Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Larson, DeLauro Announce $250,000 To Prevent Pollution

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    November 01, 2024

    EAST HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03) announced the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) has been selected to receive $250,000 in federal grants to provide technical assistance to help Connecticut businesses develop and adopt pollution prevention practices in local communities.
    CT DEEP will partner with the Toxic Use Reduction Institute at University of Massachusetts Lowell to identify safer cleaning and sanitizing products for craft beverage manufacturers in Connecticutto reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, solid and hazardous waste, water pollution and toxic chemicals. CT DEEP will also continue to work with other New England states to offer the BetterBev recognition program, which incentivizes businesses to carry out pollution reduction measures. Facilities in or adjacent to communities with environmental justice concerns will be prioritized.
    “We won’t achieve our climate goals unless everybody is involved in the fight, but small businesses often face greater barriers to making the upfront investments for cleaner practices. By providing direct technical support to Connecticut’s local craft beverage manufacturers, this $250,000 in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help small business owners across our state adopt more sustainable, cost-effective practices that reduce harmful emissions, strengthen our economy, and safeguard the health of our communities for generations to come,” said Murphy.
    “This investment in greener craft breweries and wineries will help them be even more successful as environmental stewards. With greater technical aid, beverage businesses can expand consumer appeal by reducing pollution and protecting natural resources. It’s a boost for our economy and environment,” said Blumenthal.
    “Addressing pollution at the source is key to protecting community health and taking on the threat of climate change,” said Larson. “I have been proud to work with the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation to deliver federal funding for projects to combat pollution and ensure all communities have access to clean air and water. This funding will support ongoing work at the state and local level to invest in innovative solutions that protect our environment, combat pollution, and help reduce energy bills.”
    “Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CT DEEP can bolster its work with businesses across our state to reduce pollution,” said DeLauro. “These funds will help drive economic growth and ensure Connecticut leads the way in combatting pollution. The climate crisis is here, and it is an existential threat. We must do all we can to reduce pollution and protect our planet for generations to come.”
    “Every community deserves clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment—and pollution prevention grants help achieve that by reducing waste at the source. By adopting smarter and innovative practices that limit the use of toxic materials and conserve resources, these investments are helping our partners to support New England businesses to cut costs, grow sustainably, and protect the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, together we’re creating lasting benefits for local economies and ensuring that environmental progress and economic growth go hand in hand and reach all communities, including those that need it most. That’s Investing in America.”
    EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. In total, EPA has announced 48 selectees across the country that will collectively receive nearly $19 million in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in providing technical assistance to businesses to develop and adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices in local communities. This includes any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly half of the funds awarded this year were made available with no cost share/match requirement.
    Between 2011-2022, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program issued over 500 grants totaling more than $54 million, which have helped businesses identify, develop, and adopt P2 approaches. These approaches have resulted in 31.9 billion kWh in energy savings, eliminated 20.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saved 52 billion gallons of water, reduced 1 billion pounds of hazardous materials, and saved businesses more than $2.3 billion.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Connecticut Delegation Announce $77.8 Million In Home Energy Assistance Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    November 01, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Friday joined U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn-05) to announce Connecticut will receive $77,834,656 from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help reduce heating costs for low-income families in Connecticut ahead of the winter season. This is the first allocation of LIHEAP dollars this season.
    “For too many families in Connecticut, falling temperatures mean having to choose between heating your home or putting food on the table. This $77.8 million in LIHEAP funding will help ease that burden for households feeling the strain of rising energy costs this winter, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep working with our delegation to ensure Connecticut families continue to have the support they need so they don’t have to make those difficult choices,” said Murphy.
    “This home heating aid is desperately needed by families who face a frigid winter without fuel for basic warmth,” said Blumenthal. “With $77.8 million, many families will be assured this basic necessity. Every day, I see and speak to people struggling to make ends meet and worrying about financial hardships and challenges. I’ll fight for more federal support for LIHEAP and other programs that help them with essential needs.”
    “As we approach the winter months, we must ensure all families are able to heat their homes without breaking the bank,” said Larson. “Thanks to the steadfast leadership of Rep. Rosa DeLauro on the Appropriations Committee, I am thrilled to join the entire Connecticut delegation to announce $77.8 million in new funding to help families afford their energy bills. We will continue to work together to ensure Connecticut residents can get the assistance they need this season.” 
    “There’s no question high energy costs are pinching homeowners’ wallets. As we head into the colder months, this $77 million federal investment in heating and energy assistance will bring welcomed relief to Connecticut residents,”  said Courtney. 
    “High costs are spreading families thin,” said DeLauro. “No family should have to choose between keeping their home warm during the colder months, keeping their lights on, or putting food on the table. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I secured $77.8 million for the program to help Connecticut’s families keep warm this season. Every family deserves warmth. I am committed to ensuring no household goes cold this winter.”
    “Too many families have to worry about rising energy costs that make it increasingly difficult to pay their heating bills and keep their children warm in the coming months,” said Himes. “LIHEAP offers a lifeline to struggling Americans to ensure every home offers a reprieve from our cold New England winter. I am proud to help deliver nearly $78 million to Connecticut in federal funding, including over $4 million from President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
    “LIHEAP is a lifeline for many families faced with rising heating costs. I am delighted $77.8 million is coming back to Connecticut to help families stay warm this winter,” said Hayes. “This assistance will help to ease the burden of high heating costs. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for additional funding for this vital resource, which lowers utility costs and prevents shut offs across Connecticut.”
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the release of $3.6 billion in LIHEAP funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories, and more than 125 tribes. This amount includes the regular block grant appropriation and an additional $100.1 million appropriated from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 
    Connecticut was awarded a total of $77,834,656 to assist low-income families ahead of the winter season. This includes:
    $73,556,784 from the regular LIHEAP block grant funding
    $4,273,891 in funding appropriated for FY2025 from IIJA and $3,981 in LIHEAP dollars the state returned in FY23

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Administrator Guzman Celebrates National Veterans Small Business Week

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON ─ Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for more than 34 million small businesses nationwide, announced that the SBA will celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) Nov. 11–15.

    “Each year during National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA highlights the unique entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, service members, National Guard members, Reservists and military spouses,” said SBA Administrator Guzman. “America is the proud home of millions of veterans, service members, and military families. They are our neighbors and friends – and, in many cases, the owners and employees of local small businesses we love and support. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA is going further than ever to enhance and expand our support for veterans, particularly in rural and underserved areas – and it is a profound honor to serve those who have served our country, this week and every week.”

    During NVSBW, the public is invited to attend virtual and in-person events across the country  on critical topics, such as military-to-civilian transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and access to capital resources. View the event calendar for a list of local, regional, and national events.

    In addition to local events hosted across the U.S., the SBA will host two national webinars for NVSBW. The Are You Lender Ready? For the Military Community webinar will be held on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. This two-hour virtual workshop will help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs learn how to write a strong business loan application and hear tips directly from lenders. Register for the webinar.

    A second webinar, Certification Advantage for the Military Community, will be held on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. ET. During this one-hour virtual workshop, business owners will discover how federal contracting certifications can boost their business growth and gain valuable insights to help them compete for government contracts. Register for the webinar.

    Additionally, as part of this year’s NVSBW celebration, five dedicated instructors who teach Boots to Business at various military installations and in local communities nationwide are being honored as Boots to Business Instructors of the Year. The honorees are:

    • Todd Bennett, 2024 Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, OCONUS instructor, located in South Korea.
    • Manzel McGhee, 2024 SBDC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, Abilene, Texas Small Business Development Center.
    • Mitchell Fitzpatrick, 2024 VBOC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, St. Louis VetBiz Veterans Business Outreach Center.
    • David Terrell, 2024 SCORE Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, Southern Arizona SCORE.
    • Eric Phillips, 2024 SBA Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, SBA Colorado District Office.

    The Boots to Business Instructors of the Year recognition ceremony will be held virtually on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. ET. Join the ceremony online or dial 206-413-7980 and enter conference ID 644 263 054#.

    ###

     

    About SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development

    The SBA Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) works through SBA’s extensive resource partner network, which includes Small Business Development Centers, the SCORE mentoring program, Women’s Business Centers, and 31 VBOCs located throughout the nation. VBOCs are the leading partner in hosting the Boots to Business (B2B), Boots to Business Reboot, and Military Spouse Pathway to Business programs, which are courses on entrepreneurship offered on military installations, in local communities, and virtually. Since B2B’s inception in 2013, these programs have collectively trained and graduated more than 217,000 service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/veterans.

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 6213, National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Categories24/7 OSI, MIL-OSI, United States Government, US Congressional, US Congressional Budget Office

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    2025

    2025-2029

    2025-2034

    Direct Spending (Outlays)

    0

    0

    0

    Revenues

    0

    0

    0

    Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit

    0

    0

    0

    Spending Subject to Appropriation (Outlays)

    57

    1,326

    not estimated

    Increases net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2035?

    No

    Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply?

    No

    Mandate Effects

    Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2035?

    No

    Contains intergovernmental mandate?

    No

    Contains private-sector mandate?

    No

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.J. Res. 120, a joint resolution providing for Congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Financial Stability Oversight Council related to “Guidance on Nonbank Financial Company Determinations”

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.J. Res. 120 would disapprove a final rule published by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) in November 2023.By invoking a legislative process established in the Congressional Review Act, the resolution would repeal the rule and prohibit the agency from issuing the same or any similar rule in the future.

    The rule modified the FSOC’s process for determining which nonbank financial companies are systemically important financial institutions and thus subject to enhanced oversight by the Federal Reserve. It removed certain prerequisites for the designation of systemic importance required under previous guidance issued in 2019. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Contract for Refuse and Recycling Services

    Source: NASA

    NASA has awarded the Custodial and Refuse/Recycle Services contract to Ahtna Integrated Services LLC  of Anchorage, Alaska, to provide trash, waste, and recycling services at the agency’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
    This is a hybrid contract that includes a firm-fixed-price and an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity portion. The period of performance begins Friday, Nov. 1, with a 60-day phase-in period, followed by a one-year base period, and options to extend performance through November 2029. This contract has a maximum potential value of approximately $24 million.
    Under this contract, the company will perform basic, regularly scheduled custodial and refuse and recycling services at NASA Ames. The company will focus on health and safety, environmental compliance, sanitary cleaning, and customer service.
    For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

    Home Page

    -end-
    Hillary SmithAmes Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.                                         650-313-1701Hillary.smith@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson announces significant updates in multistate litigation against generic drug manufacturers over conspiracy to inflate prices and limit competitionRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    If you bought certain generic prescription drugs in the United States between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016, you could be eligible for money

     

    Attorney General Wilson announces cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage and Apotex totaling $49.1 Million

     

    First two settlements and cooperation agreements with corporate defendants as states prepare for trial in ongoing generic drug price-fixing litigation

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson today joined a coalition of 50 states and territories announcing two significant cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex totaling $49.1 million to resolve allegations that both companies engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. As part of their settlement agreements, both companies have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing multistate litigations led by Connecticut against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both companies have further agreed to a series of internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws. A motion for preliminary approval of the $10 million settlement with Heritage was filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in Hartford. A settlement with Apotex for $39.1 million is contingent upon obtaining signatures from all necessary states and territories and will be finalized and filed in the U.S. District Court in the near future.

    The settlements come as the states prepare for the first trial to be held in Hartford, Connecticut.

    If you purchased a generic prescription drug from either Heritage or Apotex between 2010 and 2016, you may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182 (Toll-Free), email [email protected] or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com.

    “I am proud to join my fellow state attorneys general in resolving this matter related to generic drug price fixing,” Attorney General Wilson said. “This settlement resolves a portion of the litigation, and the litigation continues as we seek to hold other defendants accountable and protect consumers.”  

    Connecticut’s Assistant Attorney General Joseph Nielsen is the lead attorney for a coalition of nearly all states and territories filing three antitrust complaints, starting first in 2016. The first Complaint included Heritage and 17 other corporate Defendants, two individual Defendants, and 15 generic drugs. Two former executives from Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Jeffery Glazer and Jason Malek, have since entered into settlement agreements and are cooperating. The second Complaint was filed in 2019 against Teva Pharmaceuticals and 19 of the nation’s largest generic drug manufacturers. The Complaint names 16 individual senior executive Defendants. The third complaint, to be tried first, focuses on 80 topical generic drugs that account for billions of dollars of sales in the United States and names 26 corporate defendants and 10 individual defendants. Six additional pharmaceutical executives have entered into settlement agreements with the States and have been cooperating to support the States’ claims in all three cases.  

    The cases all stem from a series of investigations built on evidence from several cooperating witnesses at the core of the different conspiracies, a massive document database of over 20 million documents, and a phone records database containing millions of call detail records and contact information for over 600 sales and pricing individuals in the generics industry. Each complaint addresses a different set of drugs and defendants and lays out an interconnected web of industry executives where these competitors met with each other during industry dinners, “girls’ nights out”, lunches, cocktail parties, and golf outings and communicated via frequent telephone calls, emails and text messages that sowed the seeds for their illegal agreements. Throughout the complaints, defendants use terms like “fair share,” “playing nice in the sandbox,” and “responsible competitor” to describe how they unlawfully discouraged competition, raised prices, and enforced an ingrained culture of collusion. Among the records obtained by the States is a two-volume notebook containing the contemporaneous notes of one of the States’ cooperators that memorialized his discussions during phone calls with competitors and internal company meetings over a period of several years.

    Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico joined in today’s announcement.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Crown LNG Announces Execution of Final Agreements to Acquire Kakinada and Grangemouth LNG Import Terminal Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crown LNG Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: CGBS) (“Crown” or “Crown LNG”), a leading provider of LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal technologies for harsh weather locations, today announced the conclusion of two strategic acquisition agreements forming the basis of Crown LNG’s entry into the global LNG infrastructure network: KGLNG and Grangemouth. The KGLNG agreement finalizes the acquisition of all shares of KGLNG, which owns the operating license for the Company’s planned LNG import terminal in Kakinada, India. The Grangemouth agreement finalizes the acquisition of LNG import terminal assets in Grangemouth, Scotland from GBTron Lands Limited.

    The Kakinada project, located on the East coast of India, is licensed to operate 365 days a year, a first for the harsh weather prone area. Imported gas from the planned terminal would reach demand centers via the East-West Pipeline, helping to support the Indian government’s drive to more than double the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix to 15% by 2030.

    Total consideration for the KGLNG acquisition will be made in shares of Crown LNG equal to $60 million.

    The Grangemouth project, located on the East coast of Scotland, seeks to support the UK’s increasing drive for energy security post-Brexit and in the context of geopolitical impacts on energy markets. Currently, the UK relies on just three facilities for all of the country’s LNG imports, which increased 74% from 2021 to 2022.

    Total consideration for the GBTron acquisition will be made in shares of Crown LNG equal to $25 million.

    “We are excited and proud to announce the execution of these two transactions and move these two projects down the path,” said Swapan Kataria, Chief Executive Officer of Crown LNG. “With Crown LNG and our subsidiaries now firmly in control of the Kakinada and Grangemouth projects, we look forward to driving the success of these two transformative projects for both India and the UK.”

    Crown remains dedicated to delivering exceptional LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal infrastructure solutions services that cater to the evolving needs of the under-served markets across the globe. As we focus on expanding our operations in Europe and South Asia, we continue to forge strategic partnerships and explore new opportunities to provide efficient and reliable solutions.

    About Crown LNG Holdings Limited
    Crown LNG is a leading provider of offshore LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal infrastructure solutions for harsh weather locations, which represent a significant addressable market for bottom-fixed, gravity based (“GBS”) liquefaction and floating storage regasification units, as well as associated green and blue hydrogen, ammonia and power projects. Through this approach, Crown aims to provide lower carbon sources of energy securely to under-served markets across the globe. Visit www.crownlng.com/investors for more information.

    Forward-Looking Information and Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “future,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. They involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release and on current expectations of Crown’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Crown. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements could include changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    Crown LNG Holdings Limited Contacts

    Investors
    Caldwell Bailey
    ICR, Inc.
    CrownLNGIR@icrinc.com

    Media
    Zach Gorin
    ICR, Inc.
    CrownLNGPR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arrington Leads Colleagues in Defending Second Amendment

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

    Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led 20 of his Texas Republican colleagues in filing an amicus brief  in opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) new rule targeting the private transactions of firearms.

    “The Biden-Harris administration has made a habit of infringing on the Constitutional rights of the American People, this time taking direct aim at the 2nd Amendment,” said Chairman Arrington. “Instead of keeping the ATF within the limits of its jurisdiction to enforce the law, this administration is criminalizing firearms sales/trades between law-abiding citizens. I’m proud to have led 20 of my fellow Texas Republicans in filing an amicus brief to rein-in the ATF and safeguard our 2nd Amendment rights.”

    “Agencies must operate within the limits set by the Constitution and by statute,” said Eric Heigis, attorney at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for the American Future. “By regulating firearm transactions everywhere—even private, intrastate exchanges—ATF’s final rule goes beyond the Gun Control Act’s scope. It also likely violates the Constitution’s limited, enumerated powers. We are proud to represent the amici in this case and look forward to the court vacating this flawed rule.”

    Background:

    • Texas v. ATF challenges the ATF’s Final Rule titled Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms, which misinterpreted the definition of “firearms dealer” under federal law.
    • Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, individuals “engaged in the business” of selling firearms are required to obtain a federal firearms license and conduct background checks on buyers. 
    • But the ATF issued a rule that wrongfully expanded the definition of those “engaged in the business,” requiring individual firearms transferors to prove they are not engaged in the business of selling firearms. 
      • Texas, joined by other states, and the Gun Owners of America, filed a lawsuit arguing that this rule oversteps ATF’s statutory authority, infringing on the rights of private gun owners and impeding lawful gun sales.
    • Chairman Arrington’s amicus brief supports Texas’ assertion that the rule unlawfully extends federal regulatory power over private sales.
    • Arrington was joined by Reps. Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Brian Babin (TX-36), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Keith Self (TX-03), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Randy Weber (TX-14), Chip Roy (TX-21), Roger Williams (TX-25), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Michael Cloud (TX-27), August Pfluger (TX-11), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Michael Burgess (TX-26), and Wesley Hunt (TX-38).

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Guggenheim Investments Announces November 2024 Closed-End Fund Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guggenheim Investments today announced that certain closed-end funds have declared their distributions. The table below summarizes the distribution schedule for each closed-end fund (collectively, the “Funds” and each, a “Fund”).

    The following dates apply to the distributions:

    Record Date  November 15, 2024
    Ex-Dividend Date November 15, 2024
    Payable Date  November 29, 2024
    Distribution Schedule
    NYSE
    Ticker
    Closed-End Fund Name Distribution
    Per Share
    Change from Previous
    Distribution
    Frequency
    AVK Advent Convertible and Income Fund $0.1172   Monthly
    GBAB Guggenheim Taxable Municipal Bond & Investment Grade Debt Trust $0.12573   Monthly
    GOF Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund $0.1821   Monthly
    GUG Guggenheim Active Allocation Fund $0.11875   Monthly

    A portion of this distribution is estimated to be a return of capital rather than income. Final determination of the character of distributions will be made at year-end. The Section 19(a) notice referenced below provides more information and can be found at www.guggenheiminvestments.com.

    You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s Distribution Policy.

    Past performance is not indicative of future performance. As of this announcement, the sources of each fund distribution are estimates. Distributions may be paid from sources of income other than ordinary income, such as short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains or return of capital. Unless otherwise noted, the distributions above are not anticipated to include a return of capital. If a distribution consists of something other than ordinary income, a Section 19(a) notice detailing the anticipated source(s) of the distribution will be made available. The Section 19(a) notice will be posted to a Fund’s website and to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation so that brokers can distribute such notices to Shareholders of the Fund. Section 19(a) notices are provided for informational purposes only and not for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions will be made after the end of the year. This information is not legal or tax advice. Consult a professional regarding your specific legal or tax matters.

    About Guggenheim Investments

    Guggenheim Investments is the global asset management and investment advisory division of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), with more than $249 billion* in assets under management across fixed income, equity, and alternative strategies. We focus on the return and risk needs of insurance companies, corporate and public pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations, consultants, wealth managers, and high-net-worth investors. Our 235+ investment professionals perform rigorous research to understand market trends and identify undervalued opportunities in areas that are often complex and underfollowed. This approach to investment management has enabled us to deliver innovative strategies providing diversification opportunities and attractive long-term results.

    Guggenheim Investments includes Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (“GFIA”), Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (“GPIM”) and Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (“GFD”). GFIA serves as Investment Adviser for GBAB, GOF and GUG. GPIM serves as Investment Sub-Adviser for GBAB, GOF and GUG. GFD serves as servicing agent for AVK. The Investment Adviser for AVK is Advent Capital Management, LLC and is not affiliated with Guggenheim.

    *Assets under management are as of 09.30.2024 and include leverage of $14.8bn. Guggenheim Investments represents the following affiliated investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC: Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Corporate Funding, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, Guggenheim Partners Japan Limited, and GS GAMMA Advisors, LLC.

    This information does not represent an offer to sell securities of the Funds and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities of the Funds. There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives. Investments in the Funds involve operating expenses and fees. The net asset value of the Funds will fluctuate with the value of the underlying securities. It is important to note that closed-end funds trade on their market value, not net asset value, and closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. An investment in closed-end funds is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Some general risks and considerations associated with investing in a closed-end fund may include: Investment and Market Risk; Lower Grade Securities Risk; Equity Securities Risk; Foreign Securities Risk; Interest Rate Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Derivative Risk; Management Risk; Anti-Takeover Provisions; Market Disruption Risk and Leverage Risk. See www.guggenheiminvestments.com/cef for a detailed discussion of Fund-specific risks.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of any investment before they invest. For this and more information, visit www.guggenheiminvestments.com or contact a securities representative or Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606, 800-345-7999.

    Analyst Inquiries
    William T. Korver
    cefs@guggenheiminvestments.com

    Not FDIC-Insured | Not Bank-Guaranteed | May Lose Value
    Member FINRA/SIPC (11/24) 63024

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Cornerstone Funds Announce Continuing Monthly Distributions and Reset Distribution Amounts for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: CLM) (CUSIP: 21924B302) and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE American: CRF) (CUSIP: 21924U300), (individually the “Fund” or, collectively, the “Funds”), each a closed-end management investment company, announced that in keeping with each Fund’s previously adopted monthly distribution policy, each Fund is declaring the following distributions, which have been reset for the calendar year 2025.

      Record Date Payable Date Per Share
    CLM January 15, 2025 January 31, 2025 $0.1224
    CLM February 14, 2025 February 28, 2025 $0.1224
    CLM March 14, 2025 March 31, 2025 $0.1224
    CRF January 15, 2025 January 31, 2025 $0.1168
    CRF February 14, 2025 February 28, 2025 $0.1168
    CRF March 14, 2025 March 31, 2025 $0.1168
       

    Each Fund’s distribution policy provides for the resetting of the monthly distribution amount per share (“Distribution Amount”) annually, based on each Fund’s net asset value on the last business day of October and the annualized distribution percentage approved by the respective Board of Directors (individually the “Board”, or collectively, the “Boards”). Each Board previously announced the distribution percentage for the calendar year 2025 would remain unchanged from the current year at 21% of the net asset value of each Fund.

    Each Board believes each Fund’s distribution policy maintains a stable, high rate of distribution. These distributions are not tied to each Fund’s investment income or capital gains and do not represent yield or investment return on each Fund’s portfolio. The Distribution Amount from one calendar year to the next will increase or decrease based on the change in each Fund’s net asset value. The terms of each distribution policy are reviewed and approved at least annually by each Fund’s Board and may be modified at their discretion for the benefit of each Fund and its stockholders.

    Each Fund’s Board remains convinced its stockholders are well served by a policy of regular distributions which increase liquidity and provide flexibility to individual stockholders in managing their investment in each Fund. Stockholders have the option of reinvesting these distributions in additional shares of their Fund or receiving them in cash. Stockholders may consider reinvesting their regular distributions through their Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, which may at times provide additional benefit to stockholders who participate in their Fund’s plan. Stockholders should carefully read the description of the dividend reinvestment plan contained in each Fund’s report to stockholders.

    Under each Fund’s distribution policy, each Fund may distribute to stockholders each month a minimum fixed percentage per year of the net asset value or market price per share of its common stock or at least a minimum fixed dollar amount per year. In determining to adopt this policy, the Board of each Fund sought to make regular monthly distributions throughout the year. Under each policy, each Fund’s distributions will consist either of (1) earnings, (2) capital gains, or (3) return-of-capital, or some combination of one or more of these categories. A return-of-capital is the return of a portion of the stockholder’s original investment.

    Given the current economic environment and the composition of each Fund’s portfolio, a portion of each Fund’s distributions made during the current calendar year is expected to consist of a return of the stockholder’s capital. Accordingly, these distributions should not be confused with yield or investment return on each Fund’s portfolio. The final composition of the distributions for 2024 cannot be determined until after the end of the year and is subject to change depending on market conditions during the year and the magnitude of income and realized gains for the year.

    In any given year, there can be no guarantee each Fund’s investment returns will exceed the amount of the net distributions. To the extent the amount of distributions paid to stockholders in cash exceeds the total net investment returns of the Fund, the assets of a Fund will decline. If the total net investment returns exceed the amount of cash distributions, the assets of a Fund will increase. Distributions designated as return-of-capital are not taxed as ordinary income dividends and are referred to as tax-free dividends or nontaxable distributions. A return-of-capital distribution reduces the cost basis of a stockholder’s shares in the Fund. Stockholders can expect to receive tax-reporting information for 2024 distributions by the middle of February 2025 indicating the exact composition per share of the distributions received during the calendar year. Stockholders should consult their tax advisor for proper tax treatment of each Fund’s distributions.

    Volatility in the world economy helps to create what Cornerstone Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) views as significant opportunities through investments in closed-end funds. In addition to holding closed-end funds which invest substantially all of their assets in equity securities, the Adviser may also choose to take advantage of situations in funds which invest in fixed income or other investment categories. Closed-end funds, with their broadly diversified holdings, enhance diversification within each Fund’s portfolio.

    Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but the total return on such investments at the investment company level is reduced by the operating expenses and fees of such other investment companies, including advisory fees. To the extent each Fund invests its assets in investment company securities, those assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased investment company’s portfolio securities, and a stockholder in the Fund will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses of a Fund, but also, indirectly the expenses of the purchased investment company. There can be no assurance the investment objective of any investment company in which a Fund invests will be achieved.

    Under the managed distribution policy, each Fund makes monthly distributions to stockholders at a rate which may include periodic distributions of its net income and net capital gains (“Net Earnings”), or from return-of-capital. If, for any fiscal year where total cash distributions exceeded Net Earnings (the “Excess”), the Excess would decrease each Fund’s total assets and, as a result, would have the likely effect of increasing each Fund’s expense ratio. There is a risk the total Net Earnings from each Fund’s portfolio would not be great enough to offset the amount of cash distributions paid to Fund stockholders. If this were to occur, a Fund’s assets would be depleted, and there is no guarantee a Fund would be able to replace the assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, a Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. Furthermore, such assets used to make distributions will not be available for investment pursuant to the Fund’s investment objective.

    Each Fund’s Board has previously approved a share repurchase program. The share repurchase program authorizes management to make open market purchases, from time to time. Such purchases may be made opportunistically at certain discounts to net asset value per share when management reasonably believes such repurchases may enhance stockholder value. There is no assurance each Fund will purchase any shares or the share repurchase program will have an impact on the liquidity or value of the respective Fund or the Fund’s shares. To the extent each Fund engages in share repurchase activity, such activity will be disclosed in each Fund’s stockholder reports for the relevant fiscal period.

    Cornerstone Strategic Value Fund, Inc. and Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. are traded on the NYSE American LLC under the trading symbols “CLM” and “CRF”, respectively. For more information regarding each Fund please visit www.cornerstonestrategicvaluefund.com and www.cornerstonetotalreturnfund.com.

    Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An investment in a Fund is subject to certain risks, including market risk. In general, shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value and at the time of sale may be trading on the exchange at a price which is more or less than the original purchase price or the net asset value. A stockholder should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Please read a Fund’s disclosure documents before investing.

    In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements, which may concern, among other things, domestic and foreign markets, industry and economic trends and developments and government regulation and their potential impact on a Fund’s investment portfolio. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the factors set forth in each Fund’s disclosure documents, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and actual trends, developments and regulations in the future, and their impact on the Fund could be materially different from those projected, anticipated or implied. Each Fund has no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 01.11.2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    1 November 2024 at 22:30 EET

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 01.11.2024

    Espoo, Finland – On 1 November 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 1,068,314 4.35
    CEUX 231,330 4.35
    BATE
    AQEU
    TQEX
    Total 1,299,644 4.35

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 25 January 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The first phase of the share buyback program started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia decided to accelerate the share buybacks by increasing the number of shares to be repurchased during the year 2024. The post-increase repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 22 July 2024 and end by 31 December 2024 with a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 600 million for all purchases during 2024.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 1 November 2024 was EUR 5,655,401. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 180,839,724 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 40 803 4080
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: PIMCO Closed-End Funds Declare Monthly Common Share Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Boards of Trustees/Directors of the PIMCO closed-end funds below (each, a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”) have declared a monthly distribution for each Fund’s common shares as summarized below. The distributions are payable on December 2, 2024 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2024, with an ex-dividend date of November 12, 2024.

        Monthly Distribution 
    Per Share
    Fund NYSE Symbol Amount Change From
    Previous
    Month
    Percentage
    Change From
    Previous
    Month
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PCN) $0.112500
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: PTY) $0.118800
    PIMCO Global StocksPLUS® & Income Fund (NYSE: PGP) $0.069000
    PIMCO High Income Fund (NYSE: PHK) $0.048000
    PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: RCS) $0.051000
    PCM Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PCM) $0.080000
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PFL) $0.081400
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (NYSE: PFN) $0.071800
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (NYSE: PDI) $0.220500
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE: PDO) $0.127900
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PMF) $0.042000
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PCQ) $0.036000
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PNF) $0.033500
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PML) $0.039500
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PCK) $0.021500
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PNI) $0.029500
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PMX) $0.033000
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PZC) $0.029500
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PYN) $0.024800
    PIMCO Access Income Fund (NYSE: PAXS) $0.149400
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PDX) $0.113300
             

    Fund Distribution Information as of September 30, 2024:

    Fund NYSE Symbol Current
    Amount
    Annualized
    current
    distribution
    rate expressed
    as a
    percentage of
    NAV as of
    09/30/2024
    Annualized
    current
    distribution rate
    expressed as a
    percentage of
    Market Price as
    of 09/30/2024
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PCN) $0.112500 11.28% 9.51%
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: PTY) $0.118800 12.15% 9.91%
    PIMCO Global StocksPLUS® & Income Fund (NYSE: PGP) $0.069000 10.26% 9.87%
    PIMCO High Income Fund (NYSE: PHK) $0.048000 12.13% 11.52%
    PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: RCS) $0.051000 13.48% 7.96%
    PCM Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PCM) $0.080000 14.95% 12.02%
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PFL) $0.081400 11.88% 11.40%
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (NYSE: PFN) $0.071800 11.90% 11.31%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (NYSE: PDI) $0.220500 15.20% 13.05%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE: PDO) $0.127900 11.52% 10.87%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PMF) $0.042000 5.19% 4.88%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PCQ) $0.036000 4.02% 4.34%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PNF) $0.033500 4.50% 4.84%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PML) $0.039500 5.26% 5.05%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PCK) $0.021500 3.74% 4.11%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PNI) $0.029500 4.10% 4.49%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PMX) $0.033000 4.76% 4.79%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PZC) $0.029500 4.45% 4.72%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PYN) $0.024800 4.33% 4.72%
    PIMCO Access Income Fund (NYSE: PAXS) $0.149400 11.48% 10.78%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PDX) $0.113300 5.31% 5.76%
             

    Distribution rates are not performance and are calculated by annualizing the current distribution per share announced in this press release and dividing by the NAV or Market Price, as applicable, as of the reported date. A Fund’s distribution rate may be affected by numerous factors, including changes in realized and projected market returns, Fund performance, and other factors. There can be no assurance that a change in market conditions or other factors will not result in a change in a Fund’s distribution rate at a future time. Distributions may be comprised of ordinary income, net capital gains, and/or a return of capital (“ROC”) of your investment in a Fund. Because the distribution rate may include a ROC, it should not be confused with yield or performance.

    Average Annual Total Returns Based on NAV and Market Price (“MKT”) of Common Shares as of
    September 30, 2024:

    Fund NYSE
    Symbol
    Inception
    Date
      1 Year 5 Year 10 Year Since
    Inception
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PCN) 12/21/2001 NAV 23.51% 7.45% 8.44% 10.85%
    MKT 29.84% 4.85% 9.27% 10.72%
    PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: PTY) 12/27/2002 NAV 26.15% 8.88% 9.91% 12.73%
    MKT 22.38% 5.99% 9.70% 12.33%
    PIMCO Global StocksPLUS® & Income Fund (NYSE: PGP) 5/31/2005 NAV 35.45% 7.99% 8.40% 10.74%
    MKT 41.62% 4.07% 1.98% 7.19%
    PIMCO High Income Fund (NYSE: PHK) 4/30/2003 NAV 23.03% 6.67% 8.67% 10.56%
    MKT 28.03% 2.60% 3.68% 7.94%
    PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: RCS) 2/24/1994 NAV 25.91% 3.96% 5.11% 7.70%
    MKT 60.73% 6.94% 8.09% 8.86%
    PCM Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PCM) 9/2/1993 NAV 17.12% 3.21% 6.11% 8.30%
    MKT 1.89% 3.96% 7.48% 8.30%
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PFL) 8/29/2003 NAV 22.55% 6.24% 6.95% 6.86%
    MKT 26.23% 5.41% 7.52% 6.71%
    PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II (NYSE: PFN) 10/29/2004 NAV 22.66% 5.75% 6.94% 6.14%
    MKT 30.66% 5.10% 7.79% 6.12%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (NYSE: PDI) 5/30/2012 NAV 22.25% 4.97% 7.38% 11.00%
    MKT 35.83% 3.89% 9.31% 11.54%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE: PDO) 1/29/2021 NAV 25.12% 1.34%
    MKT 34.18% 2.67%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PMF) 6/29/2001 NAV 19.11% -1.09% 3.02% 5.32%
    MKT 29.67% -2.20% 2.93% 4.95%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PCQ) 6/29/2001 NAV 19.49% -0.36% 3.28% 5.38%
    MKT 25.03% -8.48% 1.74% 4.43%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: PNF) 6/29/2001 NAV 17.33% -1.72% 2.44% 3.86%
    MKT 21.18% -6.10% 1.74% 3.31%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PML) 6/28/2002 NAV 18.92% -0.82% 3.28% 4.56%
    MKT 29.12% -4.55% 3.84% 4.40%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PCK) 6/28/2002 NAV 20.62% -1.04% 3.17% 3.57%
    MKT 30.76% -3.83% 1.55% 2.60%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE: PNI) 6/28/2002 NAV 17.66% -1.62% 2.65% 3.94%
    MKT 28.89% -3.53% 1.69% 3.25%
    PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PMX) 10/31/2002 NAV 19.57% -1.18% 3.35% 4.33%
    MKT 34.49% -3.45% 3.28% 3.91%
    PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PZC) 10/31/2002 NAV 19.28% -0.32% 3.30% 3.76%
    MKT 14.90% -3.22% 2.14% 3.12%
    PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE: PYN) 10/31/2002 NAV 18.13% -1.41% 2.27% 2.65%
    MKT 24.76% -3.61% 1.28% 2.02%
    PIMCO Access Income Fund (NYSE: PAXS) 1/31/2022 NAV 21.95% 2.53%
    MKT 34.98% 5.21%
    PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (NYSE: PDX) 02/01/2019 NAV 21.12% 14.33% 11.89%
    MKT 25.42% 15.21% 11.52%

    Performance for periods of more than one year is annualized.

    Past performance is not a guarantee or a reliable indicator of future results. There can be no assurance that a Fund or any investment strategy will achieve its investment objectives or structure its investment portfolio as anticipated. An investment in a Fund involves risk, including loss of principal. Investment return and the value of shares will fluctuate. Shares may be worth more or less than original purchase price. Due to market volatility, current performance may be lower or higher than average annual returns shown. Returns are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (“NAV”) or market price (as applicable) of the Fund’s common shares in the specific period. The calculation assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, have been reinvested. NAV and market price returns do not reflect broker sales charges or commissions in connection with the purchase or sales of Fund shares and includes the effect of any expense reductions. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized. Returns for a period of more than one year represent the average annual return. Performance at market price will differ from results at NAV. Although market price returns typically reflect investment results over time, during shorter periods returns at market price can also be influenced by factors such as changing views about a Fund, market conditions, supply and demand for a Fund’s shares or changes in Fund dividends and distributions.

    Additional Information

    Distributions from PMF, PML, PMX, PCQ, PCK, PZC, PNF, PNI and PYN are generally exempt from regular federal income taxes (i.e., excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes but not necessarily exempt from the federal alternative minimum tax). In addition, distributions from PCQ, PCK and PZC are also generally exempt from California state income taxes, and distributions from PNF, PNI and PYN are generally exempt from New York State and city income taxes. There can be no assurance that all distributions paid by these Funds will be exempt from federal income taxes or applicable state or local income taxes.

    Distributions may include ordinary income, net capital gains and/or a return of capital. Generally, a return of capital occurs when the amount distributed by a Fund includes a portion of (or is comprised entirely of) your investment in the Fund in addition to (or rather than) your pro-rata portion of the Fund’s net income or capital gains. A Fund’s distributions in any period may be more or less than the net return earned by the Fund on its investments, and therefore should not be used as a measure of performance or confused with “yield” or “income.” A return of capital is not taxable; rather it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares of a Fund.

    If a Fund estimates that a portion of a distribution may be comprised of amounts from sources other than net investment income, as determined in accordance with its internal accounting records and related accounting practices, the Fund will notify shareholders of the estimated composition of such distribution through a Section 19 Notice. For these purposes, a Fund estimates the source or sources from which a distribution is paid, to the close of the period as of which it is paid, in reference to its internal accounting records and related accounting practices. If, based on such accounting records and practices, it is estimated that a particular distribution does not include capital gains or paid-in surplus or other capital sources, a Section 19 Notice generally would not be issued. It is important to note that differences exist between a Fund’s daily internal accounting records and practices, the Fund’s financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and recordkeeping practices under income tax regulations. For instance, a Fund’s internal accounting records and practices may take into account, among other factors, tax-related characteristics of certain sources of distributions that differ from treatment under U.S. GAAP. Examples of such differences may include, among others, the treatment of paydowns on mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount and periodic payments under interest rate swap contracts. Accordingly, among other consequences, it is possible that a Fund may not issue a Section 19 Notice in situations where the Fund’s financial statements prepared later and in accordance with U.S. GAAP and/or the final tax character of those distributions might later report that the sources of those distributions included capital gains and/or a return of capital. Please visit www.pimco.com for the most recent Section 19 Notice, if applicable, and most recent shareholder reports for additional information regarding the estimated composition of distributions. Final determination of a distribution’s tax character will be provided to shareholders when such information is available.

    The tax treatment and characterization of a Fund’s distributions may vary significantly from time to time because of the varied nature of the Fund’s investments. For example, a Fund may enter into opposite sides of multiple interest rate swaps or other derivatives with respect to the same underlying reference instrument (e.g., a 10-year U.S. treasury) that have different effective dates with respect to interest accrual time periods for the principal purpose of generating distributable gains (characterized as ordinary income for tax purposes) that are not part of the Fund’s duration or yield curve management strategies. In such a “paired swap transaction”, the Fund would generally enter into one or more interest rate swap agreements whereby the Fund agrees to make regular payments starting at the time the Fund enters into the agreements equal to a floating interest rate in return for payments equal to a fixed interest rate (the “initial leg”). The Fund would also enter into one or more interest rate swap agreements on the same underlying instrument, but take the opposite position (i.e., in this example, the Fund would make regular payments equal to a fixed interest rate in return for receiving payments equal to a floating interest rate) with respect to a contract whereby the payment obligations do not commence until a date following the commencement of the initial leg (the “forward leg”).

    A Fund may engage in investment strategies, including those that employ the use of derivatives, to, among other things, seek to generate current, distributable income, even if such strategies could potentially result in declines in the Fund’s NAV. A Fund’s income and gain-generating strategies, including certain derivatives strategies, may generate current income and gains taxable as ordinary income sufficient to support monthly distributions even in situations when the Fund has experienced a decline in net assets due to, for example, adverse changes in the broad U.S. or non-U.S. equity markets or the Fund’s debt investments, or arising from its use of derivatives. Because some or all of these transactions may generate capital losses without corresponding offsetting capital gains, portions of a Fund’s distributions recognized as ordinary income for tax purposes (such as from paired swap transactions) may be economically similar to a taxable return of capital when considered together with such capital losses. The tax treatment of certain derivatives in which a Fund invests may be unclear and thus subject to recharacterization. Any recharacterization of payments made or received by a Fund pursuant to derivatives potentially could affect the amount, timing or character of Fund distributions. In addition, the tax treatment of such investment strategies may be changed by regulation or otherwise.

    The common shares of the Funds trade on the New York Stock Exchange. As with any stock, the price of a Fund’s common shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If you sell your common shares of a Fund, the price received may be more or less than your original investment. Shares of closed-end investment management companies, such as the Funds, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value and may trade at a price that is less than the initial offering price and/or the net asset value of such shares. Further, if a Fund’s shares trade at a price that is more than the initial offering price and/or the net asset value of such shares, including at a substantial premium and/or for an extended period of time, there is no assurance that any such premium will be sustained for any period of time and will not decrease, or that the shares will not trade at a discount to net asset value thereafter.

    The Funds’ daily New York Stock Exchange closing market prices, net asset values per share, as well as other information, including updated portfolio statistics and performance are available at pimco.com/closedendfunds or by calling the Funds’ shareholder servicing agent at (844) 33-PIMCO. Updated portfolio holdings information about a Fund will be available approximately 15 calendar days after such Fund’s most recent fiscal quarter end, and will remain accessible until such Fund files a shareholder report or a publicly available Form N-PORT for the period that includes the date of the information.

    A Fund’s shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not insured by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. You may lose money by investing in a Fund. Certain risks associated with investing in a Fund are summarized below.

    An investor should consider, among other things, a Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. A Fund’s annual report contains (or will contain) this and other information about the Fund.

    A word about risk:
    Investing in the bond market is subject to risks, including market, interest rate, issuer, credit, inflation risk, and liquidity risk. The value of most bonds and bond strategies are impacted by changes in interest rates. Bonds and bond strategies with longer durations tend to be more sensitive and volatile than those with shorter durations; bond prices generally fall as interest rates rise, and low interest rate environments increase this risk. Reductions in bond counterparty capacity may contribute to decreased market liquidity and increased price volatility. Bond investments may be worth more or less than the original cost when redeemed. Mortgage and asset-backed securities may be sensitive to changes in interest rates, subject to early repayment risk, and their value may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of issuer creditworthiness; while generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee there is no assurance that private guarantors will meet their obligations. Investing in foreign-denominated and/or -domiciled securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations, and economic and political risks, which may be enhanced in emerging markets. Corporate debt securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation and may also be subject to price volatility due to factors such as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. Bank loans are often less liquid than other types of debt instruments and general market and financial conditions may affect the prepayment of bank loans, and as such the prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. There is no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral from a secured bank loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that such collateral could be liquidated. Contingent Convertible (“Coco”) Bonds are bonds that are converted into equity of the issuing company if a pre-specified trigger occurs. Co-cos are subject to a different type of risk from traditional bonds and may result in a partial or total loss of value or may be converted into shares of the issuing company which may also have suffered a loss in value. Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) may involve a high degree of risk and are intended for sale to qualified investors only. Investors may lose some or all of the investment and there may be periods where no cash flow distributions are received. CLOs are exposed to risks such as credit, default, liquidity, management, volatility, interest rate, and credit risk. Convertible securities may be called before intended, which may have an adverse effect on investment objectives. Floating rate loans are not traded on an exchange and are subject to significant credit, valuation and liquidity risk. A Fund may invest without limit in below investment grade debt securities (commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds”), including securities of stressed and distressed issuers. High-yield, lower-rated, securities involve greater risk than higher-rated securities; portfolios that invest in them may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than portfolios that do not. Real estate investment trusts (or REITs) are subject to risk, such as poor performance by the manager, adverse changes to tax laws or failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income. Investments in residential/commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate debt are subject to risks that include prepayment, delinquency, foreclosure, risks of loss, servicing risks and adverse regulatory developments, which risks may be heightened in the case of non-performing loans. Investing in distressed loans and bankrupt companies is speculative and the repayment of default obligations contains significant uncertainties. Distressed and Defaulted Securities involve substantial risks, including the risk of default. Such investments may be in default at the time of investment. In addition, these securities may fluctuate more in price, and are typically less liquid. Commodities contain heightened risk, including market, political, regulatory and natural conditions, and may not be appropriate for all investors. Many energy sector master limited partnerships (or MLPs) and other companies in which PDX may invest operate natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products, coal, or other facilities within the energy sector and will be susceptible to adverse economic, environmental, or regulatory occurrences affecting the sector including sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices. Energy Sector Risk. PDX will be concentrated in the energy sector, and will therefore be susceptible to adverse economic, environmental, or regulatory occurrences affecting that sector. Private credit involves an investment in non-publicly traded securities which may be subject to illiquidity risk. Portfolios that invest in private credit may be leveraged and may engage in speculative investment practices that increase the risk of investment loss. A Fund will also have exposure to such risks through its investments in mortgage and asset-backed securities, which are highly complex instruments that may be sensitive to changes in interest rates and subject to early repayment risk. Income from municipal bonds is exempt from federal income tax and may be subject to state and local taxes and at times the alternative minimum tax; a strategy concentrating in a single or limited number of states is subject to greater risk of adverse economic conditions and regulatory changes. Structured products such as collateralized debt obligations are also highly complex instruments, typically involving a high degree of risk; use of these instruments may involve derivative instruments that could lose more than the principal amount invested. Sovereign securities are generally backed by the issuing government, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees but are generally not backed by the full faith of the U.S. Government; portfolios that invest in such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate in value. Concentration of assets in one or a few sectors may entail greater risk than a fully diversified portfolio and should be considered as only part of a diversified portfolio. Investing in foreign-denominated and/or -domiciled securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations, and economic and political risks, which may be enhanced in emerging markets. Leveraging transactions, including borrowing, typically will cause a portfolio to be more volatile than if the portfolio had not been leveraged.  Leveraging transactions typically involve expenses, which could exceed the rate of return on investments purchased by a fund with such leverage and reduce fund returns.  The use of leverage may cause a portfolio to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so.  Leveraging transactions may increase a fund’s duration and sensitivity to interest rate movements. Derivatives may involve certain costs and risks, such as liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, management and the risk that a position could not be closed when most advantageous. Investing in derivatives could lose more than the amount invested. Each of PDO, PNF and PYN is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified Fund.

    Limited Term Risk. With respect to PDX, PDO and PAXS (each, for purposes of this paragraph only, a “Limited Term Fund”), unless the limited term provision of a Limited Term Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) is amended by shareholders in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, or unless a Limited Term Fund completes a tender offer, as of a date within twelve months preceding the Dissolution Date (as defined below), to all common shareholders to purchase 100% of the then outstanding common shares of such Limited Term Fund at a price equal to the NAV per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”), and converts to perpetual existence, such Limited Term Fund will terminate. PDX will terminate on or about January 29, 2031; PDO will terminate on or about January 27, 2033; and PAXS will terminate on or about January 27, 2034 (each such termination date, a “Dissolution Date”). No Limited Term Fund is a “target term” fund whose investment objective is to return its original net asset value on the Dissolution Date or in an Eligible Tender Offer. Because the assets of each Limited Term Fund will be liquidated in connection with the dissolution, such Limited Term Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with dispositions of portfolio securities. The Limited Term Funds do not limit their investments to securities having a maturity date prior to the applicable Dissolution Date and may be required to sell portfolio securities when they otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause such Limited Term Fund to lose money. In particular, a Limited Term Fund’s portfolio may still have large exposures to illiquid securities as its Dissolution Date approaches, and losses due to portfolio liquidation may be significant. Beginning one year before the applicable Dissolution Date (the “Wind-Down Period”), a Limited Term Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion of its portfolio, and may deviate from its investment strategy and may not achieve its investment objectives. As a result, during the Wind-Down Period, a Limited Term Fund’s distributions may decrease, and such distributions may include a return of capital. A Limited Term Fund’s investment objectives and policies are not designed to seek to return investors’ original investment upon termination of such Limited Term Fund, and investors may receive more or less than their original investment upon termination of such Limited Term Fund. As the assets of a Limited Term Fund will be liquidated in connection with its termination, such Limited Term Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause such Limited Term Fund to lose money.

    Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. After the initial public offering, shares are sold on the open market through a stock exchange. Closed-end funds may be leveraged and carry various risks depending upon the underlying assets owned by a fund. Investment policies, management fees and other matters of interest to prospective investors may be found in each closed-end fund annual and semi-annual report. For additional information, please contact your investment professional or call 1-844-337-4626.

    About PIMCO

    PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the world’s premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

    Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the performance of financial markets, the investment performance of PIMCO’s sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts, general economic conditions, future acquisitions, competitive conditions and government regulations, including changes in tax laws. Readers should carefully consider such factors. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only on the date at which such statements are made. PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

    This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America LLC in the United States and throughout the world. PIMCO Investments LLC, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, is a company of PIMCO. ©2024, PIMCO.

    For information on PIMCO Closed-End Funds:
    Financial Advisors: (800) 628-1237
    Shareholders: (844) 337-4626 or (844) 33-PIMCO
    PIMCO Media Relations: (212) 597-1054

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Orca Energy Group Inc. Announces an Operational Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — November 1, 2024: Orca Energy Group Inc. (“Orca” or the “Company“) and includes its subsidiaries and affiliates, including PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited (“PAET“) and Pan African Energy Corporation (Mauritius) (“PAEM“) (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B) announces an operational update.

    Unless otherwise stated, all amounts referred to herein are expressed in United States dollars (“$”).

    Songas Update

    On October 30, 2024, PAET was advised by Songas Limited (“Songas”) that the Interim Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) will expire on October 31, 2024. At midnight on October 31, 2024, Songas shutdown the Songas Power Plan and it is unknown how long this will be in force. In the event that a new PPA is not entered into, there is a risk the Songas Power plant will shutdown indefinitely. This would adversely impact demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas field. At this time, it is unknown if a new PPA will be entered into.

    Production guidance for the annual average Additional Gas (as defined below) sales is now forecast to be 65 – 68 MMcfd (100% conventional natural gas). This range incorporates the exclusion of all volumes previously forecast to be supplied to Songas for November and December, and certain volumes lifted but disputed by a major industrial customer as a consequence of the position taken by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (“TPDC“) and Government of Tanzania in relation to the cessation of Protected Gas (as detailed and defined below). The Songo Songo gas field continues to operate as normal.

    Following cessation of Protected Gas on July 31, 2024, despite the absence of a contract to do so, Songas continued to lift volumes of gas in August and September, at an average rate of 17.8 MMcfd. On September 23, 2024, the Company was notified by Songas that it acknowledges it had lifted this volume, but due to TPDC’s refusal to approve a Gas Sales Agreement for this Additional Gas, they would elect to pay only 19.5% of such volumes. This accords with the payment arrangements for Complex Additional Gas under the contracted payment terms for Protected Gas which ended on July 31, 2024. Payment was made on this basis by Songas on October 10, 2024, in the amount equivalent to USD $410,000, representing 19.5% of the total invoiced amount of USD $2.1 million.

    Only Additional Gas attracted a Processing and Transportation (“P&T“) tariff up to July 31, 2024, (when Protected Gas was active), while Protected Gas did not. In contradiction of their position regarding payment above, Songas has invoiced PAET for the P&T tariff consistent with all gas volumes shipped to Songas during August as being AG. This amount has been fully accounted for and paid by PAET in accordance with the terms of the current agreements.

    Operations

    During Q3-2024, the Company successfully completed a production and saturation logging program in three wells. Initial results indicate that the wells and field are performing in line with expectations, with final interpretation of results continuing in order to update longer term reservoir management plans.

    The workover program on SS-7 has completed a complex mobilization to Songo Songo Island, and the operational well intervention phase has commenced. Operations, including further logging, are expected to last for approximately three weeks. The objective of the work is to restore the mechanical integrity of the well to shutoff water production in order to restart production from the southern compartment of the gas field. On conclusion of the intervention, SS-7 is forecast to return to production in November 2024. The total expected project cost has increased to $22.0 million from $16.6 million primarily as a result of vendor logistical delays and more recently weather delays during both the mobilization from the Mombasa to Songo Songo Island and positioning the barges and jackup platform on the offshore SS-7 well.

    Commercial

    In August 2024, the Company issued a notice of dispute (“Notice of Dispute”), in respect of an investment treaty claim against the Government of Tanzania for breach of the Agreement on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of Tanzania, and a contractual dispute against the Government of Tanzania and TPDC, for breaches of the: (i) PSA, and (ii) GA (as defined herein). Initial meetings with both the Advisory and Coordinating Committees were held during the week of October 14, 2024, without any resolution on the key issues in dispute. The matters have now been referred to relevant entity’s chief executive officers in accordance with the dispute resolution process. These meetings have been proposed for November or December. Further updates on this matter will be made as appropriate.  

    PAET has continued to supply gas to Tanzania Portland Cement PLC (“TPCPLC”) during August 2024 and September 2024. As a consequence of the position taken by TPDC, PAET was unable to invoice TPCPLC for volumes anticipated to have been supplied under the Supplementary Gas Agreement (“SGA“). The SGA had been agreed to by TPCPLC and was due to commence on August 1, 2024, but TPDC refused to approve the agreement. Therefore, PAET has invoiced all volumes lifted as Additional Gas under the Gas Sales Agreement which was established in 2008. It is not known if TPCPLC will pay all or any element of these invoices. As of the date of hereof, the August invoice for $2.64 million was outstanding, with the September invoice of $2.75 million being due on November 5, 2024. The Company will provide further updates in due course on this matter.

    Financial

    • The Company exited September 30, 2024, with cash and cash equivalents of $101.7 million (June 30, 2024: $97.2 million) and no change to long-term debt of $25.1 million (June 30, 2024: $25.1 million). Cash held in hard currencies (USD, Euro, GBP, CDN) was $93.2 million at September 30, 2024 (June 30, 2024: $86.1 million).
    • Following the extension to the Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement (“PGSA”) with the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (“TANESCO”) between PAET, TPDC and TANESCO, TANESCO has taken delivery of approximately   26.7 MMcfd in September 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the receivable from TANESCO was $8.1 million, and the TANESCO long-term receivable was $22.0 million.

    Orca Energy Group Inc.

    Orca Energy Group Inc. is an international public company engaged in natural gas development and supply in Tanzania through its subsidiary, PAET. Orca trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

    The principal asset of Orca is its indirect interest in the PSA with TPDC and the Government of Tanzania in the United Republic of Tanzania. This PSA covers the production and marketing of certain conventional natural gas from the Songo Songo license offshore Tanzania. The PSA defines the gas produced from the Field as “Protected Gas” and “Additional Gas”. The Protected Gas is owned by TPDC and prior to July 31, 2024 was sold under the Gas Agreement (“GA”) between the Government of Tanzania, TPDC, Songas and PEAT, to Songas and TPCPLC. Protected Gas production ceased on July 31, 2024, and accordingly all gas is to be sold as Additional Gas. PAET continues to act in the best interests of its Tanzanian stakeholders and make natural gas available to Songas for power, so that the country can continue to benefit from a reliable power supply. The Company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Tanzanian economy, following 20 years of continued investment in the country. However, as detailed in recent announcements, and as set out in the GA, the supply of Protected Gas ceased on July 31, 2024, with all gas now being produced from the Songo Songo gas field, being designated as Additional Gas. PAET’s position is that it is entitled to compensation at commercial rates for any such gas supplied as Additional Gas and for which it has not received payment as a result of the position taken by TPDC. This is subject to ongoing dispute with TPDC, with TPDC asserting that Protected Gas continued after July 31, 2024.

    Songas is the owner of the infrastructure that enables the gas to be processed and delivered to Dar es Salaam, which includes a gas processing plant on Songo Songo Island.

    For further information please contact:

    Jay Lyons
    ir@orcaenergygroup.com

    Lisa Mitchell
    ir@orcaenergygroup.com

    For media enquiries:

    Celicourt (PR)
    Jimmy Lea
    Mark Antelme
    Orca@celicourt.uk
    +44 (0)20 7770 6424

    Forward-Looking Information

    This press release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, which address activities, events or developments that Orca expects or anticipates to occur in the future, are forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements often contain terms such as may, will, should, anticipate, expect, continue, estimate, believe, project, forecast, plan, intend, target, outlook, focus, could and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

    More particularly, this press release contains, without limitation, forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: the Company’s expectation that PAET will receive payment in respect of Protected Gas supplied after July 31, 2024; expectations that SS-7 will return to production in November 2024; expectations around entering into a new PPA; expectations in respect of the Songas Power plant; expectations that an indefinite shutdown of the Songas Power plant will adversely impact demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas filed; expectation that forecasted Additional Gas will decrease; expectations in respect to the results of the production and saturation logging program; expectations that the PPA will be replaced; the concern that if the Protected Gas is not resolved, the Company will be required to reduce costs and ensure capital expenditure projects on the Songo Songo gas field are in line with contracts and economic returns; expectations that the SGA will be entered into and the terms abided by; the expectations regarding future revenues of the Company; expectations as to the resolution of the Notice of Dispute; the Company’s plans to provide updates on the Notice of Dispute and TPCPLC invoice; and expectations that Songas will pay the balance of the invoice in respect to Additional Gas. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, future actions, future payments, levels of activity, access to resources, results of negotiation, results from arbitration, amount of damages or costs incurred by the Company relating to negotiations and/or arbitration, since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, operational, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.

    These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control, and many factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving the Notice of Dispute; uncertainties involving the SGA; uncertainties involving the completion of the SS-7 workplan; various uncertainties involved in the extension of the Songo Songo license; risk that timing is not as anticipated with respect to SS-7, including timing of return to production; risk that meetings related to the Notice of Dispute are not held on the anticipated timing; risk the PPA will not be replaced; risk of decreased demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas field; risk that Orca does not receive payment of TPCPLC invoices; risk Orca has to make the P&T tariff payments to Songas; risk the Songas Power plant will shutdown indefinitely; risk that Songas receivables increases; negative effect on the Company’s rights under the PSA and other agreements relating to its business in Tanzania; changes in laws and regulations; impact of local content regulations and variances in the interpretation and enforcement of such regulations; uncertainty regarding results through negotiations and/or exercise of legally available remedies; failure to successfully negotiate agreements; risks of non-payment by recipients of natural gas supplied by the Company; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies, and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Tanzania; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption, and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; and potential damage to the Company’s reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company’s dealings with the Government of Tanzania, TPDC and TANESCO, whether true or not. Therefore, the Company’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

    Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to: the Company’s relationship with TPDC and the Government of Tanzania; the current status of negotiations in respect of the SGA, GA and PSA; the current status of actions involved in the Notice of Dispute; accurate assessment by the Company of the merits of its rights and obligations in relation to TPDC and the Government of Tanzania and other stakeholders in the Songo Songo gas field; receipt of required regulatory approvals; the Company’s ability to maintain strong commercial relationships with the Government of Tanzania and other state and parastatal organizations and other stakeholders in the Songo Songo gas field; the current and future administration in Tanzania continues to honor the terms of the PSA and the Company’s other principal agreements; the Company’s relationship with TPCPLC; anticipated operations and timing with respect to SS-7; Orca’s operations continue as anticipated, including in respect of production results; and other matters.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Bipartisan Colleagues Call on Mark Zuckerberg to Remove and Prevent Ads for Illicit Drugs on Meta Platforms

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    **Shaheen is building on her Cooper Davis Act and leading the push to crack down on drug trafficking through social media**
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, is leading a bipartisan letter with U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) calling on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to take action to remove and prevent advertisements for illicit drugs on all Meta platforms. The letter builds on Shaheen and Marshall’s bipartisan Cooper Davis Act to hold social media companies accountable for reporting to law enforcement illicit drug and opioid activities occurring on their platforms. 
    In part, the Senators wrote: “The United States is in the midst of a drug epidemic, with more than 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses last year, and an alarming amount of these drugs are sold online. It is crucial that everyone work to ensure these illegal drugs are found and taken off the streets. Therefore, we call on Meta to improve its human automated advertising review and content moderation to address these failures that are placing lives at risk.”
    According to a Wall Street Journal report from earlier this year, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that Meta has run hundreds of advertisements on Facebook and Instagram that steer users to online marketplaces for illegal drugs. The Shaheen-led letter urges Zuckerberg to support the Cooper Davis Act and work as quickly as possible to prevent further harm.
    The Senators continued: “When presented with these disturbing findings, Meta took down some advertisements off its platforms. However, Meta’s refusal to prevent illicit drug advertisements, while accepting advertisement payments that are harming families and in clear violation of Meta’s policies, is particularly alarming. Surely, this is not what Meta means when it states its ‘mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.’”
    Text of the letter can be found here.
    Shaheen has spearheaded crucial legislation, led efforts and secured funding to stem the opioid epidemic. Earlier this week, the Senator held a roundtable with the Youth CAN coalition leadership team and community partners to discuss the organization’s work to prevent youth substance misuse in New Hampshire. Last month, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act to strengthen efforts to address the substance misuse disorder crisis that is impacting communities across the nation by establishing a new grant program.
    The Cooper Davis Act would require social media companies and other communication service providers to turn over information relating to illicit online fentanyl activity to federal agencies to combat the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit and controlled substances occurring on their platforms.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare is conducting Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 from 1st to 30th November, 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare is conducting Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 from 1st to 30th November, 2024

    Camps to be held at 800 Districts/Cities across the country, Largest ever DLC Campaign

    To promote Digital Empowerment of Pensioners using Face Authentication technology

    Saturation model adopted to achieve 2 crore DLCs with 1 crore Face Authenticated DLCs

    19 Banks, 785 District Post offices, 57 Welfare Associations, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology & UIDAI teams, CGDA to collaborate in the month-long campaign

    Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 9:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has launched the 3rd Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate campaign which is being held in 800 cities/ Districts across India from November 1-30, 2024. The department has notified the guidelines through O.M. dated 9th August, 2024. This is the biggest-ever DLC Campaign undertaken.

    The Campaign is being held in collaboration with Pension Disbursing Banks, India Post Payments Bank, Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, CGDA, DoT, Railways, UIDAI & Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the aim of reaching all the pensioners in the remotest corners of the country.

    The focus is majorly on promoting Face Authentication Technology. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UIDAI will provide technical support during this Campaign. Face Authentication has been made more seamless and convenient for the elderly Pensioners and can be used on Android as well as iOS.

    DD, AIR and PIB teams are actively geared up to provide full support to this campaign for Audio, Visual and Print publicity. Outreach efforts will be further complemented by SMSs, tweets (#DLCCampaign3), Jingles and Short films to spread awareness about the campaign.

    The total DLCs generated on 1st November, 2024, by evening, were 1.81 lakhs.

    *****

    NKR/AG/KS

    (Release ID: 2070252) Visitor Counter : 27

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CBIC and formations under it actively engage in Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India (2)

    CBIC and formations under it actively engage in Special Campaign 4.0

    433 public grievances, 80 public grievance appeals, and five MP references

    27,656 physical files eliminated out of 49,667 reviewed files

    819 cleanliness events organised across CBIC office premises in States and public areas

    Rs. 3.80 lakh (approx) generated from the disposal of 17,121 kg scrap, freeing 16,706 square feet of additional office space

    73 kg drugs, 49 lakhs foreign cigarettes, and other contraband worth Rs. 460 crore destroyed by Delhi Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate and Customs (Airport and General) Commissionerate jointly

    82.72 lakh sticks smuggled cigarettes worh Rs. 5.5 crore destroyed by Customs Commissionerate (Prev.), Vijayawada

    Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, actively engaged in the Special Campaign 4.0 from 2nd-31st October, 2024, with special focus on Swachhata.

    The initiatives during this period focused on instilling the principles of cleanliness while also addressing important backlogs in key work areas. The campaign prioritised addressing public complaints to enhance service delivery and responsiveness. Efforts were made to declutter and optimise office environments by removing outdated and unnecessary items including the clearance of seized contraband, such as narcotic substances and foreign-origin cigarettes, ensuring that these items were disposed of in compliance with legal regulations.

    This year, CBIC also marked the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission through the spirited celebration of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, under the theme ‘Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign’. This initiative emphasised large-scale awareness and public participation in maintaining cleanliness, specifically targeting Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) across the country. With active involvement from CBIC officers, staff and field offices, the campaign fostered a collaborative environment that significantly enhanced its impact.

    The concerted efforts of CBIC formations resulted in the achievement of several key milestones as follows:

    • Resolution of 433 public grievances, 80 public grievance appeals, and five MP references.
    • Elimination of 27,656 physical files out of 49,667 files reviewed.
    • Review and closure of 1,501 e-files out of 36,237 assessed
    • 819 cleanliness events organised across office premises and public areas.
    • Generation of approximately Rs. 3.80 lakh from the disposal of 17,121 kg scrap, freeing 16,706 square feet of additional office space.
    • Destruction of 73 kg of drugs, 49 lakhs foreign cigarettes, and other contraband worth Rs. 460 crore by Delhi Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate and Customs (Airport and General) Commissionerate jointly, besides Customs Commissionerate (Prev.), Vijayawada disposed of 82.72 lakh sticks of smuggled cigarettes valued at Rs. 5.5 crore as part of the ongoing battle against illicit imports.

    Several best practices were implemented across various Customs and GST offices to promote sustainability and employee welfare. A Bio-Gas Plant was set up in the Customs Colony in Vapi, turning waste into wealth.

    The CGST Faridabad Commissionerate transformed two abandoned rooms filled with old records and furniture into a cafeteria and a crèche within its premises. The CGST Jaipur Zone planted 11,000 saplings of over 100 native species using an innovative afforestation method that utilized organic waste and only 30% of the usual water requirement. The CGST Gurugram Audit Commissionerate reclaimed office space to develop a crèche for employee welfare. Additionally, efforts to ensure cleanliness extended to Valappu Beach in Cochin, where more than 400 officers, including 100 students, volunteered. The campaign also led to the cleaning of office premises and the repair and painting of old furniture, which were subsequently donated to Jila Parishad Hindi Ucha Primary School and Primary School, Umrer, Nagpur, with these initiatives being effectively showcased on social media platforms.

    Around 200 posts were shared on ‘X’ and other social media platforms through CBIC’s official handle and field offices, significantly amplifying the Swachhata message. Efforts will persist in building on these practices and ensuring their sustainability throughout the year.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2070219) Visitor Counter : 45

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Activities of Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare during the last Week of Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 5:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Special Campaign 4.0 was launched by DARPG for minimizing pendency in Government offices. Special Campaign 4.0 is being implemented in full swing. During the last week of Special Campaign 4.0, a number  of teams were constituted under Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to visit the offices located in Delhi & NCR viz. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre, Pusa, National Seeds Corporation, Pusa, National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming, Ghaziabad, Directorate of Extension, Pusa, Directorate of Wheat Development, Gurugram, Soil and Land Use Survey of India Noida, Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium Houz Khas and Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Training Institute, Faridabad to review the progress and the performance of the subordinate / attached office and PSU under the administrative control of this department.

    The team inspected these office premises to review the progress made by these organization during the Special Campaign 4.0.

     

    By the end of last week of Special Campaign 4.0, five PIB Notes have been released and activities have been undertaken on various social media platforms, i.e. more than 234 tweets, 100 Facebook posts, 62 Instagram posts, 26 YouTube posts and 11 posts on Linked in have been made collectively by this department and its attached/subordinate offices and their field offices, etc.

    Progress/achievement of the Department during the last week of Special Campaign 4.0 ending on 31st October 2024 are as under:-

    S.No.

    Activities

    Targets

    Achievement

    1

    No.of cleanliness campaign site

    1791

    1360

    2

    No. of pending references from MPs

    50

    19

    3

    Pending Public Grievances

    22295

    20549

    4

    Pending PG Appeals

    698

    506

    5

    Record Management (Physical files reviewed)

    53660

    47950

    6

    Record Management (Physical files weeded out)

    18959

    18959

    7

    Space freed (area in Sq. ft.)

    53761

    8

    Revenue generated (Amount in Rupees)

    3846455.00

    *****

    SS

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    (Release ID: 2070183) Visitor Counter : 20

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sh. Ashok K. K. Meena Assumes Charge as Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 4:55PM by PIB Delhi

     

    Sh. Ashok Kumar Kaluram Meena, IAS (Odisha: 1993), assumed the charge as Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, on 31.10.2024 at CGO Complex, New Delhi. Sh. Meena holds a B. Tech in Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and M.A. in Economics from Annamalai University. He has done Master of International Development Policy (M.I.D.P) in Public Finance from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy.

    Having more than 2 months transition period as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at DDWS, Sh. Meena embarks on his new stint as the Secretary of DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Prior to this, he served as Chairman &  MD of Food Corporation of India from 29th August 2022 to 16th August 2024.

    Sh. Meena was in central deputation from 20th April 2011 to 2nd August 2014, where he served in capacity of Joint Secretary, in the Ministry of Defence and Director (Vigilance), in the department of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

    During his earlier central deputation tenure, from 3rd May 2001 to 31st July 2005, he served as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce and Industry and other positions at Centre.

    Sh. Meena has served in various capacities in the State of Odisha including Principal Secretary, Finance, Panchayati Raj and Rural development etc.

    ****

    DSK

    (Release ID: 2070164) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, successfully concludes Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, successfully concludes Special Campaign 4.0

    Special Campaign 4.0 demonstrated commitment to cleanliness and efficiency for DFS and its affiliated organisations across the country

    100% disposal of Public Grievances and Appeals achieved

    More than 38,500 sites cleaned; Cleanliness drive frees up 11 lakh square feet space; PSBs and other financial institutions under DFS monetise Rs. 4.50 crore through scrap disposal

    Under the citizen centric initiatives, financial literacy camps organised in more than 510 locations

    Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 4:47PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, and its affiliated organisations successfully completed the one month-long Special Campaign 4.0 with special focus on minimising pendency, and institutionalising Swachhata from 2nd-31st October 2024.

    The DFS launched the Special Campaign 4.0 with special impetus on better space management, customer centric initiatives, making the environment clean and green, record management and disposal of scrap.

    All the organisations of DFS, Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public Sector Insurance Companies and other Public Sector Financial Institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NHB, IIFCL etc. actively participated in the Special Campaign 4.0.

    The DFS achieved 100% disposal of all identified Public Grievances, Public Appeals, PMO references and MP References. 11.79 lakh square feet of space has freed and revenue of Rs. 4.50 crore has been earned through scrap disposal. The campaign was conducted in more than 38,500 sites across the country.

    Twelve Public Sector Banks and 43 Regional Rural Banks organised Pension Grievances Weeks. In the camps, apart from the grievances registered & redressed, pensioners were also educated regarding submission of online life certificate and door step banking facilities.  In more than 52,208 branches across the country approx. 1.45 lakhs pensioners were contacted.   

    Various videos and static contents were posted on Social media platforms by PSBs and RRBs to spread awareness towards Cyber Security. Safety tips and practices were shared through these educational posts to combat against cyber related frauds.

    Highlights & achievements of the Department and its organisations:

    1. Cleanliness Campaigns/Sites/Offices Cleaned: 38,577
    2. Space Freed: 11,79,219.00 sq. ft.
    3. Revenue Earned from Scrap Disposal: Rs. 4,54,53,508.00
    4. Disposal of Public Grievances: 9,725
    5. Disposal of Public Grievances Appeals: 2,378

    The DFS sensitised its all organisations to use the opportunity of Special Campaign 4.0 to enhance customer interface and to undertake citizen centric initiatives. The organisations of DFS, being in the financial services sector, were conveyed to undertake the activities like Financial Literacy campaigns, Registration/Updation of Nomination in bank accounts, Activating Dormant Accounts, Renewal of Locker Agreements, Disposal of Pending Claims etc. The achievements during the Campaign on these parameters are as follows:

    1. Financial Literacy Camps organised: More than 510 locations across the country.
    2. Number of Dormant Accounts Activated- 79.97 lakh.
    3. Number of Accounts in which Nomination Updated: 29.02 lakh.
    4. Number of Locker Agreements Renewed- 1.10 lakh.
    5. LIC of India settled 12.77 lakh unclaimed policies and settled claims of more than 10,742 cr.

    All the activities undertaken by organisations were regularly posted on various social media platforms. More than 1,000 posts were made during the campaign. As part of the initiative, customers of various organisations, staff members, senior management & head of organisations also gave feedback about the initiatives during the campaign on various social media platforms.

    Link of social media posts on Cyber Security & Fraud:

     

    Link of Testimonial Videos are as follows:

     

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2070163) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty to Helping Russia’s Defense Sector Evade U.S. Export Controls

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development

    Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.

    “This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”

    “The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”

    “To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”

    According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

    The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”

    Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”

    To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

    Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.        

    The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: HOME FEDERAL BANCORP, INC. OF LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREVEPORT, LA, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    For Immediate Release

    Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HFBL), the holding company for Home Federal Bank, announced today that its Board of Directors on October 31, 2024, approved the Company’s thirteenth stock repurchase program. The new repurchase program provides for the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares, or approximately 3.0% of the Company’s outstanding common stock from time to time, in open market or privately negotiated transactions. The stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

    Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana is the holding company for Home Federal Bank which conducts business from its ten full-service banking offices and home office in northwest Louisiana.

    Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words likebelieve,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimateandintendor future or conditional verbs such aswill,” “would,” “should,” “couldormay.We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Massachusetts could be the next state to get rid of the ‘subminimum wage’ for tipped workers

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeannette Wicks-Lim, Research Professor, Political Economy Research Institute, UMass Amherst

    A Massachusetts ballot initiative would get rid of the state’s tipped minimum wage. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

    The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has stood at US$2.13 an hour since 1991. Back then, it amounted to half the $4.25 regular minimum wage. But Congress has failed to increase the tipped minimum while periodically raising the regular wage floor. Today, the tipped rate is less than one-third of the $7.25 federal full minimum wage.

    As of October 2024, 30 states and Washington, D.C., had instituted their own, higher, regular minimum wages. The number of states taking this step keeps rising in part because Congress hasn’t raised the federal minimum wage since 2009. Over the years, many states have also adopted higher wages for tipped workers. Seven states have no tipped minimum wage at all, which means that employers must pay at least the state-mandated minimum wage to all workers, including those who earn tips.

    If Massachusetts voters approve a ballot initiative on Nov. 5, 2024, their state will gradually raise the state’s tipped minimum wage until it matches the state minimum wage. That is, it will rise from $6.75 to $15 per hour by 2029.

    Massachusetts would be joining eight states that require – or are on their way to requiring – the full minimum wage for tipped workers: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Michigan. Two major cities, Chicago and Washington, D.C., have similar measures on their books, too.

    To inform the debate about tipped wages, we – a labor economist and a sociologist – analyzed the potential impacts of implementing a full minimum wage for workers, businesses and consumers in Massachusetts. We found more evidence of potential upsides than downsides.

    Tipped minimum earners’ demographics

    For our study, we analyzed labor market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We found that tipped workers are largely waiters, bartenders, hosts and bussers employed in bars and restaurants. They tend to earn low wages. Most are women, and they are disproportionately people of color.

    In Massachusetts, tipped workers typically earn low pay: On average, they take home $20.30 per hour, including what they get in gratuities. That’s about two-thirds of the state average hourly pay of $31.50.

    About 66% of tipped workers are women, compared with 49% in the state’s workforce as a whole. Some 43% are people of color, compared with 29% of all people employed in Massachusetts.

    Teens also make up a disproportionate share of Massachusetts’ tipped workers: 15%, versus 4% for the broader workforce. But the vast majority of tipped workers are at least 20 years old.

    Arguments for and against

    Proponents argue that eliminating the tipped minimum wage would boost pay for tipped workers and better ensure that workers are not subjected to wage theft. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts wants the federal government to take this step.

    Opponents argue that scrapping the lower minimum wage could backfire for tipped workers if their customers give smaller tips once they know employers have to pay tipped workers more – or some jobs are eliminated. They also worry that business costs would spike, raising prices. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, opposes the measure.

    In Arizona, voters will cast their ballots on another ballot initiative that calls for a different type of tipped minimum wage reform. It calls for pegging the state’s tipped minimum wage to 25% below the full minimum wage. If approved, Arizona would effectively lower its tipped minimum wage, which currently stands at $11.35 an hour, to $10.76. Today, Arizona’s tipped minimum wage is $3.00 below the state’s full minimum wage of $14.35.

    Prone to wage theft

    When tipped workers’ base wages plus their tips do not add up to at least the state’s minimum wage, employers are supposed to make up the shortfall. This makes these workers particularly vulnerable to being underpaid, a form of wage theft.

    The consequences of this vulnerability are plain to see in restaurants and hotels. The hospitality industry, which employs the highest share of tipped workers, accounts for less than 6% of employed workers in Massachusetts.

    However, it accounts for nearly 14% of all complaints workers lodged with the Massachusetts attorney general’s office in 2023, including disproportionately high levels of complaints about minimum wage violations, the nonpayment of wages and tip violations.

    The hospitality industry also accounts for over 36% of all enforcement actions – investigations that produced evidence of labor violations – found by the Massachusetts attorney general’s office.

    The Massachusetts ballot initiative has stirred controversy in the state.

    Effects on earnings

    Two peer-reviewed economic studies that examined three decades of data found that tipped workers earn measurably more money as subminimum wage rates increase.

    Current wage rates that we observe in Bureau of Labor Statistics data reinforce those findings.

    Consider, for example, the $18.79 average hourly wage of tipped workers in states that treat tipped employees like other workers. This is 21.2% higher than the average $15.50 among tipped workers in states where the federal $2.13 subminimum wage remains in effect.

    Only part of this difference can be explained by the 15.7% difference in average wages for all workers in those different clusters of states.

    What could happen with business costs

    To be sure, more than doubling the $6.75 tipped rate in Massachusetts to $15.00 may sound like it could cause business costs to soar. A couple of factors, however, would soften the blow.

    First, we have calculated that the average tipped worker in Massachusetts restaurants earns about $11.75 an hour, before tips. Raising this rate to $15.00 is equal to a 28% increase – a much smaller lift than increasing the wage from $6.75 to $15.00. In addition, raising a worker’s wage from $11.75 to $15.00 by 2029 is equivalent to raising it to $13.00 in today’s dollars, or a 10% boost, after adjusting for projected inflation.

    Second, as we explained in our study, since tipped workers make up about 30% of Massachusetts restaurant workers, and the payrolls of these businesses typically amount to about 30% of their revenue, these numbers imply that eliminating the tipped minimum wage by 2029 would increase the average Massachusetts restaurant’s costs by 1%.

    Employers may also provide some other workers with raises, although they are not required to do so. That suggests the cost increase is more likely to be about double that, or 2% of sales.

    Expected impact on prices and jobs

    If the average Massachusetts restaurant were to pass its entire labor cost increase onto the consumer through higher prices, this would mean that restaurant prices would rise about 2%.

    This is equal to a $50 restaurant meal instead costing $51 – arguably a small price increase.

    The two studies mentioned above, which reviewed decades of data to see whether tipped workers earned more, also looked at whether businesses in states that increased their tipped minimum wage cut more jobs compared with businesses in states that didn’t.

    Although both research teams looked at basically the same data, one study found evidence of more job losses and the other did not, due to the different statistical choices they made. These studies, that is, produced inconclusive results about what raising the tipped minimum wage does to employment.

    There’s far more research on whether increasing the regular minimum wage has caused significant job losses. Studies have found that when it has gone up, employers have faced cost increases that are similar to what we’ve estimated for Massachusetts employers, if the state were to eliminate its tipped minimum wage. And that evidence points to no significant job losses.

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

    ref. Massachusetts could be the next state to get rid of the ‘subminimum wage’ for tipped workers – https://theconversation.com/massachusetts-could-be-the-next-state-to-get-rid-of-the-subminimum-wage-for-tipped-workers-242097

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Video: OFVPS 40th Anniversary Gratitude Video

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    The Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services wants to thank all the advocates, shelters, States, Tribes, Coalitions, Federal Partners, and community members for their 40 years of unwavering commitment to survivors, children and youth. You have provided advocacy, leadership, and organization that has changed lives and improved our nation’s ability to help, believe and support all survivors.

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov

    http://www.Twitter.com/HHSGov | http://www.Facebook.com/HHS http://www.Instagram.com/HHSGov
    http://www.LinkedIn.com/company/us-department-of-health-and-human-services

    HHS Privacy Policy: http://www.hhs.gov/Privacy.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjhlFZzVNp0

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHNEIDER, WILSON LETTER CALLING FOR STOP TO RUSSIA SANCTIONS EVASION FOLLOWED BY TOUGH NEW SANCTIONS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Following the receipt of a bipartisan letter from Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Joe Wilson (SC-02) that called for the strengthening of sanctions enforcement on China-Russia tech transfers, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new sanctions on 398 firms across Russia, China, and more than a dozen other nations accused of enabling Russia’s war effort. 

    “In recent weeks and months, we’ve seen evidence of China’s and others continued role in sustaining Russia’s war effort against Ukraine,” said Rep. Brad Schneider. “Russia is finding avenues to circumvent sanctions by accessing technologies with help from China that are crucial for producing military equipment. I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for sanctioning those countries who are assisting the Kremlin as it continues its unlawful attack on Ukraine.”

    The bipartisan letter sent by Rep. Schneider, Rep. Wilson, and 21 other Members of Congress on October 16 called on the Biden-Harris Administration to urgently prioritize efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention by Russia as a part of the U.S.’s efforts to both support Ukraine and also counter China’s influence. 

    “As dictators continue working together to destroy democracy, the Chinese Communist Party continues actively fueling war criminal Putin’s mass murder of Ukrainian families by helping Putin get his hands on western technology,” said Rep. Joe Wilson. “Congress will not allow tyrants and thieves to weaponize the ingenuity and innovation of free people in their deranged war against those who share our values. I am grateful to have joined colleagues in calling on the administration to utilize every tool at our disposal and will continue to do so.” 

    The full text of the letter is below. 

    The Honorable Jake Sullivan 
    National Security Advisor 
    The White House 
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 
    Washington, D.C. 20500

    CC: The Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State; The Honorable Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce; The Honorable Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury

    Dear Mr. Sullivan:

    We write to acknowledge the Administration’s efforts to weaken the Kremlin’s military capabilities through sanctions that have disrupted Russia’s access to critical technologies. These measures have reinforced the United States’ leadership in supporting Ukraine during this challenging time.

    Recent developments, however, have raised significant concerns about the continued role of China in sustaining Russia’s military-industrial base. It has become increasingly clear that Russia is circumventing the current sanctions regime by accessing advanced industrial equipment through complex procurement networks, many of which involve Chinese entities.

    As highlighted in recent analyses, Chinese manufacturers are filling the gap left by Western companies, supplying Russia with crucial CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and related technologies. These machines are vital for producing military equipment, including precision-guided munitions, armored vehicles, and UAVs. The continued flow of these critical tools to Russia undermines the effectiveness of our sanctions and prolongs the conflict in Ukraine.

    China plays three critical roles in supporting Russia’s war machine with CNC machines. First, China serves as a re-export and circumvention hub for CNC machines manufactured in the United States and allied Western countries. Second, CNC products made by Western manufacturers in their Chinese facilities are still entering the Russian market. Finally, China has become the primary supplier of CNC machines to the Russian military-industrial complex, with the Chinese CNC sector being heavily reliant on components and technologies originating from the United States and allied countries. In all these dimensions, Western manufacturers, technologies, and components remain actively present.

    We are particularly concerned that Chinese CNC machines, incorporating Western technologies, are increasingly relied upon by Russian military-industrial enterprises to produce advanced weaponry. This shift not only poses a significant threat to Ukraine but also presents a broader

    strategic challenge given China’s role in supporting an adversary of the United States and our allies.

    Given these strategic implications, we believe it is imperative to prioritize this issue as part of our broader competition with China. Ensuring that Russia is denied access to these advanced tools and technologies is essential to supporting Ukraine and aligns with our efforts to counter China’s influence. We respectfully urge the administration to take further steps to address this critical vulnerability. Strengthening export and supply chain control enforcement, expanding multilateral cooperation, and targeting key Chinese and other entities involved in these transfers should be central to this effort. By doing so, we can ensure that our sanctions are comprehensive and effective, denying Russia the resources it needs to continue its aggression.

    We stand ready to support these efforts and share the goal of upholding international security and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Lumine Group Inc. Announces Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lumine Group Inc. (“Lumine Group” or “the Company”) (TSXV:LMN) announces financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. All amounts referred to in this press release are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The following press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, which can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Additional information about Lumine Group is also available on SEDAR+ and on Lumine Group’s website www.luminegroup.com.

    Q3 2024 Headlines:

    • Revenue grew 35% to $177.3 million compared to $131.3 million in the same quarter prior year (including -9% organic growth after adjusting for foreign exchange impacts).
    • The Company generated operating income of $60.7 million during the quarter, a 35% increase from $45.1 million in the same quarter prior year.
    • The Company generated a net income of $18.3 million during the quarter, from net loss of $178.6 million in the same quarter prior year.
    • Cash flows from operations (“CFO”) decreased $25.7 million to $18.8 million compared to $44.5 million in Q3 2023, representing a decrease of 58%.
    • Free cash flow available to shareholders (“FCFA2S”) decreased $29.2 million to $10.4 million compared to $39.6 million in Q3 2023, representing a decrease of 74%.

    Year-to-Date Q3 2024 Headlines:

    • Revenue grew 35% to $481.3 million compared to $356.6 million in the same nine-month period prior year (including -8% organic growth after adjusting for foreign exchange impacts).
    • The Company generated operating income of $141.7 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 37% from $103.1 million in the same period prior year.
    • An expense of $317.4 million was incurred in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, up to the Mandatory Conversion Date, $298.7 million is related to the mark to market adjustments on the fair value of the Preferred and Special Securities and $18.7 million is related to the dividend payable. Fair value of the preferred and special securities is primarily dependent on the price movement of the Company’s Subordinate Voting Shares.
    • The Company generated a net loss of $288.3 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, from net loss of $1,319.3 million in the same period prior year. The net loss is primarily related to the redeemable preferred and special securities expense.
    • CFO decreased $18.0 million to $63.9 million compared to $81.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, representing a decrease of 22%.
    • FCFA2S decreased $26.6 million to $42 million compared to $68.6 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, representing a decrease of 39%.

    Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 is $177.3 million, an increase of 35%, or $46.0 million, compared to $131.3 million for the comparable period in 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue was $481.3 million, an increase of 35%, or $124.7 million, compared to $356.6 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase for the three and nine months compared to the same period in the prior year is attributable to revenues from prior year and current year acquisitions. The Company experienced organic growth of -8% and -8%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 or -9% and -8% after adjusting for the impact of changes in the valuation of the US dollar against most major currencies in which the Company transacts business. For acquired companies, organic growth is calculated as the difference between actual revenues achieved by each business in the financial period following acquisition, compared to the estimated revenues they achieved in the corresponding financial period preceding the date of acquisition by the Company. Organic growth is not a standardized financial measure and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers.

    Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $60.7 million, an increase of 35%, or $15.6 million, compared to $45.1 million for the same period in 2023. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $141.7 million, an increase of 37%, or $38.6 million, compared to $103.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase for the three and nine-month periods is primarily attributable to prior year acquisitions. Operating income is not a standardized financial measure and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.

    Net Income for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $18.3 million compared to net loss of $178.6 million for the same period in 2023. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $288.3 million compared to net loss of $1,319.3 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in net loss for the three and nine month periods is primarily attributable to the Mandatory Conversion of Preferred and Special Securities on March 25, 2024 such that no further preferred and special securities expense was booked in the current quarter.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, CFO decreased $25.7 million to $18.8 million compared to $44.5 million for the same period in 2023 representing a decrease of 58%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CFO decreased $18.0 million to $63.9 million compared to $81.9 million for the same period in 2023 representing a decrease of 22%. The decrease in CFO in the three and nine month periods is primarily attributable to the impact of changes in non-cash operating assets and liabilities exclusive of effects of business combinations.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, FCFA2S decreased $29.2 million to $10.4 million compared to $39.6 million for the same period in 2023 representing a decrease of 74%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, FCFA2S decreased $26.6 million to $42.0 million compared to $68.6 million for the same period in 2023 representing a decrease of 39%. The decrease in the three and nine month periods is driven by lower CFO compared to the same periods in 2023. FCFA2S is a non-IFRS Measure. See “Non-IFRS Measures”.

    Non-IFRS Measures

    Operating income (loss) refers to income (loss) before income taxes, amortization of intangible assets, redeemable Preferred and Special Share expense, and finance and other expenses (income). We believe that operating income is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the profitability of the Company related to its core operations. Operating income (loss) is not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that operating income (loss) should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss).

    The following table reconciles operating income to net income:

      Three months ended
    September 30,
    Nine months ended
    September 30,
      2024 2023   2024   2023  
    Net income (loss) 18.3 (178.6 ) (288.3 ) (1,319.3 )
    Adjusted for:        
    Amortization of intangible assets 29.6 21.4   81.6   57.7  
    Redeemable preferred and special securities expense 194.8   317.4   1,346.0  
    Finance and other expense (income) 8.9 3.7   18.9   10.0  
    Income tax expense (recovery) 3.9 3.8   12.1   8.8  
    Operating income (loss) 60.7 45.1   141.7   103.1  

    Free cash flow available to shareholders ‘‘FCFA2S’’ refers to net cash flows from operating activities less interest paid on lease obligations, interest paid on bank debt, transaction costs on bank debt, repayments of lease obligations, dividends paid to redeemable preferred and special securities holders, and property and equipment purchased. The Company believes that FCFA2S is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the uncommitted cash flow that is available to shareholders if Lumine Group does not make any acquisitions, or investments, and does not repay any debts. While the Company could use the FCFA2S to pay dividends or repurchase shares, the Company’s objective is to invest all of its FCFA2S in acquisitions which meet the Company’s hurdle rate.

    FCFA2S is not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that FCFA2S should not be construed as an alternative to net cash flows from operating activities.

    The following table reconciles FCFA2S to net cash flows from operating activities:

      Three months ended
    September 30,
    Nine months ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Net cash flows from operating activities: 18.8   44.5   63.9   81.9  
    Adjusted for:        
    Interest paid on lease obligations (0.1 ) (0.2 ) (0.4 ) (0.5 )
    Interest paid on other facilities (5.7 ) (2.8 ) (13.3 ) (6.4 )
    Credit facility transaction costs (0.0 ) 0.0   (1.9 ) (1.8 )
    Payment of lease obligations (1.6 ) (1.4 ) (4.6 ) (3.8 )
    Property and equipment purchased (1.1 ) (0.4 ) (1.7 ) (0.8 )
    Free cash flow available to shareholders 10.4   39.6   42.0   68.6  


    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein may be “forward looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Lumine Group or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the results discussed in the forward looking statements. These forward looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and operating performance and are made as of the date hereof and Lumine Group assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

    About Lumine Group Inc.

    Lumine Group acquires, strengthens, and grows, vertical market software businesses in the communications and media industry. Learn more at www.luminegroup.com.  

    For further information:

    David Nyland
    Chief Executive Officer
    Lumine Group
    investors@luminegroup.com
    +1-437-353-4910

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position
    (In thousands of USD. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited

      September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
         
    Assets    
         
    Current assets:    
    Cash $ 180,357   $ 146,509  
    Accounts receivable, net   142,741     104,955  
    Unbilled revenue, net   49,551     39,858  
    Inventories   521     521  
    Other assets   40,727     44,862  
        413,897     336,705  
         
    Non-current assets:    
    Property and equipment   7,243     4,164  
    Right of use assets   7,716     11,973  
    Deferred income taxes   10,400     6,197  
    Other assets   12,939     13,063  
    Intangible assets and goodwill   826,041     763,793  
        864,339     799,190  
         
    Total assets $ 1,278,236   $ 1,135,895  
         
    Liabilities and Equity    
         
    Current liabilities:    
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 101,136   $ 97,533  
    Due to related parties, net   1,807     2,380  
    Current portion of bank debt   2,248     3,071  
    Deferred revenue   86,890     91,726  
    Acquisition holdback payables   656     19  
    Lease obligations   5,128     6,358  
    Income taxes payable   12,978     12,436  
    Preferred and Special Securities       4,469,996  
        210,843     4,683,519  
         
    Non-current liabilities:    
    Deferred income taxes   109,985     124,659  
    Bank debt   286,457     149,636  
    Lease obligations   3,583     6,921  
    Other liabilities   7,767     13,127  
        407,792     294,343  
         
    Total liabilities   618,635     4,977,862  
         
    Equity:    
    Capital stock   490,669      
    Contributed surplus   185,142     (1,015,661 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (3,814 )   (6,296 )
    Retained earnings (deficit)   (12,396 )   (2,820,010 )
        659,601     (3,841,967 )
         
    Total liabilities and equity $ 1,278,236   $ 1,135,895  


    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income (Loss)

    (In thousands of USD, except per share amounts. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited

      Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
     
    Revenue                  
    License $ 12,798   $ 11,247   $ 36,205   $ 32,990  
    Professional services   32,780     23,061     86,622     63,328  
    Hardware and other   6,589     5,651     11,332     14,987  
    Maintenance and other recurring   125,167     91,342     347,099     245,262  
        177,334     131,301     481,258     356,567  
    Expenses        
    Staff   89,929     61,871     250,662     181,775  
    Hardware   3,657     3,374     6,595     9,825  
    Third party license, maintenance and professional services   8,575     7,783     28,981     20,568  
    Occupancy   2,246     1,064     4,117     2,630  
    Travel, telecommunications, supplies, software and equipment   4,152     5,218     23,660     15,104  
    Professional fees   2,637     2,060     11,124     12,292  
    Other, net   3,011     2,754     7,467     5,443  
    Depreciation   2,473     2,120     6,925     5,825  
    Amortization of intangible assets   29,616     21,351     81,648     57,668  
        146,296     107,595     421,179     311,130  
             
    Redeemable Preferred and Special Securities expense       194,817     317,362     1,346,020  
    Finance and other expenses (income), net   8,898     3,703     18,868     9,960  
        8,898     198,520     336,230     1,355,980  
             
    Income (loss) before income taxes   22,140     (174,814 )   (276,151 )   (1,310,543 )
             
    Current income tax expense (recovery)   13,572     12,651     31,127     30,813  
    Deferred income tax expense (recovery)   (9,710 )   (8,815 )   (18,982 )   (22,042 )
    Income tax expense (recovery)   3,862     3,836     12,145     8,771  
             
    Net income (loss) $ 18,278   $ (178,650 ) $ (288,296 ) $ (1,319,314 )
                     
    Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
    Basic       256,620,389     74,040,058     199,991,663     71,967,707  
    Diluted       256,620,389     253,104,970     255,529,839     242,370,504  
                         
    Earnings per share:                    
    Basic and diluted     $ 0.07   $ (2.41 ) $ (1.44 )   (18.33 )
     


    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

    (In thousands of USD. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited

      Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
        2024   2023     2024     2023  
             
    Net income (loss) $ 18,278 $ (178,650 ) $ (288,296 ) $ (1,319,314 )
             
    Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to net income (loss):        
             
    Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations and other   7,082   (4,657 )   2,482     (4,968 )
             
    Other comprehensive (loss) income for the year, net of income tax   7,082   (4,657 )   2,482     (4,968 )
             
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year $ 25,360 $ (183,307 ) $ (285,814 ) $ (1,324,282 )


    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity

    (In thousands of USD. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited

    Nine months ended September 30, 2024          
      Capital stock Contributed surplus Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income Retained earnings (deficit) Total equity
               
    Balance at January 1, 2024 $ $ (1,015,661 ) $ (6,296 ) $ (2,820,010 ) $ (3,841,967 )
               
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period:          
    Net income (loss)             (288,296 )   (288,296 )
               
    Other comprehensive income (loss):          
    Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations and other         2,482         2,482  
    Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period         2,482         2,482  
               
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period         2,482     (288,296 )   (285,814 )
               
    Settlement of Preferred and Special Share Dividends in Subordinate Voting Shares   87,368               87,368  
    Mandatory Conversion of Special and Preferred Shares   403,301   1,200,803         3,095,910     4,700,014  
    Balance at September 30, 2024 $ 490,669 $ 185,142   $ (3,814 ) $ (12,396 ) $ 659,601  


    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity

    (In thousands of USD. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited
    Nine months ended September 30, 2023
      Capital stock Contributed surplus Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income Retained earnings (deficit) Total equity
               
    Balance at January 1, 2023 $ $ 162,692   $ (8,912 ) $   $ 153,780  
               
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period:          
    Net income (loss)             (1,319,314 )   (1,319,314 )
               
    Other comprehensive income (loss):          
    Foreign currency translation differences from foreign operations and other         (4,968 )       (4,968 )
               
    Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period         (4,968 )       (4,968 )
               
    Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period         (4,968 )   (1,319,314 )   (1,324,282 )
               
    Transactions with Parent, recorded directly in equity          
    Capital contributions by Parent     22,451             22,451  
    Amalgamation with Lumine Group (Holdings) Inc.     (1,200,804 )           (1,200,804 )
    Special Share conversion             5,110     5,110  
               
    Balance at September 30, 2023 $ $ (1,015,661 ) $ (13,880 ) $ (1,314,204 ) $ (2,343,746 )


    Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

    (In thousands of USD. Due to rounding, numbers presented may not foot.)

    Unaudited      
      Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
        2024     2023     2024     2023  
             
    Cash flows from (used in) operating activities:        
    Net income (loss) $ 18,278   $ (178,650 ) $ (288,296 ) $ (1,319,314 )
    Adjustments for:        
    Depreciation   2,473     2,120     6,925     5,825  
    Amortization of intangible assets   29,616     21,351     81,648     57,668  
    Contingent consideration adjustments   (1,357 )   58     (399 )   (2,420 )
    Preferred and Special Securities expense (income)       194,817     317,362     1,346,020  
    Finance and other expenses (income)   8,898     3,703     18,868     9,960  
    Income tax expense (recovery)   3,862     3,836     12,145     8,771  
    Change in non-cash operating assets and liabilities exclusive of effects of business combinations   (34,300 )   5,822     (68,428 )   (4,565 )
    Income taxes (paid) received   (8,641 )   (8,565 )   (15,957 )   (20,077 )
    Net cash flows from (used in) operating activities   18,829     44,492     63,868     81,868  
             
    Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:        
    Interest paid on lease obligations   (105 )   (205 )   (388 )   (464 )
    Interest paid on bank debt   (5,702 )   (2,823 )   (13,304 )   (6,414 )
    Cash transferred from (to) Parent   345     (2,121 )   (1,645 )   (13,957 )
    Proceeds from issuance of bank debt   15,000         155,500     175,000  
    Repayments of bank debt   (17,976 )   (50,244 )   (18,464 )   (50,897 )
    Transaction costs on bank debt   (25 )       (1,874 )   (1,771 )
    Payments of lease obligations   (1,560 )   (1,419 )   (4,594 )   (3,784 )
    Issuance of Preferred Shares to Parent               181,484  
    Dividends paid       (12 )       (24 )
    Net cash flows from (used in) in financing activities   (10,023 )   (56,823 )   115,231     279,173  
             
    Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:        
    Acquisition of businesses           (144,325 )   (314,760 )
    Cash obtained with acquired businesses               33,965  
    Post-acquisition settlement receipts (payments), net   5,685     (264 )   4,706     (2,933 )
    Property and equipment purchased   (1,058 )   (408 )   (1,689 )   (829 )
    Other investing activities   (720 )   72     (984 )   (584 )
    Net cash flows from (used in) investing activities   3,907     (600 )   (142,292 )   (285,142 )
             
             
    Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents   72     (1,827 )   (2,959 )   (1,839 )
             
    Increase (decrease) in cash   12,785     (14,758 )   33,848     74,060  
             
    Cash, beginning of period   167,572     155,903     146,509     67,085  
             
    Cash, end of period $ 180,357   $ 141,145   $ 180,357   $ 141,145  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: The New America High Income Fund, Inc. Declares Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The New America High Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) (NYSE: HYB) announced today that it will pay a distribution of $.04 per share on the company’s common stock on November 29, 2024 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2024. The ex-dividend date will be November 15th.

    The Fund has released updated portfolio data which can be found on the Fund’s website at www.newamerica-hyb.com.

    The New America High Income Fund, Inc. is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with a leveraged capital structure. The Fund’s investment adviser is T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“T. Rowe Price”). As of September 30, 2024, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates managed approximately $1.6 trillion of assets, including approximately $20 billion of “high yield” investments. T. Rowe Price has provided investment advisory services to investment companies since 1937.

    Contact:        
    Ellen E. Terry, President
    Telephone: 617-263-6400
    www.newamerica-hyb.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Partners Value Investments L.P. Announces Changes to Internal Group Capital Structure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Partners Value Investments L.P. (TSXV: PVF.UN, PVF.PR.U) (the “Partnership”), Partners Value Investments Inc. (TSXV: PVF.WT, PVF.PR.V) (“PVII”) and Partners Value Split Corp. (TSX: PVS.PR.G, PVS.PR.H, PVS.PR.I, PVS.PR.J, PVS.PR.K, PVS.PR.L) (“PV Split” and together with the Partnership and PVII, the “PVI Group”) together announce the completion of a share capital reorganization involving a change in how the Partnership owns its interest in PVII and how PVII owns its interest in PV Split.

    Pursuant to the reorganization, among other things, PVII amended its articles to: (a) redesignate the voting common shares held by the Partnership (“Common Shares”) as Class A restricted voting shares, which have substantially the same terms as the Common Shares but are entitled to elect 50% of the directors of PVII; and (b) create Class B restricted voting shares (“Class B Shares”), which are not entitled to dividends, are redeemable for a nominal amount and are entitled to elect 50% of the directors of PVII. A new trust, Partners Value Holding Trust, subscribed for Class B Shares and is the sole owner of PVII shares of that class. As a result, the Partnership no longer controls PVII, but has retained 100% of its economic interest in PVII.

    A similar change has been made to the articles of PV Split. As a result of the transaction, PVII now owns 100% of the Class A restricted shares of PV Split, which have substantially the same terms as the voting shares of PV Split but are entitled to elect 50% of the directors of PV Split and a new trust, Partners Value Split Holding Trust, holds 100% of the new Class B restricted voting shares of PV Split, which are not entitled to dividends, are redeemable for a nominal amount and are entitled to elect 50% of the directors of PV Split. As a result, PVII no longer controls PV Split, but has retained 100% of its economic interest in PV Split.

    After these changes, which have no impact on the publicly-traded units of the Partnership, it is expected that PVII and PV Split will both continue to be considered mutual fund corporations for tax purposes under current law and following the implementation of proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) relating to mutual fund corporations.

    For additional information, please contact Investor Relations at ir@pvii.ca or 416-643-7621.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Note: This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “targets”, “projects”, “forecasts”, “seeks”, “likely” or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “would” and “could”. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to and regarding the qualification of PVII and PV Split as mutual fund corporations and the economic impact of the proposed transaction on the PVI Group. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations and plans of management of the PVI Group relating to the future, and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes.

    Although management believes that these forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the PVI Group, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement the PVI Group to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to: changes to the qualification of PVII or PV Split as “mutual fund corporations” under the Income Tax Act (Canada); changes in in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws; the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; operational and reputational risks; catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts and the outbreak of disease including epidemics and pandemics; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the PVI Group’s documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada.

    The PVI Group cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the PVI Group’s forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the PVI Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Prairie Operating Co. Announces Board Resignation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Texas, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prairie Operating Co. (Nasdaq: PROP) (the “Company” or “Prairie”) today announces that Paul L. Kessler has resigned as a member of Prairie’s Board of Directors, effective October 30, 2024. Mr. Kessler, citing time constraints posed by scheduling and professional commitments, played a key role in structuring the Company and creating value for the resulting entity.

    “We are saddened to lose Paul as a valued member of Prairie’s Board of Directors” stated Edward Kovalik, Chairman and CEO of the Company. “While we appreciate that Paul has numerous outside commitments, his unwavering commitment, insight and dedication to the Company will be missed.”

    Mr. Kessler continued, “It has been my pleasure to serve alongside you through the structuring phase of the Company. I offer my best wishes to the Company for its continued success.”

    As the Company continues its drilling and acquisition growth strategy in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, Prairie’s Nomination and Governance Committee intends to begin the process of identifying and interviewing independent candidates, with a focus on technical basin knowledge, to fill the vacancy.

    About Prairie Operating Co.

    Prairie Operating Co. is a Houston-based publicly traded independent energy company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States.  The Company’s assets and operations are concentrated in the oil and liquids-rich regions of the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, with a primary focus on the Niobrara and Codell formations.  The Company is committed to the responsible development of its oil and natural gas resources and is focused on maximizing returns through consistent growth, capital discipline, and sustainable cash flow generation. 

    More information about the Company can be found at www.prairieopco.com.

    Forward-Looking Statement

    The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. There may be additional risks not currently known by the Company or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the Company’s expectations can be found in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on March 20, 2024, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Report and Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Wobbe Ploegsma
    info@prairieopco.com
    832.274.3449

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Bucshon Joins Bipartisan Group to Introduce Legislation to Protect Medicare for Physicians and Patients

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Larry Bucshon MD (R-Ind)

    U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) released the following statement after joining U.S. Representative Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC-03) and other bipartisan cosponsors in introducing the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act to support physicians and protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries earlier this week:

    “All patients deserve timely access to healthcare from quality physicians in their communities,” said Dr. Bucshon. “Inadequate Medicare reimbursement threatens that access. I have long fought to correct the current trend of cutting reimbursement levels year after year, and I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act. The current path toward further consolidation, physician burnout, and closure of medical practices must be corrected.”

    “America’s physicians are at a breaking point and access to high-quality, affordable care is at risk for millions of Medicare patients,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “When a physician sees a Medicare patient, they do so out of the goodness of their heart, not because it makes financial sense. Medical inflation is much higher and the cost of seeing patients continues to rise. Unfortunately, reimbursements continue to decline, putting immense pressure on doctors to retire, close their practices, forgo seeing new Medicare patients, or seek a less efficient employment position. This bipartisan legislation would stop yet another year of reimbursement cuts, give them a slight inflationary adjustment, and protect Medicare for physicians and patients alike.”

    “Medicare payments to physicians are just not keeping pace with our economic realities and the cost of care,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta. “Our bipartisan legislation would not only prevent harmful cuts but also would adjust provider reimbursements for inflation.  Such a law would expand seniors’ access to quality healthcare by helping medical providers continue their care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

    “Access to quality healthcare is a something every senior deserves, but declining Medicare reimbursement is putting that access at risk,” said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act is crucial to reversing the damaging trend of cuts that threaten our healthcare providers, especially in underserved communities. We must act now to prevent further burnout and consolidation in our system, ensuring that every Medicare beneficiary receives the care they need and deserve.”

    “Having an outdated Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians makes it harder for healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care, putting patients at risk,” said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. “Physicians, unlike the rest of the players in health care, have never received an inflationary update and consistently received cuts. This bill ensures a more stable Medicare payment system, allowing providers to focus on delivering care rather than worrying about losing their practice. With this bipartisan effort, we are working toward a system that supports both patients and doctors.”

    “Over the past 22 years, adjusting for inflation, physicians have essentially taken a 26% pay cut from Medicare,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Their reimbursement has been flat or declining, while overhead costs have increased by about 47%: rent, labor, equipment, and insurance. I cannot think of another profession whose compensation has dropped by 26% over 2 decades. Physicians have been holding their breath, year after year, hoping that Congress will act to avert these devastating decreases in reimbursement. Without adequate reimbursement, solo and small practice physicians—most often in rural or underserved areas—are already closing their doors.  It’s up to Congress to ensure that physicians are fairly compensated and can continue to practice, so that all Medicare patients have access to high-quality, affordable care, and I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that will achieve just that.”

    “As a physician, I recognize that year after year cuts to Medicare reimbursement jeopardizes access to care for our nation’s seniors,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “We must work in Congress to create a more sustainable long-term solution to ensure that Medicare patients continue to receive the high-quality affordable care that they deserve. While we continue this important work, I am proud to co-lead the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, in order to protect access for Medicare beneficiaries and support Medicare physicians in the face of these proposed cuts.”

    “As an emergency medicine physician, I know how important it is for families and individuals I serve to have access to the necessary health care services they rely on,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. “I am deeply concerned about the impact the outdated Medicare reimbursement rate has on health care access for my constituents. That is why I am co-leading the ‘Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act’ that will move us away from a system where every year seniors’ access to essential care is threatened due to potential cuts.”

    Background

    In July 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule that would decrease Medicare reimbursement for physician services by 2.8% beginning on January 1, 2025.  Compounded with CMS’ own estimates of a projected 3.6% increase in practice cost expenses for next year, physicians will be faced with an 6.4% cut unless Congress acts.

    According to the American Medical Association, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has declined 29% from 2001 to 2024. 

    Medicare reimbursement cuts for physicians have significant ripple effects across our health care system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.  

    The decline in reimbursement rates, while wages and operational costs continue to rise, is forcing many physician practices to consider layoffs, reduced services, or office closure.  At a time when we’re facing a physician shortage and a historic number of doctors are nearing retirement age, these cuts risk accelerating physician burnout and reducing access to care for Medicare patients.

    Supporting Organizations

    Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, ADVION (formerly National Association for the Support of Long Term Care), Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation, Alliance of Specialty Medicine, Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, American Academy of Audiology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Chiropractic Association, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Mohs Surgery, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Internists, American College of Physicians, American College of Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Glaucoma Society, American Health Care Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Group Association, American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, American Medical Women’s Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Optometric Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association – Private Practice Section, American Podiatric Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association Services, American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, American Society of Dermatopathology, American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Hand Therapists, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Retina Specialists, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, American Urogynecologic Society, American Urological Association, Association for Clinical Oncology , Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, Association of Women in Rheumatology, Brain Injury Association of America, California Medical Association, CardioVascular Coalition, Clinical Social Work Association, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, College of American Pathologists, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dialysis Vascular Access Coalition, Digestive Health Physicians Association, Digestive Health Physicians Association, Emergency Department Practice Management Association, Endocrine Society, Federation of American Hospitals, Free2care, Healthcare Business Management Association, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Indiana Associations Pathologists, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Infusion Providers Alliance, LUGPA, Massachusetts Medical Society, Medical Group Management Association, National Association of ACOs, National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies, National Association of Spine Specialists, National Infusion Center Association, National Rural Health Association, North Carolina Rheumatology Association, Office-Based Facility Organization, Outpatient Endovascular and Interventional Society, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., Physician-Led Healthcare for America, Physicians Advocacy Institute, Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, Practicing Physicians of America, Renal Physicians Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society for Vascular Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of General Internal Medicine, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Society of Hospital Medicine, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and the US Oncology Network.

    View the legislation here.

    Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, serving as Vice Chair of the Health Subcommittee.

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    MIL OSI USA News