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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Veolia Orchard is branching out to new schools in St Albans District

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Veolia Orchard is open for applications once again.

    This scheme invites schools to increase biodiversity and become part of Veolia’s family tree by growing their onw strawberries or nurturing their own orchard of fruit trees.

    Since 2022, Veolia Orchard has delivered 25 fruit trees and 10 strawberry plants to 6 schools across the borough. This local network is just a small part of a whole family of 1,085 trees and 780 strawberry plants steadily growing at 291 schools across the UK.

    This initiative launched in 2022, with fruit trees donated to schools in order to give young people a chance to experience the benefits of engaging with nature as well as improving local biodiversity. Building on its initial success, in 2023 the scheme expanded to include strawberry plants, ensuring that urban schools with limited outdoor green space could participate.

    Each orchard comprises either five trees or ten strawberry plants per school, an individual component of a much wider network. Schools can apply online until 8 November 2024  using the following link: https://www.veolia.co.uk/veolia-orchard

    Successful candidates will then hear back from 25 November with deliveries taking place in spring 2025. Schools can opt for an interactive planting event where Veolia’s experts guide students through their planting whilst educating them on the orchard’s long-term benefits to the community and environment.

    Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director at Veolia said: 

    The Veolia Orchard scheme is about growing more than just fruit; it’s about cultivating a love of nature in our future environmental ambassadors. I am especially happy to see this initiative continue to flourish in urban schools where there are typically fewer opportunities to interact with the environment. Not only are we boosting biodiversity by introducing new fruit tree species, creating habitats for pollinators, and enhancing the genetic diversity of cities with urban farming, we’re planting the seeds for a more sustainable future.

    Chris Traill, Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery for St Albans City and District Council,  said:

    This is a fantastic initiative by our waste and recycling contractor Veolia which we have been supporting for a few years now.

    I urge the District’s schools to apply as it is a fun way to increase awareness of environmental issues among their young pupils as well as give them the rewarding experience of planting trees, creating habitats and improving biodiversity.

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    ABOUT VEOLIA 

    Veolia’s ambition is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 218,000 employees on five continents, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for managing water, waste and energy that help to radically change the world. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and renewing them. In 2023, the Veolia group served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) generated consolidated sales of €45.3 billion in 2023. http://www.veolia.com

    ▁▁▁

    Millie Brooke, Digital & PR Officer

    Tel. 07944 886 293

    emailmillicent.brooke@gmail.com

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Urges Safety Measures for Heating Homes in Western NC as Temperatures Drop

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Urges Safety Measures for Heating Homes in Western NC as Temperatures Drop

    NCDHHS Urges Safety Measures for Heating Homes in Western NC as Temperatures Drop
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    As cooler weather arrives in western North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services urges individuals, families and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to take safety precautions when heating homes, buildings or other enclosed spaces.

    Using gas or wood-burning heat sources without proper safety measures can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards, especially if fuel sources or appliances have been damaged by the storm.

    Safe Practices for Wood-Burning Stoves
    Properly installed, correctly used wood-burning appliances should generate very little smoke. If you regularly see or smell smoke, you may have a problem. Take the following steps to reduce smoke inside and outside your home: 

    • What NOT to burn: Do not burn household trash (including cardboard, plastics, foam, magazines, boxes and wrappers), coated wood, painted wood, pressure-treated wood, driftwood, plywood, particle board, wood with any glue on it, wet or green wood, rotted wood, moldy wood, asbestos, rubber, manure or animal remains. These materials can release toxic or harmful chemicals when burned and may also damage your stove.
    • What to burn: Try to burn mainly dry, split, well-seasoned wood. Properly seasoned wood is darker, weighs less and sounds hollow when hit against another piece of wood. You can also use branches, sticks or limbs from fallen trees that are off the ground. Do not use wet or green wood.
    • Use a starter: Start fires with newspaper, dry kindling or all-natural fire starters. Never start a fire in a wood-burning stove with gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter.
    • Keep flammable items away: Maintain a safe distance between stoves and items like curtains, furniture, newspapers, books or paper. Regularly remove ashes into a covered, metal container, and store the container outdoors on a nonflammable surface.
    • Keep the fire hot and door closed: For most appliances, a smoldering fire is not safe or efficient. Build a hot fire and keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. Harmful chemicals, like carbon monoxide, can be released into your home through an open stove door.
    • Keep a fire extinguisher handy: In case of a fire, have a fire extinguisher, fire blanket or ample sand or water on-hand to put it out before it can spread. 

    Safe Practices for Generators and Fuel-Burning Heat Sources
    In previous hurricanes in North Carolina, people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators running indoors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced whenever fuel is burned. In an enclosed space, such as a home, garage, car or camper, carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels quickly. 

    High levels of carbon monoxide can be deadly within minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal to anyone, especially children, pregnant women, older adults and those with chronic illness. People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning without ever becoming aware of their symptoms. 

    Anyone testing or using a generator or other fuel burning device during should take proper safety precautions, including the following: 

    • Do not use gasoline-powered tools or engines in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Use them outdoors at least 20 feet from all doors, windows and air vents.
    • Do not use charcoal grills or propane stoves indoors, even in a fireplace.
    • Never use the kitchen stove or other gas appliances to heat your home.
    • Do not idle your car, truck or other vehicle in the garage, even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
    • Keep rooms well ventilated.
    • Read and follow all instructions that accompany fuel-burning devices. Use the proper fuel and make sure there is enough air for ventilation and fuel burning. 

    Even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

    For additional questions on how to safely use woodstoves and generators and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, contact the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, NC Division of Public Health, NCDHHS, at 919-707-5900. For more information about Hurricane Helene and resources available for people who are impacted, please go to ncdhhs.gov/helene and ncdps.gov/helene. 

    A medida que el clima más frío llega al oeste de Carolina del Norte, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte pide a las personas, familias y comunidades afectadas por el huracán Helene que tomen precauciones de seguridad al calentar casas, edificios u otros espacios cerrados.

    El uso de fuentes de calor de gas o leña sin las medidas de seguridad adecuadas puede provocar intoxicación por monóxido de carbono y otros peligros, especialmente si las fuentes de combustible o los electrodomésticos han sido dañados por la tormenta.

    Prácticas seguras para estufas de leña
    Los electrodomésticos de leña correctamente instalados y utilizados de manera adecuada deben generar muy poco humo. Si ve u huele humo con regularidad, es posible que tenga un problema. Tome las siguientes medidas para reducir el humo dentro y fuera de su hogar: 

    • Qué NO quemar: No queme basura doméstica (incluyendo cartón, plásticos, espuma, revistas, cajas y envoltorios), madera revestida, madera pintada, madera tratada a presión, madera a la deriva, madera contrachapada, aglomerados de madera, madera con cualquier pegamento, madera húmeda o verde, madera podrida, madera mohosa, asbesto/amianto, caucho/goma, estiércol o restos de animales. Estos materiales pueden liberar productos químicos tóxicos o nocivos cuando se queman y también pueden dañar su estufa.
    • Qué SÍ quemar: Intente quemar principalmente madera seca, partida y bien curada. La madera correctamente curada es más oscura, pesa menos y suena hueca cuando se golpea contra otra pieza de madera. También puede usar ramas, palos o ramas de árboles caídos que están fuera del suelo. No utilice madera húmeda o verde.
    • Use un material de arranque: Inicie el fuego con periódicos, leña seca o iniciadores de fuego totalmente naturales. Nunca encienda un fuego en una estufa de leña con gasolina, queroseno o arrancador de carbón.
    • Mantenga los artículos inflamables alejados: Mantenga una distancia segura entre las estufas y artículos como cortinas, muebles, periódicos, libros o papel. Retire regularmente las cenizas en un recipiente de metal cubierto y guárdelo al aire libre en una superficie no inflamable.
    • Mantenga el fuego caliente y la puerta cerrada: Para la mayoría de los electrodomésticos, un fuego ardiente no es seguro ni eficiente. Logre un fuego caliente y mantenga las puertas de su electrodoméstico de leña cerradas a menos que cargue o alimente el fuego vivo. Los productos químicos nocivos, como el monóxido de carbono, pueden liberarse en su hogar a través de una puerta abierta de la estufa.
    • Tenga un extintor a mano: En caso de incendio, tenga a mano un extintor, una manta contra incendios o suficiente arena o agua para apagarlo antes de que se propague. 

    Prácticas seguras para generadores y fuentes de calor que queman combustible
    En huracanes anteriores en Carolina del Norte, las personas han muerto por envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono causado por generadores encendidos en interiores. El monóxido de carbono es un gas inodoro e incoloro que se produce cada vez que se quema combustible. En un espacio cerrado, como una casa, un garaje, un automóvil o una autocaravana, el monóxido de carbono puede acumularse a niveles mortales rápidamente. 

    Los altos niveles de monóxido de carbono pueden ser mortales en cuestión de minutos. La intoxicación por monóxido de carbono puede ser fatal para cualquier persona, especialmente niños, mujeres embarazadas, adultos mayores y personas con enfermedades crónicas. Las personas que duermen pueden morir por intoxicación por monóxido de carbono sin darse cuenta de sus síntomas. 

    Cualquier persona que pruebe o use un generador u otro dispositivo de combustión de combustible debe tomar las precauciones de seguridad adecuadas, incluidas las siguientes: 

    • No utilice herramientas o motores de gasolina en espacios cerrados o parcialmente cerrados. Úselos al aire libre al menos a 20 pies de distancia de todas las puertas, ventanas y salidas de aire.
    • No use parrillas de carbón o estufas de propano en interiores, incluso en una chimenea.
    • Nunca use la estufa de la cocina u otros electrodomésticos de gas para calentar su hogar.
    • No deje su coche, camión u otro vehículo encendido en el garaje, incluso si la puerta del garaje hacia el exterior está abierta. Los humos pueden acumularse rápidamente en el garaje y la sala de estar de su hogar.
    • Mantenga las habitaciones bien ventiladas.
    • Lea y siga todas las instrucciones que acompañan a los dispositivos de quema de combustible. Use el combustible adecuado y asegúrese de que haya suficiente aire para la ventilación y la quema de combustible. 

    Incluso los niveles bajos de monóxido de carbono pueden causar mareos, fatiga, náuseas, dolores de cabeza, confusión o desmayos. Si experimenta estos síntomas, salga al aire libre de inmediato y busque atención médica lo antes posible.

    Para preguntas adicionales sobre cómo usar estufas de leña y generadores de manera segura y prevenir la intoxicación por monóxido de carbono, comuníquese con la Sección de Epidemiología Ocupacional y Ambiental, División de Salud Pública de Carolina del Norte, Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte, al 919-707-5900. Para obtener más información sobre el huracán Helene y los recursos disponibles para las personas afectadas, visite ncdhhs.gov/helene y ncdps.gov/helene. 

    Oct 15, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW $750 MILLION PRELIMINARY INVESTMENT FOR WOLFSPEED FROM HIS CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW; SENATOR SAYS NEW $$$ WILL HELP ACCELERATE ONGOING MOHAWK VALLEY EXPANSION & SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Includes $750M Agreement For Funding From Schumer’s CHIPS Act & $750M Private Investment, Boosting Wolfspeed’s Ongoing Expansion In Upstate NY And Building A New North Carolina Facility Which Sends Wafers To Oneida County’s Marcy Nanocenter To Be Finished, Providing Long Term Work For Mohawk Valley

    Wolfspeed Says It Also Plans To Tap Up To Nearly $1 Billion From The CHIPS ITC That Schumer Created To Help Fund Completion Of Mohawk Valley Plant

    Schumer: My CHIPS & Science Law Is Bringing Wolfspeed To Front Of The Pack & Helping Mohawk Valley Lead America’s Semiconductor Renaissance

    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today announced Wolfspeed has reached a $750 million preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) funding agreement under the CHIPS & Science Law he led in writing and passing into law, helping them unlock an additional $750 million in private investment. Wolfspeed also said it plans to tap nearly $1 billion from the CHIPS Investment Tax Credit that Schumer helped create to fund much of the state-of-the-art equipment being installed to complete the expansion their Silicon Carbide Fabrication Facility at Marcy Nanocenter in Oneida County.

    Wolfspeed said this massive collective investment will help accelerate their ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley and boosting good-paying jobs expected to be created at the Marcy facility. This CHIPS investment will also support Wolfspeed’s new North Carolina Siler City facility which is integral to the Mohawk Valley’s future as it will send wafers to be finished in NY, creating long term work and future growth opportunities for the Marcy operation.

    “Wolfspeed is leading the pack in bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America. This major multibillion investment powered by my CHIPS & Science Law will accelerate the ongoing expansion in the Mohawk Valley, helping boost hundreds of good paying jobs and providing long term work for the Marcy fab to succeed well into the future,” said Senator Schumer. “From electric vehicles to artificial intelligence, so much critical technology relies on the silicon carbide chips that Wolfspeed will manufacture and perfect in the Mohawk Valley. Today’s massive investment will make America’s economy and our national security stronger as Wolfspeed helps us write the next chapter of America’s resurgence as the leader in the semiconductor industry, with the Mohawk Valley as the beating heart.”

    Schumer explained that Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab is the largest and one of the only 200mm Silicon Carbide fabrication facilities in the world. Wolfspeed officially opened their new fab in 2022 and is actively expanding with approximately $790 million in additional capital planned investment in the Mohawk Valley which will help support new good paying manufacturing and construction jobs to the region. The proposed CHIPS investment would also support the construction of Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide wafer manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Nearly all of the wafers from Wolfspeed’s new facility in Siler City, NC are needed and sent to the Mohawk Valley Fab to be finished and this investment is essential to ramp up chip production in New York. The proposed CHIPS funding will support the Mohawk Valley fab to increase its production capacity by approximately 30%.

    To achieve this increase in capacity in the Mohawk Valley, Wolfspeed will purchase and install additional tools & equipment in the Mohawk Valley, such as photolithography tools, ion implanters, metal deposition tools, etch systems, automation equipment and more that will be support by the Investment Tax Credit from the CHIPS & Science Law.

    The proposed $750 million in CHIPS funding will also help catalyze private capital investment of at least $750 million to support the company’s expansion plans. This injection of private capital would not have occurred were it not for the CHIPS and Science Act. Wolfspeed is the world’s leading manufacturer of wafers and devices made from silicon carbide, a compound which has favorable chemical and material properties compared to traditional silicon, enabling Wolfspeed’s semiconductors to be highly energy-efficient and durable. The silicon carbide devices manufactured by Wolfspeed power electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids, enabling extended driving range-per-charge, faster charging times, and lower overall systems costs, they also are vital for artificial intelligence and in military applications critical for national security.

    Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, “We thank Senator Schumer for securing $750 million in funding for Wolfspeed from his historic CHIPS & Science Law. This transformative investment will accelerate hundreds of good-paying jobs in Oneida County and further elevate our region as a leader in semiconductor production. As Wolfspeed enhances its capabilities, we look forward to the opportunities this brings for our workforce and our future in the Mohawk Valley.”

    Acting President of Mohawk Valley EDGE Shawna Papale said, “On behalf of Mohawk Valley EDGE, we commend the Department of Commerce for reaching a preliminary agreement with Wolfspeed to leverage more than $2.5 billion of investment including over $750 million in CHIPS Act grant funding. The growth of the Mohawk Valley Fab is hinged on the ability of Siler City to produce 200mm silicon carbide wafers to supply Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab. Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Schumer, this CHIPs announcement accelerates hiring towards Wolfspeed’s job target of over 600 employees and increases production capacity at the Marcy Nanocenter. This was a true collaboration across local, county, State, and Federal officials along with the leadership of Wolfspeed to make the dream of recreating American made manufacturing a reality right here in Oneida County.”

    Last week, Schumer announced Edwards Vacuum reached a $18 million CHIPS PMT to build its new $300+ million dry pump manufacturing facility for the semiconductor industry, the first of its kind for America, in Western NY. Earlier this year, Schumer also announced that Micron, which plans to invest $100 billion over the next two decades – the largest private investment in New York’ s history – reached a $6.1 billion CHIPS PMT funding agreement. In addition, GlobalFoundries in the Capital Region also reached an agreement for $1.5 billion in direct grant funding under his CHIPS & Science Law to support a $12.5 billion public-private investment over the next ten plus years to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in Malta, NY. 

    Schumer added, “The CHIPS & Science Law keeps helping grow the booming semiconductor industry in Upstate NY. We are seeing more targeted federal investment than ever before to bring back manufacturing, and awards like this show how the I-90 corridor from Buffalo to Syracuse to Utica to Albany truly is becoming America’s semiconductor superhighway.”

    Schumer has long worked to position the Mohawk Valley for semiconductor investment. In addition to his efforts on further recruiting chip suppliers to Marcy Nanocenter, Schumer secured $2 million in U.S. DOL funding for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties and Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) to boost technical training to support the expansion and attraction of the semiconductor industry. Schumer also secured $2 million for MVCC to create a new state-of-the-art semiconductor and advanced manufacturing training center.

    Schumer is also actively working with Mohawk Valley EDGE to help lure additional semiconductor and supply chain companies to Marcy Nanocenter which will get a further boost from Wolfspeed and Micron’s expansions in the region.

    Schumer said, “Marcy Nanocenter is one of the most shovel-ready sites in the whole country and with this investment helping to strengthen Wolfspeed and with Micron rapidly establishing itself in the broader region, I am going all out to land more companies to make the Mohawk Valley a central component of bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America.”

    Thanks to Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York has seen a major revival in tech manufacturing. Micron has announced plans for a historic $100+ billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab in Central New York. GlobalFoundries plans to invest over $12 billion to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in the Capital Region. TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board manufacturer, plans to invest up to $130 million to expand their facilities in Onondaga County, creating up to 400 good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro will invest $150 million to build their microchip switch manufacturing facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. In addition, Upstate New York is home to semiconductor supply chain companies like Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants. Edwards Vacuum is also moving forward with a $300+ million investment to build a dry pump manufacturing facility in Western New York, creating 600 good-paying jobs to support the growing chip industry in Upstate New York and across the nation.

    The PMT outlines key terms for Wolfspeed’s CHIPS agreement. To finalize the federal CHIPS agreement, the Commerce Department will now begin a comprehensive due diligence process on the proposed project and other information contained in the application. After satisfactory completion of the due diligence phase, the Commerce Department will finalize the PMT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: October 15th Canada Carbon Rebate Delivers Support for Families in Hamilton, Ontario

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Today, families across Canada will receive their Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals, a payment that is making life more affordable for Canadians.

    October 15, 2024 – Hamilton, Ontario

    Today, families across Canada will receive their Canada Carbon Rebate for individuals, a payment that is making life more affordable for Canadians. The Canada Carbon Rebate – alongside measures like dental care, childcare, and others – contribute to the Government of Canada’s plan to help Canadian families to get ahead while ensuring big polluters pay their fair share.

    Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), was in Hamilton, Ontario, to announce the latest quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate payments are being delivered to their bank accounts and mailboxes. The Canada Carbon Rebate is helping households, small businesses, farmers and Indigenous communities across Canada to get ahead.

    A family of four residing in Hamilton will receive the Canada Carbon Rebate for individual payments every three months, meaning they will receive a quarterly cheque or deposit of $280. To discover more about how much your family could receive, please refer to the Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25 for payment amounts applicable to your province.

    In addition to putting money in the pockets of families, the federal government announced the payment amounts for the new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, which will deliver over $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses before the end of this year. This refundable tax credit will return a portion of the fuel charge proceeds from 2019-20 through 2023-24 to eligible small businesses, in jurisdictions where the federal fuel charge applies.

    The Canada Carbon Rebate is part of a suite of federal actions to help Canadians to get ahead, while simultaneously supporting holding the biggest polluters accountable in the fight against the climate crisis.

    Canada’s price on pollution is working.  When it comes to meeting Canada’s goals, emissions are down, and pollution pricing alone is delivering at least a third of the reductions needed, while delivering clean air and incentivizing job-creating greener investments in communities. As of today, emissions are down, while the economy grows and wages for Canadians are going up.

    Edward Hutchinson
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
    Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: GoldSmith Labs Unveils Shockingly Human AI Voice Agents to Revolutionize Business Sales

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CLEVELAND, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GoldSmith Labs, a fast-growing tech startup founded by Brendan Smith and Ethan Golden, has released its newest product: an AI Voice Agent that simplifies business communication, resulting in improvements to both inbound and outbound customer interactions for companies. The company seeks to dramatically decrease operational expenses without sacrificing productivity by managing tasks such as customer service, appointment scheduling, and lead generation—all without human intervention.

    A Collaboration of Frustration and Innovation

    GoldSmith Labs is the brainchild of Brendan Smith, an experienced entrepreneur and marketing agency owner who grew tired (and slightly frustrated) with how tedious cold calling could actually be. Despite the necessity of cold calling in lead generation for many industries, Smith knew this was an area that could be disrupted. He teamed up with Ethan Golden, an AI automation expert and former University of Arizona student. Together, they developed an AI solution that would solve most of the problems business communication causes while achieving the desired results.

    “We wanted to create something that businesses could set and forget,” Smith said. “Our Voice Agent handles everything, allowing businesses to grow while we manage their communication.”

    AI Voice Agent: Cutting-Edge Technology for the Modern Enterprise

    The AI Voice Agent from GoldSmith Labs uses advanced artificial intelligence to handle up to 10,000 calls per hour—a complete game changer within the industry. From inbound inquiries and outbound sales to appointment scheduling and customer support, the system is built to optimize every interaction.

    “Robots don’t get tired, they don’t need breaks, and they certainly don’t incur company expenses on trips,” Golden stated. “They are stable, responsive, and always improving.”

    The AI draws from a library of over 10,000 unique voices to ensure businesses can tailor their agents based on company branding and target audience. This personalized touch is designed to enhance customer experience, making it as smooth and human-like as possible.

    Additionally, the AI continually adapts, becoming more effective by learning from data gathered from every call it handles. This data-driven approach allows the system to scale and evolve with the company’s growth.

    Aiming for the Market Leaders

    GoldSmith Labs may be a new name in the market, but it has huge aspirations. The company hopes to become the go-to platform for AI-driven voice interactions across industries like real estate, customer service, and even food orders. Smith and Golden have set an ambitious goal of reaching $30 million in annual revenue while serving over 20,000 clients within five years.

    “We aim to dominate the space by offering the best in AI voice agents,” Smith explained. “In a few years, we want GoldSmith Labs to be synonymous with AI voice interaction across all industries.”

    Targeting Middle to Top-Market Businesses

    The launch of GoldSmith Labs’ AI Voice Agent is particularly aimed at middle to top-market decision-makers looking to cut costs while increasing operational efficiency. These businesses understand the value of automation but need solutions that can manage complex, large-scale interactions without compromising quality.

    “Our target audience is professionals who are serious about scaling their business while keeping everything efficient,” Golden noted. “We know our solution isn’t just another tool in the toolkit—it’s a game changer.”

    A Visionary, Results-Driven Brand

    In many ways, the culture of GoldSmith Labs reflects its leadership. Smith describes the company’s ethos as “born to win,” which manifests in a results-driven approach without compromise. “We make things happen. Either get with it, or get left behind,” he declared, emphasizing the startup’s bold stance in the competitive AI space.

    The AI Voice Agent empowers businesses to save time, reduce costs, and achieve greater productivity. By offering a highly efficient and impactful product, GoldSmith Labs stands out from the competition and delivers immediate results.

    Looking Ahead

    With its focus on rapid growth and market share, GoldSmith Labs positions itself as a leader in the future of business communication. Its innovative AI Voice Agent, paired with its results-driven leadership, makes the company one to watch in the coming years.

    For more information on GoldSmith Labs and its AI Voice Agent, visit http://www.goldsmithlabs.com.

    Name: Brendan Smith, Ethan Golden
    Company: GoldSmith Labs
    Phone: +1 (307) 202-8593
    Email: media@frostpublishinggroup.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f77d3dca-b087-481b-b0bc-4fab373125c1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Westland Insurance named one of the best companies to work for in Canada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westland Insurance, a leading Canadian insurance brokerage, has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Canada. This accolade highlights Westland Insurance’s commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

    To determine the winners of the 2024 Best Places to Work, Canadian HR Reporter conducted a comprehensive survey among thousands of employees across the country. Westland Insurance stood out for its dedication to creating a welcoming and encouraging workplace environment, its prioritization of employee well-being, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).  

    As part of Westland’s commitment to its employees’ well-being, over the past year the organization introduced employee benefits enhancements, including increased coverage for mental health, fertility treatments, gender affirmation, dietician services, and Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT). This is in addition to a comprehensive package of financial benefits, perks, insurance discounts, and educational support, the latter benefiting both employees and their children. Westland also offers additional Values Days and paid time off for volunteerism.   

    “We’re incredibly proud to be recognized as one of the best companies to work for in Canada for 2024,” said Jamie Lyons, CEO, Westland Insurance. “This honor reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team, who make this organization a truly special place to work. Together, we’ve built a culture that prioritizes growth, collaboration, and well-being, and we’ll continue striving to set even higher standards in the years ahead.” 

    Keri Fraser, Westland’s Chief People Officer (CPO), had this to say about the recognition:  

    “Being named one of Canada’s Best Places to Work for 2024 is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and supportive environment for all our employees. This recognition reinforces our belief that when we invest in our people, we create a workplace where everyone can thrive, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible together.” 

    Award methodology 

    The rigorous entry process for the Best Places to Work recognition involved an employer submission and an employee survey. Organizations were required to complete an in-depth questionnaire, evaluating various factors such as employee engagement, turnover rates, compensation and benefits, diversity initiatives, and corporate culture. To be eligible for recognition, organizations had to meet a minimum number of responses based on company size and achieve an overall satisfaction rating of at least 75 percent. 

    Westland Insurance’s recognition as one of 2024s Best Places to Work is a testament to its ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional workplace experience for its employees. The company’s dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive culture, along with its comprehensive benefits plan and flexible work options, sets it apart as an employer of choice.  

    For more information on how to join Westland Insurance as a client or employee, visit westlandinsurance.ca.  

    -30- 

     About Westland Insurance Group:    

    Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent insurance brokers in Canada. Trading over $3 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast. Westland’s brokers provide expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments. Since its founding in 1980, Westland has remained committed to supporting its clients, industry partners, and local communities. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In the age of supposed anti-ambition, is Kamala Harris’s pro-work message resonating?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Scott Schieman, Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair, University of Toronto

    “Our ambition and aspiration should be baseline, and we should aspire and have the ambition and plan to do more … I want Americans and families to not just get by but to be able to get ahead.” United States Vice President Kamala Harris, outlining her plan to build an “opportunity economy” in a recent speech.

    As a sociologist who studies how people think and talk about getting ahead in life, I’ve been struck by the tsunami of anti-ambition rhetoric in recent years that seems at odds with Harris’s messaging.

    A prominent 2022 feature in The New York Times Magazine’s Future of Work issue, for example, proclaimed a new “Age of Anti-Ambition.”

    While many joined the “ambition is out” chorus, a softer refrain suggested that ambition had merely become quiet as Fortune magazine reported people were “no longer chasing achievement for achievements’ sake.”

    Given all the anti-ambition rhetoric, it’s reasonable to ask: is Harris’s message about ambition resonating with voters with less than a month until the presidential election? Does anyone still believe ambition is important for getting ahead?

    Shifts in sentiment

    Let’s look at some data. The General Social Survey (GSS) — the gold standard for tracking American attitudes and beliefs since the 1970s — asks a set of questions about the importance that people give to different ways of getting ahead in life.

    The list includes “ambition,” “hard work,” “a good education,” “coming from a wealthy family,” “knowing the right people,” etc. For each, respondents select from these response options: “essential,” “very important,” “fairly important,” “not very important” and “not at all important.”

    In 1987, the first time the GSS presented these questions, 43 per cent of American workers said that ambition was “essential” to getting ahead; 44 per cent said it was “very important;” 11 per cent said it was “fairly important;” and only two per cent said “not very/not at all important.”

    Most respondents to the GSS say ambition is important or very important to success, both years ago and more recently.
    (Mimi Thian/Unsplash)

    I didn’t believe that Americans had ditched ambition since then, but I needed data to test my hunch, so I solicited the research firm YouGov in 2023 and 2024 for two national surveys of 7,500 American workers. I call my study the MESSI (Measuring Employment Sentiments and Social Inequality).

    My 2024 survey finds that most American workers still believe in the importance of ambition, but sentiments have shifted.

    The share who now say ambition is “essential” dropped nine percentage points from 1987 to 34 per cent. While the share who said ambition was “very important” dipped by two points (now 42 per cent), the percentage who felt ambition was “fairly important” or “unimportant” increased by 11 points.

    This softening is noteworthy. But, then again, if we are truly in an anti-ambition era, would three-quarters of American workers still see ambition as very important or essential?

    Message falling flat?

    In her stump speeches, Harris often mentions the “dignity of work” and the power of “hard work.” But after years of anti-work rhetoric mixed with new anti-ambition language like “quiet quitting,” a message celebrating the importance of hard work to get ahead might fall flat.



    Read more:
    If companies want to stop quiet quitting they need to take burnout seriously

    Let’s return to the 1987 GSS. Back then, 91 per cent of working Americans said hard work was “very important” or “essential” to getting ahead.

    That dipped slightly to 89 per cent in 2021 and then dropped to 77 per cent by 2024.

    On one hand, an 11-point plunge might be seen as a concern. On the other hand, we could interpret the fact that almost eight in 10 American workers say that they still value hard work as a sign of its resilience — especially given the cultural onslaught against work’s reputation and the persistent narrative about employees being miserable in their jobs since 2021.



    Read more:
    New research debunks the ‘unhappy worker’ narrative, but finds most still believe it

    Willing to work harder

    According to a viral video on TikTok, quiet quitting is when you “quit the idea of going above and beyond.”

    Given quiet quitting’s popularity among anti-ambition/anti-work narratives, I wondered how Americans would respond to a GSS question that asks the extent of agreement or disagreement with the following: “I am willing to work harder than I have to in order to help the firm or organization I work for succeed.”

    If quiet quitting has truly reached astronomical levels, wouldn’t it make sense that most Americans would strongly disagree with that statement?

    Two GSS data points in 2006 and 2016, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, show that eight in 10 American workers said they were willing to work harder than necessary. In my 2023 and 2024 MESSI surveys, I found that dropped to six in 10. Now, a greater share neither endorses nor rejects giving a little extra. Ambivalence is a bit more of a standard response.

    ‘Hard work is good work’

    What’s the takeaway? Sweeping sociological claims that we’re living in an age of anti-ambition and that most people are quiet quitting simply aren’t justified.

    Yes, sentiments about the importance of ambition and hard work — and going above and beyond — have shifted. And even though that shift is quieter than media discourse would have you believe, economic pessimism remains entrenched despite objective evidence to the contrary.

    Harris may therefore have her work cut out for her in selling an “opportunity economy” message as election day draws closer. But as she has said: “Hard work is good work.”

    Scott Schieman receives funding from Social Science and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. In the age of supposed anti-ambition, is Kamala Harris’s pro-work message resonating? – https://theconversation.com/in-the-age-of-supposed-anti-ambition-is-kamala-harriss-pro-work-message-resonating-240427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Decode Global Receives Best Forex Fintech Broker Award at BrokersView Abu Dhabi Expo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a significant achievement, Decode Global has been recognized as the Best Forex Fintech Broker at the BrokersView Abu Dhabi Expo, a leading event for the financial information and technology industry. This award highlights Decode Global’s continued expansion and innovation in fintech, as well as its commitment to delivering high-quality services in forex trading and beyond. Established in 2004, Decode Global has over 20 years of experience in the financial sector. Recently, Decode Global has focused on expanding its presence in emerging markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. This move is seen as part of its strategy to tap into new client bases and further its global reach.

    Decode Global’s Introducing Broker (IB) program has been a key factor in its industry success. Designed to meet the unique needs of each partner, the IB program offers customizable plans with industry-leading rebate structures. The company has continuously refined this program, making it more accessible and integrating advanced technology to improve user experience. This adaptability and commitment to partner success have contributed to the company’s growing reputation in the financial services arena.

    “This recognition reflects Decode Global’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,” said Sultan Khalil, Decode Global’s Business Development Manager for the MENA region. “We look forward to expanding our reach and sharing our customized IB solutions with a wider audience.”

    Decode Global is also known for its strong adherence to global compliance standards, holding multiple financial licenses worldwide, including those issued by ASIC, VFSC, SVGFSA, and FinCEN. The company emphasizes security and transparency as central pillars of its operations, reflecting its dedication to a safe and compliant trading environment for clients.

    With a focus on emerging markets and a robust IB program, Decode Global aims to maintain its role at the forefront of the fintech industry. The company’s recent award underscores its commitment to growth and innovation in the rapidly changing financial landscape.

    About Decode Global

    Decode Global Limited is a diversified financial services company for both retail and wholesale clients, with a leading online Forex and CFD business. Decode Global Limited brings together top elites with decades of experience from major banks, investment banks, fund management, accounting and tax industries. This has allowed the company to develop rapidly and attract CFD traders at all levels worldwide.

    Contact

    PR Office – Decode Global

    pr@decode-group.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Thompson Announces Nearly $9 Million USDA Investment to Support Urban Agricultural Producers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

    October 10, 2024

    BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie Thompson is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing nearly $9 million in funding to local organizations across the country to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to urban agricultural producers in ten U.S. cities. This investment is part of a partnership between USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the organization To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.) to administer an urban farm outreach program.

    The program will offer subawards to community groups working with producers in cities where FSA has established Urban County Committees. This initiative is part of a broader $40 million investment made possible through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, aimed at supporting urban agriculture and strengthening local food systems.

    The Widget Business Training Company of Jackson, Mississippi is the only organization from the MS Second Congressional District to receive a subaward. This organization will play a crucial role in assisting urban agricultural producers by providing necessary resources, knowledge, and connections to strengthen urban farming initiatives. This program underscores the USDA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring equitable access to federal programs and enhancing food security across urban communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Next steps for city centre college campus

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A team of specialists are to be appointed by the Council to prepare the Civic Centre for its new life.

    Earlier this year the Council agreed to buy back the Civic Centre from Urban Splash and unveiled exciting proposals to create a major new campus in the Civic Centre focussed on delivering future green and blue jobs and skills.

    A decision has been signed today authorising the appointment of a consultant team with the expertise and capacity to progress the detailed, technical surveys and design work required to prepare the Civic Centre for its new life.

    City College Plymouth is looking to expand its offer and building on its success in attracting strong engineering and construction partnerships is looking for a new central location for a skills hub.

    The proposals for a new city centre campus could see up to 60 courses being delivered, focussing on the city’s emerging marine sector – known as the blue sector – as well as a host of programmes in the environment – the green sector. Up to 2,000 extra people, from school leavers to adult learners, could be learning new skills within the transformed lower floors of the Civic.

    Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Mark Lowry, said: “We have committed to a new life for the Civic Centre and it is a priority for us – not just to build confidence in the wider city centre – but to make sure City College Plymouth have a central location to deliver the next generation of skilled workers for our city’s key industries.

    “We need to deploy consultants with serious expertise to design and manage repair work as well re-clad the building. replace the façade and get the ground floors ready for fit out and occupation by City College Plymouth.

    “We need to do this to secure the campus, keep the public funding already secured for the Civic Centre and to maximise our ability to secure other public funding which is required for the project.”

    Contractors are expected to be on site at the end of next month to complete the internal strip out works. This is expected to continue into the new year.

    The total cost of employing a full design team to design and manage the works is estimated to be £2.6 million over the next few years.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Anitian Launches FedRAMP Insights on the Azure Marketplace to Accelerate Compliance for Cloud Service Providers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anitian, a leading provider of compliance automation solutions, today announced the launch of FedRAMP Insights, now available on the Azure Marketplace. This new diagnostic tool is designed to transform how Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) navigate the complex FedRAMP compliance process, offering instant, actionable insights that significantly accelerate the journey toward FedRAMP authorization and federal market opportunities.

    With the continued rising demand for cloud solutions across federal agencies, achieving FedRAMP compliance has become a top priority for CSPs. However, the federal compliance process is known to be resource-intensive and time-consuming. FedRAMP Insights addresses these challenges by providing CSPs with immediate visibility into their compliance gaps at any stage, offering tailored remediation guidance, and enabling real-time progress tracking—all within a single, easy-to-use SaaS tool.

    “FedRAMP compliance can be overwhelming for many organizations, especially those unfamiliar with the complexities of federal cloud security standards,” said Chris Finan, President, and CRO at Anitian. “With FedRAMP Insights, we’re simplifying the process by offering CSPs a powerful tool that delivers instant, precise diagnostics and clear, prioritized next steps for achieving compliance faster.”

    Key Features of FedRAMP Insights:

    • Instant Gap Analysis: Scans cloud environments with just a few clicks and delivers a comprehensive report on the current compliance status, providing immediate clarity.
    • Actionable Remediation Guidance: Offers step-by-step instructions on how to address identified gaps, ensuring that compliance teams know exactly what actions to take.
    • Task Prioritization: Organizes tasks based on severity (High, Moderate, Low), so teams can focus on the most pressing compliance issues.
    • Comprehensive Progress Tracking: Monitors ongoing compliance efforts by providing a clear view of remaining tasks, overall system readiness, and resources evaluated, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

    Available on the Azure Marketplace

    Organizations seeking to simplify their FedRAMP compliance efforts can start using FedRAMP Insights immediately through the Azure Marketplace. We’ve packaged up our deep expertise in compliance automation and combined it with the robust capabilities of the Azure platform, enabling CSPs to streamline their path to FedRAMP authorization.

    “Offering FedRAMP Insights in the Azure Marketplace allows CSPs to view compliance results across subscriptions & regions in one single view,” said Alex Degitz, Director of Product at Anitian. “This partnership brings together Anitian’s automation-driven approach to compliance with Microsoft Azure’s trusted infrastructure, creating a powerful combination that accelerates the compliance journey.”

    About Anitian

    Anitian is a cloud compliance automation company that helps SaaS companies achieve FedRAMP compliance in half the time and half the cost of traditional methods. To learn more about FedRAMP Insights visit the solution page here.

    Media Contact:
    Emily Bertrand
    Head of Marketing
    Emily.Bertrand@anitian.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FHLBank San Francisco Awards $7.3 Million in Grants to Boost Economic Development in Arizona, California, and Nevada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) announced today that it has awarded $7.3 million in economic development grants under the Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) Program. The awards will support 84 nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening communities across Arizona, California, and Nevada. This funding represents an 82% increase over last year’s grant cycle and the previously announced allocation for 2024 of $4 million. The AHEAD Program, now in its 20th year, was designed to advance innovative economic and community development initiatives that empower underserved communities. Delivered in partnership with its member financial institutions, FHLBank San Francisco’s AHEAD Program has funded over $32 million in grants over the past two decades.

    “As we celebrate 20 years of the AHEAD Program, we remain committed to investing in communities throughout our district and to funding organizations leading innovative and important economic development programs,” said Alanna McCargo, president and chief executive officer of FHLBank San Francisco. “The AHEAD Program provides funding that our member organizations use to make grants to local nonprofits for initiatives that directly address capacity building, jobs, and community needs. Together, we’re making a lasting difference and driving economic growth where it’s needed most.”

    The AHEAD grant program encourages FHLBank San Francisco’s members to build strong relationships with nonprofit organizations that have specific economic and community development expertise. The 2024 grant cycle will distribute 84 grants through 60 different members, with 10 of those members engaged in the program for the first time. AHEAD Program grantees support a wide range of projects and beneficiaries, addressing diverse needs across various sectors and communities. The largest portions of 2024 grants have been allocated to the following key areas:

    • 29% of grants for Entrepreneurial/Microenterprise projects
    • 20% of grants for Capacity Building projects
    • 14% of grants for Job Training projects
    • 12% of grants for Economic Development projects
    • 11% of grants for Social Services projects

    Examples of the 2024 AHEAD grant recipients, include:

    • Phoenix, Arizona – Local First Arizona partnered with member Arizona Financial Credit Union to receive a $100,000 AHEAD grant to fund the Native Business incubator pilot project. The grant will enable the delivery of culturally relevant and professional business education for entrepreneurs – who are Tribal members – to help unlock new business opportunities and gain access to capital.
    • Aptos, California – California Farmlink, a community development financial institution (CDFI), partnered with member Bank of the Sierra to receive a $98,912 AHEAD grant to fund the Building Wealth and Resilience with California Farmers project. This grant will assist Hispanic farmers, ranchers, and fishers – who face acute barriers to accessing capital – by making business assistance programs available in Spanish to help these entrepreneurs scale their businesses and become more sustainable.
    • Las Vegas, Nevada – Nevada Hospitality Foundation partnered with member Employers Insurance Company of Nevada to receive a $100,000 AHEAD grant to fund a project that works to address industry workforce challenges, such as skill gaps, unemployment, or underemployment. This grant will focus on connecting ethnic minority and rural residents with an employer after developing technical skills they need to succeed in the hospitality labor trade.

    The AHEAD grant program is just one example of the Bank’s commitment to fostering economic vitality, affordable homeownership, and wealth creation by contributing up to 15% of annual net profits to mission-aligned initiatives each year. Additional important community initiatives led by the Bank include the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants, Empowering Black Homeownership grants, the Tribal Nations Program, and Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance and Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) matching grant programs that provide downpayment assistance to low- and middle-income first-time homebuyers.

    To learn more about the AHEAD program and this year’s economic development grant recipients, visit http://www.fhlbsf.com.

    About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

    The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ciscomani Hosts Women’s Health Roundtable Event in Tucson

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)

    Tucson, AZ – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) hosted a Women’s Health Roundtable alongside experts from the University of Arizona, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) to discuss the need to advance research initiatives, expand healthcare access, and promote innovation in women’s healthcare. 

    While at this event, Ciscomani met with Maria Martinez, a two-time survivor of breast cancer who is fighting to expand access to critical care after she was denied an MRI by her insurers. In 2024, Maria Martinez awarded Ciscomani the Breast Cancer Guardian Award. Watch their video together here. 

    “As your Representative and a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, I am committed to pushing legislation, funding, and other efforts to address the gap in women’s healthcare innovation,” said Ciscomani. “It was an honor to host this roundtable and hear directly from distinguished panelists, experts, and my constituents about the best ways to improve women’s healthcare and support women and families in southern Arizona, and across the nation.” 

    Background 

    • As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Ciscomani: 

      • Voted to fully fund the National Institutes of Health at $48 billion in Fiscal Year 2025. 

      • Voted to fully fund the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at $238 million. 

      • Prioritized the critical cancer research efforts at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), proposing $7.9 billion total for NCI, or an increase of $650 million. 

    • Ciscomani co-led H.R.8839, Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act with Rep. Caraveo (CO-08) to address the drastic increases in syphilis cases nationwide, especially in Arizona, and its impacts on maternal and infant health. Directs HHS to issue guidance to states on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid/CHIP. 

    • Ciscomani co-led the introduction of H.R. 9335, the Maternal and Infant Delivery: Wellness, and Integration with Vital Expertise Support (MIDWIVES) for Servicemembers Act with Rep. Kilmer (WA-06) to expand midwifery care to servicemembers and their families. 

    • Ciscomani cosponsored H.R.4534, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act introduced by Rep. Boyle (PA-02) to address a leading cause of cancer death in women by assessing the status of existing research and gaps in current lung cancer research in women, as well as identifies new opportunities for research and initiatives. 

    • Ciscomani cosponsored H.R.6749,the Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023 introduced by Rep. Clarke (NY-09) which directs the NIH to evaluate the results and status of completed and ongoing research related to menopause, perimenopause, or midlife women’s health, and to conduct and support additional research. Specifically, NIH will highlight any gaps in knowledge and what treatments there could be for menopause-related symptoms. 

    • At a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Ciscomani questioned Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra about initiatives to promote and expand access to women’s healthcare. 

    • Ciscomani joined a bipartisan letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-01) urging the inclusion of the Child Care Investment Act in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Medicare Open Enrollment Period Begins, Warren Highlights More Than $170 Million in Prescription Drug Savings for Massachusetts Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 15, 2024

    New report from Warren’s office, A Prescription For Savings, shows how the Inflation Reduction Act is saving seniors millions of dollars, while holding Big Pharma price-gougers accountable. 

    A Prescription for Savings – How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Cut Drug Costs for Massachusetts Medicare Enrollees in 2025 (PDF)

    Boston, MA  – On the first day of the Medicare open enrollment period for Plan Year 2025, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a new report, A Prescription for Savings, outlining six key reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that are helping Massachusetts seniors save on prescription drugs. 

    “The IRA will save Bay Staters enrolled in Medicare a total of over $170 million on prescription drug costs in 2025 alone,” according to the report. “The IRA has created more accessible, more equitable, and more affordable prescription drug coverage for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts.”

    “This new report provides critical information to seniors and others in Massachusetts about how they will save money when selecting a Medicare prescription drug plan for next year,” said Senator Warren. “I’ve worked hard to rein in Big Pharma’s price-gouging and lower health care costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, and Medicare enrollees will see significant savings as a result.”

    Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and Democrats in Congress, the IRA will save Medicare enrollees billions of dollars on prescription drugs costs nationwide. The report highlights six ways Massachusetts Medicare enrollees will save in 2025 and beyond:   

    • $35 monthly insulin: Out-of-pocket costs for insulin are now capped at $35 per month for Medicare enrollees. More than 26,000 Massachusetts Medicare enrollees who use insulin can expect about $500 in annual savings in 2025 – an estimated total savings of nearly $13 million. 
    • $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs: New out-of-pocket caps in Medicare Part D will help 83,000 enrollees in Massachusetts save an average of $1,500 on their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs – an estimated savings of over $124 million annually. 
    • Free vaccines: For more than 1.1 million Massachusetts Medicare enrollees, recommended vaccines are now covered pre-deductible and without cost-sharing. This will save Massachusetts Medicare enrollees about $5 million per year.   
    • Penalties for drug manufacturers that jack up prices faster than inflation: The IRA, for the first time, penalizes drug manufacturers that raise prices faster than inflation, helping an estimated 17,000 Massachusetts residents save on their prescription drugs. 
    • Expanded support for low-income enrollees: Approximately 5,000 low-income Medicare enrollees in Massachusetts will save around $30 million per year due to the IRA’s expansion of the Medicare Part D “Extra Help” program. 
    • Negotiations to lower drug prices: For the first time, Medicare can directly negotiate prices with drug manufacturers for a select number of high-priced drugs. Nearly 200,000 Part D enrollees in Massachusetts use at least one prescription drug that will see price reductions when the new negotiated prices take effect in 2026. 

    Senator Warren has led the fight to hold drug manufacturers accountable for high drug costs: 

    • In March 2022, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren called out drug manufacturers for price-gouging Americans on prescription drugs. As Americans deal with high prices across the economy, Senator Warren is pushing for reforms that will lower drug prices and stop Big Pharma from taking advantage of consumers.
    • In February 2022, during a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned witnesses about how corporate profiteering in the pharmaceutical, insurance, and financial industries is contributing to excessive costs for Medicare.
    • In February 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Angus King (I-Maine), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) urged HHS to exercise march-in rights for life-saving cancer drug Xtandi to dramatically lower its price for millions of Americans. She also called out big pharma and insurance companies’ tricks to squeeze taxpayers and Medicare beneficiaries. And she called for passage of the Build Back Better Act, which includes provisions that could generate billions in savings and give the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to negotiate prices on some high-price drugs. 
    • In June 2021, Senator Elizabeth Warren led a letter questioning PhRMA’s lobbying efforts to block policies that would lower drug costs for millions of Americans. 
    • In May 2021, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Warren called for trade negotiations that put patients over big pharma profits. 
    • In December 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act with Congresswoman Schakowsky, to radically reduce drug prices through public manufacturing of prescription drugs, including the . 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Introduces Bill to Protect Wisconsinites from Predatory Wall Street Investors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Stop Wall Street Looting Act, comprehensive legislation to fundamentally reform the private equity industry and level the playing field by forcing private investment firms to take responsibility for the outcomes of companies they take over, empowering workers and protecting investors.

    Since 2020, private equity fund assets have grown exponentially, reaching nearly $8 trillion in 2023 compared to $4.5 trillion in 2020. Private equity funds have purchased companies in nearly every sector of the economy — from nursing homes, to newspapers, to grocery stores — laying off hundreds of thousands of workers and ruining thousands of companies in the process.

    “When out-of-state investors buy Wisconsin companies only to turn a quick profit and shutter their doors, it’s Wisconsin workers and communities that suffer. I’m committed to ensuring that when Wisconsin businesses are purchased, Wisconsin families are protected and not left high and dry like we’ve seen in places like Janesville, Green Bay, and Waukesha,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our legislation will help put workers and our community first – protecting them from predatory practices that too often result in devastating job losses for Wisconsin’s working families.”

    The private equity industry claims to invest in companies while also earning high returns for investors by using their management expertise to make the companies’ operations more efficient, and then selling the companies at a profit. In reality, private equity funds often load mountains of debt on the companies they buy, strip them of their assets, and extract exorbitant fees and dividends, guaranteeing payouts for themselves regardless of how the investment performs. When their debt-ridden investments go belly-up, private equity funds walk away with no responsibility for the mess they create, leaving workers in the lurch and forcing communities to clean up their mess.

    This bill would level the playing field, protect workers, consumers, and investors, and force private equity firms to take responsibility for the companies they control by closing the loopholes that allow private equity to capture all the rewards of their investments while insulating themselves from risk and liability. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will:

    • Require Private Investment Funds to Have Skin in the Game: Private equity firms, the firm’s general partners, and their insiders will all be on the hook for the liabilities of companies under their control — including debt, legal judgments, and pension-related obligations — to better align the incentives of private equity firms and the companies they own. Liability would not extend to the fund’s limited partners, ensuring that only those that control portfolio firms are on the hook. In order to encourage more responsible use of debt, the bill ends the tax subsidy for excessive leverage and closes the carried interest loophole.
    • End Looting of Portfolio Companies. To give portfolio companies a shot at success, the bill limits how much money private equity firms can extract from companies and closes the loophole that private equity firms have used to hide certain assets from bankruptcy courts.
    • Protect Workers, Customers and Communities. This proposal prevents private equity firms from walking away when a company fails and protects workers and communities by:
      • Prioritizing workers’ pay in the bankruptcy process and amending the laws to increase the priority claims for unpaid earnings and other benefits from $10,000 to $20,000 per worker.
      • Creating incentives for job retention so that workers can benefit from a company’s second chance.
      • Ending the immunity of private equity firms from legal liability when their portfolio companies break the law, including the WARN Act. When workers at a plant are shortchanged or residents at a nursing home are hurt because private equity firms force portfolio companies to cut corners, the firm should be liable.
      • Expanding protections for striking workers by clarifying unfair labor practices and the employer duty to bargain.
    • Empower Investors by Increasing Transparency. Private equity managers will be required to disclose fees, returns, and other information about their funds and the corporate loans they make so that investors can monitor their investments.
    • Put Guardrails Around Accessing Public Funds. Firms receiving any funds from a federal or state agency must publicly disclose how the funds are used and will be prohibited from acquiring any company or making a distribution to investors for two years after receipt.
    • Drives REITS out of Health Care. Payments from federal health programs to entities that sell assets or use assets for a loan collateral made to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) are prohibited; repeal a rule in the Tax Code that allows taxable REIT subsidiaries to exert influence on the operations of health care entities; and remove the 20 percent pass-through deduction, passed in the 2017 Trump tax cuts, for all REIT investors.

    The bill is led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and also co-sponsored by Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate.

    The bill is supported by Action Center on Race and the Economy, AFL-CIO, American Economic Liberties Project, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, Center for Popular Democracy, Communication Workers of America, Community Catalyst, Economic Policy Institute, Indivisible, National Employment Law Project, National Women’s Law Center, Private Equity Stakeholder Project, People’s Action, SEIU, Strong for All, Take on Wall Street, United for Respect, Working Families Party, and Worth Rises.

    “Private equity has an immense impact on the U.S. economy, touching virtually every aspect of life from healthcare to housing to technology to retail and more. Private equity’s extractive playbook harms workers and communities, diminishes access to quality affordable health care, worsens the housing crisis and the climate crisis, and perpetuates systemic racism. Without major changes, a handful of ultra wealthy Wall Street executives will continue getting richer at everyone else’s expense. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act takes important, much needed steps to reign in Wall Street predatory practices and promote a just and sustainable economy,” said Lisa Donner, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform.

    “Union busting, pollution, and bankruptcy aren’t side effects of the private equity model: they are the model,” said Porter McConnell, Take on Wall Street. “It’s a smash-and-grab, plain and simple. That’s why we are so pleased to see comprehensive legislation like the Stop Wall Street Looting Act introduced in Congress today. We created the loopholes in the law that allowed the private equity industry to thrive, and we can end them. Our communities, our economy, and our democracy are depending on it.”

    “As we fight for more public investment in the child care sector, we must also rein in private equity’s ability to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. Building guardrails – such as those in the Stop Wall Street Looting Act – will help put the wellbeing of children and families ahead of private equity’s profits,” said Melissa Boteach, Vice President, Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning, National Women’s Law Center.

    “Private equity firms, which control nearly $15 trillion in assets, routinely prioritize quick, outsized profits, at the expense of workers, patients, renters, and local economies as part of their business model,” said Chris Noble, Policy Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act provides an essential check on this opaque industry. By addressing the systemic risks tied to debt-laden private equity buyouts, this legislation prioritizes the long-term health of businesses and communities over short-term profits for wealthy private equity executives.”

    “Private equity should have no influence over medical treatment decisions made jointly by independent physicians and their patients. The Stop Wall Street Looting Act goes a long way towards ensuring physicians, in consultation with their patients, are able to deliver quality, patient-centered, cost-efficient care without corporate interference,” said Dr. Stephen M. McCollam, Chair, Coalition for Patient-Centered Care.

    “Wall Street private equity firms have proven themselves to be a parasite on workers, our economy, and American retailers by gutting companies for profit and driving mass layoffs. Holding billionaire profiteers accountable for the damage they do to our working families and communities is imperative to addressing growing economic inequality,” said United for Respect Co-Executive Directors Bianca Agustin and Terrysa Guerra in a joint statement. “The Stop Wall Street Looting Act will help close loopholes in our laws that for too long have allowed private equity to pillage companies and amass huge profits while workers lose their jobs and are left with nothing. United For Respect is proud to support this bill — and we need all legislators to join us in protecting workers and putting Wall Street on the hook for the havoc they reap.”

    Full text of this legislation is available here. A one-pager on this legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens call for Labour to scrap ‘dehumanising’ weight-loss plans

    Source: Scottish Greens

    15 Oct 2024 Economy Health

    Scottish Greens criticise plans from Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting

    More in Economy

    Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s plans to give unemployed people weight-loss jabs to improve the economy is “horrific and dehumanising” says Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.

    The Labour MP made the statement in an opinion piece for The Telegraph where he said “widening waistbands” were “holding back our economy”. This came alongside news that the UK government would invest nearly £300 million in the company which produces the weight-loss drug Tirzepatide.

    Maggie Chapman MSP said:

    “Treating a health issue as an economic burden that can be ‘fixed’ by medication is outrageous.
     

    “People are not just cogs to fit into the capitalist machine. Instead of short-term fixes, this Labour government needs to focus on tackling long-term systemic issues that lead to obesity and ill health in this country.

    “Suggesting that the only reason someone is unemployed is due to their weight sets a disturbing precedent for further division and shame. It deflects from the wider social inequalities that truly affect unemployment rates that the Labour government should spend more time pondering.

    “These horrific and dehumanising plans should be scrapped before they start. It is totally unacceptable for Mr Streeting to suggest this whilst ignoring the vast number of systematic faults and moral failings that need to be tackled in the UK.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Kudlow to Discuss Border Patrol Union Endorsing Trump, Harris’s Failed Border Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    NEW YORK CITY – United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees, yesterday joined Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss the National Border Patrol Council endorsing President Trump, Kamala Harris and Chuck Schumer’s deceptive “border bill,” illegal migrant taxpayer-funded flights, apartment complexes being overrun by Venezuelan gangs, and a preview of a second Trump Administration in the Senate.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the National Border Patrol Council endorsing President Donald Trump: “Absolutely, they did. And the reason they did, is they know that he means what he says. This fake border bill that Kamala Harris and Chuck Schumer put forward was simply a ruse. It was an opportunity for them to actually put more resources into more people into this country more [easily]. That’s what it was looking to do […] It’s high time that we did [secure the border], and President Trump is the only one that can get it done.”

    Hagerty on the taxpayer-funded illegal migrant flights: “It doesn’t make any sense, and talking about the ones that we fly in here: I brought this to the floor of the Senate, and every single Democrat voted to continue using taxpayer dollars to support flights from places like Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, directly into our country, bypassing the borders and bringing illegal migrants into our country, into the cities of their choice. Every single Democrat voted to continue using taxpayer funds to do this. Last year, 320,000 people came in this way. This year, right here, it’s over half a million so far.”

    Hagerty on apartment complexes being run by illegal Venezuelan gangs: “The partisan media are so out of touch, Larry. That she [ABC’s Martha Raddatz] would even undertake that line of questioning with JD [Vance] just shows how out of touch they are, and they’re so focused on debunking talking points and “disinformation.” They’re not focused on the real problems here right now […] It shouldn’t be a single apartment complex [taken over] […] I can’t imagine that she thinks this would be acceptable if it were her apartment complex that had been taken over by Venezuelan gangs.”

    Hagerty on a Republican Senate majority pushing a second Trump Agenda: “I’ve discussed with the number of people that are running for Senate leadership that the most important criteria from my perspective is their ability to get along with Donald Trump and lock arms in this agenda to make certain that the work that’s going to take place with Executive Orders and the Executive Branch side is paired up. And I hope we’ll be in a position to do reconciliation […] There are a number of people that have already announced that they’re going to run: [John] Thune, [John] Cornyn. You’ve got Rick Scott as well who has already announced, and there may be others. But I think one of the key criteria again, is going to be making certain that we take the greatest advantage of this first 100 days, first 200 days, to really make it matter. And on the Senate side, getting appointments through, getting our nominees appointed right away[…] The tax package is going to be right on the agenda as you know, and you worked so hard on this before. If you think about what President Trump was able to accomplish back in 2017 with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and with the deregulatory thrust that he undertook, we’re going to come back, and I hope see it on steroids this time and see our economy, you know, grow even stronger. Grow even better.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Announces Nearly $2 Million for West Industrial Park in Russellville, Kentucky

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Logan Industrial Development Authority, Inc., in collaboration with Logan Economic Alliance for Development (LEAD), will receive $1,920,000 in federal funding to support the construction of a new two-lane roadway at the West Industrial Park in Russellville, Kentucky.

    Funded by the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bill, this federal grant is distributed through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the EDA in support of LEAD’s competitive grant application and advocated for EDA funding during the annual appropriations process. 

    “Impactful organizations like LEAD – and their work to drive industry into the Commonwealth – form an integral part of Western Kentucky’s growing economy. I was proud to work with LEAD to help bring home today’s funding which will lay the groundwork for new jobs and economic opportunity in Logan County. I look forward to seeing these funds go to good use and I’ll continue to do what I can to ensure Western Kentucky is a place full of growth and opportunity,” said Senator McConnell.

    “We are deeply grateful to the EDA for this award, the Barren River Area Development District for their support throughout the application process, and Senator Mitch McConnell for his help directing these dollars toward Logan County,” said President and CEO of LEAD Brooke Waldrup. “These funds will significantly improve the infrastructure of the West Industrial Park, enhancing our community’s ability to attract new opportunities and create lasting economic benefits for Logan County. The EDA’s investment will help ensure that our region remains competitive and prepared for future growth.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Austerity and recession: 3 simple graphs that explain New Zealand’s economic crisis

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoff Bertram, Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    Getty Images

    Economists working on macroeconomic policy – things like taxes and spending, interest rates and border controls on flows of trade and money – often refer to a set of key relationships governments can influence. In the textbooks, each of those relationships is drawn as a curve in a graph.

    First is the IS (“investment–saving”) curve. This says that if everything else stays the same, the Reserve Bank can increase economic output and employment by lowering the interest rate. Or it can cause a recession by raising the interest rate. (For simplicity’s sake, the curves here are depicted as straight lines.)

    Second comes the Phillips Curve, which is usually drawn sloping upwards to suggest that if everything else stays the same, inflation will rise during economic booms and fall in recessions. In other words, the Reserve Bank or the government can apparently bring inflation down by causing a recession.

    Third comes the trade balance – the current account of the balance of payments (investment income and traded goods and services between New Zealand and the rest of the world).

    If everything else stays the same here, as the exchange rate of the dollar falls, the current account strengthens by moving towards or expanding a surplus. If the exchange rate rises, the current account weakens: exports fall and imports increase.

    However, it’s a mistake to suppose each of these relationships will stay where it is while the government and Reserve Bank each tinker with their own policy settings. So, what could go wrong?

    The effect of austerity

    Start with the IS curve – the way output and employment are affected by interest rates, assuming the government makes no big budgetary changes. But what if the government embarks on an austerity program, slashing its spending and cancelling projects, which shrinks the economy?

    At any given interest rate, output and employment will be lower, shifting the whole curve “leftwards” towards lower economic activity (see above).

    Even if the Reserve Bank lowers the interest rate, that won’t expand the economy because the government’s fiscal policy is killing off its expansionary effect. The recession created by the austerity program rolls on.

    Along the way, it increases costs to government from unemployment, paying other benefits, and lower tax revenue. If the government responds with further austerity, we enter a downward self-reinforcing spiral.

    Wages and inflation

    Second, take the Phillips Curve and ask what happens if inflation isn’t, in fact, sensitive to how the economy is doing.

    In this case, driving the economy into recession has no effect on the inflation rate. When the Reserve Bank changes the interest rate, inflation just stays where it is because the Phillips Curve is flat, not upward-sloping. Reducing inflation requires completely different policy interventions.

    Back when the Phillips Curve was invented, it was reasonable to think inflation fell during recessions because workers could get higher wage increases in booms than in slumps.

    Bringing on a recession would reduce the bargaining power of workers, result in slower wage growth, and thereby tame inflation (given that wages are an important part of the costs of production).

    But workers today have lost the bargaining power they used to have when unions were strong and welfare-state thinking prevailed.

    In a paper fellow economist Bill Rosenberg and I published this year, we show the bargaining power of labour was killed off in 1991 by the Employment Contracts Act and has not recovered since. Wages no longer drive inflation in contemporary New Zealand.

    Interest rates and inflation

    Could the Phillips Curve work because producers of goods and services push up prices and profits faster in booms and cut their margins in recessions?

    It’s possible: there’s plenty of evidence of big companies using their market power to price-gouge consumers. But it’s not clear this exercise of market power is greater in booms and lesser in slumps.

    In fact, the opposite could be true. Small businesses are most likely to be driven out of the market in recessions, leaving big companies with increased market share and less competitive pressure on their margins.

    Forces both locally and in international markets have clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down, producing lower inflation. Local forces include the current government’s abrupt cancellation of major construction activities, dismissal of public servants, the constant negative messaging on the state of the economy, and rising outward migration as a consequence of all these.

    International markets, including falling prices for imports such as oil, have also clearly been pushing the Phillips Curve down. While the Reserve Bank will claim credit, it’s not at all clear the bank’s interest rate policy has made that much difference.

    Finally, what about the international balance of payments? One thing the Reserve Bank can do by changing the interest rate is change the exchange rate between the New Zealand dollar and other currencies.

    If New Zealand’s interest rates increase relative to elsewhere in the world, short-term money flows in to take advantage of the higher rates. This raises the exchange rate, and in turn weakens the external balance by cutting the return on exports and increasing the volume of cheaper imports.

    Producers of goods and services that face international competition are squeezed. Meanwhile, what used to be called the “sheltered” or “non-tradeable” industries – including the big banks, insurance companies, electricity suppliers, supermarkets, consultancies – are unscathed.

    Deeper recession

    The Reserve Bank may not have much effect on inflation, but it can certainly affect the structure of the economy. Using the interest rate as the weapon against inflation squeezes manufacturers, tourism and farmers, but leaves non-tradables largely untouched.

    Right now in New Zealand, the IS curve is remorselessly shifting left as the economy plunges into a deeper recession exacerbated by government austerity – an ideologically driven quest for instant fiscal surpluses, low public debt and a shrinking public sector relative to GDP.

    Falling interest rates will struggle to make expansionary headway against that austerity.

    Meanwhile, corporate profiteering and rising government charges continue to put upward pressure on the Phillips Curve, and the balance of payments is weakening. This means the country as a whole is piling up increasing debts to the rest of the world (largely through the Australian-owned banks).

    The question is, does the current government understand where its policies are taking us?

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

    – ref. Austerity and recession: 3 simple graphs that explain New Zealand’s economic crisis – https://theconversation.com/austerity-and-recession-3-simple-graphs-that-explain-new-zealands-economic-crisis-241259

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal and state financial regulatory agencies issue interagency statement on supervisory practices regarding financial institutions affected by Hurricane Milton

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, collectively the agencies, recognize the serious impact of Hurricane Milton on the customers and operations of many financial institutions and will provide appropriate regulatory assistance to affected institutions subject to their supervision. The agencies encourage institutions operating in the affected areas to meet the financial services needs of their communities.
    A complete list of the current disaster areas can be found at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
    Lending: The agencies encourage financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers in communities affected by Hurricane Milton. Prudent efforts to adjust or alter terms on existing loans in affected areas are supported by the agencies and should not be subject to examiner criticism. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, institutions should individually evaluate modifications of existing loans to determine whether they represent troubled debt restructurings or modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, as applicable. In making this evaluation, institutions should consider the facts and circumstances of each borrower and modification. In supervising institutions affected by Hurricane Milton, the agencies will consider the unusual circumstances these institutions face. The agencies recognize that efforts to work with borrowers in communities under stress can be consistent with safe-and-sound practices as well as in the public interest.
    Temporary Facilities: The agencies understand that many financial institutions face staffing, power, telecommunications, and other challenges in re-opening facilities after Hurricane Milton. In cases in which operational challenges persist, the primary federal and/or state regulator will expedite, as appropriate, any request to operate temporary facilities to provide more convenient availability of services to those affected by Hurricane Milton. In most cases, a telephone notice to the primary federal and/or state regulator will suffice initially to start the approval process, with necessary written notification being submitted shortly thereafter.
    Publishing Requirements: The agencies understand that the damage caused by Hurricane Milton may affect compliance with publishing and other requirements for branch closings, relocations, and temporary facilities under various laws and regulations. Institutions experiencing disaster-related difficulties in complying with any publishing or other requirements should contact their primary federal and/or state regulator.
    Regulatory Reporting Requirements: Institutions affected by Hurricane Milton that expect to encounter difficulty meeting the agencies’ reporting requirements should contact their primary federal and/or state regulator to discuss their situation. The agencies do not expect to assess penalties or take other supervisory action against institutions that take reasonable and prudent steps to comply with the agencies’ regulatory reporting requirements if those institutions are unable to fully satisfy those requirements because of Hurricane Milton.
    The agencies’ staffs stand ready to work with affected institutions that may be experiencing problems fulfilling their reporting responsibilities, taking into account each institution’s particular circumstances, including the status of its reporting and recordkeeping systems and the condition of its underlying financial records.
    Community Reinvestment Act (CRA): Financial institutions may receive CRA consideration for community development loans, investments, or services that revitalize or stabilize federally designated disaster areas in their assessment areas or in the states or regions that include their assessment areas. For additional information, refer to the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment at https://www.ffiec.gov/cra/qnadoc.htm.
    Investments: Institutions are encouraged to monitor municipal securities and loans affected by Hurricane Milton. The agencies realize local government projects may be negatively affected by the disaster and encourage institutions to engage in appropriate monitoring and take prudent efforts to stabilize such investments.
    For more information, refer to the Interagency Supervisory Examiner Guidance for Institutions Affected by a Major Disaster, which is available as follows:
    FDIC: https://www.fdic.gov/news/disaster
    FRB: https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1714a1.pdf
    NCUA: https://www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/letters-credit-unions-other-guidance/examiner-guidance-institutions-affected-major-disaster
    OCC: https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2017/bulletin-2017-61.html
    State financial regulators: https://www.csbs.org/interagency-supervisory-examiner-guidance-institutions-affected-major-disaster

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Joint Press Release: Federal and State Financial Regulatory Agencies Issue Interagency Statement on Supervisory Practices Regarding Financial Institutions Affected by Hurricane Milton

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    Federal Reserve Board
    Florida Office of Financial Regulation
    National Credit Union Administration
    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
    ________________________________________________________________

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, collectively the agencies, recognize the serious impact of Hurricane Milton on the customers and operations of many financial institutions and will provide appropriate regulatory assistance to affected institutions subject to their supervision. The agencies encourage institutions operating in the affected areas to meet the financial services needs of their communities.

    A complete list of the current disaster areas can be found at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.

    Lending: The agencies encourage financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers in communities affected by Hurricane Milton. Prudent efforts to adjust or alter terms on existing loans in affected areas are supported by the agencies and should not be subject to examiner criticism. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, institutions should individually evaluate modifications of existing loans to determine whether they represent troubled debt restructurings or modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, as applicable. In making this evaluation, institutions should consider the facts and circumstances of each borrower and modification. In supervising institutions affected by Hurricane Milton, the agencies will consider the unusual circumstances these institutions face. The agencies recognize that efforts to work with borrowers in communities under stress can be consistent with safe-and-sound practices as well as in the public interest.

    Temporary Facilities: The agencies understand that many financial institutions face staffing, power, telecommunications, and other challenges in re-opening facilities after Hurricane Milton. In cases in which operational challenges persist, the primary federal and/or state regulator will expedite, as appropriate, any request to operate temporary facilities to provide more convenient availability of services to those affected by Hurricane Milton. In most cases, a telephone notice to the primary federal and/or state regulator will suffice initially to start the approval process, with necessary written notification being submitted shortly thereafter.

    Publishing Requirements: The agencies understand that the damage caused by Hurricane Milton may affect compliance with publishing and other requirements for branch closings, relocations, and temporary facilities under various laws and regulations. Institutions experiencing disaster-related difficulties in complying with any publishing or other requirements should contact their primary federal and/or state regulator.

    Regulatory Reporting Requirements: Institutions affected by Hurricane Milton that expect to encounter difficulty meeting the agencies’ reporting requirements should contact their primary federal and/or state regulator to discuss their situation. The agencies do not expect to assess penalties or take other supervisory action against institutions that take reasonable and prudent steps to comply with the agencies’ regulatory reporting requirements if those institutions are unable to fully satisfy those requirements because of Hurricane Milton.

    The agencies’ staffs stand ready to work with affected institutions that may be experiencing problems fulfilling their reporting responsibilities, taking into account each institution’s particular circumstances, including the status of its reporting and recordkeeping systems and the condition of its underlying financial records.

    Community Reinvestment Act (CRA): Financial institutions may receive CRA consideration for community development loans, investments, or services that revitalize or stabilize federally designated disaster areas in their assessment areas or in the states or regions that include their assessment areas. For additional information, refer to the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment at https://www.ffiec.gov/cra/qnadoc.htm.

    Investments: Institutions are encouraged to monitor municipal securities and loans affected by Hurricane Milton. The agencies realize local government projects may be negatively affected by the disaster and encourage institutions to engage in appropriate monitoring and take prudent efforts to stabilize such investments.

    For more information, refer to the Interagency Supervisory Examiner Guidance for Institutions Affected by a Major Disaster, which is available as follows:

    FDIC:  https://www.fdic.gov/news/disaster

    FRB:  https://www.federalreserve.gov/supervisionreg/srletters/sr1714a1.pdf

    NCUA:  https://www.ncua.gov/regulation-supervision/letters-credit-unions-other-guidance/examiner-guidance-institutions-affected-major-disaster

    OCC:  https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2017/bulletin-2017-61.html

    State Financial Regulators:  https://www.csbs.org/interagency-supervisory-examiner-guidance-institutions-affected-major-disaster

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    FEMA to Evaluate Readiness of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise for communities around the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. The exercise will occur during the week of October 21, 2024 to assess the ability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to respond to an emergency at the nuclear facility. 

    “These drills are held every other year to evaluate government’s ability to protect public health and safety,” said MaryAnn Tierney, Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 3. “We will assess state and local government emergency response capabilities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”

    Within 90 days, FEMA will send its evaluation to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use in licensing decisions. The final report will be available to the public approximately 120 days after the exercise. 

    FEMA will present preliminary findings of the exercise during a public meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 24, 2024. The meeting will be conducted at the Talen Energy East Mountain Business Center, 1190 East Mountain Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre PA. Planned speakers include representatives from FEMA and the NRC. 

    At the public meeting, FEMA may request that questions or comments be submitted in writing for review and response. Written comments may also be submitted after the meeting by emailing FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:

    MaryAnn Tierney

    Regional Administrator

    FEMA Region 3

    615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor

    Philadelphia, PA 19106

    FEMA created the Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program to (1) ensure the health and safety of citizens living around commercial nuclear power plants would be adequately protected in the event of a nuclear power plant accident and (2) inform and educate the public about radiological emergency preparedness.

    REP Program responsibilities cover only “offsite” activities, that is, state and local government emergency planning and preparedness activities that take place beyond the nuclear power plant boundaries. Onsite activities continue to be the responsibility of the NRC.

    Additional information on FEMA’s REP Program is available online at FEMA.gov/Radiological-Emergency-Preparedness-Program. 

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

     Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

    erika.osullivan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada supports historic sites and tourism in York Region

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Three organizations expand experiences and attract more visitors with Government of Canada support

    October 15, 2024 – East Gwillimbury, Ontario

    York Region is a must-visit destination offering a wide variety of cultural, recreational and culinary experiences for all to enjoy. Tourism in York Region is a key driver of the region’s economy, as increased visitors create good jobs, support local businesses and boost key sectors like hospitality.

    Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), visited the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum for the unveiling of the new Hope and Truth Reflection Garden. While there, Minister Tassi announced a combined FedDev Ontario investment of $470,000 through the Tourism Growth Program for three organizations, including the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum, Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill and Destination Markham. Minister Tassi was joined by Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket–Aurora.

    With an investment of $45,000, the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum designed and installed the Hope and Truth Reflection Garden, which surrounds the Hope and Truth Reflection Sculpture. This new garden will help increase the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum’s capacity for tourism and attract new visitors into a space for reflection and onto a path forward on the journey of Truth and Reconciliation.

    Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill received a $225,000-investment to create a new nighttime light experience in its uplå activity area in Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park, which is the largest outdoor net park in North America. With this support, the organization will be able to upgrade their facilities so they can stay open more months out of the year.

    Destination Markham received a $200,000-investment to develop a Culinary Trail Experience in Markham. Building on the success of their flagship event, “Jazzlicious Winterfest,” this initiative will introduce new culinary trails and experiences. These new experiences are designed to attract more visitors, offering unique and memorable opportunities to explore Markham’s diverse food culture, while boosting revenue for culinary tourism businesses in Markham and across the region.

    The Government of Canada is investing in historic sites and tourism projects in the region so they can create new products and experiences that will help Ontario’s tourism economy flourish for generations to come.

    Quotes

    “Tourism businesses and organizations like Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum, Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill and Destination Markham offer unique experiences to visitors and locals. They are economic drivers in their communities, stimulating job creation and contributing to the region’s overall prosperity. The Government of Canada knows the value in supporting tourism businesses and organizations who showcase the unique experiences and attractions Ontario has to offer.”
    – The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

    “Tourism helps Canada showcase its diverse cultural heritage and beauty on the world stage. By supporting organizations and businesses like the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum, Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill and Destination Markham, we fuel local economies, help create jobs and empower communities. I’m proud to champion local tourism, as it also fosters a sense of belonging in communities all across our nation.”
    – The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism

    “York Region is where urban meets natural beauty and landscapes. There is truly something for everyone here. Investments made today through the Government of Canada’s Tourism Growth Program will ensure that York Region continues to welcome visitors to explore, dine, play and connect with our warm and welcoming community.”
    – Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket–Aurora

    “Financial support from FedDev Ontario for our vision of a Hope and Truth Reflection Garden has been absolutely critical. Today, our community has garden space complete with a remarkable sculpture that honours Indigenous children who were the tragic victims of the residential school system while providing space for reflection and a path forward on the journey to Truth and Reconciliation.”
    – Ian Proudfoot, President, Sharon Temple Museum Society

    “The support that FedDev Ontario’s Tourism Growth Program has provided to Treetop Trekking has allowed us to grow the scope of our newest adventure experience, uplå Aglow. Their support has helped us to provide an exceptional new experience that will get residents and visitors to Ontario, outside and active in nature, all year round, contributing to the health and well-being of thousands of people every year.”
    – Mike Stiell, Marketing Director, Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill

    “We appreciate the Government of Canada’s support through the Tourism Growth Fund. This investment allows us to build on the success of “Jazzlicious Winterfest,” introducing new culinary trails that celebrate Markham’s diverse food culture. By enhancing our culinary offerings, we aim to attract new visitors, boost local businesses, and continue positioning Markham as a premier culinary destination.”
    – Andrew Baldwin, Executive Director, Destination Markham

    Quick facts

    • Located in East Gwillimbury, the Sharon Temple was constructed from 1825-1831. In 1918, it opened as a museum. The Sharon Temple was designated a National Historic Site in 1990 and the Sharon Temple Museum Society was incorporated with a mandate to maintain and preserve the Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum, expand the collection, and engage the community.

    • Incorporated in 2013, Treetop Trekking Bruce’s Mill is an adventure park in the York Region known for its outdoor experiences, including ziplining and aerial treks.

    • Incorporated in 2018, Destination Markham is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing Markham’s visitor economy. Destination Markham aims to position the city as a vibrant, multicultural destination, enhancing its appeal and contributing to regional economic growth.

    • Canada’s regional development agencies are delivering the $108-million Tourism Growth Program, over three years, to support businesses and organizations to help diversify regional economies. These investments in tourism products and experiences will encourage visitation to and within Canada. In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario is delivering over $30 million through the program.

    • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $415 million in nearly 1,450 tourism-related businesses and organizations, estimated to have supported over 24,500 jobs.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Edward Hutchinson
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
    Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

    FedDev Ontario
    Media Relations
    media@feddevontario.gc.ca

    Stay Connected

    FedDev-Ontario.Canada.ca

    Follow us X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

    Subscribe to FedDev Ontario’s Southern Ontario Spotlight newsletter, featuring economic development news and updates from across the region.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice Regarding Approval of Supplement to Prospectus and Final Terms of the Forth Tranche

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    UAB “Orkela,” legal entity code 304099538, registered address at Jogailos St. 4, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania (the Issuer), whose securities (the Bonds) are listed and admitted to trading on the Bond List of Nasdaq, also the Bonds are being publicly offered under the base prospectus approved by the Bank of Lithuania on 14 November 2023 including its first supplement approved on 24 November 2023 (the Prospectus).

    The Issuer informs that the second supplement to the Prospectus has been approved by the Bank of Lithuania on 15 October 2024 (the Prospectus’ Supplement), that is attached.  Before deciding to invest in the Bonds, please carefully read the Prospectus’ Supplement.

    The Issuer would like to announce that pursuant to the Final Terms of the forth Tranche that were adopted on 15 October 2024 (the Final Terms) in accordance with the Issuer’s Base Prospectus approved by the Bank of Lithuania on 14 November 2023, including its first and second supplements (the Prospectus), Offering of the Bonds under the Final Terms in the total amount of EUR 5,432,000 will be carried out in the Republic of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia under the following main terms (other terms applicable are detailed in the Final Terms):

    1. Nominal Value of a Bond – EUR 1,000;
    2. Issue Price of a Bond – EUR  1,014.1267
    3. Final Maturity Date – 19 January 2025;
    4. Interest Rate – 6% (fixed) annually;
    5. Yield – 8% annually;
    6. Subscription channels – Regular Subscription where the Subscription Orders shall be accepted:

    (i) by the Issuer at the office at Jogailos st. 4, Vilnius, the Republic of Lithuania or by e-mail info@lordslb.lt;

    (ii) by the Lead Manager at the office at Šeimyniškių st. 1A, Vilnius, the Republic of Lithuania or by e-mail broker@sb.lt;

    (iii) by the Manager: UAB FMĮ “Evernord”, legal entity code 303198227, at the office at Konstitucijos ave. 15-90, Vilnius, the Republic of Lithuania or by e-mail vismante.sepetiene@evernord.com;

    (iv) by the Manager: UAB “Gerovės valdymas”, legal entity code 302445450, at the office at Jogailos st. 3, Vilnius, the Republic of Lithuania or by e-mail gv@gerovesvaldymas.lt;

    (v) by the Manager: Redgate Capital AS, legal entity code 11532616, at the office at Pärnu mnt 10, Tallinn 10148, Estonia or by e-mail bonds@redgatecapital.eu.

    1. Subscription Period – 16 October 2024 – 6 November 2024;
    2. Payment Date – 7 November 2024;
    3. Issue Date – 8 November 2024.

    Before deciding to invest in the Bonds, each Investor shall read the Prospectus and Final Terms with attached relevant language summary. All aforementioned documents are attached herein and published on the Issuer’s website at https://lordslb.lt/orkela_bonds/. 

    General Manager of UAB “Orkela”
    Anastasija Pocienė

    anastasija.pociene@lordslb.lt

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Enterprise Singapore partners with African Export-Import Bank to catalyse financing for Singaporean companies expanding to Africa

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, October 15, 2024/APO Group/ —

    [1] MDBs are supranational institutions set up by sovereign states, which are their shareholders, to foster economic and social development in developing nations. MDBs provide loans and guarantees to fund projects that support social and economic development.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC and Wind River Expand Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Development and Deployment of Mission-Critical Systems

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC) and Wind River® have announced an expanded strategic partnership to deliver industry-leading technologies to government customers by easing mission-oriented integration, speeding development and enhancing functionality in systems, for the U.S. Army and other government entities, including Cabinet-level departments and independent agencies.

    As part of the partnership, SAIC and Wind River will collaborate on product integration and joint go-to-market plans across the Wind River software portfolio, including digital engineering and digital twin, DevSecOps, Linux, safety certifiable products and certification services and cloud-based command and control operations.

    For more than a decade, Wind River has been a trusted SAIC partner supporting U.S. Army embedded software development at Redstone Arsenal. The expanded strategic partnership will enable acceleration of mission solutions and provide secure, safe and reliable mission-critical systems across a range of applications. Those include lifecycle systems, engineering and computer resource engineering support to systems, and activities necessary to define concepts and requirements, while also plan, manage, develop, sustain, modify, improve, test, train, field and retire systems and system computer resources in a time frame necessary to meet customer needs.

    “We are excited to expand our partnership with Wind River, which enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that accelerate the design and mission-oriented integration of complex weapons systems,” said Josh Jackson, executive vice president and manager, Army Business Group. “Together, we are poised to leverage a suite of cloud based digital engineering tools purposely designed to address the requirements in building the Army of 2030.”

    SAIC is uniquely focused on offering prebuilt, commercially integrated and configured products and services to customers, accelerating time to value for all parties. As a market leader, SAIC is helping accelerate Army modernization by empowering the Army with trusted services and cutting-edge technology-agnostic integrated solutions that provide accelerated Operational Outcomes for Multi-Domain Operations.

    “Wind River’s strategic partnership with SAIC represents a pivotal moment for our government customers, driving a transformational shift toward delivering comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that advance the software-defined future of mission-critical, AI-driven applications at the intelligent edge,” said Avijit Sinha, Wind River President. “Together, we will introduce innovative, highly capable joint solutions that provide transformative value across defense, space, civilian, and intelligence sectors, and beyond.”

    Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical systems. With technology proven in over 750 safety programs and in more than 120 civilian and military aircraft, Wind River has over three decades of experience helping to build safe, secure, and reliable computing systems for demanding commercial aircraft, space exploration, and military operations. It is a leading supplier of real-time operating systems, Linux offerings, hypervisors, and simulation technology to the aerospace, government, and defense industries with its portfolio of product, including VxWorks®, Wind River Helix™ Virtualization Platform, Wind River Linux, Wind River Studio Developer, and the recently launched eLxr Pro.

    About SAIC
    SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.4 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    About Wind River
    Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for the intelligent edge. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at http://www.windriver.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    Media Contact:
    Greg Hicks
    619.961.0075 | gregory.l.hicks@saic.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Secures $8M from Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation to Address Redlining in Black Communities in Birmingham, Alabama

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Combating Redlining Initiative Surpasses $150M in Relief for Redlined Communities at its Third Anniversary

    The Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced today that Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (Fairway) has agreed to pay $8 million and a $1.9 million civil money penalty to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of lending discrimination by redlining predominantly Black neighborhoods in and around Birmingham, Alabama.

    Redlining is an illegal practice by which lenders avoid providing credit services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race, color, or national origin of residents in those communities.

    With this settlement, the Justice Department’s Combating Redlining Initiative surpassed $150 million in relief for communities of color nationwide that have experienced lending discrimination. This settlement marks the Justice Department’s 15th redlining settlement in three years. Under the Combating Redlining Initiative, the Department has secured a historic amount of relief that is expected to generate over $1 billion in investment in communities of color in places such as Houston; Memphis; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; and Birmingham.

    “This settlement, and the over $150 million in relief the Justice Department has secured for communities across the country through our Combating Redlining Initiative, will help to ensure that future generations of Americans inherit a legacy of home ownership that they too often have been denied,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This case is a reminder that redlining is not a relic of the past, and the Justice Department will continue to work urgently to combat lending discrimination wherever it arises and to secure relief for the communities harmed by it.”

    The Justice Department and CFPB allege that Fairway illegally redlined Black neighborhoods in Birmingham, including through its marketing and sales actions, and discouraged residents of those neighborhoods from applying for mortgage loans. The settlement announced today requires Fairway to provide $7 million for a loan subsidy program to offer affordable home purchase, refinance, and home improvement loans in Birmingham’s majority-Black neighborhoods, invest an additional $1 million in programs to support that loan subsidy fund, and pay a $1.9 million civil penalty to the CFPB’s victims relief fund.

    This case is the third redlining enforcement action brought jointly by the Justice Department and the CFPB under the initiative, highlighting the strong partnership between the agencies to root out and address lending discrimination.

    “Birmingham lies at the heart of our nation’s civil rights struggle but is also a community that bears the legacy of discriminatory redlining and other exclusionary policies,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement will provide Birmingham’s Black neighborhoods with the access to credit they have long been denied and increase opportunities for homeownership and generational wealth. This settlement makes clear our intent to uproot modern-day redlining in every corner of the country, including in the deep South. With more than $150 million in total relief secured in three short years, our Combating Redlining Initiative is generating real economic opportunity for communities of color while sending a strong message to mortgage lenders, no matter their business model, that discriminatory lending will not be tolerated in America.”

    “The settlement reached with Fairway Mortgage is a win for communities of color here in Birmingham that have historically been denied access to vital economic resources,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “Our office is committed to ensuring that these communities have equal access to housing and credit resources.”

    “The CFPB and Justice Department are holding Fairway accountable for redlining Black neighborhoods,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “Fairway’s unlawful redlining discouraged families from seeking loans for homes in Birmingham’s Black neighborhoods.”

    Fairway is a non-depository mortgage company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2022, Fairway was the nation’s fifth-largest lender by origination volume and ninth-largest by application volume. Fairway operates in the Birmingham area under the trade name MortgageBanc.

    The complaint describes how Fairway redlined majority-Black neighborhoods in the Birmingham Metropolitan Statistical Area (Birmingham MSA). During the period covered by the complaint, the Birmingham MSA included six counties in north central Alabama with a combined population of about 1.1 million. While Fairway claimed to serve the entire metropolitan area, it concentrated all its retail loan offices in majority-white areas, directed less than 3% of its direct mail advertising to consumers in majority-Black areas, and for years discouraged homeownership in majority-Black areas by generating loan applications at a rate far below its peer institutions.

    The Justice Department and CFPB allege that Fairway violated the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and Consumer Financial Protection Act. Specifically, the government alleges problematic conduct by Fairway including:

    • Failing to address known signs of discrimination: Fairway’s own data showed that, since at least 2017, it was failing to serve majority-Black neighborhoods in the Birmingham area, but before October 2022, it took no meaningful actions to address redlining risk. Between 2018 and 2022, only 3.7% of Fairway’s applications were for properties in majority-Black areas, compared to 12.2% for Fairway’s peer lenders. In other words, Fairway’s peer lenders generated applications for properties in majority-Black areas at over three times the rate of Fairway. This disparity was even higher in neighborhoods with 80% or more Black residents, where Fairway made loans at less than one-eighth of the rate of its peer lenders. Despite these figures, Fairway failed to adopt any written plan for marketing or growth to address the concern.
    • Redlining Black neighborhoods: From 2015 through 2022, Fairway operated three retail loan offices and three loan production desks within real estate offices in the Birmingham MSA, all of which were in majority-white areas. Fairway also relied on referrals from real estate professionals and its loan officers’ personal contacts to generate applications, and the vast majority of Fairway’s referral sources and referred consumers were located in majority-white areas. Fairway predominantly directed its marketing to majority-white areas and failed to train or incentivize its existing loan officers to better serve majority-Black areas. By taking these actions, Fairway discriminated against, and unlawfully discouraged mortgage loan applications for properties in, majority-Black neighborhoods.

    The proposed consent order, which awaits approval by the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, would require Fairway to:

    • Provide $7 million for a loan subsidy program: The order would require Fairway to offer home purchase, refinance, and home improvement loans on a more affordable basis than otherwise available in majority-Black neighborhoods in the Birmingham MSA. The program may provide lower interest rates, down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, or payment of initial mortgage insurance premiums.
    • Invest at least $1 million in redlined neighborhoods: Fairway would be required to open or acquire a new loan production office or full-service retail office in a majority-Black neighborhood in the Birmingham MSA. The company must also spend at least $500,000 on advertising and outreach, at least $250,000 on consumer financial education, and at least $250,000 on partnerships with one or more community-based or governmental organizations to serve the affected neighborhoods.
    • Pay a $1.9 million penalty: The proposed order imposes a $1.9 million civil penalty against Fairway, which would be paid into the CFPB’s Civil Penalty Fund, also referred to as the victims’ relief fund.

    Information about the Justice Department’s fair lending enforcement work can be found at http://www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291 or submitting a report online.

    Consumers can submit complaints about financial products and services by visiting the CFPB’s website or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

    Employees who believe their company has violated federal consumer financial protection laws are encouraged to send information about what they know to whistleblower@cfpb.gov. To learn more about reporting potential industry misconduct, visit the CFPB’s website.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOD Releases Report on Defense Spending by State in Fiscal Year 2023

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Today, the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation released its Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Spending by State report to help states and communities better understand how Defense procurement, personnel, and grant spending impact their economies.  

    The report’s graphs, maps, and tables present a range of findings, such as total spending figures, categories of contracted goods and services, major defense vendors, numbers and types of defense personnel, and grants awarded by the Department of Defense (DOD).  This snapshot provides public and private leaders with a starting place to assess how defense investments across installations, communities, and the private sector can be optimized by supporting regional innovation, industrial capability and capacity, supply chain resilience, and cultivating a skilled workforce.  

    “Our National Defense Industrial Strategy makes clear that a robust and resilient industrial base provides the enduring foundation for military advantage,” said Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “Businesses small and large across America are the heart of our industrial might, and this report is a tremendous resource that our state and local partners can use to better understand defense spending in their areas and strengthen supply chains.”

    Defense spending – to include contract obligations, payroll spending, and grants in the 50 states and the District of Columbia – rose by $50.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2023 from the prior fiscal year.  This is the result of an 8.9 percent increase in DoD contract obligations, a 5.0 percent increase in payroll spending, and a 7.5 percent increase in grant spending.

    DoD contract obligations, payroll spending, and grant awards in the 50 states and the District of Columbia totaled $609.2 billion, which is 2.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). If the total spending were divided across every U.S. resident, it would amount to $1,819 per U.S. citizen.  Of those funds, $431.4 billion (71 percent) were obligated through contracts for products and services, $167.4 billion (27 percent) paid the salaries of DoD personnel, and $10.4 billion (2 percent) were awarded as grants.

    Texas, Virginia, and California remain as the top recipients for overall defense spending in Fiscal Year 2023, with Texas moving to the number one spot, seeing an $8.9 billion increase over Fiscal Year 2022.  However, Virginia, Hawaii, and Connecticut ranked highest when considering defense spending impacts on their respective state GDPs.

    The top ten states for total Defense spending in Fiscal Year 2023 were:

    Rank State Defense Spending (billions)
    1 Texas $71.6
    2 Virginia $68.5
    3 California $60.8
    4 Florida $32.2
    5 Maryland $27.8
    6 Connecticut $25.3
    7 Pennsylvania $21.8
    8 Arizona $17.0
    9 Massachusetts $16.8
    10 Washington $15.5

    The top ten recipients of Defense contracts in Fiscal Year 2023 were:

    Rank Company Defense Spending (billions)
    1 Lockheed Martin $61.4
    2 RTX Corporation $24.1
    3 General Dynamics $22.9
    4 Boeing $20.1
    5 Northrup Grumman $16.3
    6 Huntington Ingalls $10.5
    7 Humana $7.8
    8 L3Harris Technologies $7.5
    9 BAE Systems $7
    10 Cencora $4.4

    Nine of the ten companies were on this list in Fiscal Year 2022. RTX Corporation was previously Raytheon Technologies. Cencora was formerly known as AmerisourceBergen but was not previously on the top ten list. 

    According to Patrick O’Brien, the Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, “This report is an enabler for the Department’s state and local partners to better understand and develop civilian innovation and modernization initiatives for the continued responsiveness of the defense industrial base and supply chains to our national security needs while also ensuring local infrastructure and services can sustain our local installations and the communities that host them and our military families.” 

    This analysis primarily entailed an examination of DoD funded prime- and sub-award contract data, grant awards, and defense personnel and payroll figures drawn from an array of sources, including DoD’s Defense Manpower Data Center and USAspending.gov, which is managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This spending includes support for the National Guard as well as Research, Development and Evaluation activities.

    The FY23 report, as well as previous years’ reports, can be found on the OLDCC website at https://oldcc.gov/dsbs-fy2023  

    A supplemental analysis report of DoD contract, personnel, and grant spending in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the United States will be available later this year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The “For Loyalty to Science” Award Helps Raise the Prestige of the Scientist Profession

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Award for Fidelity to Science

    The Expert Council determinedshortlist of the 10th All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science”.

    The names of the winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 28. The organizer of the annual event is the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.

    “In the Decade of Science and Technology, announced by President Vladimir Putin, the popularization of research and development is of particular importance. The “For Loyalty to Science” award helps to encourage journalists, bloggers, and popularizers, who, among other things, help to raise the prestige of the scientific profession and attract new personnel to the field for the technological leadership of our country. This year, more than 1.8 thousand applications from 80 regions of Russia were submitted for the award – almost 1.5 times more than last year. The most popular nomination was “Science for Children”. It was held for the first time and accepted applications from projects for the youngest. The emergence of such nominations and topics is an important trend, since the development of the country and our common future depend on what the younger generation will be interested in, what knowledge and skills they will develop,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The winners of the award will receive a cash reward and special prizes from the competition partners: a trip on a nuclear icebreaker, a trip to one of the Russian cosmodromes, an excursion to one of the high-tech facilities of PJSC Gazprom, a tour of an aircraft manufacturing plant with the opportunity to test their strength on the MC-21 pilot training complex.

    “In the last few years, our award has been breaking records in terms of the number of applications submitted. This year, the most popular nominations were: “Science for Children”, “Author of Digital Content”, “Recognition”, “Scientific Press Service of the Year”, “Work with Experience: Protecting Historical Truth”, “Russian Science for the World”. Such a wide range of applicants’ interests speaks of the great attention paid to the activities of scientists and researchers in completely different industries and spheres. Thanks to your work, dear participants, the number of people interested in Russian science is growing, especially among the younger generation, and this is especially valuable,” said Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov.

    The applications received were evaluated by journalists who widely cover scientific topics, scientists, representatives of government authorities, private foundations, companies, non-profit organizations, press services of universities, and research institutes. The laureates and diploma winners will be determined by the prize organizing committee.

    The event’s partners are the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, and Lomonosov Moscow State University. For more than five years in a row, the award has been supported by the Art, Science, and Sport Charity Foundation. The award is held as part of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    The founders of special prizes are traditionally the state corporations Roscosmos, Rostec, and Rosatom. Since 2024, PJSC Gazprom and PJSC VTB Bank have become the new partners of the award.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/53001/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Retired IAM Railroad Legend Bob Reynolds Recognized for 60 Years of Achievements

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Retired IAM District 19 leader Robert “Bob” Reynolds recently received a 60-year IAM service award pin and was recognized for his union achievements. 

    Reynolds’ journey with the IAM began as an apprentice on Aug. 6, 1964, with the Illinois Central Railroad in Paducah, Ky. At the time, the Illinois Central Railroad was the most dominant rail company in western Kentucky due to their locomotive repair shops, which included locomotive, boiler, blacksmith and tank shops. It also included the railroad’s rebuilding program, which rebuilt locomotives by increasing horsepower, removing dynamic braking and the addition of paper air filters. The Illinois Central Railroad was viewed as an industry pioneer, piquing the interest to merge in 1972 with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad to form the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (ICG).

    In 1967, after Reynolds’ apprenticeship, he was elected as President and Local Chairman of IAM Local 123 in Plain City, Ohio. With approximately 500 members, Local 123 was one of the largest railway locals. Reynolds held both positions until he was elected to be a full-time General Chairman at District 21 in 1978. 

    Throughout his years, Reynolds wore many hats. He served as the Assistant President and Directing General Chairman during the mergers of Districts 19 and 22. He served as a delegate for both District and Grand Lodge Conventions, negotiated agreements with various carriers and rail related companies, which at times required going to Presidential Emergency Boards.

    In 1991, when District 22 was officially merged into District 19, Reynolds was elected as District 19’s President and Directing General Chairman. In 1992, he was also elected as Secretary of the IAM Law Committee. Reynolds held both positions until his retirement on June 1, 2005.

    Reynolds’ personal and proud moments within the IAM involved the implementation of the Asbestos Awareness Program and the Employee Benefits Systems (EBS) Program, which were unanimously supported by the IAM Executive Council. To date, the two programs continue to be successful and of service to our membership and retirees. 

    Reynolds’ position has always been, “Once a machinist, always a machinist!”

    He has served the IAM for over 60 consecutive years and it is our honor to acknowledge all his great work throughout the years.

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    MIL OSI USA News –