia take note of commercial deals in the areas of agriculture, aerospace, and energy, which will further increase U.S. exports to Indonesia.
    • President Trump has delivered a forward-looking and tough trade deal that will benefit American workers, exporters, farmers, and digital innovators—this deal is what winning looks and will feel like for all Americans.

    A DEFINED PATH FORWARD: In the coming weeks, the United States and Indonesia will memorialize the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade in order to lock in benefits for American businesses and workers.

    • The United States currently runs its fifteenth largest goods trade deficit with Indonesia.
      • The U.S. total goods trade deficit with Indonesia was $17.9 billion in 2024.
      • Before this deal, Indonesia’s simple average applied tariff was 8% while the U.S. average applied tariff was 3.3%. 

    LIBERATING AMERICA FROM UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES: Since Day One, President Trump challenged the assumption that American workers and businesses must tolerate unfair trade practices that have disadvantaged them for decades and contributed to our historic trade deficit.

    • On April 2, President Trump declared a national emergency in response to the large and persistent U.S. goods trade deficit caused by a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships, unfair tariff and non-tariff barriers, and U.S. trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages and consumption.
    • President Trump continues to advance the economic and national security interests of the American people by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers and expanding market access for American exporters.
    • Today’s announcement shows that America can defend its domestic production and strengthen its defense industrial base while obtaining expansive market access with our trading partners.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim’s ARMOR Act to Strengthen AUKUS Gains Momentum

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed out of markup the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act (ARMOR) Act (H.R. 4233), a bipartisan bill that would streamline and strengthen the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership. 

    Watch Rep. Kim speak in support of the bill during the markup HERE.   

    “Bureaucratic delays to the AUKUS agreement weaken our ability to counter threats and protect our national security,” said Congresswoman Kim. “The ARMOR Act expedites backlogs so that AUKUS can promote peace through strength and meet 21st century threats head-on.”   

    AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed in 2021 to foster collaboration on advanced technologies like nuclear-powered submarines, AI, and hypersonic capabilities. There are two pillars of AUKUS:  

    • Pillar I is focused on helping Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.   
    • Pillar II focuses on joint development and sharing of advanced technologies to boost military and defense capabilities. The ARMOR Act specifically relates to Pillar II.  

    Specifically, the ARMOR Act strengthens the expedited review process for AUKUS transfers, exports, and other activities involving advanced technologies and defense articles and services by: 

    • Expanding the expedited licensing to include retransfers;  
    • Removing the congressional notification requirement on certain AUKUS transfers;  
    • Requiring a report on implementation of expedited review for export licenses; and, 
    • Requiring an annual review of the Excluded Technology List to ensure the list is relevant and aligned with AUKUS goals.   

    Read more about the bill HERE and read the bill HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gaza fieldworker: “We are torn apart watching our children suffer from hunger” 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    For over 21 months, the world has been bearing witness to unfathomable levels of death and destruction in the occupied Gaza Strip. Israel’s brutal onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, wiped out entire families, flattened residential neighbourhoods, destroyed critical infrastructure and forcibly displaced nearly the entirety of Gaza’s residents., causing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

    Amnesty International has been working with trusted, exceptionally professional and dedicated fieldworkers in Gaza. Despite all odds, they have continued to document violations, visit sites of strikes, collect evidence and share stories, all while attempting to protect their families and hang on to what remains of their life under Israel’s ongoing genocide.

    In this moving account, our fieldworker bravely shares how his hopes of a ceasefire have been torn apart. The reality of his life is now truly unbearable. His home has been destroyed, he and his family are facing displacement once again and the little food that is available just isn’t enough. He is hungry, worried and afraid of what’s next...

    When the ceasefire in Gaza was announced, we were overjoyed that we would finally be able to return to our home in the north. We returned on 8 February, but we were more afraid than happy — afraid that our home might have been completely destroyed. Thankfully, it was still standing, though there were some shells that had hit the front of the house and burn marks on the walls. 

    But inside, there was no furniture, none of the clothes we had left behind when we were displaced in October 2023, not even kitchen tools remained. The house had been looted. Still, we stayed. We cleaned and repaired it, bought some basic furniture, adapted to the situation, and lived in it for three months. We struggled to secure drinking water, but at least during the ceasefire we were not waiting for death. The truce was broken, and war came back again to claim what remained of our souls. By then the crossings had been closed, prices soared and goods began to disappear, bit by bit. 

    I planted some vegetables behind the house, like mint, pumpkin, chili peppers, eggplants, and basil, so they would be readily available. But we returned to the bigger struggle — hunger. There was no flour, no food. Overnight, our life turned into hell. 

    Israeli military stormed our neighborhood 

    On 15 May, the Israeli military stormed our neighborhood and began indiscriminately shelling the area. We fled our home under gunfire and shelling, taking nothing with us. We ran into the street and wandered aimlessly down an unknown path. We realized we had returned to the worst suffering — displacement. 

    We took refuge in my daughter’s home in Gaza City. It’s a small home — two rooms, a small living room, and a kitchen. She, her husband, and their two children took one room, and we stayed in the other. 

    After three months of closed crossings, even if flour could be found, its price was unimaginable. To withdraw cash, you have to pay up to 45% commission. For a large family like mine, expenses are extremely high, and many types of food were missing from the markets. We craved many foods, and we hadn’t tasted meat, chicken, or sweets in months. We live through intense famine. 

    We are torn apart watching our children suffer from hunger. There is nothing to sustain life. Life in Gaza has become unlivable. We live in humiliation and degradation. 

    We are being starved 

    Yes, limited aid enters the Strip, but it doesn’t meet the huge needs, and even the drops that get in reach very few people.  

    I am not ashamed to say this publicly: I, like my family and my children, am hungry. 

    I speak the truth as it is. We cannot stand from the pain of hunger. 

    We are not weak — but the war has broken our bones, and the siege has hollowed out our stomachs. 

    We are not beggars. We are people entitled to our human rights. We are people of this land. 

    We are being besieged. We are being starved. 

    I said what I feel — what every home in Gaza feels. Our children are hungry, and we are fighting to survive. Fighting for a single bite of food. Fighting for life. 

    I am a human being. I am a father, a brother, a neighbor. 

    I know people’s pain because I live it every moment. 

    After we were displaced from our home in the north during the latest incursion, the Israeli forces advanced into our neighborhood for a short period and destroyed every house. Our home was among them. It was destroyed savagely. They destroyed our memories in that home, every moment we had lived there for nine years. 

    Nothing remains now 

    We had a beautiful, warm house, full of peace. In front of it was a small piece of land where we planted vegetables, olives, and thyme. We had a room for raising poultry and a spot to sit in at the end of the day. Nothing remains now. No house, no land to plant. 

    We are not only dying from bombings. We are dying from hunger too. 

    Hunger has destroyed homes, made the elderly weep like children, and made bread a dream. 

    We used to criticize the airdropped aid. It was dangerous and ineffective., On some occasions, the airdropped cans caused fatalities. But it turns out that it was more merciful than this current method of distribution, which takes dozens of lives every day. 

    Humiliation. Disgrace. Killing. Thuggery. Blood. Sorrow. Grief. 

    We are walking dead, wrapped in our shrouds. 

    We are not okay. 

    The author’s name has been withheld for security reasons. 

    CALL TO ACTION: Call for an end to Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Take action here. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Mental-health supports strengthen community, reduce stigma

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in Victoria living with mental illness are benefiting from mental-health supports and a nurturing space to connect as the Province provides one-time funding of $500,000 to help strengthen the ongoing work of Connections Place and improve community safety.

    “People struggling with their mental health need to know that when they reach out for help, they will be able to receive it in a welcoming, supportive environment,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why the work Connections Place does is so valuable. By providing peer support, reducing stigma around mental illness and promoting self-reliance, they help people get the supports they need while fostering a safer, healthier community.”

    Connections Place is a community-based Greater Victoria organization that helps people diagnosed with mental illness, including psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia, feel connected and empowered as they move forward in life.

    Following the clubhouse model, Connections Place offers employment, education and recreation initiatives that foster hope, opportunity, purpose and meaningful relationships, while actively challenging the stigma around mental illness. These initiatives help people get the support they need, contributing to safer communities and offering alternatives to cycles of crisis and/or justice involvement.

    “At Connections Place, our focus is on improving quality of life in our region, starting with those who need it most,” said Neelam Pahal, executive director of Connections Place. “Every day, our clubhouse creates space for people living with mental illness to find purpose, connection and hope. The momentum we’ve experienced recently reflects a growing understanding of the value of recovery-oriented community supports. Through strong partnerships across sectors, we’re building something meaningful here in Victoria, something that we believe can inspire broader change in the future.”

    The $500,000 grant will support the continued operation of the Connections Place clubhouse, allowing more people to be supported on their path to wellness. In 2024-25, more than 182 active members accessed services at Connections Place, with 8,880 total visits and 6,417 total meals served. 

    This funding supports government’s work to build up the mental-health and substance-use system of care to help people get the right supports for them.

    Quotes:

    Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake –

    “Connections Place is helping transform how we support mental health in our community. By creating a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment, they empower individuals to rebuild their lives, regain confidence and feel a renewed sense of belonging. This, in turn, helps reduce stigma and build a stronger, healthier community for everyone.”

    Michael, member, Connections Place –

    “What I’ve found with Connections Place is that it makes everybody feel valued and encourages people to use their strengths. It gives them independence and agency. The point of coming in is to contribute and be part of a community. To be needed. Everyone that comes here has unique skills and abilities. I don’t see people’s mental-health issues here; I see what they’re good at. Being able to come in here and contribute, it makes me feel better and happier.”

    Learn More:

    For more information about Connections Place, visit: https://www.connectionsplace.org/

    To learn how B.C. is building better mental-health and addictions care, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/BetterCare

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Selects QCI Go to Empower Hosts and Enhance Guest Engagement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Go, a native mobile app designed specifically for casino hosts, to elevate host productivity and deliver a superior guest experience.

    QCI Go provides hosts with powerful tools including player card scanning, real-time player lookup, seamless access to QCI Meet and QCI Events, and robust task management features—all in a user-friendly mobile interface. By putting these capabilities directly in the hands of hosts, QCI Go enables faster service, deeper guest relationships, and greater operational efficiency on the casino floor.

    Mary Jewett, Vice President and General Marketing at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, expressed excitement about the implementation:
    “Bringing QCI Go to Buffalo Run Casino & Resort represents a significant advancement in how we empower our hosts to serve guests. With mobile access to key player information, events, and task management, our team can deliver personalized service in real time, enhancing both the guest experience and host effectiveness.”

    Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his perspective on the partnership:
    “We are thrilled to deploy QCI Go at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort. By providing hosts with mobile access to the QCI platform, we enable them to deliver exceptional, timely service and foster stronger player relationships. This is a great example of how our mobile-first innovations help operators improve team productivity and guest satisfaction.”

    QCI Go is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader commitment to innovation in the gaming industry, providing operators with state-of-the-art tools that support host teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful guest engagement.

    ABOUT Buffalo Run Casino & Resort
    Owned and operated by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Buffalo Run Casino & Resort is future-focused on a gaming entertainment experience that both excites and exceeds guest expectations. Maintaining its reputation for a clean and friendly environment, it empowers team members and continues to elevate hospitality and guest experiences by investing in team member training and career development programs. Consequently, this strategic reinvestment into team members and property has resulted in earning the vote for one of the Best and Brightest Companies in the Nation to work for in 2022.

    Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has over 70,000 square feet of casino floor and features the area’s widest variety of slots and tables games. The resort also includes a non-smoking Hotel, Truckers Lounge with special amenities and offers, the Peoria Showplace in-door event center, the outdoor amphitheater, complimentary entertainment in the Backwoods Bar, an 18-hole championship golf course, two indoor Top Golf® bays, and a smoke-free high-end Player’s Lounge. Additionally, the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort offers three dining experiences including Coal Creek Restaurant with high-end cuisine, the Bistro with hand-tossed brick oven pizza, and the Backwoods Bar & Grill which claims the title for best in-house smoked barbecue in the area.

    Ongoing advancements to the property include the Peoria Showplace remodel, Hotel updates and restaurant remodel with more to come. New technology has been implemented to streamline offer redemption for guests that include self-serve kiosks for dining and promotions, digital core mail pieces, and a mobile app for monthly promotional information. Updates on the casino floor include in-game bonuses and upgraded slots. Innovation and strategic marketing decisions are powered by data driven technology (QCI), empowering the casino to customize the guest experience and increase loyalty in a highly competitive market.

    ABOUT QCI
    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

    ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas
    Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OZ Studio, a Global Firm with Texas Roots, Showcases Ethical AI Governance Model at the United Nations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, AUSTRIA , July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OZ Studio, a global technology firm with offices in Austin, Texas; Geneva, Switzerland; and Monterrey, Mexico, presented a groundbreaking model for municipal governance and ethical artificial intelligence at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. The presentation marks a significant milestone for the company, which, after 22 years of serving multinational corporations, has pivoted its focus since 2020 toward empowering governments, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with integrated digital platforms.

    Osuna attends sessions at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime that focus on data security and sovereignty.

    The firm, represented by its CEO Daniel Osuna, who also serves on the UN’s AI Council ethics committee, detailed its successful public-private partnerships in the municipalities of Escobedo and Santiago, Mexico. These collaborations showcase a new standard for applying AI ethically at the local government level, a core mission of OZ Studio’s government services division.

    For over two decades, OZ Studio built a reputation for providing high-level services to large multinational companies. However, recognizing a critical gap in the market, the company strategically shifted its focus in 2020. The new mission: to channel its extensive expertise into creating comprehensive digital ecosystems for those who form the backbone of local economies—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the public institutions that serve them.

    This new direction is embodied by two of its flagship platforms: LINK360 and the OZZY AI system. LINK360 is a digital empowerment platform that provides local businesses with e-commerce tools and AI-powered marketing, ensuring economic value and data sovereignty remain within the community. OZZY AI is an open-source framework trained for municipal processes, designed with ethical principles like transparency, algorithmic fairness, and cultural adaptation at its core.

    The results of this approach are transformative. Under the leadership of Mayor Andrés Mijes, the city of Escobedo has become a 100% digitized municipality, a remarkable achievement that has streamlined public services and eliminated bureaucratic red tape. In Santiago, Mayor David de la Peña is leveraging the LINK360 program to foster a vibrant local entrepreneurial scene.

    The international community has taken notice. Following the conclusion of the UN activities on Monday, July 22, OZ Studio (https://www.oz.studio) has entered into strategic alliances to explore pilot programs with several nations, including: Spain, Egypt, Georgia, Austria, and Australia. This global interest validates OZ Studio’s model as a scalable solution for governments worldwide seeking to innovate responsibly.

    From its strategic locations in Austin, Geneva, and Monterrey, OZ Studio is now positioned to lead the charge in ethical AI for public service. The company’s evolution from a corporate service provider to a champion for local development demonstrates a powerful vision: leveraging top-tier technology to build self-sustaining, equitable, and prosperous communities from the ground up.

    Presenting the OZZI AI framework and the Public Private Partnership for ethical AI

    About OZ Studio

    At OZ Studio, we are your premier destination for transformative digital solutions, anchored in over two decades of innovation and expertise. We are proud to say that we’ve evolved from pioneering basic email marketing to mastering complex digital strategies and immersive creative experiences. Our comprehensive suite of services spans from state-of-the-art website development to advanced SEO strategies, engaging interactive videos, and cutting-edge AI tools. As true digital architects, we empower our clients by merging top-tier technology with unmatched creative prowess, ensuring every digital interaction is compelling and results-oriented. We revolutionized the traditional digital service model through our productized Creative-as-a-Service (CaaS), which guarantees transparency, efficiency, and scalability. Our subscription-based approach simplifies access to a holistic digital strategy, incorporating a full spectrum of expertly managed creative and technical services. Partner with us at OZ Studio, and let us help elevate your brand to new heights, optimizing every touchpoint in your digital journey for growth and transformation. 

    Press inquiries

    OZ Studio
    https://oz.studio
    Daniel Osuna
    oz@oz.studio
    +12123811969
    5900 Balcones Drive
    Austin, TX 78731

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid GOP Assault on Healthcare, Pressley, Duckworth, DeGette, Schakowsky, Frost, Colleagues Unveil EACH Act, Keep Up Fight for Reproductive Justice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Lawmakers File EACH Act to End Hyde Amendment, Lift Unjust Abortion Coverage Restrictions on Medicaid, Other Government Sponsored Plans

    Follows Passage of Big, Ugly Bill that Guts Medicaid, Defunds Planned Parenthood, Further Restricts Healthcare

    Bill Text (PDF) | Floor Speech (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, as Republicans continue their assault on healthcare, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), led their colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Healthcare (EACH) Act, bold legislation to guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. The lawmakers’ bill follows the enactment of Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which will gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood health centers, and push essential reproductive care further out of reach for millions of people.

    The EACH Act ends the discriminatory Hyde Amendment and lifts unjust abortion coverage restrictions for those who depend on Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans. The bill affirms the fundamental right to abortion care and helps ensure everyone can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.

    Rep. Pressley unveiled the bill in a floor speech last night. Full video of that speech is available here.

    “Abortion care is health care, and health care is a human right. With Trump and Republicans advancing a cruel, coordinated assault on our bodily autonomy—gutting Medicaid, defunding Planned Parenthood, and decimating access to care—we must use every tool available to protect and expand reproductive healthcare,” said Congresswoman Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “The EACH Act would help us do just that. By repealing the racist and discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which has denied necessary care for vulnerable communities for nearly half a century, our bill would help ensure everyone in America can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code. I’m grateful to Senator Duckworth and our colleagues for their partnership on this critical priority.”

    “Ever since Trump’s far-right Supreme Court majority struck down Roe, Republicans have made it their mission to strip away a woman’s right to reproductive health care—a right they have no place to stand in the way of,” said Senator Duckworth. “As Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal kicks millions off their health care, we must act to help strengthen access to abortion coverage for low-income Americans, servicemembers and millions more—no matter their zip code. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation alongside my colleagues so we can do just that.”

    “For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been Republicans’ go-to tool for chipping away at abortion rights, denying coverage to the most vulnerable communities,” said Rep. DeGette, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “Now, they’re doubling down with the Big Bad Bill, blocking Medicaid patients from accessing any kind of care, not only abortion care, but also birth control and cancer screenings, at Planned Parenthood. The EACH Act is how we fight back, guaranteeing access to abortion care—no matter your income, your insurance, or your ZIP code”

    “The Hyde Amendment is a racist, discriminatory policy designed to put reproductive and economic freedom out of reach for women of color and low-income women who need an abortion. By restricting Medicaid coverage of abortion, the Hyde Amendment robs those working to make ends meet of the freedom to control their lives and decisions about what is best for their families,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Keeping the Hyde Amendment in place is yet another way for Trump and the extremists in the GOP to limit peoples’ reproductive freedom. Every person should have the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions regardless of their income, race, where they work, what zip code they live in, or how they get their insurance. That is why our bill, the EACH Act, will finally repeal the harmful Hyde Amendment. Abortion is health care and health care is a human right.”

    “Women should be able to get the abortion care they need no matter where they live or how much money they have. But for decades, the Hyde Amendment and similar abortion restrictions have blocked low-income women from getting the health care they need and wrongfully divided abortion care from health care for no other reason than Republican politicians’ extreme anti-choice views,” said Senator Murray. “The EACH Act would get rid of the Hyde Amendment and related abortion coverage bans that endanger the health and lives of women who rely on Medicaid or other government-sponsored health coverage. I will always fight to end Hyde and other unjust policies that allow politicians to interfere with women’s ability to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures.”

    “As Republicans gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthoods nationwide, and continue their onslaught of attacks on our bodily autonomy, the Hyde Amendment and other federal coverage restrictions are discriminatory barriers that continue to prevent access to safe and legal abortion care,” said Senator Hirono. “Everyone deserves access to reproductive health care. By ending the Hyde Amendment and expanding coverage for abortion services, the EACH Act would help guarantee abortion access for all, protecting our reproductive rights and our ability to make decisions about our own bodies.”

    “Everyone should have the freedom to control their own lives and bodies, no matter their income, race, or zip code,” said Nourbese Flint, President of All* Above All. “For too long, restrictions like the Hyde Amendment have robbed people working to make ends meet of their ability to make personal decisions about their health, families, and futures. In a time of escalating attacks on reproductive freedom – and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, shut down clinics, and restrict care – the EACH act sets a powerful standard and helps to end racist and classist health care restrictions. We are proud to support this visionary bill to expand abortion access and ensure coverage for all.”

    Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which passed Congress earlier this year, will dismantle access to reproductive health care in every state. It will defund Planned Parenthood, block Medicaid reimbursements to health centers, and slash care for millions of people. It would also gut Medicaid, ripping coverage from at least 10 million Americans and cutting off access to essential maternity care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more.

    Text of the EACH Act is available here.

    Joining the lawmakers in introducing the EACH Act are Representatives Alma Adams, Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Jake Auchincloss, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Ami Bera, Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Shontel Brown, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Janelle Bynum, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, Katherine Clark, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver II, Steve Cohen, J. Luis Correa, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Danny K. Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, Suzan DelBene, Chris Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Shomari Figures, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” García, Jared Golden, Dan Goldman, Maggie Goodlander, Josh Gottheimer, Al Green, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Glenn Ivey, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, William R. Keating, Robin Kelly, Tim Kennedy, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson, George Latimer, Susie Lee, Summer L. Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Mike Levin, Ted Lieu, Seth Magaziner, John Mannion, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, Jim McGovern, Gregory Meeks, Rob Menendez, Grace Meng, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Joseph Morelle, Kelly Morrison, Jared Moskowitz, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerry Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Frank Pallone Jr., Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Patrick Ryan, Andrea Salinas, Linda T. Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Bradley Scott Schneider, Hillary Scholten, Kim Schrier, David Scott, Brad Sherman, Mikie Sherrill, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Eric Sorensen, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Suhas Subramanyam, Eric Swalwell, Emilia Sykes, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek T. Tran, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, Marc Veasey, Nydia M. Velázquez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, George Whitesides, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson, along with Senators Klobuchar, Warren, Padilla, Merkley, Blumenthal, Rosen, Shaheen, Schiff, Heinrich, Gillibrand, Coons, Cantwell, Van Hollen, Blunt Rochester, Sanders, Gallego, Booker, Smith, Baldwin, Wyden, Welch, Markey, Murphy, Kim, Whitehouse, Fetterman, Cortez Masto, Kelly, and Lujan.

    The EACH Act is endorsed by the following organizations: All* Above All, National Women’s Law Center, Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for American Progress, Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Brigid Alliance, National Network of Abortion Funds, Midwest Access Coalition, Equality California, Silver State Equality, OutCenter Southwest Michigan, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, National Abortion Federation, Cobalt, Health Not Prisons Collective, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Families USA, UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Center for Biological Diversity, Reproductive Freedom for All, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Justice and Joy National Collaborative, End Rape On Campus, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Council of Jewish Women, Silver State Hope Fund of Nevada, Above!, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), National Council of Jewish Women, American Humanist Association, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago Abortion Fund, Ibis Reproductive Health, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Atheists, National Health Law Program, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Advocates for Youth, Courage California, ProgressNow New Mexico, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, EMAA Project, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Keystone Progress Education Fund, Wyoming Right To Choose, Safe Abortions For Everyone Maine, REPRO Rising Virginia, National Abortion Federation, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), National Partnership for Women & Families, Catholics for Choice, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Families USA, American Civil Liberties Union, Indivisible, Women’s Foundation of Florida, People Power United, Equality California, Abortion Forward, Black Women’s Health Imperative, SiX Action, Population Institute, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Pregnancy Justice, Just Solutions, UltraViolet Action, National Women’s Political Caucus, Equal Rights Advocates, Feminist Majority Foundation, Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Interfaith Alliance, and Community Catalyst.

    Last month, in the wake of the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Congresswoman Pressley spent the week convening leaders and impacted families, renewing her calls for comprehensive legislation to protect abortion care, and uplifting the experiences of people impacted by cruel abortion bans and denials of essential medical care.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been outspoken in demanding justice for Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant mother who was declared brain dead in February and was forced to remain on life support due to Georgia’s abortion ban. Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech in which she underscored that Adriana’s case is far too common in the unjust history of denying Black women their dignity, humanity, and right to bodily autonomy – and that GOP abortion bans such as Georgia’s deepen this pain and bar critical healthcare freedom. Last week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement after Adriana’s infant son Chance was delivered via emergency Cesarean section and Adriana was taken off life support.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has fought persistently to protect fundamental reproductive and sexual healthcare rights. 

    • On the first anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act, sweeping, intersectional legislation to address access to abortion care and put forth a comprehensive vision of a just America where abortion care is readily available—without stigma, shame or systemic barriers—for all who seek it, regardless of zip code, immigration status, income, or background.
    • Rep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion care, everywhere. 
    • Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of the EACH Act, bold legislation to repeal the Hyde Amendment and help guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance.
    • Shortly before the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Rep. Pressley led a group of her Black women colleagues in writing to President Biden urging him to declare a public health emergency amid the unprecedented threats to abortion rights nationwide. 
    • Rep. Pressley condemned the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade., and implored the Senate to protect abortion rights and slammed the white supremacist roots of anti-abortion efforts.
    • In October 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on Josseli Barnica, who died on Sept. 3, 2021 after being denied emergency abortion care in Texas as she suffered a miscarriage.
    • In September 2024, in a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Hearing, Rep. Pressley highlighted the harmful and deadly impact of abortion bans in America to date, and outlined in detail the shameful circumstances under which Amber Nicole Thurman died after being denied necessary abortion care in Georgia.
    • In June 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Idaho v. United States; Moyle v. United States – the case about whether emergency abortion care is included under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). 
    • In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on a Louisiana bill that would classify medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances. 
    • In April 2024, at a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley played “Fact or Fiction” with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf to emphasize the safety and efficacy of medication abortion drug mifepristone.
    • In August 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Fifth Circuit Court decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to help people with disabilities—who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care—get better access to reproductive healthcare and the informed care they need to control their own reproductive lives.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of over-the-counter birth control.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the FDA Advisory Committee’s unanimous, 17-0 vote to recommend the approval of the first-ever application for over-the-counter birth control. She and Senator Murray also held a press conference applauding the decision and urging the FDA to approval over-the-counter birth control without delay.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Ami Bera, MD (CA-06) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), reintroduced their bicameral Affordability is Access Act to ensure that once the FDA determines an over-the-counter birth control option to be safe, insurers fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs.
    • In April 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Texas court ruling on mifepristone, and discussed the Texas case in a recent floor speech in which she affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care and access to mifepristone as essential. She later joined Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabth Warren (D-MA), and local leaders in announcing action to protect Mifepristone in Massachusetts.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Reps. Schakowsky, Lee, DeGette, Torres and Strickland, reintroduced the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act harmful and discriminatory Helms Amendment and expand abortion access globally.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Hirono led their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral congressional resolution honoring abortion providers and clinic staff. 
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a speech in which she discussed the pending court case in Texas, which aims to restrict access to medication abortion across the entire nation. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care, and accessibility to the abortion pill mifepristone as essential.
    • In September 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Supreme Court’s inaction on SB-8, Texas’ restrictive abortion law. Later that month, she participated in a House Oversight Committee hearing to examine the threat posed by abortion bans and underscored the urgency of the Senate passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. 
    • In April 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-13), Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), led a group of 131 Democratic members in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Act, which would repeal the Hyde Amendment and ensure that all people, regardless of income, insurance or zip code, can make personal reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. She re-Introduced the legislation In January 2023.
    • Rep. Pressley has led calls in Congress for the FDA to remove medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion drug mifepristone, and applauded the FDA’s action in January 2023 to allow retail pharmacies to dispense abortion medication pills.
    • As Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus’s Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, Congresswoman Pressley has led the fight to repeal the Hyde Amendments from annual Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bills and in July 2020 published a Medium post on the importance of doing so. She applauded the removal of the Hyde Amendment in President Biden’s FY2022 budget.
    • In May 2020, she led more than 155 Members of Congress in calling on House Democratic leadership to ensure that any future COVID-19 relief packages rejected Republican efforts to use the public health crisis to diminish abortion access.
    • In August 2021, Rep. Pressley, Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Diana DeGette and Barbara Lee led more than 70 of their House Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion care. 
    • In January 2023, Rep. Pressley introduced a resolution to condemn all forms of political violence in the U.S., regardless of its target or intent. That same day, she delivered a powerful speech on the House floor slamming Republicans’ harmful, misleading anti-abortion resolution.
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at the Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester for a convening on their work to address the Black maternal health crisis and the criminalization of abortion care in states across the nation following the harmful U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. 
    • In May 2019, she led more than 100 colleagues in introducing H.Con.Res.40, a resolution reaffirming the House of Representative’s support for Roe v. Wade.
    • In June 2019, Rep. Pressley introduced H.R. 3296, the Affordability is Access Act, to make oral contraception available without a prescription. 
    • In September 2016, as a member of the Boston City Council, Pressley championed a resolution calling on Congress and President Obama to repeal the Hyde Amendment and reinstate insurance coverage for abortion services.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bills to Eliminate Burn Pits and Help Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week introduced the Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act and the Health Records Enhancement Act, bipartisan, bicameral bills that would improve, expand, and enhance protections for veterans under the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) Act in addition to eliminating burn pits to help prevent future toxic exposure cases. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) introduced companion legislation for both bills in the House. U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) is a cosponsor of the Health Records Enhancement Act in the House. 
    The WIPE Act is cosponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and would improve servicemember health and strengthen national security by improving how the U.S. military eliminates dangerous materials both at home and overseas. This legislation invests in safer disposal systems for the future by replacing outdated and harmful waste disposal practices with modern, secure alternatives and will incur no increase in overall defense spending by offsetting the same amount from funds allocated for current open-air waste disposals in contingency operations. The WIPE Act’s provisions prohibiting the use of open-air burn pits and use of the disposal systems were included in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).  
    The Health Records Enhancement Act will improve data collection on burn pit and toxic substance exposure by allowing family members to provide the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to with vital health data and observations of health conditions related to toxic exposure for designated individuals or deceased veterans. 
    “When we passed the PACT Act, we took a major step forward to ensure the cost of the war will include the cost of caring for the warrior. But we can—and must—do more to address the risk burn pits and other toxic substances pose for our veterans,” said Senator Welch. “These bills will improve protections for veterans exposed to toxic substances and invest in waste disposal alternatives that will eliminate burn pits. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan group in introducing these essential, common-sense bills.”  
    “Our servicemembers make extraordinary sacrifices to defend our nation, and we owe it to them to ensure they are not exposed to unnecessary harm while serving,” said Senator Tillis. “These commonsense bills allow us to invest in safer, more secure waste disposal systems to eliminate the use of toxic burn pits and improve data collection on burn pit exposure to better protect the health of our troops and veterans.” 
    “As an emergency medicine physician and founder of the bipartisan Burn Pits Caucus, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating health consequences toxic exposure has had on our servicemembers. The WIPE Act and Health Registry Enhancement Act take urgent, practical steps to eliminate burn pits and strengthen protections for veterans who have already suffered too much. These bipartisan bills are about accountability, prevention, and doing right by the men and women who sacrificed for our country. We must ensure no generation of veterans is ever again left to suffer from toxic exposure,” said Representative Dr. Ruiz. 
    “Exposure to toxic emissions from burn pit toxins has led to tragic consequences for far too many members of our military community.  We owe it to our heroes to transition to safer, more sustainable waste management technologies,” said Representative Bilirakis.  “We have a moral obligation to explore ways to protect public health, reduce environmental harm, and fulfill our responsibility to those impacted by outdated and dangerous disposal practices. Our bill is an important step in the right direction.” 
    Senator Welch has championed efforts to limit toxic substance exposure among veterans in the Senate, including supporting legislation to educate servicemembers on the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards and improve data collection on veterans affected by toxic exposure. Last year, Senator Welch introduced the bicameral Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 Act, which passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the bipartisan Burn Pit Elimination Act, both bills that would improve protections for veterans under the PACT Act and prevent future toxic exposure cases.   
    Last Congress, a bipartisan amendment led by Sens. Welch, Tillis, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) requiring the VA to conduct a review on mortality and toxic exposure data for veterans who served in Kosovo passed with bipartisan support in the Senate. Senator Welch also cosponsored the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, and Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act, bills that build on the PACT Act to provide increased support for veterans exposed to burn pits, improve data collection on burn pit and toxic substance exposure, and help mitigate future toxic substance exposure for servicemembers. 
    Learn more about the WIPE Act and read the full text of the bill. 
    Learn more about the Health Records Enhancement Act and read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: GRANITESHARES YieldBOOST ETFs SURPASSES $120M AUM AS TRADING VOLUMES SURGE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • YieldBOOSTTMETFs linked to tech stocks and Bitcoin drive increased AUM
    • Growing interest in options income generating ETFs

    NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GraniteShares, an entrepreneurial ETF provider, today announces that its range of YieldBOOSTTM ETFs has surpassed $100m in assets under management (AUM), reaching $127.2 million at the close of market.

    “YieldBOOSTTM ETFs are options-based income ETFs that aim to generate high weekly distributions for investors” said Will Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares. “We are experiencing huge demand for weekly income strategies that can provide large distributions in volatile markets”

    GraniteShares YieldBOOSTTM ETFs are a suite of exchange-traded funds designed to generate high income through options-based strategies, primarily by selling put options on leveraged ETFs tied to specific assets, such as individual stocks (e.g., Tesla, NVIDIA), indices (e.g., S&P 500, Nasdaq-100), or cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin). These ETFs aim to provide investors with weekly income distributions while maintaining exposure to the performance of the underlying assets, subject to a cap on potential gains. The YieldBOOST family includes ETFs like TSYY (Tesla), NVYY (NVIDIA), XBTY (Bitcoin), YSPY (S&P 500) and TQQY (Nasdaq-100). The strategy involves selling put options to generate premium income and buying put options to mitigate extreme downside risks, aligning with GraniteShares’ philosophy of innovative, low-cost, and high-conviction investment solutions

    The first YieldBOOSTTM ETF, the GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSLA ETF (TSYY) was launched in December 2024. TSYY is the most popular ETF so far by AUM. The suite has since continued to grow both in size of funds and popularity.

    For more information, please visit www.graniteshares.com.

    Media contact:

    Gregory FCA for GraniteShares
    Te’a Gray, 203-815-4514
    graniteshares@gregoryfca.com

    About GraniteShares:

    GraniteShares is an award-winning global investment firm dedicated to creating and managing ETFs. Headquartered in New York City, GraniteShares provides products on U.S., U.K, German, French & Italian stock exchanges. The firm is a market leader in leveraged single-stock ETFs and provides innovative, cutting-edge investment solutions for the high-conviction investor. Graniteshares believes the future of investing lies at the nexus of alternative thinking, low fees, and disruptive product structures—the core of its high-conviction investment philosophy. The firm launched its first product in 2017 and is a fast-growing ETF issuer with approximately $10* Billion in assets under management spanning a full array of investment strategies.

    *As of July 17, 2025

    1An option is a contract that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price on or before a specified date. Options are a type of derivative, meaning their value is derived from the underlying asset.

    2A put option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to sell an underlying asset at a specified price (the strike price) by or on a specific fate (the expiration date).

    RISK FACTORS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    The Fund is newly launched and has risks associated with its limited operating history.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Funds, please call (844) 476-8747. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

    There is no guarantee that the Fun’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of their investment.

    An Investment in these Funds is not an investment in the Underlying ETFs’

    The Fund’s strategy will cap its potential gain if the Underlying ETFs’ shares increase in value

    The Fund’s strategy is subject to all potential losses if the Underlying ETFs share declines, which may not be offset by the income received by the Fund,

    The Fund does not invest directly in the Underlying ETFs.

    Investment in the Fund is not an investment in the Underlying Stock.

    Fund shareholders are not entitled to any distribution paid by Underlying ETFs.

    Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions, and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from the returns.

    An investment in the Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Fund concentrating its investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as option contracts and swaps is subject to market risks that may cause their price to include Risk of the Underlying ETF, Derivatives Risk, A Risk, Put Writing Strategy Risk, Option Market Liquidity Risk. These and other risks can be found in the prospectus.

    This information is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the shares of any Funds to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws. You could lose money by investing in the ETFs. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Funds will be achieved. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.

    THE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED BY ALPS DISTRIBUTORS, INC. GRANITESHARES IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ALPS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

    ©2025 GraniteShares Inc. All rights reserved. GraniteShares, GraniteShares ETFs, and the GraniteShares logo are registered and unregistered trademarks of GraniteShares Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Community efforts lead to Green Flags for Perth park’s gardens

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    In the run up to the national Love Parks Week (26 July to 3 August 2025) which highlights the vital role green spaces play in boosting the health and wellbeing of residents and communities, local ‘in bloom’ charity Beautiful Perth and Perth and Kinross Council will be marking the achievement of two Green Flag Community Awards* from Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) for the Heather Garden and Compassionate Friends Garden, both in Bellwood Riverside Park on the banks of the River Tay in Perth.  

    The Heather Garden has been a real partnership project between Beautiful Perth and the Council, with discussions beginning in 2011 and work getting underway on site in 2012 to transform and refresh a previously overgrown and less appealing area of the park. The garden now comprises 15 beds containing 600 varieties and over 16,000 heather plants, all maintained and managed by Beautiful Perth, providing year-round colour for visitors and a haven for insect pollinators. The charity was also in 2022 awarded the National Collection of Erica carnea heathers by Plant Heritage.  This follows on from the unique achievement of Riverside Park winning Best Park in the UK in the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards in both 2018 and 2019.  

    The Compassionate Friends Garden was developed to create a picturesque, peaceful garden for reflection and contemplation following a request from the Compassionate Friends UK, a charity that supports bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. In 2012 remedial work done by the Council and Beautiful Perth uncovered a small round turreted stone building dating back to the 1800’s on site. The building forms the focal point of the garden, with further work uncovering a waterway and wells. The space was then transformed with sustainable pollinator plants for all year colour and interest by Beautiful Perth volunteers as well as the planting of rowan and snakeskin maple trees with marker stones and a sculpture of a robin. In 2018, Compassionate Friends held their annual gathering in Perth and unveiled a new bench for visitors and at the entrance to the garden, a beautiful carved commemorative stone.  

    Vice-Convener of Climate Change and Sustainability, Councillor Liz Barrett said: “As we head towards Love Parks Week, the fantastic achievement of Green Flag Awards for these two very different but equally beautiful gardens reflects how vital parks and open spaces are for our health and wellbeing as places to relax, exercise, appreciate the outdoors and nature and much more. 

    “I’d like to thank Beautiful Perth, and volunteer groups in other parts of Perth and Kinross, for their key role in maintaining and developing green spaces that benefit us all and contribute to improving our environment and biodiversity. Everyone can help, whether by volunteering locally or simply taking a few minutes to feedback to our Community Greenspace team about biodiversity in your local park.” 

    Chair of Beautiful Perth, Gordon Lindsay commented: “Our volunteers over many years have taken a genuine pride in cultivating and maintaining the Compassionate Friends and Heather Gardens to a high standard.  

    “Both gardens exhibit a unique horticultural skill level appreciated by the many visitors and tourists to Riverside Park and importantly provide an ideal haven for bees, butterflies and other wildlife. 

    “The Green Flag Awards are the “icing on the cake” for the ‘Beautiful Perth’ volunteers acknowledging their tireless work and efforts in a special corner of Perth.  We would also like to acknowledge and thank our supporters, Perth and Kinross Council, The Gannochy Trust, the Heather Society and Kilmac.” 

    Jamie Ormiston, Training and Accreditation Coordinator at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Parks across Scotland are vital spaces for people of all ages to reconnect with nature and I’m delighted we once again have Green Flag Award winners all over the country – including plenty of new areas – for people to enjoy during the summer months. 

    “The Heather Garden and Compassionate Friends Garden are two of our new Community Award winners and their awards show the dedication, care and commitment of all involved in maintaining and improving Riverside Park. 

    “Our stalwart winners have a brilliant history of commitment to environmental excellence and a desire to offer visitors a safe and enjoyable place to visit.  

    “Our new winners have shown a similar desire and their journey is only just beginning but I look forward to many more wins in the future.” 

    *The Green Flag Awards are awarded to parks and green spaces that can demonstrate excellent management and environmental standards. Further information on the Awards can be found at Keep Scotland Beautiful’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stronger security for ATO online services (myGov and ATO app)

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    3 steps to secure

    We encourage you to be proactive and secure your ATO online services access (through myGov) to protect against fraud. Read the following steps to check you have the strongest security possible for your circumstances.

    Step 1: make your myID as strong as possible

    We recommend using myID, the Australian Government’s Digital ID app, as your sign in option to access ATO online services (through myGov).

    myID requires you to verify your ID in the app making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate you.

    Download the myID app from the App Store or Google Play. Set up your myID to a Strong or Standard identity strengthExternal Link. For the highest security, set up your myID to Strong if you can.

     

    Step 2: use your myID to access or link to ATO online services

    Using your myID to link to or access ATO online services through myGov:

    • helps protect you from fraudsters trying to impersonate you or access your account
    • gives you a flexible sign in option – your myID isn’t locked to a specific mobile number or device, and can be set up again using only an internet connection if you get a new phone
    • sets your ‘online access strength’ – this means you must always use your myID to access ATO online services through myGov because it’s the most secure access method.

    If you’re already linked to ATO online services, use your myID to sign in to myGovExternal Link and access ATO online services to secure your account.

    If you don’t have a myGov account or aren’t linked to ATO online services, find out how to get started. To secure your access, use your myID to create or sign in to your myGov account and then link to the ATO.

    Step 3: get the ATO app and allow push notifications

    The ATO app is a simple and easy way you can access and manage your tax and super on the go. The ATO app is free to download and use.

    The ATO app’s year-round security benefits include:

    • real time security messages alerting you when key changes are made to your ATO account
    • the ability to lock your account to help keep you safe.

    Even if you don’t use the app to manage your tax, it provides an additional level of security.

    Download the ATO app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, make sure to enable push notifications so you’re instantly alerted to changes in your account.

     

    More information

    For more information about protecting your identity, see How to stay scam safe.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Andean Silver to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference July 23

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Western Australia, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Andean Silver (ASX: ASL), based in Chile, focused on the Cerro Bayo Project, today announced that Tim Laneyrie, CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 23, 2025

    DATE: July 23
    TIME: 9:30 AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • Andean raised A$30m in strongly supported raise (18/07/25)
    • Andean begins trading on the OTCQX (ADSLF) (21/7/25)
    • Drilling doubles the vertical extent of the Coyita orebody (24/6/25)
    • Exploration continues to grow project pipeline (28/5/25)

    About Andean Silver

    Andean Silver Limited (ASX:ASL) is an Australian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned Cerro Bayo Silver-Gold Project in the Aysen region of Southern Chile. The Cerro Bayo Silver-Gold Project currently hosts an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources of 9.8Mt at a grade of 353g/t for 111Moz of contained AgEq. Andean intends to rapidly advance the project and grow the existing silver-gold Resources to demonstrate a globally significant silver-gold asset. For further information regarding Andean Silver Limited, please visit the ASX platform (ASX:ASL) or the Company’s website at www.andeansilver.com

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Andean Silver
    Tim Laneyrie
    CEO
    (+61) 411 223 724
    tlaneyrie@andeansilver.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Andean Silver to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference July 23

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Western Australia, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Andean Silver (ASX: ASL), based in Chile, focused on the Cerro Bayo Project, today announced that Tim Laneyrie, CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 23, 2025

    DATE: July 23
    TIME: 9:30 AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • Andean raised A$30m in strongly supported raise (18/07/25)
    • Andean begins trading on the OTCQX (ADSLF) (21/7/25)
    • Drilling doubles the vertical extent of the Coyita orebody (24/6/25)
    • Exploration continues to grow project pipeline (28/5/25)

    About Andean Silver

    Andean Silver Limited (ASX:ASL) is an Australian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned Cerro Bayo Silver-Gold Project in the Aysen region of Southern Chile. The Cerro Bayo Silver-Gold Project currently hosts an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources of 9.8Mt at a grade of 353g/t for 111Moz of contained AgEq. Andean intends to rapidly advance the project and grow the existing silver-gold Resources to demonstrate a globally significant silver-gold asset. For further information regarding Andean Silver Limited, please visit the ASX platform (ASX:ASL) or the Company’s website at www.andeansilver.com

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Andean Silver
    Tim Laneyrie
    CEO
    (+61) 411 223 724
    tlaneyrie@andeansilver.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Carrier Strike Group contributes to Exercise Talisman Sabre

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    UK Carrier Strike Group contributes to Exercise Talisman Sabre

    The UK Carrier Strike Group has led a major British contribution to the large multinational exercise in Australia.

    Crown copyright

    More than 3,000 British forces are taking part in the largest military exercise Australia has ever hosted, as the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) demonstrates Britain’s unwavering commitment to Indo-Pacific security. 

    The Carrier Strike Group is in Australia as part of Operation Highmast, the major global deployment that demonstrates Britain’s strategic commitment to the Indo-Pacific. 

    From British Gurkhas to US Marines to Australian Defence Force amphibious specialists, Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 serves as one of the deployment’s key moments, bringing together multinational forces to strengthen and test how nations can work together to safeguard global trade routes and maintain regional stability. 

    Spanning across a vast area in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales, the Australian-US led biennial exercise is bigger than ever, involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations – making Talisman Sabre the largest exercise of the CSG’s deployment and one of the largest military exercises in the world this year. For the first time, offshore activities will also be conducted in Papua New Guinea.    

    Defence Secretary John Healey said:  

    The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow.  

    Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates. The unprecedented scale showcases the growing importance of cooperation in addressing shared challenges. We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity. 

    Commodore James Blackmore said:  

    This is a real demonstration of the UK and our partners’ warfighting capabilities.   

    As the first UK-led multinational Carrier Strike Group to Talisman Sabre this is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.  

    Exercise Talisman Sabre is also an opportunity for the UK to develop new levels of integration between systems and capabilities with the US, Australia, and other partners, enhancing our interoperability even further and to unprecedented levels.

     All three branches of the UK Armed Forces are engaged, with the Royal Marines playing a central role throughout the exercise alongside a Ranger Battalion from the Army and RAF Voyager aircraft. 

    The exercise strengthens operational cooperation with international partners, ensuring our collective ability to maintain the rules-based international order that underpins global trade and security.  

    The Royal Navy, alongside its AUKUS partners, is testing cutting-edge sub-sea and seabed warfare capabilities, showcasing interoperability across our navies. Additionally, for the first time, AUKUS nations will demonstrate the ability to remotely control Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (XL-UUVs) from a remote operating centre. 

    Through DSTL via the Resilience Autonomy and AI Technology collaboration, nations tested autonomy-enabled systems able to find and strike an advancing adversary. This experimentation provided a realistic combat environment for AUKUS to operate as an AI-enabled, integrated force, exploiting cutting-edge technology to ensure strategic advantage against a range of simulated adversaries. 
     
    The CSG25 deployment reinforces the government’s Plan for Change by strengthening international partnerships that underpin economic growth and national security, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad. Operation Highmast occurs against the backdrop of the government’s landmark commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP. 

    This historic investment underpins the government’s mission-led approach to securing Britain’s future, providing the economic stability necessary for growth whilst ensuring the UK maintains cutting-edge capabilities such as the Carrier Strike Group to meet emerging global threats.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gaza not a religious issue – it’s a massive violation of international law, say accord critics

    Asia Pacific Report

    Groups that have declined to join the government-sponsored “harmony accord” signed yesterday by some Muslim and Jewish groups, say that the proposed new council is “misaligned” with its aims.

    The signed accord was presented at Government House in Auckland.

    About 70 people attended, including representatives of the New Zealand Jewish Council, His Highness the Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand and the Jewish Community Security Group, reports RNZ News.

    The initiative originated with government recognition that the consequences of Israel’s actions in Gaza are impacting on Jewish and Muslim communities in Aotearoa, as well as the wider community.

    While agreeing with that statement of purpose, other Muslim and Jewish groups have chosen to decline the invitation, said some of the disagreeing groups in a joint statement.

    They believe that the council, as formulated, is misaligned with its aims.

    “Gaza is not a religious issue, and this has never been a conflict between our faiths,” Dr Abdul Monem, a co-founder of ICONZ said.

    ‘Horrifying humanitarian consequences’
    “In Gaza we see a massive violation of international law with horrifying humanitarian consequences.

    “We place Israel’s annihilating campaign against Gaza, the complicity of states and economies at the centre of our understanding — not religion.

    “The first action to address the suffering in Gaza and ameliorate its effects here in Aotearoa must be government action. Our government needs to comply with international courts and act on this humanitarian calamity.

    “That does not require a new council.”

    The impetus for this initiative clearly linked international events with their local impacts, but the document does not mention Gaza among the council’s priorities, said the statement.

    “Signatories are not required to acknowledge universal human rights, nor the courts which have ruled so decisively and created obligations for the New Zealand government. Social distress is disconnected from its immediate cause.”

    The council was open to parties which did not recognise the role of international humanitarian law in Palestine, nor the full human and political rights of their fellow New Zealanders.

    ‘Overlooks humanitarian law’
    Marilyn Garson, co-founder of Alternative Jewish Voices said: “It has broad implications to overlook our rights and international humanitarian law.

    “As currently formulated, the council includes no direct Palestinian representation. That’s not good enough.

    “How can there be credible discussion of Aotearoa’s ethnic safety — let alone advocacy for international action — without Palestinians?

    “Law, human rights and the dignity of every person’s life are not opinions. They are human entitlements and global agreements to which Aotearoa has bound itself.

    “No person in Aotearoa should have to enter a room — especially a council created under government auspices — knowing that their fundamental rights will not be upheld. No one should have to begin by asking for that which is theirs.”

    The groups outside this new council said they wished to live in a harmonious society, but for them it was unclear why a new council of Jews and Muslims should represent the path to harmony.

    “Advocacy that comes from faith can be a powerful force. We already work with numerous interfaith community initiatives, some formed at government initiative and waiting to really find their purpose,” said Dr Muhammad Sajjad Naqvi, president of ICONZ.

    Addressing local threats
    “Those existing channels include more of the parties needed to address local threats, including Christian nationalism like that of Destiny Church.

    “Perhaps government should resource those rather than starting something new.”

    The groups who declined to join the council said they had “warm and enduring relationships” with FIANZ and Dayenu, which would take seats at this council table.

    “All of the groups share common goals, but not this path,” the statement said.

    ICONZ is a national umbrella organisation for New Zealand Shia Muslims for a unified voice. It was established by Muslims who have been born in New Zealand or born to migrants who chose New Zealand to be their home.

    Alternative Jewish Voices is a collective of Aotearoa Jews working for Jewish pluralism and anti-racism. It supports the work of Palestinians who seek liberation grounded in law and our equal human rights.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Summertime fun is child’s play with Breeze In The Park

    Source: City of Leeds

    Organised by Leeds City Council, the roadshow-style programme will see a total of 26 low-cost play days taking place in local communities over the next month.

    Each event will be held in a different park or green space and will feature interactive activities such as arts, crafts, sports and games together with Breeze’s much-loved giant inflatables.

    The programme gets under way tomorrow (Wednesday, July 23) at Belle Isle’s Coopers Field and will finish at Wortley Recreation Ground on August 21.

    In between times, events will take place in Armley, Beeston, Bramhope, Bramley, Burmantofts, Cross Gates, Drighlington, East Ardsley, East End Park, Farsley, Garforth, Harehills, Horsforth, Kirkstall, Middleton, Morley, Otley, Potternewton, Pudsey, Rothwell, Seacroft, Tinshill, Woodhouse and Yeadon.

    The visits to Armley, Beeston, Bramhope, Cross Gates, East Ardsley, East End Park, Harehills, Kirkstall, Middleton, Morley, Potternewton and Wortley will include quieter and more relaxed sessions for those with additional needs. Extra staff will be on hand to offer assistance at these sessions, with queuing kept to a minimum and designated parking provided where possible.

    A summertime staple in local parks since 2004, Breeze-themed events have become renowned over the years for their focus on fun, inclusivity and value for money.

    The wider city’s commitment to those same principles means there are no shortage of other free, low-cost or pay-as-you-can entertainment options for children and young people in Leeds during the school holidays.

    And to help families plan their to-do lists, the council’s Child Friendly Leeds team has now produced – with support from partners and stakeholders – a handy guide giving full details of what’s on and when.

    The guide covers everything from magic shows at Leeds City Museum and workshops at Leeds Discovery Centre to film screenings at Hyde Park Picture House and children’s activities at Leeds Kirkgate Market – as well, of course, as Breeze In The Park.

    Also featured is Wonderland Awaits, an immersive city centre trail of Lewis Carroll-themed installations that runs from July 26 to August 31 and will take in landmark locations such as the Corn Exchange, the Royal Armouries and the Victoria Quarter.

    The release of the guide aligns with one of the key goals of the Child Friendly Leeds ’12 Wishes’ action plan, which was developed using views gathered from 80,000 children and young people.

    Wish number seven of the 12 wishes in the plan is focused on the need to ensure that information about events, activities, groups, cultural experiences and days out is communicated and promoted as effectively as possible.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

    “Breeze In The Park is a much-loved part of summer for children and young people across the city and I’m sure they, like me, will be delighted that it’s back once again.

    “By making the events low-cost, taking them out into so many different communities and running sessions for those with additional needs, we aim to ensure they are as accessible and inclusive as possible.

    “My thanks go to all the organising team for their hard work in making Breeze In The Park a success year in, year out.”

    Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said:

    “Our summer events guide is an excellent illustration of how Child Friendly Leeds is endeavouring to make this the best city in the country to grow up in.

    “The range of activities detailed in the guide is truly impressive and it’s our hope that it contains something for everyone.

    “This has been a really positive and collaborative project, with the support the Child Friendly Leeds team has received from partners and stakeholders being great to see.”

    All of the Breeze In The Park events will have one main session, running from midday to 4pm.

    Additional needs sessions will run from 11am to midday, with those attending them being welcome to stay on for the afternoon activities at no extra charge.

    Tickets for all sessions cost £1 each and must be bought in advance. Purchases can be made here or, for additional needs sessions, here. A full list of event dates and locations can be found on the same web pages.

    Breeze In The Park is funded with the generous support of the council’s network of local community committees.

    Breeze Pass holders get fast-track access to some of the most popular inflatable attractions. Please note, pass holders must still purchase tickets in advance.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: ALL4 Mining Targets Mass Adoption with Risk-Free Entry and Transparent Mining Returns

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Jacksonville, Florida, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Revolutionizing Digital Asset Mining for the Modern Investor

    Cryptocurrency mining has long been associated with complex setups, massive electricity consumption, and heavy capital requirements. However, ALL4 Mining is changing this outdated narrative by introducing a modern, streamlined solution that empowers both new and seasoned investors to earn consistent daily profits through cloud-based mining. Leveraging clean energy and advanced cloud computing, the platform is making digital mining more sustainable, affordable, and accessible to everyone.

    An Innovative Mining Model for Smarter Investments

    At its core, ALL4 Mining offers an intelligent system that removes the traditional burdens of crypto mining. Users no longer need to worry about purchasing costly hardware, maintaining devices, or paying high electricity bills. Instead, they simply rent computing power via flexible contracts and begin mining cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Dogecoin with ease.
    This model suits a variety of users—from individuals entering the space to large-scale investors seeking to optimize returns without the overhead.

    How ALL4 Mining Works Behind the Scenes

    ALL4 Mining operates through a distributed cloud mining infrastructure. Instead of requiring physical equipment on the user’s end, the platform routes mining tasks to high-performance, secure data centers powered by renewable energy. Here’s a breakdown of how the system operates:

    • Computing Power Rental: Users select a contract based on their budget and profit expectations. The platform allocates corresponding computing resources automatically.
    • Real-Time Tracking: Through an intuitive dashboard, users can monitor their mining progress, daily income, and contract performance in real time.
    • Automated Profit Distribution: Profits are calculated daily and distributed based on the proportion of the user’s investment, ensuring complete transparency and fairness.

    This seamless and automated structure allows users to focus on their investment strategies while the system handles the technical workload.

    Key Benefits of Choosing ALL4 Mining

    ✅ Low Entry Barrier

    Unlike traditional mining operations that require significant capital upfront, ALL4 Mining lowers the threshold significantly. Users can start mining with minimal investment, making it an ideal platform for beginners.

    ✅ Clean, Sustainable Energy Use

    ALL4 Mining relies on green energy sources to power its data centers. This commitment to sustainability not only reduces operational costs but also supports global efforts to minimize carbon emissions in blockchain technology.

    ✅ Flexible Contracts

    The platform offers a variety of computing power packages with different durations and profitability rates. Whether you’re aiming for short-term gains or long-term passive income, there’s a plan tailored to your goals.

    ✅ Enterprise-Grade Security

    The platform employs SSL encryption, firewalls, and real-time risk detection to ensure your assets and personal data remain protected at all times.

    ✅ Dedicated Customer Support

    A knowledgeable support team is available 24/7 to assist users with technical issues, account inquiries, or contract questions, ensuring a smooth experience for all users.

    Who Can Benefit from ALL4 Mining?

    ALL4 Mining is built to serve diverse segments of the crypto community:

    • Individual Investors: Those with limited knowledge or no technical background can still mine top cryptocurrencies using an easy-to-navigate platform.
    • Small Enterprises: Startups and small businesses can generate additional income streams by participating in cloud mining without investing in hardware.
    • Large Mining Pools: Established investors and institutions can significantly scale their operations by leveraging ALL4 Mining’s powerful cloud infrastructure.

    How to Start Earning with ALL4 Mining

    Getting started on ALL4 Mining is fast and simple:

    1. Register an Account: New users receive a $15 welcome bonus immediately upon sign-up.
    2. Daily Check-In Contract: Activate the free daily contract and earn $0.6 per day just by checking in.
    3. Choose a Paid Contract: Recharge your account and select from a variety of flexible packages designed to meet different financial goals.

    Popular Contract Packages Available

    ALL4 Mining offers several attractive contract options. These are tailored to various investor levels:

    BTC basic computing power: investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4.0, expiration income: $100 + $8

    LTC [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $600, contract period: 6 days, daily income of $7.2, expiration income: $600 + $43.2

    BTC [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $3,000, contract period: 20 days, daily income of $42, expiration income: $3,000 + $840

    DOGE [classic computing power contract]: investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 31 days, daily income of $74, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,294

    BTC [advanced computing power contract]: investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 40 days, daily income of $170, expiration income: $10,000 + $680

    BTC [advanced computing power contract]: investment amount: 50,000 USD, contract period: 48 days, daily income: USD 930, maturity income: USD 50,000 + USD 44,640

    BTC [Super Computing Power Contract]: Investment amount: USD 150,000, contract period: 45 days, daily income: USD 3,000, maturity income: USD 150,000 + USD 135,000

    Large-scale investors can explore premium packages, such as $300,000 contracts, which deliver over $288,000 in profits in just 40 days.

    Each package allows users to earn passive income with zero operational burdens or hidden fees.

    How to Earn $7,050 Daily with ALL4 Mining

    To understand the platform’s profit potential, consider this example:
    A user invests in a BTC Super Computing Contract with a $300,000 value. With a daily return rate of 2.35%, the user earns $7,050 per day.
    In 40 days:

    • Daily Return: $7,050 × 40 = $282,000
    • Total Return: $300,000 + $282,000 = $582,000

    This hands-free earning model demonstrates how ALL4 Mining can generate significant revenue for serious investors.

    Final Thoughts: A Future-Proof Investment Solution

    ALL4 Mining is not just another crypto mining platform—it’s a forward-thinking solution crafted for the evolving world of digital finance. Its combination of renewable energy, cloud computing, flexible contracts, and passive income potential makes it one of the most compelling choices for modern investors.
    Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, diversify your portfolio, or dive into crypto for the first time, ALL4 Mining offers a reliable, sustainable, and highly profitable gateway into the mining world.

    Get started today at: https://all4mining.com/
    Download the app and take control of your financial future.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Liberty Gold to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference July 23, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liberty Gold Corp. (TSX:LGD; OTCQX:LGDTF), (“Liberty Gold” or the “Company”), based in Vancouver, B.C. and focused on developing open pit oxide deposits in the Great Basin of the United States, today announced that Jon Gilligan, President and CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com on July 23, 2025.

    DATE: July 23, 2025
    TIME: 11:30AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE
    Available for 1×1 meetings: July 23 and 24, 2025

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    ABOUT LIBERTY GOLD
    Liberty Gold is focused on developing open pit oxide gold deposits in the Great Basin of the United States, home to large-scale gold projects that are ideally suited for open-pit mining and heap leach processing. This region is one of the most prolific gold-producing regions in the world and stretches across Nevada and into Idaho, Utah and Arizona. The Company is advancing the Black Pine Project in southeastern Idaho, a past-producing, Carlin-style oxide gold system with a large, growing resource and strong economic potential. We know the Great Basin and are driven to acquire, discover and develop significant gold deposits that can be mined profitably through open-pit heap leaching scenarios and in an environmentally responsible manner.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Susie Bell, Manager Investor Relations
    Liberty Gold Corp.
    Phone: 604-632-4677 or Toll Free 1-877-632-4677
    info@libertygold.ca
    For more information, visit libertygold.ca

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Liberty Gold to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference July 23, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liberty Gold Corp. (TSX:LGD; OTCQX:LGDTF), (“Liberty Gold” or the “Company”), based in Vancouver, B.C. and focused on developing open pit oxide deposits in the Great Basin of the United States, today announced that Jon Gilligan, President and CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com on July 23, 2025.

    DATE: July 23, 2025
    TIME: 11:30AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE
    Available for 1×1 meetings: July 23 and 24, 2025

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    ABOUT LIBERTY GOLD
    Liberty Gold is focused on developing open pit oxide gold deposits in the Great Basin of the United States, home to large-scale gold projects that are ideally suited for open-pit mining and heap leach processing. This region is one of the most prolific gold-producing regions in the world and stretches across Nevada and into Idaho, Utah and Arizona. The Company is advancing the Black Pine Project in southeastern Idaho, a past-producing, Carlin-style oxide gold system with a large, growing resource and strong economic potential. We know the Great Basin and are driven to acquire, discover and develop significant gold deposits that can be mined profitably through open-pit heap leaching scenarios and in an environmentally responsible manner.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Susie Bell, Manager Investor Relations
    Liberty Gold Corp.
    Phone: 604-632-4677 or Toll Free 1-877-632-4677
    info@libertygold.ca
    For more information, visit libertygold.ca

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Leo Berwick Secures $75 Million Financing Facility from Stone Point Credit to Accelerate Strategic Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leo Berwick, a premier global tax and financial advisory firm, serving preeminent infrastructure, private equity, and pension funds and their portfolio companies, announced today that it has executed a credit facility for up to $75 million from Stone Point Credit (“Stone Point”), a leading private credit investment firm, subject to the agreed upon conditions between the parties.

    Since its founding in 2021, Leo Berwick has rapidly become a leader in infrastructure and energy tax and financial advice. The firm continues to grow and launch new practice areas related to valuation, cost segregation, modeling, and financial due diligence across multiple sectors and remains active in looking for opportunities to further expand its premium service offerings to its global clients.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Stone Point as we enter our next phase of growth,” said Nick Kato, Managing Partner of Leo Berwick. “This financing will allow us to accelerate our strategic initiatives, expand our capabilities, and continue delivering exceptional value and service to our clients.”

    The facility earmarks a portion of proceeds for strategic M&A and other growth initiatives, which are core parts of Leo Berwick’s strategic roadmap.

    “Our aspiration,” continued Kato, “is to offer clients a better alternative to the Big 4, including greater technology enablement, global capabilities, and unmatched sector expertise, while cultivating an agile, commercial, and solution-focused culture to create meaningful value for our clients.”

    Scott Bronner, Head of Credit at Stone Point, added, “We are very excited to support the Leo Berwick team as they look to build out their M&A strategy to complement their strong history of organic growth.”

    Perella Weinberg served as financial advisor and Polsinelli served as legal advisor to Leo Berwick. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP served as legal advisor to Stone Point.

    ABOUT LEO BERWICK

    Leo Berwick is a commercially focused tax and financial advisory firm supporting the needs of the world’s largest infrastructure funds, infrastructure and energy developers, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, publicly-listed corporations and private strategic investors across all sectors, with deep expertise in infrastructure and energy. The team is made up of over 100 M&A advisory leaders and specialists from the Big 4 and Big Law. Leo Berwick is known for maximizing value and minimizing risk by fostering successful long-term partnerships with clients. For more information, please visit https://www.leoberwick.com.

    ABOUT STONE POINT CREDIT

    Stone Point Credit is the credit-investing platform established by Stone Point Capital, with more than $10 billion of assets under management. Stone Point Credit manages a range of private and liquid credit strategies, with a focus on investments in the financial services, business services, software and technology, and healthcare services sectors. For more information, please visit www.stonepoint.com/credit.

    LEO BERWICK MEDIA CONTACT

    Heather Godsmark, Chief Clients and Markets Officer
    info@leoberwick.com

    STONE POINT MEDIA CONTACT

    Stone Point Credit Investor Relations
    spcreditir@stonepoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: City of Wanneroo adopts 2025/26 budget

    Source: South Australia Police

    The City of Wanneroo has adopted its 2025/26 budget, prioritising a range of services and facilities to keep our community connected, safe and sustainable.

    Council adopted a 3.5 per cent rate increase across all rating categories, and a 3 per cent increase for residential ratepayers which amounts to less than $1 per week for most homeowners.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the $353.4 million budget included a $132.6 million capital works program and investment in a range of community services and facilities to benefit all residents.

    “We are committed to providing the programs, services, facilities and infrastructure our community needs and expects, while remaining mindful of the cost-of-living challenges people are facing,” she said.

    “As one of Australia’s fastest-growing local government areas, we have a duty to ensure value for money for our ratepayers. Half of this year’s budget is funded from sources beyond rates, thanks to strong partnerships and a strategic focus on alternative revenue streams.”

    “The City looks forward to delivering on this budget and continuing to build a thriving, inclusive and sustainable City for the generations to come.”

    2025/26 capital works program highlights

    Community recreation and facilities

    Over the next 12 months, the City will spend $60.9 million on upgrades to existing sporting facilities and the construction of new facilities to ensure local families and sporting clubs can stay healthy, active and connected.

    This includes $48.9 million to progress the construction of the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

    A $1.3 million investment will progress the design of a new sports hub for the Wanneroo Recreation Centre, a further $470,000 will progress a new amenities building at Abbeville Park in Mindarie, and $230,000 for an extension to the existing Wanneroo Showgrounds Clubrooms.

    Construction of the highly anticipated Dordaak Kepup library and youth innovation hub is scheduled for completion, with the $18 million Landsdale facility set to open its doors in December 2025.

    $1.6 million will support upgrades to Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks, Yanchep Community Centre, Carramar Community and Butler Community Centre.

    An additional $1 million will support the Girrawheen Hub Redevelopment project.

    Waste management

    We’ve allocated $4.4 million to support more sustainable and efficient waste management processes. Funding will progress the development of a recycling centre in Neerabup and waste transfer stations in Neerabup and Wangara.

    Community safety

    We’re investing $3.7 million to community safety measures this year, including $1.6 million to upgrade the Two Rocks Bush Fire Brigade.

    We’ll also spend $1.6 million to commence detailed design for the Wanneroo Emergency Services Precinct, to ensure the City is better prepared for bushfires and other emergencies.

    Parks, playgrounds and pathways

    We’re committing $6.7 million towards park and playground upgrades, to ensure the community can enjoy our City’s natural environment. This work will include replacing playground equipment, shade structures, picnic shelters, barbecues and drink fountains.

    A $515,000 investment will provide new play spaces at Rotary Park, and $320,000 will complete the construction of new toilet facilities at Amery Park in Hocking.

    We’ve allocated $6.7 million to new and upgraded pathways and trails across the City, including new shared paths in Alexander Heights and from Butler to Alkimos Station.

    A further $815,000 will provide pathway lighting at Kingsbridge, Chesterfield, Brampton, Lighthouse and Delamere parks.

    Local roads

    With a focus on creating a safe and connected City, we’ve allocated $18.2 million this year to road upgrades and traffic treatments.

    This includes $4.8 million for Flynn Drive upgrades between Mather Drive and Old Yanchep Road.

    We’re also spending $1.3 million on upgrades to the intersection of Marangaroo Drive and Girrawheen Avenue, and $750,000 on the construction of a dual carriageway between Marmion Avenue to Spinnaker Boulevard on Yanchep Beach Road.

    In additional to the budget, the City is launching a new online payment portal this August, providing residents with a more flexible and user-friendly way to manage their rates.

    The portal offers a variety of automated payment options, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments, depending on what suits your budget.

    For more information on the City’s 2025/26 budget and or the online payment portal, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/budget.

    Please note, some figures have been rounded to nearest decimal whole number.

     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Old National Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results and Names New President and COO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EVANSVILLE, Ind., July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB) reports 2Q25 net income applicable to common shares of $121.4 million, diluted EPS of $0.34; $190.9 million and $0.53 on an adjusted1basis, respectively.


    CEO COMMENTARY    :

    “Old National’s impressive second quarter results were achieved through a strong focus on the fundamentals: Growing our balance sheet, expanding our fee-based businesses, and controlling expenses,” said Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan. “Additionally, with the successful closing of our partnership with Bremer on May 1, 2025, Old National is well-positioned for the remainder of the year, benefiting from a larger balance sheet and a stronger capital position.”

    “We are thrilled to welcome Tim Burke as Old National’s President and Chief Operating Officer,” said Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan. “Tim brings nearly 30 years of extensive banking expertise to this critical role. I am confident that his infectious energy, strong strategic vision, and collaborative leadership approach will ensure that Old National continues to exceed client expectations for years to come, while also working to strengthen the communities we serve.”


    SECOND     QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS2:

    Net Income
    • Net income applicable to common shares of $121.4 million; adjusted net income applicable to common shares1 of $190.9 million
    • Earnings per diluted common share (“EPS”) of $0.34; adjusted EPS1 of $0.53
       
    Net Interest Income/NIM
    • Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis1 of $521.9 million
    • Net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis1 (“NIM”) of 3.53%, up 26 basis points (“bps”)
       
    Operating Performance
    • Pre-provision net revenue1 (“PPNR”) of $269.6 million; adjusted PPNR1 of $289.9 million
    • Noninterest expense of $384.8 million; adjusted noninterest expense1 of $343.6 million
    • Efficiency ratio1 of 55.8%; adjusted efficiency ratio1 of 50.2%
       
    Deposits and Funding
    • Period-end total deposits of $54.4 billion, up $13.3 billion; core deposits up $11.6 billion
      • Period-end core deposits up 0.8% annualized excluding deposits assumed from Bremer Financial Corporation (“Bremer”)
    • Granular low-cost deposit franchise; total deposit costs of 193 bps, up 2 bps
       
    Loans and Credit Quality
    • End-of-period total loans3 of $48.0 billion, up $11.5 billion
      • End-of-period loans3 up 3.7% annualized excluding loans acquired from Bremer
    • Provision for credit losses4 (“provision”) of $106.8 million; $31.2 million excluding $75.6 million of current expected credit loss (“CECL”) Day 1 non-purchased credit deteriorated (“non-PCD”) provision expense5
    • Net charge-offs of $26.5 million, or 24 bps of average loans; 21 bps excluding purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans that had an allowance at acquisition
    • 30+ day delinquencies of 0.30% and nonaccrual loans of 1.24% of total loans
     
    Return Profile & Capital
    • Return on average tangible common equity1 (“ROATCE”) of 12.0%; adjusted ROATCE1 of 18.1%
    • Preliminary regulatory Tier 1 common equity to risk-weighted assets of 10.74%, down 88 bps
       
    Notable Items
    • Closing of Bremer partnership on May 1, 2025
    • $75.6 million of pre-tax CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense5
    • $41.2 million of pre-tax merger-related charges
    • $21.0 million of pre-tax pension plan gain6

    1 Non-GAAP financial measure that management believes is useful in evaluating the financial results of the Company – refer to the Non-GAAP reconciliations contained in this release 2 Comparisons are on a linked-quarter basis, unless otherwise noted 3 Includes loans held-for-sale 4 Includes the provision for unfunded commitments 5 Refers to the initial increase in allowance for credit losses required on acquired non-PCD loans, including unfunded loan commitments, through the provision for credit losses 6 Includes a gain associated with freezing benefits of the Bremer pension plan

    TIM BURKE TO JOIN OLD NATIONAL AS PRESIDENT AND COO
    Timothy M. Burke, Jr. will join Old National Bancorp (“Old National”) on July 22, 2025 as President and Chief Operating Officer, assuming the role previously held by Mark Sander who announced his retirement earlier this year. Mr. Burke most recently served as Executive Vice President of the Central Region and Field Enablement for the Commercial Bank for a large Midwestern super-regional bank, where he was responsible for the full range of commercial banking in 12 Midwestern markets including those in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

    Mr. Burke’s nearly 30-year banking career has centered on serving clients and communities in the Midwest. His prior leadership experience includes roles as Northeast Ohio Market President for the same regional institution, where he was responsible for driving collaboration across all business lines including Retail, Business Banking, Commercial, Private Banking and Mortgage.

    “I’m truly thrilled to join a team that’s so deeply committed to relationship banking and making a real impact on our communities,” said Burke. “Old National’s core values and mission strongly align with my personal values, positioning me well to jump into the role, take care of clients and deliver standout products and services consistently across all of our markets.”

    As President and COO, Burke will be responsible for guiding the success of Old National’s Commercial, Community and Wealth segments, and Credit and Marketing teams. He and his family will reside in Evansville, Ind., and he will maintain offices in Evansville and Chicago.

    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS2
    Old National Bancorp reported second quarter 2025 net income applicable to common shares of $121.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share.

    Included in second quarter results were $75.6 million of pre-tax CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense related to the allowance for credit losses established on acquired non-PCD loans (including unfunded loan commitments), pre-tax charges of $41.2 million for merger-related expenses, and a $21.0 million pre-tax gain associated with freezing benefits of the Bremer pension plan. Excluding these items and realized debt securities losses from the current quarter, adjusted net income1 was $190.9 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share.

    DEPOSITS AND FUNDING
    Growth in core deposits driven by Bremer including public fund and business checking increases partly offset by normal seasonal outflows of retail deposits.

    • Period-end total deposits were $54.4 billion, up $13.3 billion; core deposits up $11.6 billion; includes $11.5 billion of period-end core deposits assumed in the Bremer transaction.
      • Period-end core deposits up 0.8% annualized excluding Bremer.
    • On average, total deposits for the second quarter were $49.8 billion, up $9.3 billion.
    • Granular low-cost deposit franchise; total deposit costs of 193 bps, up 2 bps.
    • A loan to deposit ratio of 88%, combined with existing funding sources, provides strong liquidity.

    LOANS
    Loan growth driven by Bremer and strong commercial loan production; pipeline increasing.

    • Period-end total loans3 were $48.0 billion, up $11.5 billion; includes $11.2 billion of period end loans acquired in the Bremer transaction.
      • Excluding loans3 acquired in the Bremer transaction, period-end total loans were up 3.7% annualized.
    • Commercial loans, excluding Bremer, grew 4.6% annualized
      • Total commercial loan production in the second quarter was $2.3 billion; period-end commercial pipeline totaled $4.8 billion, up approximately 40%.
    • Average total loans in the second quarter were $44.1 billion, an increase of $7.8 billion.

    CREDIT QUALITY
    Resilient credit quality continues to be a hallmark of Old National.

    • Provision4 expense was $106.8 million; $31.2 million excluding $75.6 million of CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense5 related to the allowance for credit losses established on acquired non-PCD loans (including unfunded loan commitments) in the Bremer transaction, consistent with the prior quarter.
    • Net charge-offs were $26.5 million, or 24 bps of average loans, consistent with the prior quarter.
      • Excluding PCD loans that had an allowance for credit losses established at acquisition, net charge-offs to average loans were 21 bps.
    • 30+ day delinquencies as a percentage of loans were 0.30% compared to 0.22%.
    • Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans were 1.24% compared to 1.29%.
    • The allowance for credit losses, including the allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, stood at $594.7 million, or 1.24% of total loans, compared to $424.0 million, or 1.16% of total loans, reflecting $75.6 million of CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense5 related to acquired non-PCD loans (including unfunded loan commitments) and $90.4 million of allowance related to acquired PCD loans.

    NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN
    Higher reflective of larger balance sheet and higher asset yields.

    • Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis1 increased to $521.9 million compared to $393.0 million, driven by Bremer, loan growth, higher asset yields and more days in the quarter, partly offset by higher funding costs.
    • Net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis1 increased 26 bps to 3.53%.
    • Cost of total deposits was 1.93%, increasing 2 bps and the cost of total interest-bearing deposits increased 6 bps to 2.52%.

    NONINTEREST INCOME
    Increase driven by Bremer and organic growth of fee-based businesses.

    • Total noninterest income was $132.5 million, $111.6 million excluding a $21.0 million pre-tax gain associated with the freezing of benefits of the Bremer pension plan, compared to $93.8 million.
    • Excluding the pension plan gain and realized debt securities losses, noninterest income was up 18.8% driven by Bremer revenue as well as higher wealth fees, mortgage fees, and capital markets revenue.

    NONINTEREST EXPENSE
    Higher reflective of Bremer, disciplined expense management drives efficiency ratio lower.

    • Noninterest expense was $384.8 million and included $41.2 million of merger-related charges.
    • Excluding merger-related charges, adjusted noninterest expense1 was $343.6 million, compared to $262.6 million, driven primarily by elevated operating costs and additional intangibles amortization, both related to the Bremer transaction.
    • The efficiency ratio1 was 55.8%, while the adjusted efficiency ratio1 was 50.2% compared to 53.7% and 51.8%, respectively.

    INCOME TAXES

    • Income tax expense was $30.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.5% compared to 20.3%. On an adjusted fully taxable equivalent (“FTE”) basis, the effective tax rate was 24.6% compared to 22.5%.
      • The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2025 was impacted by the Bremer transaction and the first quarter of 2025 was impacted by a $1.2 million benefit for the vesting of employee stock compensation.
    • Income tax expense included $5.8 million of tax credit benefit compared to $5.3 million.

    CAPITAL
    Capital ratios remain strong.

    • Preliminary total risk-based capital down 109 bps to 12.59% and preliminary regulatory Tier 1 capital down 103 bps to 11.20%, as strong retained earnings were more than offset by the Bremer transaction and loan growth.
    • Tangible common equity to tangible assets was 7.26%, down 6.4%.

    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
    Old National will host a conference call and live webcast at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to review second quarter financial results. The live audio webcast link and corresponding presentation slides will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at oldnational.com and will be archived there for 12 months. To listen to the live conference call, dial U.S. (800) 715-9871 or International (646) 307-1963, access code 9394540. A replay of the call will also be available from approximately noon Central Time on July 22, 2025 through August 5, 2025. To access the replay, dial U.S. (800) 770-2030 or International (647) 362-9199; Access code 9394540.

    ABOUT OLD NATIONAL
    Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB) is the holding company of Old National Bank. As the fifth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest, Old National proudly serves clients primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. With approximately $71 billion of assets and $38 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 25 banking companies headquartered in the United States. Tracing our roots to 1834, Old National focuses on building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients while also strengthening and supporting the communities we serve. In addition to providing extensive services in consumer and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management and capital markets services. For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com. In 2025, Points of Light named Old National one of “The Civic 50” – an honor reserved for the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

    USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry. As a supplement to GAAP, the Company provides non-GAAP performance results, which the Company believes are useful because they assist investors in assessing the Company’s operating performance. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the tables at the end of this release.

    The Company presents EPS, the efficiency ratio, return on average common equity, return on average tangible common equity, and net income applicable to common shares, all adjusted for certain notable items. These items include CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense, merger-related charges associated with completed and pending acquisitions, a pension plan gain, debt securities gains/losses, separation expense, distribution of excess pension assets expense, and FDIC special assessment expense. Management believes excluding these items from EPS, the efficiency ratio, return on average common equity, and return on average tangible common equity may be useful in assessing the Company’s underlying operational performance since these items do not pertain to its core business operations and their exclusion may facilitate better comparability between periods. Management believes that excluding merger-related charges from these metrics may be useful to the Company, as well as analysts and investors, since these expenses can vary significantly based on the size, type, and structure of each acquisition. Additionally, management believes excluding these items from these metrics may enhance comparability for peer comparison purposes.

    Income tax expense, provision for credit losses, and the certain notable items listed above are excluded from the calculation of pre-provision net revenues, adjusted due to the fluctuation in income before income tax and the level of provision for credit losses required. Management believes adjusted pre-provision net revenues may be useful in assessing the Company’s underlying operating performance and their exclusion may facilitate better comparability between periods and for peer comparison purposes.

    The Company presents adjusted noninterest expense, which excludes merger-related charges associated with completed and pending acquisitions, separation expense, distribution of excess pension assets expense, and FDIC special assessment expense, as well as adjusted noninterest income, which excludes a pension plan gain and debt securities gains/losses. Management believes that excluding these items from noninterest expense and noninterest income may be useful in assessing the Company’s underlying operational performance as these items either do not pertain to its core business operations or their exclusion may facilitate better comparability between periods and for peer comparison purposes.

    The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income and net interest margin recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets. Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented using the current federal income tax rate of 21%. Management believes that it is standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income and net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis and that it may enhance comparability for peer comparison purposes.

    In management’s view, tangible common equity measures are capital adequacy metrics that may be meaningful to the Company, as well as analysts and investors, in assessing the Company’s use of equity and in facilitating comparisons with peers. These non-GAAP measures are valuable indicators of a financial institution’s capital strength since they eliminate intangible assets from stockholders’ equity and retain the effect of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity.

    Although intended to enhance investors’ understanding of the Company’s business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from those used by other financial institutions to assess their business and performance. See the following reconciliations in the “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” section for details on the calculation of these measures to the extent presented herein.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This earnings release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward‐looking statements within the meaning of the Act. These statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of Old National’s financial condition, results of operations, asset and credit quality trends, profitability and business plans or opportunities. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would,” and “will,” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements express management’s current expectations or forecasts of future events and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such statements, including, but not limited to: competition; government legislation, regulations and policies, including trade and tariff policies; the ability of Old National to execute its business plan; unanticipated changes in our liquidity position, including but not limited to changes in our access to sources of liquidity and capital to address our liquidity needs; changes in economic conditions and economic and business uncertainty which could materially impact credit quality trends and the ability to generate loans and gather deposits; inflation and governmental responses to inflation, including increasing interest rates; market, economic, operational, liquidity, credit, and interest rate risks associated with our business; our ability to successfully manage our credit risk and the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses; the expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the merger (the “Merger”) between Old National and Bremer not being realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters being greater than expected; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the completion of the Merger; the impact of purchase accounting with respect to the Merger, or any change in the assumptions used regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to determine their fair value and credit marks; the potential impact of future business combinations on our performance and financial condition, including our ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the success of revenue-generating and cost reduction initiatives and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; failure or circumvention of our internal controls; operational risks or risk management failures by us or critical third parties, including without limitation with respect to data processing, information systems, cybersecurity, technological changes, vendor issues, business interruption, and fraud risks; significant changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices or requirements; new legal obligations or liabilities; disruptive technologies in payment systems and other services traditionally provided by banks; failure or disruption of our information systems; computer hacking and other cybersecurity threats; the effects of climate change on Old National and its customers, borrowers, or service providers; the impacts of pandemics, epidemics and other infectious disease outbreaks; other matters discussed in this earnings release; and other factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and estimates, which although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect. Old National does not undertake an obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this earnings release. You are advised to consult further disclosures we may make on related subjects in our filings with the SEC.

    CONTACTS:    
    Media: Rick Jillson   Investors: Lynell Durchholz
    (812) 465-7267   (812) 464-1366
    Rick.Jillson@oldnational.com   Lynell.Durchholz@oldnational.com
                   
    Financial Highlights (unaudited)
    ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    Income Statement                
    Net interest income $ 514,790   $ 387,643   $ 394,180   $ 391,724   $ 388,421     $ 902,433   $ 744,879  
    FTE adjustment1,3   7,063     5,360     5,777     6,144     6,340       12,423     12,593  
    Net interest income – tax equivalent basis3   521,853     393,003     399,957     397,868     394,761       914,856     757,472  
    Provision for credit losses   106,835     31,403     27,017     28,497     36,214       138,238     55,105  
    Noninterest income   132,517     93,794     95,766     94,138     87,271       226,311     164,793  
    Noninterest expense   384,766     268,471     276,824     272,283     282,999       653,237     545,316  
    Net income available to common shareholders $ 121,375   $ 140,625   $ 149,839   $ 139,768   $ 117,196     $ 262,000   $ 233,446  
    Per Common Share Data                
    Weighted average diluted shares   361,436     321,016     318,803     317,331     316,461       340,250     304,207  
    EPS, diluted $ 0.34   $ 0.44   $ 0.47   $ 0.44   $ 0.37     $ 0.77   $ 0.77  
    Cash dividends   0.14     0.14     0.14     0.14     0.14       0.28     0.28  
    Dividend payout ratio2   41 %   32 %   30 %   32 %   38 %     36 %   36 %
    Book value $ 20.12   $ 19.71   $ 19.11   $ 19.20   $ 18.28     $ 20.12   $ 18.28  
    Stock price   21.34     21.19     21.71     18.66     17.19       21.34     17.19  
    Tangible book value3   12.60     12.54     11.91     11.97     11.05       12.60     11.05  
    Performance Ratios                
    ROAA   0.77 %   1.08 %   1.14 %   1.08 %   0.92 %     0.91 %   0.95 %
    ROAE   6.7 %   9.1 %   9.8 %   9.4 %   8.2 %     7.8 %   8.4 %
    ROATCE3   12.0 %   15.0 %   16.4 %   16.0 %   14.1 %     13.4 %   14.5 %
    NIM (FTE)3   3.53 %   3.27 %   3.30 %   3.32 %   3.33 %     3.41 %   3.31 %
    Efficiency ratio3   55.8 %   53.7 %   54.4 %   53.8 %   57.2 %     54.9 %   57.7 %
    NCOs to average loans   0.24 %   0.24 %   0.21 %   0.19 %   0.16 %     0.24 %   0.15 %
    ACL on loans to EOP loans   1.18 %   1.10 %   1.08 %   1.05 %   1.01 %     1.18 %   1.01 %
    ACL4 to EOP loans   1.24 %   1.16 %   1.14 %   1.12 %   1.08 %     1.24 %   1.08 %
    NPLs to EOP loans   1.24 %   1.29 %   1.23 %   1.22 %   0.94 %     1.24 %   0.94 %
    Balance Sheet (EOP)                
    Total loans $ 47,902,819   $ 36,413,944   $ 36,285,887   $ 36,400,643   $ 36,150,513     $ 47,902,819   $ 36,150,513  
    Total assets   70,979,805     53,877,944     53,552,272     53,602,293     53,119,645       70,979,805     53,119,645  
    Total deposits   54,357,683     41,034,572     40,823,560     40,845,746     39,999,228       54,357,683     39,999,228  
    Total borrowed funds   7,346,098     5,447,054     5,411,537     5,449,096     6,085,204       7,346,098     6,085,204  
    Total shareholders’ equity   8,126,387     6,534,654     6,340,350     6,367,298     6,075,072       8,126,387     6,075,072  
    Capital Ratios3                
    Risk-based capital ratios (EOP):                
    Tier 1 common equity   10.74 %   11.62 %   11.38 %   11.00 %   10.73 %     10.74 %   10.73 %
    Tier 1 capital   11.20 %   12.23 %   11.98 %   11.60 %   11.33 %     11.20 %   11.33 %
    Total capital   12.59 %   13.68 %   13.37 %   12.94 %   12.71 %     12.59 %   12.71 %
    Leverage ratio (average assets)   9.26 %   9.44 %   9.21 %   9.05 %   8.90 %     9.26 %   8.90 %
    Equity to assets (averages)   11.38 %   12.01 %   11.78 %   11.60 %   11.31 %     11.66 %   11.31 %
    TCE to TA   7.26 %   7.76 %   7.41 %   7.44 %   6.94 %     7.26 %   6.94 %
    Nonfinancial Data                
    Full-time equivalent employees   5,313     4,028     4,066     4,105     4,267       5,313     4,267  
    Banking centers   351     280     280     280     280       351     280  
    1 Calculated using the federal statutory tax rate in effect of 21% for all periods.          
    2 Cash dividends per common share divided by net income per common share (basic).          
    3 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” table for reconciliations to GAAP financial measures.
        June 30, 2025 capital ratios are preliminary.    		      
    4 Includes the allowance for credit losses on loans and unfunded loan commitments.          
                     
    FTE – Fully taxable equivalent basis ROAA – Return on average assets ROAE – Return on average equity ROATCE – Return on average tangible common equity NCOs – Net Charge-offs ACL – Allowance for Credit Losses EOP – End of period actual balances NPLs – Non-performing Loans TCE – Tangible common equity TA – Tangible assets      
                     
    Income Statement (unaudited)
    ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data)
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    Interest income $ 824,961   $ 630,399   $ 662,082   $ 679,925   $ 663,663     $ 1,455,360   $ 1,259,644  
    Less: interest expense   310,171     242,756     267,902     288,201     275,242       552,927     514,765  
    Net interest income   514,790     387,643     394,180     391,724     388,421       902,433     744,879  
    Provision for credit losses   106,835     31,403     27,017     28,497     36,214       138,238     55,105  
    Net interest income
    after provision for credit losses    		   407,955     356,240     367,163     363,227     352,207       764,195     689,774  
    Wealth and investment services fees   35,817     29,648     30,012     29,117     29,358       65,465     57,662  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   23,878     21,156     20,577     20,350     19,350       45,034     37,248  
    Debit card and ATM fees   12,922     9,991     10,991     11,362     10,993       22,913     21,047  
    Mortgage banking revenue   10,032     6,879     7,026     7,669     7,064       16,911     11,542  
    Capital markets income   7,114     4,506     5,244     7,426     4,729       11,620     7,629  
    Company-owned life insurance   6,625     5,381     6,499     5,315     5,739       12,006     9,173  
    Other income   36,170     16,309     15,539     12,975     10,036       52,479     20,506  
    Debt securities gains (losses), net   (41 )   (76 )   (122 )   (76 )   2       (117 )   (14 )
    Total noninterest income   132,517     93,794     95,766     94,138     87,271       226,311     164,793  
    Salaries and employee benefits   202,112     148,305     146,605     147,494     159,193       350,417     308,996  
    Occupancy   30,432     29,053     29,733     27,130     26,547       59,485     53,566  
    Equipment   12,566     8,901     9,325     9,888     8,704       21,467     17,375  
    Marketing   13,759     11,940     12,653     11,036     11,284       25,699     21,918  
    Technology   31,452     22,020     21,429     23,343     24,002       53,472     44,025  
    Communication   5,014     4,134     4,176     4,681     4,480       9,148     8,480  
    Professional fees   21,931     7,919     11,055     7,278     10,552       29,850     16,958  
    FDIC assessment   13,409     9,700     11,970     11,722     9,676       23,109     20,989  
    Amortization of intangibles   19,630     6,830     7,237     7,411     7,425       26,460     12,880  
    Amortization of tax credit investments   5,815     3,424     4,556     3,277     2,747       9,239     5,496  
    Other expense   28,646     16,245     18,085     19,023     18,389       44,891     34,633  
    Total noninterest expense   384,766     268,471     276,824     272,283     282,999       653,237     545,316  
    Income before income taxes   155,706     181,563     186,105     185,082     156,479       337,269     309,251  
    Income tax expense   30,298     36,904     32,232     41,280     35,250       67,202     67,738  
    Net income $ 125,408   $ 144,659   $ 153,873   $ 143,802   $ 121,229     $ 270,067   $ 241,513  
    Preferred dividends   (4,033 )   (4,034 )   (4,034 )   (4,034 )   (4,033 )     (8,067 )   (8,067 )
    Net income applicable to common shares $ 121,375   $ 140,625   $ 149,839   $ 139,768   $ 117,196     $ 262,000   $ 233,446  
                     
    EPS, diluted $ 0.34   $ 0.44   $ 0.47   $ 0.44   $ 0.37     $ 0.77   $ 0.77  
    Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding                
    Basic   360,155     315,925     315,673     315,622     315,585       338,162     303,283  
    Diluted   361,436     321,016     318,803     317,331     316,461       340,250     304,207  
    (EOP)   391,818     319,236     318,980     318,955     318,969       391,818     318,969  
                     
                     
     
    End of Period Balance Sheet (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024  
    Assets          
    Cash and due from banks $ 637,556   $ 486,061   $ 394,450   $ 498,120   $ 428,665  
    Money market and other interest-earning investments   1,171,015     753,719     833,518     693,450     804,381  
    Investments:          
    Treasury and government-sponsored agencies   2,445,733     2,364,170     2,289,903     2,335,716     2,207,004  
    Mortgage-backed securities   9,632,206     6,458,023     6,175,103     6,085,826     5,890,371  
    States and political subdivisions   1,590,272     1,589,555     1,637,379     1,665,128     1,678,597  
    Other securities   852,687     755,348     781,656     783,079     775,623  
    Total investments   14,520,898     11,167,096     10,884,041     10,869,749     10,551,595  
    Loans held-for-sale, at fair value   77,618     40,424     34,483     62,376     66,126  
    Loans:          
    Commercial   14,662,916     10,650,615     10,288,560     10,408,095     10,332,631  
    Commercial and agriculture real estate   21,879,785     16,135,327     16,307,486     16,356,216     16,016,958  
    Residential real estate   8,212,242     6,771,694     6,797,586     6,757,896     6,894,957  
    Consumer   3,147,876     2,856,308     2,892,255     2,878,436     2,905,967  
    Total loans   47,902,819     36,413,944     36,285,887     36,400,643     36,150,513  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans   (565,109 )   (401,932 )   (392,522 )   (380,840 )   (366,335 )
    Premises and equipment, net   682,539     584,664     588,970     599,528     601,945  
    Goodwill and other intangible assets   2,944,372     2,289,268     2,296,098     2,305,084     2,306,204  
    Company-owned life insurance   1,046,693     859,211     859,851     863,723     862,032  
    Accrued interest receivable and other assets   2,561,404     1,685,489     1,767,496     1,690,460     1,714,519  
    Total assets $ 70,979,805   $ 53,877,944   $ 53,552,272   $ 53,602,293   $ 53,119,645  
               
    Liabilities and Equity          
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 12,652,556   $ 9,186,314   $ 9,399,019   $ 9,429,285   $ 9,336,042  
    Interest-bearing:          
    Checking and NOW accounts   9,194,738     7,736,014     7,538,987     7,314,245     7,680,865  
    Savings accounts   5,058,819     4,715,329     4,753,279     4,781,447     4,983,811  
    Money market accounts   16,564,125     11,638,653     11,807,228     11,601,461     10,485,491  
    Other time deposits   7,613,377     6,212,898     5,819,970     6,010,070     5,688,432  
    Total core deposits   51,083,615     39,489,208     39,318,483     39,136,508     38,174,641  
    Brokered deposits   3,274,068     1,545,364     1,505,077     1,709,238     1,824,587  
    Total deposits   54,357,683     41,034,572     40,823,560     40,845,746     39,999,228  
               
    Federal funds purchased and interbank borrowings   340,246     170     385     135,263     250,154  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   297,637     290,256     268,975     244,626     240,713  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   5,835,918     4,514,354     4,452,559     4,471,153     4,744,560  
    Other borrowings   872,297     642,274     689,618     598,054     849,777  
    Total borrowed funds   7,346,098     5,447,054     5,411,537     5,449,096     6,085,204  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   1,149,637     861,664     976,825     940,153     960,141  
    Total liabilities   62,853,418     47,343,290     47,211,922     47,234,995     47,044,573  
    Preferred stock, common stock, surplus, and retained earnings   8,725,995     7,183,163     7,086,393     6,971,054     6,866,480  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (599,608 )   (648,509 )   (746,043 )   (603,756 )   (791,408 )
    Total shareholders’ equity   8,126,387     6,534,654     6,340,350     6,367,298     6,075,072  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 70,979,805   $ 53,877,944   $ 53,552,272   $ 53,602,293   $ 53,119,645  
     
                             
    Average Balance Sheet and Interest Rates (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
                             
                             
        Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended
        June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024
        Average Income1/ Yield/   Average Income1/ Yield/   Average Income1/ Yield/
    Earning Assets:   Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate
    Money market and other interest-earning investments   $ 1,424,700   $ 14,791 4.16 %   $ 791,067   $ 8,815 4.52 %   $ 814,944   $ 11,311 5.58 %
    Investments:                        
    Treasury and government-sponsored agencies     2,396,691     20,820 3.47 %     2,318,869     20,019 3.45 %     2,208,935     21,531 3.90 %
    Mortgage-backed securities     8,567,318     87,734 4.10 %     6,287,825     54,523 3.47 %     5,828,225     47,904 3.29 %
    States and political subdivisions     1,596,899     13,402 3.36 %     1,610,819     13,242 3.29 %     1,686,994     14,290 3.39 %
    Other securities     970,581     15,770 6.50 %     770,839     10,512 5.45 %     788,571     12,583 6.38 %
    Total investments     13,531,489     137,726 4.07 %     10,988,352     98,296 3.58 %     10,512,725     96,308 3.66 %
    Loans:2                        
    Commercial     13,240,876     219,446 6.63 %     10,397,991     165,595 6.37 %     10,345,098     183,425 7.09 %
    Commercial and agriculture real estate     20,022,403     316,422 6.32 %     16,213,606     245,935 6.07 %     15,870,809     260,407 6.56 %
    Residential real estate loans     7,792,440     88,852 4.56 %     6,815,091     67,648 3.97 %     6,952,942     67,683 3.89 %
    Consumer     3,049,341     54,787 7.21 %     2,871,213     49,470 6.99 %     2,910,331     50,869 7.03 %
    Total loans     44,105,060     679,507 6.16 %     36,297,901     528,648 5.83 %     36,079,180     562,384 6.24 %
                             
    Total earning assets   $ 59,061,249   $ 832,024 5.64 %   $ 48,077,320   $ 635,759 5.30 %   $ 47,406,849   $ 670,003 5.66 %
                             
    Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans     (404,871 )         (398,765 )         (331,043 )    
                             
    Non-earning Assets:                        
    Cash and due from banks   $ 426,513         $ 372,428         $ 430,256      
    Other assets     6,403,239           5,394,600           5,341,022      
                             
    Total assets   $ 65,486,130         $ 53,445,583         $ 52,847,084      
                             
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                        
    Checking and NOW accounts   $ 8,594,591   $ 29,291 1.37 %   $ 7,526,294   $ 23,850 1.29 %   $ 8,189,454   $ 34,398 1.69 %
    Savings accounts     4,968,232     3,777 0.30 %     4,692,239     3,608 0.31 %     5,044,800     5,254 0.42 %
    Money market accounts     15,055,735     110,933 2.96 %     11,664,650     88,381 3.07 %     10,728,156     102,560 3.84 %
    Other time deposits     7,092,124     67,204 3.80 %     5,996,108     56,485 3.82 %     5,358,103     56,586 4.25 %
    Total interest-bearing core deposits     35,710,682     211,205 2.37 %     29,879,291     172,324 2.34 %     29,320,513     198,798 2.73 %
    Brokered deposits     2,530,726     28,883 4.58 %     1,546,756     18,171 4.76 %     1,244,237     17,008 5.50 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits     38,241,408     240,088 2.52 %     31,426,047     190,495 2.46 %     30,564,750     215,806 2.84 %
                             
    Federal funds purchased and interbank borrowings     88,603     953 4.31 %     148,130     1,625 4.45 %     148,835     1,986 5.37 %
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     295,948     636 0.86 %     272,961     551 0.82 %     249,939     639 1.03 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances     6,037,462     59,042 3.92 %     4,464,590     41,896 3.81 %     4,473,978     44,643 4.01 %
    Other borrowings     828,214     9,452 4.58 %     675,759     8,189 4.91 %     891,609     12,168 5.49 %
    Total borrowed funds     7,250,227     70,083 3.88 %     5,561,440     52,261 3.81 %     5,764,361     59,436 4.15 %
                             
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   $ 45,491,635   $ 310,171 2.73 %   $ 36,987,487   $ 242,756 2.66 %   $ 36,329,111   $ 275,242 3.05 %
                             
    Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                      
    Demand deposits   $ 11,568,854         $ 9,096,676         $ 9,558,675      
    Other liabilities     973,525           944,935           980,322      
    Shareholders’ equity     7,452,116           6,416,485           5,978,976      
                             
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 65,486,130         $ 53,445,583         $ 52,847,084      
                             
    Net interest rate spread       2.91 %       2.64 %       2.61 %
                             
    Net interest margin (GAAP)       3.49 %       3.23 %       3.28 %
                             
    Net interest margin (FTE)3       3.53 %       3.27 %       3.33 %
                             
    FTE adjustment     $ 7,063       $ 5,360       $ 6,340  
                             
    1 Interest income is reflected on a FTE basis.  
    2 Includes loans held-for-sale.  
    3 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” table for reconciliations to GAAP financial measures.  
     
                     
    Average Balance Sheet and Interest Rates (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
                     
                     
        Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended
        June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024
        Average Income1/ Yield/   Average Income1/ Yield/
    Earning Assets:   Balance Expense Rate   Balance Expense Rate
    Money market and other interest-earning investments   $ 1,109,634   $ 23,606 4.29 %   $ 786,094   $ 21,296 5.45 %
    Investments:                
    Treasury and government-sponsored agencies     2,357,995     40,839 3.46 %     2,285,706     44,797 3.92 %
    Mortgage-backed securities     7,433,868     142,257 3.83 %     5,592,655     86,792 3.10 %
    States and political subdivisions     1,603,821     26,644 3.32 %     1,683,585     28,266 3.36 %
    Other securities     871,262     26,282 6.03 %     779,504     24,756 6.35 %
    Total investments   $ 12,266,946   $ 236,022 3.85 %   $ 10,341,450   $ 184,611 3.57 %
    Loans:2                
    Commercial     11,827,287     385,041 6.51 %     9,942,741     350,688 7.05 %
    Commercial and agriculture real estate     18,128,526     562,357 6.20 %     15,119,590     490,493 6.49 %
    Residential real estate loans     7,306,465     156,500 4.28 %     6,823,378     130,686 3.83 %
    Consumer     2,960,769     104,257 7.10 %     2,777,711     94,463 6.84 %
    Total loans     40,223,047     1,208,155 6.01 %     34,663,420     1,066,330 6.16 %
                     
    Total earning assets   $ 53,599,627   $ 1,467,783 5.48 %   $ 45,790,964   $ 1,272,237 5.56 %
                     
    Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans     (401,835 )         (322,256 )    
                     
    Non-earning Assets:                
    Cash and due from banks   $ 399,620         $ 396,466      
    Other assets     5,901,705           5,151,308      
                     
    Total assets   $ 59,499,117         $ 51,016,482      
                     
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                
    Checking and NOW accounts   $ 8,063,393   $ 53,141 1.33 %   $ 7,665,327   $ 59,650 1.56 %
    Savings accounts     4,830,998     7,385 0.31 %     5,035,100     10,271 0.41 %
    Money market accounts     13,369,560     199,314 3.01 %     10,322,808     196,773 3.83 %
    Other time deposits     6,547,143     123,689 3.81 %     5,023,620     104,018 4.16 %
    Total interest-bearing core deposits     32,811,094     383,529 2.36 %     28,046,855     370,712 2.66 %
    Brokered deposits     2,041,459     47,054 4.65 %     1,145,744     30,533 5.36 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits     34,852,553     430,583 2.49 %     29,192,599     401,245 2.76 %
                     
    Federal funds purchased and interbank borrowings     118,202     2,578 4.40 %     108,962     2,947 5.44 %
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     284,518     1,187 0.84 %     273,088     1,556 1.15 %
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances     5,255,372     100,938 3.87 %     4,430,236     85,810 3.90 %
    Other borrowings     752,408     17,641 4.73 %     858,727     23,207 5.43 %
    Total borrowed funds     6,410,500     122,344 3.85 %     5,671,013     113,520 4.03 %
                     
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     41,263,053     552,927 2.70 %     34,863,612     514,765 2.97 %
                     
    Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity              
    Demand deposits   $ 10,339,594         $ 9,408,406      
    Other liabilities     959,309           972,205      
    Shareholders’ equity     6,937,161           5,772,259      
                     
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 59,499,117         $ 51,016,482      
                     
    Net interest rate spread       2.78 %       2.59 %
                     
    Net interest margin (GAAP)       3.37 %       3.25 %
                     
    Net interest margin (FTE)3       3.41 %       3.31 %
                     
    FTE adjustment     $ 12,423       $ 12,593  
                     
    1 Interest income is reflected on a FTE.
    2 Includes loans held-for-sale.                
    3 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” table for reconciliations to GAAP financial measures.    
     
                     
    Asset Quality (EOP) (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    Allowance for credit losses:                
    Beginning allowance for credit losses on loans $ 401,932   $ 392,522   $ 380,840   $ 366,335   $ 319,713     $ 392,522   $ 307,610  
    Allowance established for acquired PCD loans   90,442     —     —     2,803     23,922       90,442     23,922  
    Provision for credit losses on loans   99,263     31,026     30,417     29,176     36,745       130,289     60,598  
    Gross charge-offs   (29,954 )   (24,540 )   (21,278 )   (18,965 )   (17,041 )     (54,494 )   (31,061 )
    Gross recoveries   3,426     2,924     2,543     1,491     2,996       6,350     5,266  
    NCOs   (26,528 )   (21,616 )   (18,735 )   (17,474 )   (14,045 )     (48,144 )   (25,795 )
    Ending allowance for credit losses on loans $ 565,109   $ 401,932   $ 392,522   $ 380,840   $ 366,335     $ 565,109   $ 366,335  
    Beginning allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments $ 22,031   $ 21,654   $ 25,054   $ 25,733   $ 26,264     $ 21,654   $ 31,226  
    Provision (release) for credit losses on unfunded commitments   7,572     377     (3,400 )   (679 )   (531 )     7,949     (5,493 )
    Ending allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments $ 29,603   $ 22,031   $ 21,654   $ 25,054   $ 25,733     $ 29,603   $ 25,733  
    Allowance for credit losses $ 594,712   $ 423,963   $ 414,176   $ 405,894   $ 392,068     $ 594,712   $ 392,068  
    Provision for credit losses on loans $ 99,263   $ 31,026   $ 30,417   $ 29,176   $ 36,745     $ 130,289   $ 60,598  
    Provision (release) for credit losses on unfunded commitments   7,572     377     (3,400 )   (679 )   (531 )     7,949     (5,493 )
    Provision for credit losses $ 106,835   $ 31,403   $ 27,017   $ 28,497   $ 36,214     $ 138,238   $ 55,105  
    NCOs / average loans1   0.24 %   0.24 %   0.21 %   0.19 %   0.16 %     0.24 %   0.15 %
    Average loans1 $ 44,075,472   $ 36,284,059   $ 36,410,414   $ 36,299,544   $ 36,053,845     $ 40,201,289   $ 34,648,292  
    EOP loans1   47,902,819     36,413,944     36,285,887     36,400,643     36,150,513       47,902,819     36,150,513  
    ACL on loans / EOP loans1   1.18 %   1.10 %   1.08 %   1.05 %   1.01 %     1.18 %   1.01 %
    ACL / EOP loans1   1.24 %   1.16 %   1.14 %   1.12 %   1.08 %     1.24 %   1.08 %
    Underperforming Assets:                
    Loans 90 days and over (still accruing) $ 16,893   $ 6,757   $ 4,060   $ 1,177   $ 5,251     $ 16,893   $ 5,251  
    Nonaccrual loans   594,709     469,211     447,979     443,597     340,181       594,709     340,181  
    Foreclosed assets   7,986     6,301     4,294     4,077     8,290       7,986     8,290  
    Total underperforming assets $ 619,588   $ 482,269   $ 456,333   $ 448,851   $ 353,722     $ 619,588   $ 353,722  
    Classified and Criticized Assets:                
    Nonaccrual loans $ 594,709   $ 469,211   $ 447,979   $ 443,597   $ 340,181     $ 594,709   $ 340,181  
    Substandard loans (still accruing)   1,969,260     1,479,630     1,073,413     1,074,243     841,087       1,969,260     841,087  
    Loans 90 days and over (still accruing)   16,893     6,757     4,060     1,177     5,251       16,893     5,251  
    Total classified loans – “problem loans”   2,580,862     1,955,598     1,525,452     1,519,017     1,186,519       2,580,862     1,186,519  
    Other classified assets   43,495     53,239     58,954     59,485     60,772       43,495     60,772  
    Special Mention   1,008,716     828,314     908,630     837,543     967,655       1,008,716     967,655  
    Total classified and criticized assets $ 3,633,073   $ 2,837,151   $ 2,493,036   $ 2,416,045   $ 2,214,946     $ 3,633,073   $ 2,214,946  
    Loans 30-89 days past due (still accruing) $ 128,771   $ 72,517   $ 93,141   $ 91,750   $ 51,712     $ 128,771   $ 51,712  
    Nonaccrual loans / EOP loans1   1.24 %   1.29 %   1.23 %   1.22 %   0.94 %     1.24 %   0.94 %
    ACL / nonaccrual loans   100 %   90 %   92 %   92 %   115 %     100 %   115 %
    Under-performing assets/EOP loans1   1.29 %   1.32 %   1.26 %   1.23 %   0.98 %     1.29 %   0.98 %
    Under-performing assets/EOP assets   0.87 %   0.90 %   0.85 %   0.84 %   0.67 %     0.87 %   0.67 %
    30+ day delinquencies/EOP loans1   0.30 %   0.22 %   0.27 %   0.26 %   0.16 %     0.30 %   0.16 %
                     
    1 Excludes loans held-for-sale.            
                     
                     
    Non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)
    ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    Earnings Per Share:                
    Net income applicable to common shares $ 121,375   $ 140,625   $ 149,839   $ 139,768   $ 117,196     $ 262,000   $ 233,446  
    Adjustments:                
    CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense   75,604     —     —     —     15,312       75,604     15,312  
    Tax effect1   (20,802 )   —     —     —     (3,476 )     (20,802 )   (3,476 )
    CECL Day 1 non-PCD provision expense, net   54,802     —     —     —     11,836       54,802     11,836  
    Merger-related charges   41,206     5,856     8,117     6,860     19,440       47,062     22,348  
    Tax effect1   (11,337 )   (1,089 )   (2,058 )   (1,528 )   (4,413 )     (12,426 )   (5,123 )
    Merger-related charges, net   29,869     4,767     6,059     5,332     15,027       34,636     17,225  
    Pension plan gain   (21,001 )   —     —     —     —       (21,001 )   —  
    Tax effect1   5,778     —     —     —     —       5,778     —  
    Pension plan gain, net   (15,223 )   —     —     —     —       (15,223 )   —  
    Debt securities (gains) losses   41     76     122     76     (2 )     117     14  
    Tax effect1   (11 )   (14 )   (31 )   (17 )   1       (25 )   (3 )
    Debt securities (gains) losses, net   30     62     91     59     (1 )     92     11  
    Separation expense   —     —     —     2,646     —       —     —  
    Tax effect1   —     —     —     (589 )   —       —     —  
    Separation expense, net   —     —     —     2,057     —       —     —  
    Distribution of excess pension assets   —     —     —     —     —   —   —     13,318  
    Tax effect1   —     —     —     —     —   —   —     (3,250 )
    Distribution excess pension assets, net   —     —     —     —     —       —     10,068  
    FDIC special assessment   —     —     —     —     —       —     2,994  
    Tax effect1   —     —     —     —     —       —     (731 )
    FDIC special assessment, net   —     —     —     —     —       —     2,263  
    Total adjustments, net   69,478     4,829     6,150     7,448     26,862       74,307     41,403  
    Net income applicable to common shares, adjusted $ 190,853   $ 145,454   $ 155,989   $ 147,216   $ 144,058     $ 336,307   $ 274,849  
    Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding   361,436     321,016     318,803     317,331     316,461       340,250     304,207  
    EPS, diluted $ 0.34   $ 0.44   $ 0.47   $ 0.44   $ 0.37     $ 0.77   $ 0.77  
    Adjusted EPS, diluted $ 0.53   $ 0.45   $ 0.49   $ 0.46   $ 0.46     $ 0.99   $ 0.90  
    NIM:                
    Net interest income $ 514,790   $ 387,643   $ 394,180   $ 391,724   $ 388,421     $ 902,433   $ 744,879  
    Add: FTE adjustment2   7,063     5,360     5,777     6,144     6,340       12,423     12,593  
    Net interest income (FTE) $ 521,853   $ 393,003   $ 399,957   $ 397,868   $ 394,761     $ 914,856   $ 757,472  
    Average earning assets $ 59,061,249   $ 48,077,320   $ 48,411,803   $ 47,905,463   $ 47,406,849     $ 53,599,627   $ 45,790,964  
    NIM (GAAP)   3.49 %   3.23 %   3.26 %   3.27 %   3.28 %     3.37 %   3.25 %
    NIM (FTE)   3.53 %   3.27 %   3.30 %   3.32 %   3.33 %     3.41 %   3.31 %
                     
    Refer to last page of Non-GAAP reconciliations for footnotes.            
                     
                     
    Non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    PPNR:                
    Net interest income (FTE)2 $ 521,853   $ 393,003   $ 399,957   $ 397,868   $ 394,761     $ 914,856   $ 757,472  
    Add: Noninterest income   132,517     93,794     95,766     94,138     87,271       226,311     164,793  
    Total revenue (FTE)   654,370     486,797     495,723     492,006     482,032       1,141,167     922,265  
    Less: Noninterest expense   (384,766 )   (268,471 )   (276,824 )   (272,283 )   (282,999 )     (653,237 )   (545,316 )
    PPNR $ 269,604   $ 218,326   $ 218,899   $ 219,723   $ 199,033     $ 487,930   $ 376,949  
    Adjustments:                
    Pension plan termination gain $ (21,001 ) $ —   $ —   $ —   $ —     $ (21,001 ) $ —  
    Debt securities (gains) losses $ 41   $ 76   $ 122   $ 76   $ (2 )   $ 117   $ 14  
    Noninterest income adjustments   (20,960 )   76     122     76     (2 )     (20,884 )   14  
    Adjusted noninterest income   111,557     93,870     95,888     94,214     87,269       205,427     164,807  
    Adjusted revenue $ 633,410   $ 486,873   $ 495,845   $ 492,082   $ 482,030     $ 1,120,283   $ 922,279  
    Adjustments:                
    Merger-related charges $ 41,206   $ 5,856   $ 8,117   $ 6,860   $ 19,440     $ 47,062   $ 22,348  
    Separation expense   —     —     —     2,646     —       —     —  
    Distribution of excess pension assets   —     —     —     —     —       —     13,318  
    FDIC Special Assessment   —     —     —     —     —       —     2,994  
    Noninterest expense adjustments   41,206     5,856     8,117     9,506     19,440       47,062     38,660  
    Adjusted total noninterest expense   (343,560 )   (262,615 )   (268,707 )   (262,777 )   (263,559 )     (606,175 )   (506,656 )
    Adjusted PPNR $ 289,850   $ 224,258   $ 227,138   $ 229,305   $ 218,471     $ 514,108   $ 415,623  
    Efficiency Ratio:                
    Noninterest expense $ 384,766   $ 268,471   $ 276,824   $ 272,283   $ 282,999     $ 653,237   $ 545,316  
    Less: Amortization of intangibles   (19,630 )   (6,830 )   (7,237 )   (7,411 )   (7,425 )     (26,460 )   (12,880 )
    Noninterest expense, excl. amortization of intangibles   365,136     261,641     269,587     264,872     275,574       626,777     532,436  
    Less: Amortization of tax credit investments   (5,815 )   (3,424 )   (4,556 )   (3,277 )   (2,747 )     (9,239 )   (5,496 )
    Less: Noninterest expense adjustments   (41,206 )   (5,856 )   (8,117 )   (9,506 )   (19,440 )     (47,062 )   (38,660 )
    Adjusted noninterest expense, excluding amortization $ 318,115   $ 252,361   $ 256,914   $ 252,089   $ 253,387     $ 570,476   $ 488,280  
    Total revenue (FTE)2 $ 654,370   $ 486,797   $ 495,723   $ 492,006   $ 482,032     $ 1,141,167   $ 922,265  
    Less: Debt securities (gains) losses   41     76     122     76     (2 )     117     14  
    Less: Pension plan gain   (21,001 )   —     —     —     —       (21,001 )   —  
    Total adjusted revenue $ 633,410   $ 486,873   $ 495,845   $ 492,082   $ 482,030     $ 1,120,283   $ 922,279  
    Efficiency Ratio   55.8 %   53.7 %   54.4 %   53.8 %   57.2 %     54.9 %   57.7 %
    Adjusted Efficiency Ratio   50.2 %   51.8 %   51.8 %   51.2 %   52.6 %     50.9 %   52.9 %
                     
    Refer to last page of Non-GAAP reconciliations for footnotes.            
                     
    Non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,   June 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024       2025     2024  
    ROAE and ROATCE:                
    Net income applicable to common shares $ 121,375   $ 140,625   $ 149,839   $ 139,768   $ 117,196     $ 262,000   $ 233,446  
    Amortization of intangibles   19,630     6,830     7,237     7,411     7,425       26,460     12,880  
    Tax effect1   (4,908 )   (1,708 )   (1,809 )   (1,853 )   (1,856 )     (6,615 )   (3,220 )
    Amortization of intangibles, net   14,722     5,122     5,428     5,558     5,569       19,845     9,660  
    Net income applicable to common shares, excluding intangibles amortization   136,097     145,747     155,267     145,326     122,765       281,845     243,106  
    Total adjustments, net (see pg.12)   69,478     4,829     6,150     7,448     26,862       74,307     41,403  
    Adjusted net income applicable to common shares, excluding intangibles amortization $ 205,575   $ 150,576   $ 161,417   $ 152,774   $ 149,627     $ 356,152   $ 284,509  
    Average shareholders’ equity $ 7,452,116   $ 6,416,485   $ 6,338,953   $ 6,190,071   $ 5,978,976     $ 6,937,161   $ 5,772,259  
    Less: Average preferred equity   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )     (243,719 )   (243,719 )
    Average shareholders’ common equity $ 7,208,397   $ 6,172,766   $ 6,095,234   $ 5,946,352   $ 5,735,257     $ 6,693,442   $ 5,528,540  
    Average goodwill and other intangible assets   (2,670,710 )   (2,292,526 )   (2,301,177 )   (2,304,597 )   (2,245,405 )     (2,482,663 )   (2,171,872 )
    Average tangible shareholder’s common equity $ 4,537,687   $ 3,880,240   $ 3,794,057   $ 3,641,755   $ 3,489,852     $ 4,210,779   $ 3,356,668  
    ROAE   6.7 %   9.1 %   9.8 %   9.4 %   8.2 %     7.8 %   8.4 %
    ROAE, adjusted   10.6 %   9.4 %   10.2 %   9.9 %   10.0 %     10.0 %   9.9 %
    ROATCE   12.0 %   15.0 %   16.4 %   16.0 %   14.1 %     13.4 %   14.5 %
    ROATCE, adjusted   18.1 %   15.5 %   17.0 %   16.8 %   17.1 %     16.9 %   17.0 %
                     
    Refer to last page of Non-GAAP reconciliations for footnotes.            
               
    Non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)
    ($ in thousands)
               
      As of
      June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
        2025     2025     2024     2024     2024  
    Tangible Common Equity:          
    Shareholders’ equity $ 8,126,387   $ 6,534,654   $ 6,340,350   $ 6,367,298   $ 6,075,072  
    Less: Preferred equity   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )   (243,719 )
    Shareholders’ common equity $ 7,882,668   $ 6,290,935   $ 6,096,631   $ 6,123,579   $ 5,831,353  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets   (2,944,372 )   (2,289,268 )   (2,296,098 )   (2,305,084 )   (2,306,204 )
    Tangible shareholders’ common equity $ 4,938,296   $ 4,001,667   $ 3,800,533   $ 3,818,495   $ 3,525,149  
               
    Total assets $ 70,979,805   $ 53,877,944   $ 53,552,272   $ 53,602,293   $ 53,119,645  
    Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets   (2,944,372 )   (2,289,268 )   (2,296,098 )   (2,305,084 )   (2,306,204 )
    Tangible assets $ 68,035,433   $ 51,588,676   $ 51,256,174   $ 51,297,209   $ 50,813,441  
               
    Risk-weighted assets3 $ 52,517,871   $ 40,266,670   $ 40,314,805   $ 40,584,608   $ 40,627,117  
               
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets   7.26 %   7.76 %   7.41 %   7.44 %   6.94 %
    Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets3   9.40 %   9.94 %   9.43 %   9.41 %   8.68 %
    Tangible Common Book Value:          
    Common shares outstanding   391,818     319,236     318,980     318,955     318,969  
    Tangible common book value $ 12.60   $ 12.54   $ 11.91   $ 11.97   $ 11.05  
               
    1 Tax-effect calculations use management’s estimate of the full year FTE tax rates (federal + state).
    2 Calculated using the federal statutory tax rate in effect of 21% for all periods.
    3 June 30, 2025 figures are preliminary.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e11c9d1-b9ea-4a5c-a250-cb6dc83091a5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: How much can Jim Chalmers get out of the economic reform roundtable?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    We’re now less than a month away from the start of the Albanese government’s “economic reform” (aka “productivity”) roundtable, but it has become quite hard to get a fix on exactly what this gathering will amount to.

    The guest list for the August 19-21 summit is obviously tight, given the government decided it wanted the meeting to fit into the cabinet room (so avoiding a more extensive “talkfest”).

    But excluding the states and territories from a meeting that discusses deregulation and taxation means major players in these policy areas are not in the room (the NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, chair of the board of treasurers, is the only state government representative invited). Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he will meet state treasurers beforehand, but that doesn’t quite cover their omission.

    The government has flagged that industrial relations isn’t on the table, although the unions will be at that table. Yet IR is a major issue in productivity, so that excludes a central area from discussion. The unions are being given a level of protection other players potentially do not have.

    Tax reform is a central topic at the roundtable, the themes of which are productivity, budget sustainability and economic resilience. But the scope of what is up for serious consideration is limited.

    The government is not willing to consider changing the GST, even if it is not formally ruling out it being canvassed.

    When it was put to him that he opposed altering the GST, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the ABC this week what he would not do was “go to an election and secure a majority because our government concentrated on cost-of-living measures in our first term […] and immediately we get elected and we say, we’re going to put up the price of everything that you buy.

    “That is not something that’s tenable. That’s something which would have represented a breach of trust upon which we were elected on May 3rd.”

    Rejecting an overhaul of the GST kyboshes, for better or worse, a major tax switch from our over-reliance on personal income tax to putting more of the tax burden on indirect tax. This is a change many tax experts advocate.

    Despite the hype around the pre-roundtable discussion of broad tax reform, what appears likely to find favour with the government are tax changes affecting wealth (but excluding the family home) and the resources sector.

    It remains unclear to what extent Chalmers will seek to define the outcome beforehand. That is: will he, after reviewing the submissions, go into the roundtable with a firm idea of what he wants to get out of it, and then see how much he can get over the “consensus” line?

    Helpfully for everyone at the roundtable, the Productivity Commission is about to release a series of reports on various aspects of productivity, which will provide data and ideas.

    These cover economic resilience, improving workforce skills and adaptability, harnessing digital technology, improving care delivery, and investing in the net zero transformation.

    Meanwhile business, which felt it was made something of a patsy in the 2022 jobs and skills summit, with the government using that meeting to gain traction for what it already wanted to do, is being cautious this time.

    Even before the formal announcement of the roundtable, it set up a group following the government’s nomination of productivity as a central priority for this term. The umbrella body’s first meeting was attended by more than 20 groups representing businesses of all sizes, universities and the investment community. This body is ongoing. It includes the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business Organisations.

    The umbrella body will put forward a suite of recommendations for the roundtable including on investment, innovation, reducing red tape, planning and approval processes, tax, education and employment.

    We now have the full list of roundtable participants. It’s interesting for who’s there and who’s not. Ken Henry, of the seminal Henry taxation report – of which Chalmers has vivid memories from his days as a staffer of former treasurer Wayne Swan – will be present. Henry last week gave a strong presentation at the National Press Club about the pressing need for reform of the environment protection regime.

    Also scoring an invitation is teal crossbencher Allegra Spender, who made tax reform one of her core issues last term. Spender is holding her own “tax reform roundtable” on Friday, with a who’s who of experts.

    But left off the Treasurer’s invitation list list was the Minerals Council of Australia. This despite the fact that tax changes in the resources area seem a ripe area for discussion.

    Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. View from The Hill: How much can Jim Chalmers get out of the economic reform roundtable? – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-how-much-can-jim-chalmers-get-out-of-the-economic-reform-roundtable-261095

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Toxic algae bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, tourism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A massive outbreak of toxic algae off South Australia, which has devastated hundreds of species of marine life and disrupted local tourism and fishing, is a “natural disaster,” state Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Tuesday.

    The algal bloom, first detected in March, spans an area 4,500 square km (1,737 square miles) in size and has been aggravated by rising ocean temperatures, according to environment officials.

    “There are over 400 different species of marine life that have been killed off or have had deaths as a result of this algal bloom,” Malinauskas told national broadcaster ABC’s News Breakfast program.

    “This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such.”

    Malinauskas announced a A$14 million ($9.11 million) support package to tackle the outbreak, matching a package by the federal government. The combined A$28 million would assist with clean-up efforts, research, and business support.

    The toxic bloom has been caused by overgrowth of the Karenia mikimotoi algal species, which affects fish gills and sucks oxygen out of the water as it decomposes, the state’s environment department said.

    Contributing to its growth was a marine heatwave that started in 2024, when sea temperatures were about 2.5 degrees Celsius (36.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than usual.

    The bloom has impacted tourism and forced oyster and mussel farms to temporarily shut due to a waterborne toxin caused by the algae, local media said.

    Over 13,850 dead animals, including sharks, rays and invertebrates, have been recorded by the public on the iNaturalist app.

    Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said on Monday the algal bloom was a “very serious environmental event,” but stopped short of declaring it a national disaster, which would allow for greater federal support.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance of EDF funding of Intracom Defense with Regulation (EU) 2021/697 – E-002865/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002865/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Marc Botenga (The Left), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Maria Zacharia (NI), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Rima Hassan (The Left), Michael von der Schulenburg (NI), Irene Montero (The Left), Catarina Martins (The Left), Emma Fourreau (The Left)

    According to an international investigation by Investigate Europe, the Greek company Intracom Defense – the beneficiary of around EUR 14 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF) for the ACTUS drone project – is reportedly 95 % owned by the Israeli state-owned arms manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which is allegedly involved in the ongoing military operations in Gaza. Intracom’s financial reports indicate that IAI not only owns 95 % of its share capital but also holds 100 % of its voting rights. On 16 May 2024, Intracom announced its participation in three additional EDF-funded projects.

    Under Articles 10, 12 and 22 of Regulation (EU) 2021/697[1] establishing the EDF, entities controlled by non-EU countries may access funding only under strict safeguards, ensuring no unauthorised control, access, or transfer of project results to non-EU actors. The regulation also requires compliance with ethical standards, international law and fundamental rights.

    Given these concerns, can the Commission clarify:

    • 1.whether awarding EDF funding to a company under full control of a non-EU defence entity like IAI is compatible with Regulation (EU) 2021/697?
    • 2.whether it has conducted and documented a risk assessment excluding the possibility of direct or indirect transfer of EDF-funded results to the Israeli Government?
    • 3.whether it intends to open an investigation to verify compliance with regulatory and ethical obligations?

    Submitted: 14.7.2025

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/697 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the European Defence Fund (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 149, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/697/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The MHRA and the global flu vaccine: How the UK is helping shape the world’s flu vaccine 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    The MHRA and the global flu vaccine: How the UK is helping shape the world’s flu vaccine 

    Ensuring the seasonal flu vaccine is ready, safe and effective involves months of international planning, testing and collaboration

    Each year, millions of people across the globe catch influenza, commonly known as the flu. While many recover quickly, flu can be deadly, particularly for older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. In the UK alone, seasonal flu can cause thousands of deaths in a bad year. This is why having an effective and up-to-date flu vaccine is crucial. 

    Millions of people around the world prepare for seasonal influenza by getting vaccinated. It’s something many of us take for granted – a quick injection at the GP or pharmacy. But behind the scenes, ensuring that vaccine is ready, safe, and effective involves months of international planning, testing, and collaboration. 

    At the heart of that global effort is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – the UK’s regulator for medicines and medical devices. The MHRA’s role goes far beyond approving medicines for the UK. It also leads on the international stage by hosting the MHRA Global Influenza Meeting, a key event that helps guide the development and delivery of the world’s flu vaccines. 

    Why the flu vaccine needs updating every year 

    Unlike some viruses, like measles, the influenza virus constantly changes and evolves. This means that last year’s vaccine may not protect against this year’s strains. Each year, scientists and regulators across the world work together to track the latest strains of the virus and decide which ones should be included in the next season’s vaccine. 

    The World Health Organization (WHO) leads this process through a network of research centres and laboratories known as Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. However, transforming that scientific research and development into safe, effective, and timely licensed vaccines involves regulators. The MHRA plays a key role in both aspects. 

    A meeting 20 years in the making 

    This year marks the 40th MHRA influenza meeting, held twice a year for the past 20 years. This year, it was held last week. What began as a European-focused gathering has grown into a major global event, drawing together public health experts, scientists, manufacturers, and regulators from across the world. 

    As Dr Othmar Engelhardt, the MHRA’s Head of Seasonal Influenza and organiser of the meetings, explains, the MHRA provides “a well-established venue for discussions within the community, bringing together everyone involved in the process of producing and delivering the vaccine after the strains relevant to a particular season are recommended by the WHO strain selection committee.” 

    What happens at the meeting? 

    The aim of the meeting is to ensure that all players have the information they need to ensure that the provision of the annual flu vaccine is the best it can be – delivered on time, with as few hurdles as possible. It’s a forum to share science, streamline processes, and keep the world prepared. 

    Topics covered are wide-ranging, including: 

    • Update on influenza in the world: Which flu viruses are circulating globally, and which are most likely to pose a threat in the coming season? 

    • Reagents and standards: What laboratory materials are available for testing and manufacturing? How can the community help speed up access to these materials? 

    • Vaccine production updates: How ready are manufacturers for the upcoming flu season following the WHO strain recommendation, and what’s needed to smooth the supply chain? 

    Importantly, there is also a focus on zoonotic influenza – flu viruses that jump from animals, such as birds or pigs, to humans. These have the potential to spark the next influenza pandemic, so surveillance and preparation of potential vaccine candidates are essential. 

    The disappearance of B/Yamagata 

    One notable scientific development in recent years is the apparent disappearance of the B/Yamagata flu lineage since the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, flu vaccines were quadrivalent, meaning that they contained four virus components (two A types and two B types). Now, many have moved to a trivalent vaccine, with only three components – a shift that required regulatory review and approval. 

    Special topics: new vaccines and testing methods 

    Day three of the meeting was dedicated to a special topic, namely a workshop on new vaccine platforms and targets for influenza. As technology evolves, researchers are exploring faster and potentially more effective ways to develop, test and produce vaccines – including using mRNA technology and exploring universal flu vaccines (i.e. a vaccine against most flu strains -which would not have to be changed between seasons). 

    Another key area is vaccine potency (i.e. dose) testing. The current gold-standard method, called Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRD), was developed in the 1970s by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), now part of the MHRA. Though still recommended by the WHO, researchers are now working on faster and more flexible alternatives, supported by a working group that reports back into the MHRA meeting. 

    The 40th meeting also featured reflections from former NIBSC/MHRA staff who were key contributors to SRD methodology, underscoring the UK’s longstanding leadership in this space. 

    MHRA’s international role 

    As one of the four WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories (ERLs) – alongside labs in the US, Japan, and Australia – the MHRA plays a unique role. Its Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) helps develop candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), ships CVVs and reagents around the world, contributes scientific expertise to vaccine strain selection, prepares biological standards and reagents for use in vaccine manufacture and testing, and our regulatory colleagues advise on the global regulatory process. 

    This role also places the MHRA at the forefront of pandemic preparedness, including contributing to the WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Preparedness framework. This involves all the above. staying alert to emerging zoonotic threats and ensuring the global community is ready to respond. 

    A diverse and united audience 

    What makes the MHRA Global Influenza Meeting especially valuable is its diversity. It brings together the WHO, regulators, researchers and manufacturers in one open forum. In a field as complex and fast-moving as influenza, open communication is vital. 

    As Othmar noted, “The flu field can be difficult because the viruses change all the time, meaning that the vaccines have to change as well.” The meeting provides a rare opportunity for all the key players to align their goals, share progress, and prepare together. 

    Why it matters to the UK and the world 

    Ultimately, the MHRA’s role in facilitating this global collaboration helps ensure that flu vaccines are timely, safe, and effective, not just in the UK but across the world. From setting scientific standards to hosting crucial conversations, the MHRA continues to play a central role in protecting global health. 

    For us in the UK, this means protection each winter. For the global community, it means stronger defences against one of the world’s most common infectious threats. 

    So next time you’re offered a flu vaccination, remember that behind that quick appointment lies a year of global planning, science, and collaboration – with a lot of this happening right here in the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police seek public assistance for investigation into online prescriptions

    Tuesday, 22 July 2025 – 3:00 pm.

    Investigators from Tasmania Police are appealing for public assistance as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent online prescriptions.
    Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said police are seeking to speak with anyone who has sought or obtained prescriptions through the website athleteswarehouse.com.au.
    “We believe members of the community may have interacted with this website in good faith,” she said.
    “Now is the time to come forward and assist police with critical information that may support the investigation.”
    “Those people who have used the website, or who may have knowledge of its operations, are urged to contact us.”
    Anyone with information should call Tasmania Police’s Western Criminal Investigation Branch on 131 444 and quote OR774910.
    Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • How did a Bangladesh air force fighter jet crash into a school campus?

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 25 children were among the 27 people killed when a Bangladesh Air Force plane crashed into a college and school campus in the capital city of Dhaka on Monday.

    Here is a look at what happened.

    HOW DID THE CRASH OCCUR?

    The fighter aircraft took off at 1:06 p.m. (0706 GMT) from the air force base in Dhaka’s Kurmitola for a routine training mission, but experienced a mechanical failure soon after.

    The pilot attempted to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas to minimize civilian casualties and damage, but his efforts were unsuccessful and the jet crashed into a building.

    WHERE DID THE PLANE GO DOWN?

    The two-storey building that the plane rammed into belonged to the Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari area, located about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the air force base.

    Visuals from the scene showed the mangled remains of the aircraft dented into the side of the building, dismantling its iron grills and creating a gaping hole in the structure.

    HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE KILLED?

    The bodies of at least 27 people, including 25 children, a teacher, and the jet’s pilot, were pulled out from the debris.

    More than 100 children and 15 other people were also injured, of whom 78 are still admitted in hospitals with burn injuries.

    WHICH AIRCRAFT WAS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT?

    The jet was an F-7 fighter aircraft – the final and most advanced variant in China’s Chengdu J-7/F-7 aircraft family, according to Jane’s Information Group.

    Bangladesh had signed a contract in 2011 for 16 such planes, and deliveries were completed by 2013.

    HOW HAVE AUTHORITIES REACTED?

    The Bangladesh Air Force has formed a high-level investigation committee to probe the cause of the accident.

    Muhammad Yunus, the head of the country’s interim government, has also vowed to “take all necessary measures” to investigate its cause.

    In the meantime, the government says it is providing “all kinds of assistance” to those affected.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Gaza: Empty rhetoric from New Zealand and other Western countries

    In a joint statement, more than two dozen Western countries, including New Zealand, have called for an immediate end to the war on Gaza. But the statement is merely empty rhetoric that declines to take any concrete action against Israel, and which Israel will duly ignore. 

    AGAINST THE CURRENT: By Steven Cowan

    The New Zealand government has joined 27 other countries calling for an “immediate end” to the war in Gaza. The joint statement says  “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths”.

    It goes on to say that the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.

    But many of the countries that have signed this statement stand condemned for actively enabling Israel to pursue its genocidal assault on Gaza. Countries like Britain, Canada and Australia, continue to supply Israel with arms, have continued to trade with Israel, and have turned a blind eye to the atrocities and war crimes Israel continues to commit in Gaza.

    It’s more than ironic that while Western countries like Britain and New Zealand are calling for an end to the war in Gaza, they continue to be hostile toward the anti-war protest movements in their own countries.

    The British government recently classified the protest group Palestine Action as a “terrorist” group.

    In New Zealand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, has denounced pro-Palestine protesters as “left wing fascists” and “communist, fascist and anti-democratic losers”. He has pushed back against the growing demands that the New Zealand government take direct action against Israel, including the cutting of all diplomatic ties.

    The New Zealand government, which contains a number of Zionists within its cabinet, including Act leader David Seymour and co-leader Brooke van Velden, will be more than comfortable with a statement that proposes to do nothing.

    ‘Statement lacks leadership’
    Its call for an end to the war is empty rhetoric, and which Israel will duly ignore — as it has ignored other calls for its genocidal war to end.  As Amnesty International has said, ‘the statement lacks any resolve, leadership, or action to help end the genocide in Gaza.’

    “This is cruelty – this is not a war,” says this young girl’s placard quoting the late Pope Francis in an Auckland march last Saturday . . . this featured in an earlier report. Image: Asia Pacific Report

    New Zealand has declined to join The Hague Group alliance of countries that recently met in Colombia.

    It announced six immediate steps it would be taking against Israel. But since The Hague Group has already been attacked by the United States, it’s never been likely that New Zealand would join it.

    The National-led coalition government has surrendered New Zealand’s independent foreign policy in favour of supporting the interests of a declining American Empire.

    Republished from Steven Cowan’s blog Against The Current with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –