NewzIntel.com

Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI: Tribal Loans Online For Bad Credit Guaranteed Approval No Credit Check Direct Lenders From Upper Lake Lending

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tribal loans online provide financial aid to those who need urgent cash to fulfill their emergent needs. Now there is no need to beg your relatives and friends for cash when you need finance for those emergencies. Upper Lake Lending is pleased to launch its tribal loan matching service designed for such needs. The majority of people are not willing to go for any loan due to their poor credit records. Such people think that no one will ever provide a loan to them. But now the time has changed. With the competition in the market, tribal lenders with guaranteed approval from Upper Lake Lending are coming up with newer and newer ways of borrowing money. No credit check tribal cash advance is a right choice for them. These advances can be utilized to clear off numerous expenses such as vehicle repair expenses, home renovation expenses, power bills, medical bills, schooling fees, and holiday tours.

    Official website: Upper Lake Lending

    Application page: Upper Lake Lending Tribal Loans Application Page

    Benefits Of No Credit Check Tribal Loans From Direct Lenders

    No credit check tribal loans, as the name suggests, are small instant cash loans which are approved without any credit verification. These are very quick to borrow money loans. As a borrower you may get the cash loan approved via the internet too. It is the fastest and the most suitable way to borrow money. Here you have to just fill in an application form available on the Upper Lake Lending website with all your details and once the form is filled, the remaining process will not take much of your time to get completed.

    These tribal payday loans are offered in both secured as well as unsecured ways. In the first case, you may get the cash approved without any collateral. On the other hand, there is no such need in unsecured loans but they are generally offered at slightly higher rates of interest. This is because of the risk the direct tribal lender is bearing in granting you a loan without any security.

    But seeing all other features of these tribal installment loans, this limitation may be ignored. You may also go for market research and can select the best direct tribal lender for the personal loan without any hassle. These all features give such loans an edge over other types of loans.

    Below, we explore the various benefits associated with no credit check tribal loans.

    Accessibility for All Borrowers

    One of the primary advantages of bad credit tribal loans is their accessibility. Traditional lenders often rely heavily on credit scores to determine eligibility. In contrast, no credit check tribal lenders cater to a broader audience, including:

    1. Individuals with Low Credit Scores: Those who have faced financial difficulties in the past may find it challenging to obtain loans through conventional means.
    2. Borrowers with Limited Credit History: Young adults or newcomers to the credit system may not have enough credit history to qualify for standard loans.

    This inclusivity of tribal loans allows more people to access the funds they need, regardless of their credit background.

    Quick Approval Process

    Another significant benefit of guaranteed tribal loans is the expedited approval process. Since tribal lenders do not conduct a thorough review of credit histories, borrowers can often receive approval within a short timeframe. This rapid response is particularly advantageous for those facing urgent financial needs, such as:

    • Medical Emergencies: Unexpected medical expenses can arise, and quick access to funds can alleviate stress.
    • Car Repairs: A sudden vehicle breakdown may require immediate financial attention.

    Tribal loans with no credit check is the perfect solution for such urgent needs.

    Minimal Impact on Credit Score

    Applying for a traditional loan typically involves a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower a borrower’s credit score. No credit check tribal payday loans, however, do not require such inquiries, allowing individuals to apply without the fear of damaging their credit further. This aspect is particularly appealing for those who are actively working to improve their credit scores.

    Flexibility in Loan Amounts

    Bad credit tribal loans with no credit check often provide flexibility in terms of loan amounts. Borrowers can typically choose from a range of options that suit their specific financial needs. This flexibility can be beneficial for various situations, such as:

    • Small Personal Expenses: Individuals may need a small amount for personal projects or emergencies.
    • Business Ventures: Entrepreneurs seeking to fund a new business idea can also benefit from these loans.

    Fast Funding

    Many no credit check loans offer quick funding, sometimes within one to two business days. This speed is crucial for borrowers who require immediate financial assistance. The ability to access funds quickly can make a significant difference in managing unexpected expenses. Same day tribal loans from Upper Lake Lending is the best option for such situations.

    Requirements For Bad Credit Tribal Loans With Instant Approval

    Currently such tribal loans for bad credit are presented only to the persons living in the US. The borrower must have attained an age of 18 years if he or she wants to get a loan approved. He or she should also be working somewhere drawing a regular salary each month. He or she should also have a valid bank account in any bank in the US.

    Common Requirements for Bad Credit Tribal Payday Loans

    While requirements can vary by tribal lender, several common criteria are typically observed:

    • Minimum Credit Score: Most tribal lenders require a minimum credit score, often around 580. Some may accept scores as low as 550.
    • Proof of Income: Borrowers must demonstrate a stable source of income, which reassures tribal lenders of their ability to repay the loan.
    • Employment Verification: Tribal lenders may require proof of employment or a steady income stream, which can include pay stubs or bank statements.
    • Debt-to-Income Ratio: A lower debt-to-income ratio is favorable. Tribal lenders often look for a ratio below 40% to ensure that borrowers can manage additional debt.
    • Identification and Residency: Valid identification and proof of residency are standard requirements to verify the borrower’s identity and address.

    The best part of these easiest tribal loans to get is that a borrower does not need to undergo the strict and formal condition structure to get the loan approved. A person may at any time before his/her payday may apply for the loan. He/she may also get the loan via the internet. It is the cheapest and most reliable way to get money. Here a borrower may also check and compare the rates and other charges of different tribal lenders available at the Upper Lake Lending platform.

    How Guaranteed Tribal Installment Loans For Bad Credit Work

    Before applying for these loans you need to choose the tribal lender that provides you these loans at an affordable interest rate. After selecting the best tribal lender you need to visit the lender’s website and fill up an application form with some personal details such as name, sex, age, account number, monthly income, repayment period etc. prescribed in it. After that you will receive cash in your hands in just a couple of hours, usually on the same business day.

    The process of obtaining a guaranteed tribal loan for bad credit generally involves several straightforward steps:

    1. Application: Borrowers fill out an application form, providing necessary personal and financial information.
    2. Approval: The lender reviews the application and, if approved, determines the loan amount and interest rate.
    3. Disbursement: Once approved, the funds are disbursed to the borrower, often through direct deposit.

    The best way to apply for such easy tribal loans is via an online method. It prevents you from many irritations. You have to just fill in a request form available on the Upper Lake Lending website and once the form is filled, the remaining job is completed by the direct tribal lender himself. You may get the cash loans approved the same day without going anywhere.

    Risks Associated With Tribal Installment Loans

    While guaranteed tribal loans can be beneficial, they also come with certain risks:

    • High Costs: The interest rates on these loans can be significantly higher than those of traditional loans, leading to substantial repayment amounts.
    • Debt Cycle: Borrowers may find themselves in a cycle of debt if they are unable to repay the loan on time, potentially leading to the need for additional borrowing.
    • Regulatory Environment: The legal framework governing tribal loans can be complex, and borrowers should be aware of their rights and obligations.

    Considerations About Tribal Loans

    Having a bad credit history has become very common amongst people nowadays. Due to this, many people find it very difficult to apply for fiscal assistance, as traditional lenders are not assured that the borrower will pay the amount back. Tribal lenders offering bad credit loans come to the rescue in such a situation. $500 tribal installment loans are finances which cater to the urgent needs of bad creditors. Upper Lake Lending provides access to the wide network of trusted direct tribal lenders only who provide $500 dollar loans for bad credit borrowers.

    Tribal loans also have the option to submit an application without teletrack. As the name says no teletrack tribal payday loans are free from the time consuming procedure of credit checks. Almost everyone is approved for these tribal loans online. You can ask for money even if you are running on bad credit scores like arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, etc. There is no verification of credit history either. The tribal lender offering tribal loans with guaranteed approval is not concerned about your credit past.

    No need to worry any longer about how to deal with the urgent financial needs if you are a person with a bad credit record. Bad credit tribal payday loans can help you to resolve your financial problems till the next payday. The tribal lending companies are providing these loans without any credit check so there will be no problem in the approval of the loan even if you are having a bad credit record. You can save a lot of time for yourself while applying for these loans online with Upper Lake Lending because Upper Lake Lending connects borrowers with bad credit ratings with direct tribal lenders who provide tribal loans online guaranteed approval no matter what. 

    Due to their short term nature and no verification of your past details, this finance carries a relatively high rate of interest. You can make an application for this facility through the online method on the Upper Lake Lending website. For that, all you have to do is fill up the application form. The form is provided to you free of cost. The best tribal lenders deposit the amount into your bank checking account after it is approved.

    —————————————————————————————–

    Upper Lake Lending

    Morgan Brown 

    morgan@upperlakelending.com

    https://upperlakelending.com 

    9620 Las Vegas Blvd S #570 | Las Vegas, NV 89123

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tribal Loans Online For Bad Credit Guaranteed Approval No Credit Check Direct Lenders From Upper Lake Lending

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tribal loans online provide financial aid to those who need urgent cash to fulfill their emergent needs. Now there is no need to beg your relatives and friends for cash when you need finance for those emergencies. Upper Lake Lending is pleased to launch its tribal loan matching service designed for such needs. The majority of people are not willing to go for any loan due to their poor credit records. Such people think that no one will ever provide a loan to them. But now the time has changed. With the competition in the market, tribal lenders with guaranteed approval from Upper Lake Lending are coming up with newer and newer ways of borrowing money. No credit check tribal cash advance is a right choice for them. These advances can be utilized to clear off numerous expenses such as vehicle repair expenses, home renovation expenses, power bills, medical bills, schooling fees, and holiday tours.

    Official website: Upper Lake Lending

    Application page: Upper Lake Lending Tribal Loans Application Page

    Benefits Of No Credit Check Tribal Loans From Direct Lenders

    No credit check tribal loans, as the name suggests, are small instant cash loans which are approved without any credit verification. These are very quick to borrow money loans. As a borrower you may get the cash loan approved via the internet too. It is the fastest and the most suitable way to borrow money. Here you have to just fill in an application form available on the Upper Lake Lending website with all your details and once the form is filled, the remaining process will not take much of your time to get completed.

    These tribal payday loans are offered in both secured as well as unsecured ways. In the first case, you may get the cash approved without any collateral. On the other hand, there is no such need in unsecured loans but they are generally offered at slightly higher rates of interest. This is because of the risk the direct tribal lender is bearing in granting you a loan without any security.

    But seeing all other features of these tribal installment loans, this limitation may be ignored. You may also go for market research and can select the best direct tribal lender for the personal loan without any hassle. These all features give such loans an edge over other types of loans.

    Below, we explore the various benefits associated with no credit check tribal loans.

    Accessibility for All Borrowers

    One of the primary advantages of bad credit tribal loans is their accessibility. Traditional lenders often rely heavily on credit scores to determine eligibility. In contrast, no credit check tribal lenders cater to a broader audience, including:

    1. Individuals with Low Credit Scores: Those who have faced financial difficulties in the past may find it challenging to obtain loans through conventional means.
    2. Borrowers with Limited Credit History: Young adults or newcomers to the credit system may not have enough credit history to qualify for standard loans.

    This inclusivity of tribal loans allows more people to access the funds they need, regardless of their credit background.

    Quick Approval Process

    Another significant benefit of guaranteed tribal loans is the expedited approval process. Since tribal lenders do not conduct a thorough review of credit histories, borrowers can often receive approval within a short timeframe. This rapid response is particularly advantageous for those facing urgent financial needs, such as:

    • Medical Emergencies: Unexpected medical expenses can arise, and quick access to funds can alleviate stress.
    • Car Repairs: A sudden vehicle breakdown may require immediate financial attention.

    Tribal loans with no credit check is the perfect solution for such urgent needs.

    Minimal Impact on Credit Score

    Applying for a traditional loan typically involves a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower a borrower’s credit score. No credit check tribal payday loans, however, do not require such inquiries, allowing individuals to apply without the fear of damaging their credit further. This aspect is particularly appealing for those who are actively working to improve their credit scores.

    Flexibility in Loan Amounts

    Bad credit tribal loans with no credit check often provide flexibility in terms of loan amounts. Borrowers can typically choose from a range of options that suit their specific financial needs. This flexibility can be beneficial for various situations, such as:

    • Small Personal Expenses: Individuals may need a small amount for personal projects or emergencies.
    • Business Ventures: Entrepreneurs seeking to fund a new business idea can also benefit from these loans.

    Fast Funding

    Many no credit check loans offer quick funding, sometimes within one to two business days. This speed is crucial for borrowers who require immediate financial assistance. The ability to access funds quickly can make a significant difference in managing unexpected expenses. Same day tribal loans from Upper Lake Lending is the best option for such situations.

    Requirements For Bad Credit Tribal Loans With Instant Approval

    Currently such tribal loans for bad credit are presented only to the persons living in the US. The borrower must have attained an age of 18 years if he or she wants to get a loan approved. He or she should also be working somewhere drawing a regular salary each month. He or she should also have a valid bank account in any bank in the US.

    Common Requirements for Bad Credit Tribal Payday Loans

    While requirements can vary by tribal lender, several common criteria are typically observed:

    • Minimum Credit Score: Most tribal lenders require a minimum credit score, often around 580. Some may accept scores as low as 550.
    • Proof of Income: Borrowers must demonstrate a stable source of income, which reassures tribal lenders of their ability to repay the loan.
    • Employment Verification: Tribal lenders may require proof of employment or a steady income stream, which can include pay stubs or bank statements.
    • Debt-to-Income Ratio: A lower debt-to-income ratio is favorable. Tribal lenders often look for a ratio below 40% to ensure that borrowers can manage additional debt.
    • Identification and Residency: Valid identification and proof of residency are standard requirements to verify the borrower’s identity and address.

    The best part of these easiest tribal loans to get is that a borrower does not need to undergo the strict and formal condition structure to get the loan approved. A person may at any time before his/her payday may apply for the loan. He/she may also get the loan via the internet. It is the cheapest and most reliable way to get money. Here a borrower may also check and compare the rates and other charges of different tribal lenders available at the Upper Lake Lending platform.

    How Guaranteed Tribal Installment Loans For Bad Credit Work

    Before applying for these loans you need to choose the tribal lender that provides you these loans at an affordable interest rate. After selecting the best tribal lender you need to visit the lender’s website and fill up an application form with some personal details such as name, sex, age, account number, monthly income, repayment period etc. prescribed in it. After that you will receive cash in your hands in just a couple of hours, usually on the same business day.

    The process of obtaining a guaranteed tribal loan for bad credit generally involves several straightforward steps:

    1. Application: Borrowers fill out an application form, providing necessary personal and financial information.
    2. Approval: The lender reviews the application and, if approved, determines the loan amount and interest rate.
    3. Disbursement: Once approved, the funds are disbursed to the borrower, often through direct deposit.

    The best way to apply for such easy tribal loans is via an online method. It prevents you from many irritations. You have to just fill in a request form available on the Upper Lake Lending website and once the form is filled, the remaining job is completed by the direct tribal lender himself. You may get the cash loans approved the same day without going anywhere.

    Risks Associated With Tribal Installment Loans

    While guaranteed tribal loans can be beneficial, they also come with certain risks:

    • High Costs: The interest rates on these loans can be significantly higher than those of traditional loans, leading to substantial repayment amounts.
    • Debt Cycle: Borrowers may find themselves in a cycle of debt if they are unable to repay the loan on time, potentially leading to the need for additional borrowing.
    • Regulatory Environment: The legal framework governing tribal loans can be complex, and borrowers should be aware of their rights and obligations.

    Considerations About Tribal Loans

    Having a bad credit history has become very common amongst people nowadays. Due to this, many people find it very difficult to apply for fiscal assistance, as traditional lenders are not assured that the borrower will pay the amount back. Tribal lenders offering bad credit loans come to the rescue in such a situation. $500 tribal installment loans are finances which cater to the urgent needs of bad creditors. Upper Lake Lending provides access to the wide network of trusted direct tribal lenders only who provide $500 dollar loans for bad credit borrowers.

    Tribal loans also have the option to submit an application without teletrack. As the name says no teletrack tribal payday loans are free from the time consuming procedure of credit checks. Almost everyone is approved for these tribal loans online. You can ask for money even if you are running on bad credit scores like arrears, defaults, bankruptcy, etc. There is no verification of credit history either. The tribal lender offering tribal loans with guaranteed approval is not concerned about your credit past.

    No need to worry any longer about how to deal with the urgent financial needs if you are a person with a bad credit record. Bad credit tribal payday loans can help you to resolve your financial problems till the next payday. The tribal lending companies are providing these loans without any credit check so there will be no problem in the approval of the loan even if you are having a bad credit record. You can save a lot of time for yourself while applying for these loans online with Upper Lake Lending because Upper Lake Lending connects borrowers with bad credit ratings with direct tribal lenders who provide tribal loans online guaranteed approval no matter what. 

    Due to their short term nature and no verification of your past details, this finance carries a relatively high rate of interest. You can make an application for this facility through the online method on the Upper Lake Lending website. For that, all you have to do is fill up the application form. The form is provided to you free of cost. The best tribal lenders deposit the amount into your bank checking account after it is approved.

    —————————————————————————————–

    Upper Lake Lending

    Morgan Brown 

    morgan@upperlakelending.com

    https://upperlakelending.com 

    9620 Las Vegas Blvd S #570 | Las Vegas, NV 89123

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Concerts, master classes, film screenings will be held as part of the Friendship of Nations festival

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The fifth festival of national hospitality “Friendship of Peoples” will be held at VDNKh from July 3 to 6. Business, entertainment and cultural programs have been prepared for guests.

    The program will include concerts, family entertainment, the International Festival of Culture, Fashion and National Hospitality “Uzoryfest” and much more. In addition, for the first time, the festival will feature two national holidays – the republics of Chuvashia and Udmurtia, as well as a special program for Karachay-Cherkessia. Entrance to most events is free, but some require pre-registration. You can view the program on the official website VDNKh.

    As reported earlier Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, as part of the festival “Friendship of Nations” Around 100 events of various formats are planned: expert discussions, art exhibitions, sports competitions, culinary master classes and tastings.

    The participants of the business program will gather in the congress hall of the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center. They will discuss current issues related to business tourism, fashion, and culture. On July 3 at 1:00 p.m., there will be a panel discussion on the topic of “Going beyond the showcase: how museums are becoming living mediators,” and at 3:00 p.m., there will be a panel discussion on “MICE tourism: a look into the future.” On July 4 at 1:00 p.m., the plenary session “Friendship of Peoples: a variety of formats for interstate events” will begin. To participate in the business program, you must register.

    The festival will take place from July 4 to 6 “Patterns Fest”. It will include two blocks: business and cultural and entertainment. They will be held from 11:00 to 20:00.

    On July 5, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, a concert program will be held on the main stage of the festival, located on the square between Pavilion No. 1 “Central” and the “Friendship of Peoples” fountain. It will feature the Moscow State Dance Ensemble “Russian Seasons”, the folk ensemble “Matrena-art”, the Udmurt State Theater of Folk Song and Dance “Aikai”, the folk group “Buranovskie Babushki”, the State Academic Choreographic Ensemble “Berezka” named after N.S. Nadezhdina, the State Academic Honored Dance Ensemble of Dagestan “Lezginka”, the State Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Tatarstan, the State Academic Koryak National Dance Ensemble “Mengo” named after Alexander Gil (Gubernatorsky). The State Song and Dance Ensemble “Sayany” will present the world premiere of a fragment of the first Tuvan ballet “Subedei”. The main role will be played by People’s Artist of Russia Farukh Ruzimov.

    In addition, the People’s Artist of Russia Nadezhda Krygina, the folk song ensemble “Lyubo-milo”, the folk-metal group “Kalevala”, the neofolk group “Balakir”, the ethno-electropunk group Hagrin, as well as the poet and composer Lena Vasilek, the performer from Donetsk Natalia Kachura, the singer Islam Itlyashev, and the first Mari rapper Ship Liy will perform.

    Exhibitions, sports competitions, master classes

    On July 4, events prepared by the Karachay-Cherkess Republic will be held. A documentary photo exhibition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Cherkessk will open in the southern rose garden. It will introduce visitors to archival and historical footage of the city. The Cosmonautics and Aviation Center will host a tourism presentation of the region as part of the business program. At 1:00 p.m., the VDNKh Culture House will show the play The Marriage of Balzaminov by the Russian Drama and Comedy Theater of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, and at 4:00 p.m., the feature film The Aul Test will be shown.

    On July 5, the traditional holiday of the Udmurt Republic Gerber will be held. It is held after the end of spring field work to express gratitude to nature, perform symbolic rituals, conduct the first haymaking, cook barley porridge cooked in meat broth, and treat yourself to perepechi. The holiday will begin at 07:00 with a sports race on the northern loop of the VDNKh ring road. The route of the distances can be found atwebsiteYou can also register for the race here.

    Guests will be able to visit an exhibition-fair of goods from young republican entrepreneurs and artisans, an exhibition called “Udmurtia is proud”, lessons in the Udmurt language and film screenings in it, a presentation of books by national writers, as well as watch a concert program and take part in various master classes.

    On July 6, the national holiday of the Chuvash Republic, Akatuy, will take place. Sports competitions in kereshu wrestling will be organized for guests, as well as a special program in the “House of Russian Cuisine”: master classes, a concert, tastings. At 13:45, all those wishing to will walk around the “Friendship of Peoples” fountain in a round dance with the participation of artists in Chuvash costumes.

    At 14:30 there will be a grand opening of the festival, an award ceremony for outstanding Chuvash people, a fashion show in national costumes, and a concert featuring the Chuvash State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble, the classical group “Belcanto”, the folklore and pop ensemble “Syaval”, the vocal group “Yardy” and Avgustina Ulyandina, the Chuvash vocal ensemble “Sespel”, groups of the Chuvash State Philharmonic, and artists of the republican pop scene. From 12:00 to 21:00, an exhibition and fair of products from Chuvash manufacturers will be held at the site near pavilion No. 64.

    Outdoor events of the festival’s information partner are planned on the territory of the Orion Family Theme Park. The program “World Family Starts” will be held on July 3-4 from 17:00 to 20:00 and on July 5 and 6 from 13:00 to 20:00.

    National Pavilion Program

    Pavilion No. 4 (Exhibition and Trade Center of the Kyrgyz Republic) will participate in the festival for the first time. On July 3 and 4, guests will be able to attend a tea ceremony in a decorative yurt, take part in master classes on playing the komuz, attend Kyrgyz language lessons, play the folk board game “ordo” (“alchiki”), and take photos in national costumes.

    On July 3, the exhibition “80 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” will open in Pavilion No. 18 (Exhibition and Trade Center of the Republic of Belarus). It is dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus.

    On July 3, the Bel Canto Foundation’s concert “Beauty of Uzbekistan” will be held in Pavilion No. 66 (Exhibition, Cultural and Exposition Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan). Guests will listen to vocal numbers, as well as violin and guitar pieces. In addition, from July 3 to 6, it will be possible to view the interiors of the pavilion.

    On July 5, a master class on cooking the national dish “harisa” with tasting will be held in Pavilion No. 68 (Exhibition and Trade Center of the Republic of Armenia). In addition, musical and dance groups will perform for the guests.

    Good Neighborliness Festival, Equestrian Ceremony, Film Festival

    On July 4, the Children’s Embassy will host the circus program “Circus Lights Up the Lights,” and on July 5, it will host a good-neighborliness festival. Guests will visit a performance, workshops, a beauty gallery, get face painting, and see a clown and jugglers perform.

    On July 5 at 11:45, the equestrian ceremony of the riders of the Kremlin Equestrian School will begin. The route runs from the Center of National Equestrian Traditions to the Druzhby Narodov Square, where a performance with the participation of the orchestra will be held for the spectators. In pavilion No. 42, the Center of National Equestrian Traditions, a program dedicated to Caucasian horse breeds will be presented. It will include educational stories and creative master classes. On July 6 at 12:00, sports events will be held for guests of VDNKh on the site of pavilion No. 27, Physical Education and Sports.

    The Druzhba Narodov film festival will be held at the Cinema Museum at VDNKh. On July 3 at 4:00 PM, guests will be introduced to the festival program and the film Girl with a Guitar will be shown. On July 5 at 4:00 PM, the drama Little Sister will be presented, and on July 6 at 4:00 PM, the film Don’t Bury Me Without Ivan. Detailed information can be found on the website Cinema Museum.

    The Atom Museum invites you to the Atom Unites tour from July 4 to 6 at 19:00, which will open the world of international nuclear energy to visitors. You can register atwebsite. On July 3 at 17:00, there will be a master class “Radiation around: from the Urals to Kamchatka” and a quiz “Through the Arctic ice”. And on July 3 and 4 at 16:00, young visitors will be introduced to social geography at the master class “Across Eurasia with Atom”. You can find out more about it atwebsite.

    The Glavvino pavilion has prepared a special summer set, “Hospitality,” consisting of five Russian wines and snacks to go with them. The set is available for order from July 3 to 6.

    On July 5 at 16:00 in the hall “Krasnostop” (2nd floor of the pavilion “Glavvino”) there will be a tasting “Hospitality” with chef-caviste Vladimir Glukhov. In honor of the festival on the site in front of the pavilion from 15:00 to 22:00 there will be a DJ.

    Holding events for VDNKh guests corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality” and is the most important part of the VDNKh strategy until 2030.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It unites the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day in all districts of the city there are charity, cultural and sports programs, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    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 access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156166073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V.F. Stanis 100th anniversary medal: RUDN foreign alumni

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The aaniversary medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis is awarded to RUDN current and ex-employees and students for: significant contribution to the university development; long-standing commitment to maintaining ties with the university; fruitful cooperation of Russian and foreign organizations, scientists and public figures with the university.

    The aaniversary medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis is awarded to RUDN current and ex-employees and students for:

    • significant contribution to the university development;
    • long-standing commitment to maintaining ties with the university;
    • fruitful cooperation of Russian and foreign organizations, scientists and public figures with the university.

    RUDN foreign alumni

    For their contribution to the promotion of RUDN abroad, for maintaining relations with the university and cooperation, 16 foreign graduates received the V.F. Stanis anniversary medal:

    1. Galina Abbas (Lebanon);
    2. Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr (Lebanon, Peru);
    3. Al-Twal Salam Fakhri (Jordan);
    4. Gupta Sudhir (India);
    5. Georges Aoun (Lebanon);
    6. Kalumbi Shangula (Namibia);
    7. Mizanur Rahman (Bangladesh);
    8. Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise (Jordan);
    9. Navin Saxena (India);
    10. Najim Riad Yousef (Lebanon);
    11. Nilakshi Suryanarayan (India);
    12. Gagan Patwardhan (India);
    13. Rigoberto Santos Hilario (Dominican Republic);
    14. Ruben Dario Flores (Colombia);
    15. Auelbek Tokzhanov (Kazakhstan);
    16. Jose Hidalgo Salazar (Ecuador).

    Faculty of Economics and Law

    • Mizanur Rahman, graduate ‘81 — head of the Association of Alumni of Russian and Soviet Universities in Bangladesh.
    • Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise, graduate ‘91 — international lawyer, former Secretary General of the Constitutional Court of Jordan.
    • Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr, graduate ‘92 — President of the Arab-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce, Vice-president of the Association of RUDN Alumni in Peru, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Peru.

    Faculty of Science

    Graduate ‘78 of the Faculty of Science, majoring in Chemistry, Navin Saxena is the President of the international group of pharmaceutical companies: Rusan Pharma (India), Euro-Med (Russia), Pharmaker (Great Britain), Uzpharmaker (Uzbekistan), Pharmaker (Ukraine), Pharmaker (UAE) and owns the pharmaceutical companies Rusan Pharma and Pharmaker. In 2005, Rusan Pharma became a supplier of vital drugs under the Benefit-2005 program in the Russian Federation. It still remains one of the largest suppliers of drugs to the Russian Ministry of Health, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as to the services of the Russian Army. Navin Saxena is the author of a large number of publications in Russian and foreign scientific journals, has drugs copyright certificates and patents.

    Faculty of History and Philology

    • Ruben Dario Flores, graduate ‘83 — Director of the Leo Tolstoy Institute of Culture in Bogota, Colombia.
    • Nilakshi Suryanarayan, graduate ‘80 — Head of the Department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies at the University of Delhi, professor, teacher of Russian language and literature.
    • Galina Abbas, graduate ‘92 — President of RUDN University Alumni Association in Lebanon.

    All of them actively promote Russian education and the Russian language in their countries. Thus, Nilakshi Suryanarayan is the author of a popular manual among Indian students of philology, “Russian Verbs with Prefixes: Meaning and Usage”. Galina Abbas was awarded the Pushkin Medal, and Ruben Dario Flores is a translator of works by Russian poets A.Pushkin, B.Pasternak and A.Tarkovsky.

    Faculty of Medicine

    In 1978, Najim Riad Youssef graduated from the Faculty of Medicine. Najim Riad Youssef is the CEO of RamTEK LLC and Vice-Chairman of the Lebanese-Russian Friendship Society, popularizing Russian higher education and science abroad, which made him the Ambassador of Russian Education and Science.

    Kalumbi Shangula graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 1983. He is the Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia. He is member of the Medical Association of Namibia, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Great Britain, and the New York Academy of Sciences.

    Faculty of Engineering

    The largest number of graduates awarded the medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis graduated from the Engineering faculty: Jose Hidalgo Salazar in 1973, Patwardhan Gagan in 1975, Al-Twal Salam Fakhri in 1983, Rigoberto Hilario Santos and Georges Aoun in 1984.

    They continue to maintain contact with RUDN, creating new opportunities for the future students. Jose Hidalgo Salazar, CEO of IGGEKO LLC, became a laureate of the Order of Friendship. Al-Twal Salam Fakhri, a senior specialist in the regional office of the UN Development Program, member of the Jordan-Russia Friendship Society was awarded the Order of Friendship by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation. Rigoberto Hilario Santos, CEO of the engineering and construction company CONSUDOM SRL, member of the Presidium of the Dominican College of Architects and Geodesic Engineers, former Director of the Department of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications of the Dominican Republic, became the Ambassador of Russian Education and Science. Patwardhan Gagan, Head of Union Exports LLC, received the Order of Friendship for promoting the Russian language in Western India. Professor Georges Aoun, Head of the department of basic disciplines at the engineering faculty of the Lebanese University, organized summer schools with the Agrarian and Technological Institute, Engineering Academy and the Institute of the Russian language, as well as a double degree program with the Philological faculty of RUDN, author of a number of publication on teaching Russian as a foreign language.

    Faculty of Agriculture

    Auelbek Tokzhanov, a 1982 graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture, is currently the CEO of Skymax Technologies Group of Companies, AK Karal Diatomit Industry. He heads the UDN-RUDN Alumni and Friends Association in Kazakhstan and is a member of the expert group in the Innovative Economy direction of the Nur Otan party. Aulbek Tokzhanov is a co-founder of the Literary Alliance Public Foundation, which supports the work of Olzhas Suleimenov and young talents.

    Gupta Sudhir is a 1983 graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amtel Corporation. To support students, he has established 80 personal scholarships of 3,000 rubles per month. Gupta Sudhir was also awarded the Order of Friendship.

    V.F. Stanis anniversary medals were also awarded to 28 Russian graduates, employees and partners of RUDN University.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Achievements of RUDN University staff and alumni recognized with state and departmental awards

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    RUDN University staff and alumni received state and departmental awards at the State Kremlin Palace during a festive concert in honor of RUDN 65th anniversary.

    State awards

    The honorary title “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation” for great contributions to science and many years of conscientious work was awarded to:

    • Aslan Abashidze, Head of the Department of International Law, RUDN Law Institute, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Laws;
    • Vitaly Eremyan, Head of the Department of Constitutional Law and Constitutional Legal Proceedings, RUDN University Law Institute, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Laws.

    For merits in science and education, training of highly qualified specialists, and many years of diligent work, the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” II Class was awarded to:

    • Vladimir Vorobyov, Head of the Department of the Russian Language and linguoculturology, Institute of the Russian Language, Doctor of Pedagogical sciences.
    • Natalya Sokolova, Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages, Head of the Department of Theory and practice of foreign languages, PhD of Philological Sciences.

    The honorary title “Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation” for many years of productive inventive activity was awarded to Alexander Stepanov, Head of the Department of Dentistry of the Institute of Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences.

    Departmental awards

    Andrey Kostin, First Vice-Rector — Vice-Rector for Research of RUDN University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was awarded the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honor for achievements in science and education, training of highly qualified specialists, and many years of conscientious work.

    By the order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the honorary title “Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation” for significant contributions to education and diligent work was conferred on:

    • Svetlana Balashova, Head of the Department of Economic and mathematical modeling, RUDN Faculty of Economics, PhD of Physical and Mathematical Sciences;
    • Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva, Head of the Department of Russian History, RUDN Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, PhD of Historical Sciences

    State awards to foreign alumni

    State awards were also presented to foreign alumni who made significant contributions to strengthening international ties and promoting Russian education and science abroad.

    The Order of Friendship was awarded to :

    1. Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr (Lebanon), President of the Arab-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce;
    2. Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise (Jordan), Lawyer;
    3. Najim Riad Yusef (Lebanon/Russia), General Director, RamTEK LLC;
    4. Navin Satyapal Saxena (India), Director, pharmaceutical company “Rusan Pharma”.

    За достижения в области гуманитарных наук и литературы, вклад в изучение и сохранение культурного наследия России и сближений культур наций трое выпускников награждены Медалью Пушкина:

    For achievements in the field of the humanities and literature, contributions to the study and preservation of Russia’s cultural heritage, and bringing national cultures closer together, the Pushkin Medal was awarded to:

    1. Galina Abbas (Russia/Lebanon), President of RUDN University Alumni Association in Lebanon;
    2. Liu Xin (China), Chairman of the Board of Directors of MBDK International Group;
    3. Tony François Simon-Pierre Ngan (Cameroon), Chairman of Alumni Association of Russian (Soviet) Universities in Cameroon “Soyuzniki”

    RUDN University congratulates its staff and alumni on receiving these awards!

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Miemie Struwig, Professor, Department of Business Management, Nelson Mandela University

    South Africans want to shop more sustainably, according to research published in the journal Sustainable Development. But most can’t tell which products are environmentally friendly.

    Some food manufacturers have introduced eco labels – a certification symbol placed on product packaging. This indicates the product meets specific environmental standards set by a third party organisation.

    These labels are meant to signal to consumers that a product has been produced in a way that limits harm to the environment. But our recent study with 108 South African consumers showed low recognition of eco labels, widespread confusion, and a need for clearer guidance.

    The results show that most South African shoppers are unfamiliar with these labels or unable to differentiate between real and fictional ones.

    In the European Union eco labels like the EU Energy Label are easily understood and highly visible. They are also usually supported by government awareness campaigns. Other examples of labelling systems that work well include those of Germany and Japan.

    These countries show that long term institutional support, mandatory labelling in key sectors, and consistent public messaging can greatly improve eco label recognition.

    We concluded from our research that South Africa lacks that national visibility and public education, leaving even motivated consumers unsure of what labels to trust. Based on our findings we recommend steps businesses, government and nonprofits can take to ensure that eco labels are clear, visible and understood.

    Eco labelling at its best

    The EU Energy Label is used on appliances such as fridges, washing machines and light bulbs to indicate their energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

    In countries like Germany and Japan, eco labels are government backed as well as being integrated into school curricula, public service announcements and shopping platforms.

    Germany’s Blue Angel label, which states “protects the environment”, has been in use since the 1970s. It appears on over 12,000 products and services, including paper goods, cleaning products, paints and electronics, that meet strict environmental criteria. It is supported by ongoing public education campaigns.

    In Japan the the Eco Mark appears on products with minimal environmental impact. It appears on items like stationery, detergents, packaging and appliances. Many retailers display explanations next to these products to help consumers understand the label.

    South Africans struggle to identify eco labels

    We conducted a structured online survey of 108 South African consumers. Participants were asked about their environmental awareness and their ability to recognise both real and fictional eco labels across ten images. According to the global directory of eco labels and environmental certification schemes, there are around 50 eco labels in South Africa.

    The EU Energy Label was the most recognised (87%).

    The Afrisco Certified Organic label, which is a legitimate South African label, was the least recognised, identified by just 22% of respondents.

    Fictional labels were mistakenly identified as real by many participants, revealing widespread confusion.

    Only 3 out of 10 labels were recognised by at least half the participants, suggesting a general lack of eco label awareness. These include the Energy Star Eco label; the EU Energy label and the Forest Stewardship council label.

    Age and employment status were significantly related to environmental awareness. Older and employed individuals showed higher levels of awareness.

    These findings suggest that consumers are not opposed to eco labels, they simply lack the knowledge and confidence to use them effectively.

    Eco labels have the potential to build brand trust, drive green purchasing behaviour, and support national sustainability goals. But they only work if consumers recognise and trust them.

    In South Africa, inconsistent use, small label size, and a lack of consumer education are holding eco labels back from achieving their purpose.

    What businesses can do

    Based on our findings, we recommend the following:

    • Use recognised and credible labels: Third-party certified labels are more trustworthy and reliable.

    • Improve label visibility: The most recognised label in our study was the EU Energy Label and was also the most prominent. Small, cluttered logos go unnoticed.

    • Educate your market: Explain what eco labels mean through packaging, marketing, and digital platforms.

    • Partner with government and NGOs: Awareness campaigns at national and community levels can help standardise eco label understanding.

    • Tailor communication efforts: Awareness efforts should consider age and employment demographics, as these affect levels of environmental engagement.

    The way forward

    South Africans are willing to support environmentally responsible products, but they need help identifying them.

    Businesses, government and nonprofits all have a role to play in making eco labels clearer, more visible, and more trustworthy.

    Eco labels must become more than symbols. They should be tools for transparency and trust, and a gateway to more sustainable shopping.

    – Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices
    – https://theconversation.com/eco-labels-in-south-africa-dont-do-the-job-how-to-help-customers-make-informed-choices-258081

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF and EUIPO join forces to fight counterfeits in everyday products

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no 19/2025
    PDF version

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) co-organised a two-day conference in Alicante, Spain to discuss current and emerging trends in intellectual property (IP) crime related to the sector of Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods (FMCG). The event took place from 1-2 July and brought together more than 50 participants, including customs officers, police, market surveillance authorities, EU and international bodies and representatives from the industry. 

    The so-called Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods (FMCG) include everyday items such as personal care and home care items, packaged food, snacks, soft drinks and household batteries. These items are often targeted by fraudsters due to high consumer demand, short shelf lives and high turnover that reaches hundreds of billions every year. 

    The economic scale of this sector makes it a lucrative target for counterfeit products, which are increasingly making their way into people’s homes. However, counterfeit goods not only harm legitimate businesses but can also pose serious risks to consumer health and safety as they oftentimes fail to comply with the European standards and regulations. The infiltration of fake products leads to significant economic damage – undermining fair competition, causing loss of revenue for legitimate producers, which ultimately results in job losses across affected industries. 

    To address this growing threat, OLAF and EUIPO co-hosted a two-day conference titled “The Counterfeit Closed: Uncovering Fake Products in Your Home and on Your Shelf”, held at the EUIPO premises in Alicante, Spain. The aim was to share information and best practices, discuss enforcement tools as well as practical insights on how to improve detection and strengthen cooperation to protect consumers and business from fake products. For more information, see the EUIPO news item. 

    “This conference is yet another concrete step in reinforcing EU’s fight against fraud involving intellectual property,” said OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä. “By working together across borders and sectors, we are better equipped to stop counterfeit goods at the source and protect European consumers, industry and markets.”

    Background 

    The conference is part of an ongoing cooperation between OLAF and EUIPO, under a service-level agreement launched in 2022. Together, the two institutions organise major knowledge-sharing events each year, focused on strengthening enforcement against intellectual property crimes. 

    Read the news item issued by the EUIPO

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, please leave us your contact data.
     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • India’s services sector soars to 10-month high in June, signaling strong growth

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The growth in India’s services sector activity surged to a 10-month high in June, driven by robust demand in both the domestic and export markets, according to an HSBC survey released on Thursday.

    The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index, compiled by S&P Global, rose from 58.8 in May to 60.4 in June. The PMI threshold of 50.0 is neutral mark that separates growth from contraction on the index.

    New orders expanded at the quickest rate since August 2024. Services companies benefited most from the continued strength of the domestic market, alongside a marked increase in new export business. Overseas demand particularly improved from the Asian, Middle Eastern and US markets, according to panel members, the survey states.

    The ongoing expansion of the Indian services sector had a positive impact on recruitment. Employment rose for the thirty-seventh consecutive month in June, with the rate of job growth outpacing its long-run average, although it was lower than the record figure achieved in May.

    The rate of input cost inflation across India’s service economy eased to a ten-month low in June, and was below its long-run average. Despite easing from May, the rate of charge inflation remained above the series trend. Outstanding business expanded at a slight rate that was nevertheless faster than in May.

    According to the survey, optimism regarding the outlook for output levels in one-year time was sustained, with 18 per cent of service providers forecasting growth. This proportion of upbeat firms was, however, the lowest since mid-2022. Hence, the overall level of confidence fell and was below its long-run average.

    The HSBC India Composite PMI, which combines services and manufacturing activity, rose to 61.0 in June from 59.3, marking the fastest expansion in 14 months. The manufacturing PMI data released this week showed manufacturing activity growth accelerated in June, in tune with the strong services sector performance.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchanges Forum held in Rio de Janeiro

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The 2025 BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchanges Forum was held on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together experts to discuss how the bloc can promote stability in an era of global transformation.

    Yu Yunquan, president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), and Cimar Azeredo Pereira, special advisor to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), delivered keynote speeches at the event.

    Yu Yunquan, president of the ACCWS, delivers a keynote speech at the 2025 BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchanges Forum in Rio de Janeiro, June 30, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    Yu emphasized that in an era where certainty and stability are becoming increasingly scarce global resources, it is imperative to further strengthen Greater BRICS cooperation to promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world and foster inclusive economic globalization, thereby maintaining a stable development environment. 

    He also stressed the need to enhance exchanges of governance experiences and knowledge-sharing to explore independent development paths, actively participate in setting global governance agendas to steer orderly development processes, and deepen cross-cultural dialogues to cultivate an inclusive atmosphere for development.

    Cimar Azeredo Pereira, special advisor to the IBGE, delivers a keynote speech at the 2025 BRICS Seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchanges Forum in Rio de Janeiro, June 30, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    Azeredo Pereira emphasized that statistical cooperation among BRICS countries plays a pivotal role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust among member states. By adopting collaborative and innovative approaches to address emerging statistical challenges in the digital era, such cooperation proves fundamental in advancing sustainable development and economic integration within the BRICS framework.

    Participating delegates unanimously recognized China’s significant contributions to global development and governance, particularly its leadership in fostering BRICS and Global South collaboration. China’s global initiatives were widely recognized as providing crucial platforms for fostering shared progress in development, security and cultural exchange.

    The main forum was chaired by Xin Feng, director of the Comprehensive Business Department of China International Communications Group (CICG). Sun Jingxin, vice president of the ACCWS, presented two research reports on behalf of the project team: “Greater BRICS Cooperation: A Pillar of Stability and Progress in a Changing World” and “Global Survey: BRICS Cooperation in the New Era of Global Development 2025.”

    The forum was organized jointly by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, China International Communications Group, and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: IoBM Launches Yoojel—AI-Powered Search Engine—and Digiex, a Next-Generation Crypto Card Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Innovation Business Machine (IoBM) is delighted to announce the inception of two potentially landmark platforms: Yoojel, an AI-native web browser for smart and intuitive AI based Search Engine, and Digiex, a Crypto card that converts digital assets into currency, which can be accepted anywhere in the world by merchants. With these milestones, IoBM boldly steps forward in giving shape to digital tools that are safe, intelligent, and convenient to use in today’s life.

    Yoojel: The Intelligent Browser of the Future

    Yoojel is an intuitive AI based Search Engine. It is designed with artificial intelligence to elevate the human experience with the World Wide Web. Yoojel defines browsing in the new age of real-time contextual intelligence, predictive search results, and an adaptive user interface.

    Key features of Yoojel include

    • AI-powered search and curation with results tailored not just by keywords but by user intent
    • Minimalist interface: clean, elegant design for distraction-free use
    • Privacy by design: data sovereignty and local-storage-first principles
    • Integration-ready: built to work side by side with productivity tools, smart wallets, and cloud services

    Muhammad Umair Saeed, Founder and CEO of IoBM, said, “Yoojel isn’t just another browser; it’s your intelligent gateway to the web. We built Yoojel to represent a future in which browsing is no longer about finding links but rather about finding knowledge.”

    Digiex: Real-World Spending with Crypto Made Simple

    Digiex provides a smooth transaction experience with crypto-to-fiat transfer in real-time, allowing users to spend their digital assets with a card accepted worldwide. Supporting multiple blockchains, the Digiex card offers smart invoicing, layers of security, and full wallet management.

    Digiex is for professionals, digital nomads, corporations, and the unbanked. It empowers you so you can be in control of how and where you spend your digital currency.

    Highlights of Digiex:

    • Multi-Chain Asset Support (BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.)
    • Smart Invoicing and Expense Tracking for business and personal finances
    • Spend Analytics with AI support

    “Digiex connects the crypto ecosystem with everyday finances,” Saeed said. “We are empowering a truly digital financial lifestyle.”

    About Muhammad Umair Saeed

    Muhammad Umair Saeed is a globally recognized technology entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader with a unique combination of technology depth/perspective and business commerce perspective, who has delivered market-leading next-generation platforms in the disciplines of AI, blockchain, digital identity, and post-quantum cryptography. He is the founder and often considered Chief Visionary of Innovation Business Machine (IoBM), a $2 billion company operating in Dubai, Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey.

    His company, IoBM, has led start-ups in some of the largest combined ventures across fintech, smart wallets, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and metaverse technologies. He authored many important tenets regarding user sovereignty, privacy-first computing for a digitally sovereign user experience, and scalable digital finance that underpin Yoojel and the recently announced Digiex.

    In his role at IoBM, he has established a range of collaborations across continents with multiple strategic organizations, inclusive of financial institutions, blockchain technology consortia, and AI research institutes. His leadership even goes further towards breaking the so-called “rules” of business for the benefit of humanity… whether it be establishing a post-quantum-secure ecosystem, deploying blockchain software solutions for enterprise in the real world, or the latest in cybersecurity bridges and wallets for user-based solutions. Muhammad Umair Saeed, a passionate visionary and believer in purposeful innovation, is not only envisioning the future of digital finance and smart browsing; he is building it.

    Media Contact:

    Company Name: IoBM
    Company Website: http://www.io-bm.com
    Contact Person: Muhammad Umair Saeed
    Email Address: umair@io-bm.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by IoBM. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e1998ab-c00c-46cd-9ba7-bc695e37e7a7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consultation: draft PS LA on Public CBC reporting exemptions

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    We’ve published draft Practice Statement Law Administration PS LA 2025/D1 Public country-by-country reporting exemptions.

    It sets out our administrative approach to the Commissioner’s discretion for granting an exemption from the Public country-by-country (CBC) reporting obligations. It applies to all entities subject to Public CBC reporting that may consider applying for a full or partial exemption from publishing information, or from publishing information of a particular kind.

    We’re taking public comments until 5 September 2025. You can find instructions on how to submit your comments in PS LA 2025/D1.

    We have also updated our web guidance on Public CBC reporting with information about how to apply for an exemption.

    We’ll also be hosting virtual consultation meetings on 7 and 22 August 2025 about the exemptions to Public CBC reporting. You can email PublicCBC@ato.gov.au to express interest in participating.

    Keep up to date

    We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.

    Read more articles in our online Business bulletins newsroom.

    Subscribe to our free:

    • fortnightly Business bulletins email newsletterExternal Link
    • email notifications about new and updated information on our website – you can choose to receive updates relevant to your situation. Choose the ‘Business and organisations’ category to ensure your subscription includes notifications for more Business bulletins newsroom articles like this one.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Strengthening trespass laws for businesses

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say.

    “We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They’re difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice. They return with impunity and just continue to rob businesses of their livelihoods,” Mr Goldsmith says.

    “Our plan to restore law and order is working, but there’s still more work to be done. Trespass laws are an area we know will make a world of difference to the community. 

    “Businesses need extra tools to better protect their properties, keep offenders away, and stop them from coming back.”

    The proposed changes to the Trespass Act are:

    • Increasing the maximum trespass period from two years to three years.
    • Allow businesses, such as franchises, to trespass individuals from multiple locations.
    • Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to leave when asked, or returning when trespassed from $1,000 to $2,000.
    • Increase the maximum fine for anyone refusing to give their name and address when requested, or giving false information, from $500 to $1,000.

    “For too long, offenders have treated trespass notices like a joke. These changes send a clear message: enough is enough. If you threaten retail workers or steal from businesses, don’t expect to walk back in like nothing happened,” Mrs McKee says.
    “Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe at work, especially our frontline retailers. These reforms aren’t just about fines and paperwork; they are about making retail spaces safer and giving businesses the respect they deserve.”

    “I want to thank Sunny Kaushal and the Retail MAG for engaging with retailers across the country and for their recommendations on how to modernise the Trespass Act, so it better upholds retailers’ business and property rights, while keeping customers and staff safe,” Mr Goldsmith says.

    “Our goal before the Bill is introduced is to explore how best to support retailers when distributing notices to those who refuse to engage.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BNZ offers support to customers affected by severe weather in the Upper South Island

    Source: BNZ Statements

    “If you’ve been impacted by severe weather and are concerned about your finances, please call us.”

    That’s the message for customers from BNZ Head of Branch for the Lower North Island and top of the South, Christine Jones.

    BNZ is offering a targeted assistance package to affected customers in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.

    Available immediately, the assistance package includes:

    • Ability to review home lending facilities on a case-by-case basis.
    • Access to temporary personal overdrafts to support customers who require access to funds urgently while they await insurance pay-outs. Standard interest rates and credit criteria applies.
    • Access to temporary overdrafts of up to $10,000 with no application fee for Small Business customers. Standard interest rates and credit criteria applies.
    • Access to temporary overdrafts for Agri, Business, and Commercial customers up to $100,000, with no application fee. Standard interest rates and credit criteria applies.

    “We understand that some of our customers may be facing unexpected challenges to their homes, businesses and communities as a result of the severe weather events,” says Christine.

    “We are offering practical support to help relieve some of the pressure during this time, so people can focus on the clean-up and recovery.

    “We also have a range of other options available, especially for customers who are facing hardship, so I encourage people to get in touch so we can see how we can help,” says Christine.

    To discuss support options, business and agribusiness customers should reach out to their BNZ Partner. Small business owners can call 0800 BNZSME, while personal banking customers can access support through BNZ’s digital platforms or by calling 0800 ASKBNZ.

    BNZ PremierCare Insurance customers who need assistance can call IAG NZ on 0800 248 888 or submit an online claim https://iagnz.custhelp.com/app/bnz.

    ENDS

    The post BNZ offers support to customers affected by severe weather in the Upper South Island appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Commonsense changes to insulation rules

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. 
     
    “I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. 
     
    “The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size. 
     
    “This has led to designers and homeowners having to over-insulate in certain areas to achieve Building Code compliance, offering little extra energy efficiency benefit at a significant cost. 
     
    “To address this, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will remove the current Schedule Method in favour of more flexible alternatives.  

    “Smarter online tools now let us take a balanced, whole-of-home approach to energy efficiency – enabling builders and designers to measure a home’s total heat loss instead of being locked into prescriptive requirements. 
     
    “Using adaptable Calculation and Modelling Methods is shown to cut the cost of an average new build by up to $15,000. 
     
    “The government will now work closely with the sector to ensure a smooth transition before the change takes effect. 
     
    “The Schedule Method will be removed from the Building Code’s Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods for Energy Efficiency by the end of the year, followed by a 12-month transition period to give the sector time to adjust. 
     
    “I’ve also directed officials to explore designating the Far North as a separate climate zone under the Building Code, responding to calls from local leaders to ease insulation rules in the region. 
     
    “The Far North District Council made a strong case in its energy-efficiency review submission, highlighting that the region’s warmer climate and need for affordable housing allow for a more tailored approach. 
     
    “I’ve heard from the district council that building costs in the Far North are approaching $5,000 per square metre. They’re pushing for change to deliver more homes for locals at a reasonable price – an ambition I fully support. 
     
    “In my view, recognising Northland’s unique climate with a separate zone is a sensible step that could lower costs and unlock much-needed housing supply. 
     
    “MBIE will consult on any proposed changes to the region’s climate zone designation before final decisions are made, and I look forward to hearing feedback from the public. 

    “This Government is committed to making commonsense changes and cutting construction red tape to make building easier and more affordable – putting more roofs over Kiwi heads, while ensuring those homes stay safe and dry for our families.” 

    Note to editors:    

    • In the context of thermal performance in buildings, insulation refers to materials that reduce heat transfer by acting as a barrier between two areas. This includes products like fibreglass, wool, and glazing.
    • Updated documents with the Schedule Method removed are expected to be published in November 2025. A 12-month transition period will run thereafter, so designers can continue using the old documents with the Schedule Method.
    • MBIE will support the sector with guidance on how to use the more flexible Calculation Method to demonstrate compliance with the Building Code. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Have your say on the City’s draft Council Plan

    Source: South Australia Police

    Have your say on the City’s draft Council Plan 2025 – 2034, a roadmap for delivering the future services and facilities needed to support the City’s growth and wellbeing.

    Shaped by feedback from the Wanneroo Liveability Survey and a series of community workshops held earlier this year, the plan proposes five strategic goals and supporting priorities to build and grow:

    • a safe City
    • a connected and liveable City
    • a thriving economy
    • a sustainable City
    • a well-governed and managed City

    Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the plan was all about building the kind of future our community wants to see.

    “It’s practical, positive and packed with potential,” she said.

    “It’s been shaped by what locals have told us matters most – things like safety, sustainability, local jobs and staying connected.

    “Now we’d love to hear what you think. Take a look, have your say and help us shape what’s next for our City!”

    This is the City’s first Council Plan and will bring together the former Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan into one cohesive document.

    Have your say on the draft plan before 5pm Monday 21 July 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: MoneyHero Group Launches First Annual SingSaver Best-Of Awards to Recognise Excellence in Personal Financial Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced the launch of “SingSaver Best-Of Awards”, an annual awards programme recognising Singapore’s most outstanding personal finance products.

    The new awards programme will spotlight 45 exceptional personal finance products across categories including credit cards, digital banks, investing, and insurance. Each product will be rigorously evaluated by the MoneyHero Group team, alongside an esteemed panel of prominent local personal finance influencers. Judging criteria include annual fees, interest rates, sign-up incentives, bonus offers, rewards earn rates, user experience, coverage scope, and policy flexibility.

    The awards aim to simplify financial decision-making by identifying and celebrating products that deliver outstanding value, helping Singaporeans navigate an increasingly complex financial marketplace with confidence. Winners will be celebrated at an exclusive gala dinner and awards ceremony on 17 July 2025 in Singapore, bringing together the country’s leading financial institutions, industry influencers, and media for an evening of recognition and networking.

    Rohith Murthy, CEO of MoneyHero, said: “The inaugural SingSaver Best-Of Awards reflect our decade-long legacy of helping Singaporeans make informed financial choices. We aim to highlight products that enhance consumers’ financial well-being through exceptional value and user experience. Our rigorous assessment process, supported by trusted voices from the personal finance community, ensures that these awards truly represent excellence and reliability in the marketplace.”

    A full list of categories, shortlisted products, and award ceremony details are available at:
    https://www.singsaver.com.sg/campaign/best-of-awards-announcement-2025

    Following the Singapore launch, MoneyHero Group plans to roll out similar awards programmes annually in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan. As the personal finance landscape continues to evolve, MoneyHero remains committed to spotlighting the industry’s best products and services, providing invaluable guidance to consumers throughout the region.

    Disclaimer

    The information provided on this press release is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. While MoneyHero reviews and compares financial products to help consumers make informed decisions, it does not offer or provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Consumers should always conduct their own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.

    MoneyHero has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this press release is accurate and up to date as at the date of publication. However, MoneyHero makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and accepts no liability (including liability to third parties) for any loss or damage arising from any error or omission in compiling or presenting such information, or reliance on the information provided.

    ​​​​​About SingSaver  

    SingSaver, part of MoneyHero Group (Nasdaq: MNY) – a market leading personal finance aggregation and comparison company in Greater Southeast Asia. Founded in May 2015, SingSaver has always been committed to matching consumers with the right financial products they need — from credit cards to personal loans, investing accounts to insurance policies, and much more. SingSaver helps thousands of consumers improve their money health with easy-to-use comparison platform along with impartial product reviews and extensive finance articles. For a full discovery, visit https://www.singsaver.com.sg/ 

    About MoneyHero Group

    MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) is a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia. The Company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.  Its brand portfolio includes B2C platforms MoneyHero, SingSaver, Money101, Moneymax and Seedly, as well as the B2B platform Creatory.  The Company also retains an equity stake in Malaysian fintech company, Jirnexu Pte. Ltd., parent company of Jirnexu Sdn. Bhd., the operator of RinggitPlus, Malaysia’s largest operating B2C platform. MoneyHero had over 260 commercial partner relationships as at 31 March 2025, and had approximately 5.7 million Monthly Unique Users across its platform for the three months ended 31 March 2025. The Company’s backers include Peter Thiel—co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the Founders Fund—and Hong Kong businessman, Richard Li, the founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group. To learn more about MoneyHero and how the innovative fintech company is driving APAC’s digital economy, please visit www.MoneyHeroGroup.com.

    For inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    MoneyHero IR Team
    IR@MoneyHeroGroup.com 

    Media Relations:
    MoneyHero PR Team
    Press@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoneyHero Group Launches First Annual SingSaver Best-Of Awards to Recognise Excellence in Personal Financial Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced the launch of “SingSaver Best-Of Awards”, an annual awards programme recognising Singapore’s most outstanding personal finance products.

    The new awards programme will spotlight 45 exceptional personal finance products across categories including credit cards, digital banks, investing, and insurance. Each product will be rigorously evaluated by the MoneyHero Group team, alongside an esteemed panel of prominent local personal finance influencers. Judging criteria include annual fees, interest rates, sign-up incentives, bonus offers, rewards earn rates, user experience, coverage scope, and policy flexibility.

    The awards aim to simplify financial decision-making by identifying and celebrating products that deliver outstanding value, helping Singaporeans navigate an increasingly complex financial marketplace with confidence. Winners will be celebrated at an exclusive gala dinner and awards ceremony on 17 July 2025 in Singapore, bringing together the country’s leading financial institutions, industry influencers, and media for an evening of recognition and networking.

    Rohith Murthy, CEO of MoneyHero, said: “The inaugural SingSaver Best-Of Awards reflect our decade-long legacy of helping Singaporeans make informed financial choices. We aim to highlight products that enhance consumers’ financial well-being through exceptional value and user experience. Our rigorous assessment process, supported by trusted voices from the personal finance community, ensures that these awards truly represent excellence and reliability in the marketplace.”

    A full list of categories, shortlisted products, and award ceremony details are available at:
    https://www.singsaver.com.sg/campaign/best-of-awards-announcement-2025

    Following the Singapore launch, MoneyHero Group plans to roll out similar awards programmes annually in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan. As the personal finance landscape continues to evolve, MoneyHero remains committed to spotlighting the industry’s best products and services, providing invaluable guidance to consumers throughout the region.

    Disclaimer

    The information provided on this press release is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. While MoneyHero reviews and compares financial products to help consumers make informed decisions, it does not offer or provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Consumers should always conduct their own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.

    MoneyHero has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this press release is accurate and up to date as at the date of publication. However, MoneyHero makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and accepts no liability (including liability to third parties) for any loss or damage arising from any error or omission in compiling or presenting such information, or reliance on the information provided.

    ​​​​​About SingSaver  

    SingSaver, part of MoneyHero Group (Nasdaq: MNY) – a market leading personal finance aggregation and comparison company in Greater Southeast Asia. Founded in May 2015, SingSaver has always been committed to matching consumers with the right financial products they need — from credit cards to personal loans, investing accounts to insurance policies, and much more. SingSaver helps thousands of consumers improve their money health with easy-to-use comparison platform along with impartial product reviews and extensive finance articles. For a full discovery, visit https://www.singsaver.com.sg/ 

    About MoneyHero Group

    MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) is a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia. The Company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.  Its brand portfolio includes B2C platforms MoneyHero, SingSaver, Money101, Moneymax and Seedly, as well as the B2B platform Creatory.  The Company also retains an equity stake in Malaysian fintech company, Jirnexu Pte. Ltd., parent company of Jirnexu Sdn. Bhd., the operator of RinggitPlus, Malaysia’s largest operating B2C platform. MoneyHero had over 260 commercial partner relationships as at 31 March 2025, and had approximately 5.7 million Monthly Unique Users across its platform for the three months ended 31 March 2025. The Company’s backers include Peter Thiel—co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the Founders Fund—and Hong Kong businessman, Richard Li, the founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group. To learn more about MoneyHero and how the innovative fintech company is driving APAC’s digital economy, please visit www.MoneyHeroGroup.com.

    For inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    MoneyHero IR Team
    IR@MoneyHeroGroup.com 

    Media Relations:
    MoneyHero PR Team
    Press@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legislation: Law Experts Issue Open letter to Govt calls for halt to the undemocratic Regulatory Standards Bill

    Source: Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey


    As some of the country’s senior lawyers and researchers in a range of disciplines (law, economics, Tiriti o Waitangi, public policy, environment), including a former Prime Minister and two New Zealanders of the Year, we cannot stand by as the Regulatory Standards Bill is rushed through a parliamentary select committee next week.


    Each of us has written extensively and spoken out against this Bill from our respective areas of expertise. Many of us have done so for the three previous iterations of this Bill when it was promoted unsuccessfully by the Act Party and the Business Round Roundtable (later, the New Zealand Institute).


    On each of those occasions Parliament has rejected the Bill as philosophically and legally unsound, profoundly undemocratic,  and contrary to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.


    This time the Act Party has sought to bypass rigorous parliamentary scrutiny by securing commitments from the National and New Zealand First parties to legislate the Bill into law. There was an opportunity for public submissions on the proposal late last year, where it secured the support of only 0.33% of the over 23,000 New Zealanders who expressed their views on the consultation document.  It is evident that the advice in virtually all the submissions was ignored by the government.


    The Bill could have profound constitutional consequences. It establishes a set of principles as a benchmark for good legislation/regulation, many of which are highly questionable and designed to establish a presumption in favour of a libertarian view of the role of the state – one that ceased to have any currency globally more than a century ago. Te Tiriti o Waitangi has been excluded altogether.  The power vested in the Minister for Regulation and a ministerial-appointed board is not subject to the normal accountabilities of Crown entities,  conferring significant yet largely unaccountable authority on the executive.


    Dr Jim Salinger, 2024 New Zealander of the Year, further notes the chilling effect the Bill will have on any future policy on climate change and adaptation following the almost $4 billion cost of the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, the highest in our history.


    While there is a select committee review of the Bill, it is truncated and circumscribed.


     The Coalition government has decided to submit the Bill to the Finance and Expenditure Committee rather than the Justice Committee, limiting the time to hear many tens of thousands of oral submissions to just 30 hours – at most 360 submissions –  with 5 minutes per submitter, and truncating the period for those hearings and the committee’s report, further exposes the hypocrisy that this Bill is about good governance, better laws, improved regulation, greater transparency and enhanced governmental accountability. We are gravely concerned that the National Party and New Zealand First appear to be complicit in this undemocratic process.


    We have each thought long and hard about whether to say we want to challenge this Bill before the select committee, lest it give some credibility to a process that is devoid of legitimacy. Some of us, such as Professor Dame Anne Salmond, 2013 New Zealander of the Year, and Professor Andrew Geddis, made written submissions, but feel there is no point in participating such a harmful process.


    Professor Emeritus Jonathan Boston, Dr Geoffrey Bertram, Dr Bill Rosenberg and Dr Max Harris have indicated they want to address the committee to reinforce their submissions.  In Professor Boston’s view:  “The current Bill is destined to have a very short and ignominious life as an Act of Parliament: it enjoys virtually no public support; it lacks cross-party backing; it is opposed by the very Ministry that will be responsible for its implementation; and it endorses principles that have been found wanting by multiple generations of people throughout the world”.


    In similar vein, long-standing academic critic of the Bill Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey feels a responsibility “to speak truth to power” – in this case the abuse of proper process and the Act Party’s ongoing contempt for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.


    For a time it appeared the Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Professor of Law at Te Herenga Waka/ Victoria University of Wellington, author of numerous books on parliamentary constitutinalism, and staunch critic of the Bill, was originally not invited to address the select committee, despite saying but he wanted to be heard. He was subsequently offered an opportunity.


    All of us appeal to the National and New Zealand First parties to find their democratic voice and prevent this Bill from proceeding past the select committee.


    Equally importantly, they are calling on Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee, as the Chair of the forthcoming review of Standing Orders, to conduct a first principles review of the select committee processes to find an appropriate balance for democratic participation in the digital era, and an effective  way to reinstate some degree of integrity and rigorous review to law-making in Aotearoa New Zealand.


    Signatures include:


    Dame Anne Salmond

    Sir Geoffrey Palmer

    Professor Emeritus Jonathan Boston

    Professor Andrew Geddis

    Dr Jim Salinger

    Dr Geoff Bertram

    Dr Bill Rosenberg

    Dr Max Harris

    Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.2.25

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 2, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
     
    Tamie McGowen, of Folsom, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategy and Operations for the California State Transportation Agency. McGowen has been Deputy Secretary of Communications at the California State Transportation Agency since 2023. McGowan held multiple positions at the California Department of Transportation from 1992 to 2023, including Acting Deputy Secretary for California State Transportation Agency Communications, Assistant Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Division Chief of Public Affairs, Deputy Advisor and Administrative Services Manager, Deputy Advisor/Resource Manager, and Resource Manager of Civil Rights. McGowen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $195,708. McGowen is registered without party preference.

    Christina Mun, of Alameda, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Housing Finance at the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. Mun was Chief Strategy Officer for LeSar Holdings from 2023 to 2025. She held multiple positions at the City of Oakland Housing and Community Development Department from 2020 to 2023 including Interim Director, Deputy Director, and Chief of Staff. Mun was Multifamily Lending Senior Project Manager for City and County of San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development from 2019 to 2020. She was Associate Director of Policy and Portfolio Analytics for New York City Housing Development Corporation from 2017 to 2019. Mun was Senior Project Manager for the Division of Strategic Planning for New York City Housing Preservation and Development from 2015 to 2017. She was an Acquisitions Project Manager for Resources for Community Development from 2013 to 2015. Mun was a Development Project Manager for John Stewart Company from 2009 to 2013. She was an Associate Consultant for Bay Area Economics from 2000 to 2004. Mun is a board member of East Bay Housing Organizations and serves on the ULI San Francisco Housing the Bay Steering Committee. She earned a Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $191,112. Mun is a Democrat.

    Joelle Ball-Straight, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Workforce Development Board. Ball-Straight has been Deputy Director of Program Implementation and Regional Support at the California Workforce Development Board since 2018, where she was Acting Deputy Director of Program Implementation and Regional Support from 2016 to 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $159,660. Ball-Straight is registered with no party preference. 

    Alison Saltonstall, of Citrus Heights, has been appointed to the California Court Reporters Board. Alison has been a Court Reporter at Sacramento Superior Court since 2017. She currently is the President of the Sacramento Official Court Reporters Association and the on board of United Public Employees, representing the Court Reporters’ unit. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Alison is registered without a party preference.       
     
    Heatherlynn Gonzalez, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Court Reporters Board. Gonzalez has been a Certified Shorthand Reporter since 2011. She is a member of the California Deposition Reporters Association. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and Communication/Music Composition and Theory from Whittier College. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Gonzalez is a Democrat.        

    Roy Mathur, of Hercules, has been appointed to Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun. Mathur has been Captain and Wharf Master for PBF Energy – Martinez Refining Company since 2015. He was Oil Spill Specialist for the Office of Spill Prevention and Response for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife from 2004 to 2015. Mathur was Marine Terminal Specialist for the State Lands Commission from 1995 to 2004. He was Superintendent and Terminal Operations Manager for SSA Terminals from 1994 to 1995. Mathur was Master Mariner for Great Eastern Shipping Company from 1979 to 1994. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Studies from the LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Mathur is a Democrat.

    Steven Panelli, of San Mateo, has been reappointed to the Contractors State Licensing Board, where he has served since 2021. Panelli has had multiple positions at the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection since 2005, including Chief Plumbing Inspector and Senior Plumbing Inspector. He is President of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and member of UA Local 38. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Panelli is registered without party preference.        

    Henry Nutt III, of American Canyon, has been reappointed to the Contractors State Licensing Board where he has served since 2024. Nutt has been a Preconstruction Executive for Southland Industries since 2019 and a Sheet Metal General Superintendent for Southland Industries since 2007. He is a member of Lean Construction Institute, Associated General Contractors of American, and Associated General Contractors of California. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Nutt is a Democrat.       

    Alan Guy, of Lafayette, has been reappointed to the Contractors State Licensing Board, where he has served since 2022. Guy has been Chief Executive Officer and President of Anvil Builders Inc. since 2010. He was Project Manager at Webcor Builders Inc from 2005 to 2009. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Guy is a Republican.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano:“Officer Miguel Cano dedicated his life to serving our communities, and his passing is a heartbreaking loss for the state and…

    Jul 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is more than doubling the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program, and adding 16 new television projects that will generate $1.1 billion in new economic activity. BURBANK – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom joined labor…

    Jul 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — Republicans spent the last 6 months fearmongering that gasoline prices would “increase by 65 cents on July 1.” Did that happen?The answer: NoIn fact, in California, gasoline prices at the pump (on average) are cheaper than yesterday, cheaper than it…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania

    Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock

    Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot lately. All of these threats were likely on the minds of the delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which finishes up today in Milan, Italy.

    This meeting is where decisions are made about the continent’s future. These decisions rely on evidence from scientific research. Moreover, only countries that produce significant Antarctic research – as well as being parties to the treaty – get to have a final say in these decisions.

    Our new report – published as a preprint through the University of the Arctic – shows the rate of research on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is falling at exactly the time when it should be increasing. Moreover, research leadership is changing, with China taking the lead for the first time.

    This points to a dangerous disinvestment in Antarctic research just when it is needed, alongside a changing of the guard in national influence. Antarctica and the research done there are key to everyone’s future, so it’s vital to understand what this change might lead to.

    Why is Antarctic research so important?

    With the Antarctic region rapidly warming, its ice shelves destabilising and sea ice shrinking, understanding the South Polar environment is more crucial than ever.

    Ice loss in Antarctica not only contributes to sea level rise, but impacts wildlife habitats and local food chains. It also changes the dynamics of ocean currents, which could interfere with global food webs, including international fisheries that supply a growing amount of food.

    Research to understand these impacts is vital. First, knowing the impact of our actions – particularly carbon emissions – gives us an increased drive to make changes and lobby governments to do so.

    Second, even when changes are already locked in, to prepare ourselves we need to know what these changes will look like.

    And third, we need to understand the threats to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment to govern it properly. This is where the treaty comes in.

    What is the Antarctic Treaty?

    The region below 60 degrees south is governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, along with subsequent agreements. Together they are known as the Antarctic Treaty System.

    Fifty-eight countries are parties to the treaty, but only 29 of them – called consultative parties – can make binding decisions about the region. They comprise the 12 original signatories from 1959, along with 17 more recent signatory nations that produce substantial scientific research relating to Antarctica.

    This makes research a key part of a nation’s influence over what happens in Antarctica.

    For most of its history, the Antarctic Treaty System has functioned remarkably well. It maintained peace in the region during the Cold War, facilitated scientific cooperation, and put arguments about territorial claims on indefinite hold. It indefinitely forbade mining, and managed fisheries.

    Lately, however, there has been growing dysfunction in the treaty system.

    Environmental protections that might seem obvious – such as marine protected areas and special protections for threatened emperor penguins – have stalled.

    Because decisions are made by consensus, any country can effectively block progress. Russia and China – both long-term actors in the system – have been at the centre of the impasse.



    Read more:
    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us

    What did our report find?

    Tracking the amount of Antarctic research being done tells us whether nations as a whole are investing enough in understanding the region and its global impact.

    It also tells us which nations are investing the most and are therefore likely to have substantial influence.

    Our new report examined the number of papers published on Antarctic and Southern Ocean topics from 2016 to 2024, using the Scopus database. We also looked at other factors, such as the countries affiliated with each paper.

    The results show five significant changes are happening in the world of Antarctic research.

    • The number of Antarctic and Southern Ocean publications peaked in 2021 and then fell slightly yearly through to 2024.
    • While the United States has for decades been the leader in Antarctic research, China overtook them in 2022.
    • If we look only at the high-quality publications (those published in the best 25% of journals) China still took over the US, in 2024.
    • Of the top six countries in overall publications (China, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Russia) all except China have declined in publication numbers since 2016.
    • Although collaboration in publications is higher for Antarctic research than in non-Antarctic fields, Russia, India and China have anomalously low rates of co-authorship compared with many other signatory countries.

    Why is this research decline a problem?

    A recent parliamentary inquiry in Australia emphasised the need for funding certainty. In the UK, a House of Commons committee report considered it “imperative for the UK to significantly expand its research efforts in Antarctica”, in particular in relation to sea level rise.

    US commentators have pointed to the inadequacy of the country’s icebreaker infrastructure. The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Antarctic funding are only likely to exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile China has built a fifth station in Antarctica and announced plans for a sixth.

    Given the nation’s population and global influence, China’s leadership in Antarctic research is not surprising. If China were to take a lead in Antarctic environmental protection that matched its scientific heft, its move to lead position in the research ranks could be positive. Stronger multi-country collaboration in research could also strengthen overall cooperation.

    But the overall drop in global Antarctic research investment is a problem however you look at it. We ignore it at our peril.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, the Council on Australian and Latin American Relations DFAT and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). She has received in-kind support from Hurtigruten Expeditions in the recent past. The University of Tasmania is a member of the UArctic, which has provided support for this project.

    Keith Larson is affiliated with the UArctic and European Polar Board. The UArctic paid for the development and publication of this report. The UArctic Thematic Network on Research Analytics and Bibliometrics conducted the analysis and developed the report. The Arctic Centre at Umeå University provided in-kind support for staff time on the report.

    – ref. Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse – https://theconversation.com/antarctic-research-is-in-decline-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse-260197

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania

    Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock

    Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot lately. All of these threats were likely on the minds of the delegates to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which finishes up today in Milan, Italy.

    This meeting is where decisions are made about the continent’s future. These decisions rely on evidence from scientific research. Moreover, only countries that produce significant Antarctic research – as well as being parties to the treaty – get to have a final say in these decisions.

    Our new report – published as a preprint through the University of the Arctic – shows the rate of research on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is falling at exactly the time when it should be increasing. Moreover, research leadership is changing, with China taking the lead for the first time.

    This points to a dangerous disinvestment in Antarctic research just when it is needed, alongside a changing of the guard in national influence. Antarctica and the research done there are key to everyone’s future, so it’s vital to understand what this change might lead to.

    Why is Antarctic research so important?

    With the Antarctic region rapidly warming, its ice shelves destabilising and sea ice shrinking, understanding the South Polar environment is more crucial than ever.

    Ice loss in Antarctica not only contributes to sea level rise, but impacts wildlife habitats and local food chains. It also changes the dynamics of ocean currents, which could interfere with global food webs, including international fisheries that supply a growing amount of food.

    Research to understand these impacts is vital. First, knowing the impact of our actions – particularly carbon emissions – gives us an increased drive to make changes and lobby governments to do so.

    Second, even when changes are already locked in, to prepare ourselves we need to know what these changes will look like.

    And third, we need to understand the threats to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environment to govern it properly. This is where the treaty comes in.

    What is the Antarctic Treaty?

    The region below 60 degrees south is governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, along with subsequent agreements. Together they are known as the Antarctic Treaty System.

    Fifty-eight countries are parties to the treaty, but only 29 of them – called consultative parties – can make binding decisions about the region. They comprise the 12 original signatories from 1959, along with 17 more recent signatory nations that produce substantial scientific research relating to Antarctica.

    This makes research a key part of a nation’s influence over what happens in Antarctica.

    For most of its history, the Antarctic Treaty System has functioned remarkably well. It maintained peace in the region during the Cold War, facilitated scientific cooperation, and put arguments about territorial claims on indefinite hold. It indefinitely forbade mining, and managed fisheries.

    Lately, however, there has been growing dysfunction in the treaty system.

    Environmental protections that might seem obvious – such as marine protected areas and special protections for threatened emperor penguins – have stalled.

    Because decisions are made by consensus, any country can effectively block progress. Russia and China – both long-term actors in the system – have been at the centre of the impasse.



    Read more:
    Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us

    What did our report find?

    Tracking the amount of Antarctic research being done tells us whether nations as a whole are investing enough in understanding the region and its global impact.

    It also tells us which nations are investing the most and are therefore likely to have substantial influence.

    Our new report examined the number of papers published on Antarctic and Southern Ocean topics from 2016 to 2024, using the Scopus database. We also looked at other factors, such as the countries affiliated with each paper.

    The results show five significant changes are happening in the world of Antarctic research.

    • The number of Antarctic and Southern Ocean publications peaked in 2021 and then fell slightly yearly through to 2024.
    • While the United States has for decades been the leader in Antarctic research, China overtook them in 2022.
    • If we look only at the high-quality publications (those published in the best 25% of journals) China still took over the US, in 2024.
    • Of the top six countries in overall publications (China, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Russia) all except China have declined in publication numbers since 2016.
    • Although collaboration in publications is higher for Antarctic research than in non-Antarctic fields, Russia, India and China have anomalously low rates of co-authorship compared with many other signatory countries.

    Why is this research decline a problem?

    A recent parliamentary inquiry in Australia emphasised the need for funding certainty. In the UK, a House of Commons committee report considered it “imperative for the UK to significantly expand its research efforts in Antarctica”, in particular in relation to sea level rise.

    US commentators have pointed to the inadequacy of the country’s icebreaker infrastructure. The Trump administration’s recent cuts to Antarctic funding are only likely to exacerbate the situation. Meanwhile China has built a fifth station in Antarctica and announced plans for a sixth.

    Given the nation’s population and global influence, China’s leadership in Antarctic research is not surprising. If China were to take a lead in Antarctic environmental protection that matched its scientific heft, its move to lead position in the research ranks could be positive. Stronger multi-country collaboration in research could also strengthen overall cooperation.

    But the overall drop in global Antarctic research investment is a problem however you look at it. We ignore it at our peril.

    Elizabeth Leane receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Dutch Research Council, the Council on Australian and Latin American Relations DFAT and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). She has received in-kind support from Hurtigruten Expeditions in the recent past. The University of Tasmania is a member of the UArctic, which has provided support for this project.

    Keith Larson is affiliated with the UArctic and European Polar Board. The UArctic paid for the development and publication of this report. The UArctic Thematic Network on Research Analytics and Bibliometrics conducted the analysis and developed the report. The Arctic Centre at Umeå University provided in-kind support for staff time on the report.

    – ref. Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse – https://theconversation.com/antarctic-research-is-in-decline-and-the-timing-couldnt-be-worse-260197

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    July 2, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board has completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of US$ 261.9 million towards international reserves, to continue building buffers.
    • The DRC’s economy has been resilient in a challenging environment amid the escalation of the armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, which placed significant strains on the budget. The authorities have made good progress on the structural reform’s agenda, but a few quantitative targets were missed.
    • The recent peace agreement signed between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution of the conflict and renewed focus on development goals.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) approved on January 15, 2025 (see PR 25/003). The completion of the first review allowed an immediate disbursement equivalent to 190.4 million SDR (about US$ 261.9 million) to support balance-of-payment needs, bringing the aggregate disbursement to date to 380.5 million SDR (about 523.4 US$ million).  

    The DRC has been facing significant challenges amid the intensification of the armed conflict in its eastern part since end-2024. The escalation of hostilities has claimed thousands of lives and caused severe social and humanitarian damages, including disruptions in access to essential services such as food, water, and electricity. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure a cessation of hostilities and ensure sustainable peace in the region. The signing on June 27, 2025, of a peace agreement between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, under the mediation of the United States, is encouraging for the prospect of a peaceful resolution on the ongoing conflict and renewed focus on addressing development goals.

    Despite the challenging environment, economic activity remained resilient, with robust GDP growth of 6.5 percent in 2024, driven by continued dynamism in the extractive sector.  External stability has strengthened, as the current account deficit narrowed and the accumulation of international reserves continued. Inflationary pressures continue to ease, and year-on-year inflation declined from 23.8 percent at end-2023 to 11.7 percent at end-2024 and [8.5] percent at end-June 2025.

    Performance under the program was mixed, as the intensification of the conflict has placed significant strains on the budget. Despite strong revenue collection, the domestic fiscal deficit reached 0.8 percent of GDP in 2024, exceeding the program target of 0.3 percent, owing to spending overruns linked to the escalation of the conflict, including on exceptional security spending and public investments. The program target on the Central Bank of the Congo (BCC)’s foreign exchange assets held with domestic correspondents was missed as well, due to higher-than-expected tax payments in foreign currency on government accounts. Other quantitative performance criteria of the ECF were met. Most indicative targets were also met, except those related to the floor on social spending and the ceiling on spending executed through emergency procedures—owing to elevated exceptional security spending linked to the conflict intensification. Appropriate corrective measures are being implemented by the authorities.

    In completing the first review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for waivers of nonobservance of the performance criteria on the floor on the domestic fiscal balance at end-December 2024 on the basis of corrective actions, and the continuous ceiling on the levels of foreign currency assets of the BCC held with domestic correspondents on the basis of the temporary nature of the deviation which has since been remedied. Further, the Executive Board completed the financing assurances review under the ECF arrangement. No reform measures under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement, approved in January 2025, were due for review at this time.

    At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Chair stated:

    “The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been confronted with heightened security challenges since late 2024. The escalation of the conflict in the eastern part of the country has caused serious human, social and economic damage and induced the government to increase spending. Despite these difficulties, the macroeconomic environment of the DRC remained broadly stable. Growth has remained robust, due to the resilience of mining production. Inflation continues to decrease, and the external position has strengthened. The economic outlook remains positive, but is fraught with downside risks related to the persistence of the conflict, declining external humanitarian assistance, global economic headwinds, and potential escalation of geopolitical conflicts. The authorities are committed to closely monitor these risks and to respond proactively to evolving challenges.

    “Budget implementation remains challenging in a difficult security context. As a result, the domestic fiscal deficit is projected to be larger than initially projected for 2025, but is expected to return to the path envisaged at program approval starting in 2026, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to carry out measures to enhance domestic revenue mobilization and strengthen the budget implementation process. Additionally, to guard against unforeseen adverse shocks, the authorities have adopted a contingency plan.

    “The Central Bank of the Congo (BCC) has maintained a tight monetary policy stance, thereby helping bring inflation down to single digits for the first time in three years. The accumulation of international reserves has continued, on the back of the narrowing of the current account deficit. Efforts must continue, to strengthen the monetary policy implementation framework, refine the foreign exchange intervention strategy, enhance the governance and safeguards of the BCC and ensure its adequate recapitalization.

    “The authorities have committed to accompany these efforts to preserve macroeconomic stability with an acceleration of structural reforms in key areas, including strengthening the AML/CFT framework, improving the business climate, enhancing transparency and governance, combating corruption and upgrading national statistics. Efforts to lay the groundwork for a timely implementation of the reform measures underpinning the RSF arrangement approved in January should be stepped up.”

    Table 1. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2023-26

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    Est.

    CR No. 25/023

    Prel.

    CR No. 25/023

    Proj.

    CR No. 25/023

    Proj.

    (Annual percentage change, unless otherwise indicated)

    GDP and prices

      Real GDP

    8.5

    6.0

    6.5

    5.4

    5.3

    5.1

    5.3

         Extractive GDP

    19.7

    11.6

    12.2

    7.7

    8.2

    5.2

    5.8

         Non-extractive GDP

    3.5

    3.2

    3.5

    4.2

    3.6

    5.0

    5.0

      GDP deflator

    14.4

    17.4

    19.9

    8.8

    8.2

    7.4

    6.7

      Consumer prices, period average

    19.9

    17.7

    17.7

    8.9

    8.8

    7.3

    7.1

      Consumer prices, end of period

    23.8

    12.0

    11.7

    7.8

    7.8

    7.0

    7.0

    (Annual change in percent of beginning-of-period broad money)

    Money and credit

      Net foreign assets

    19.9

    17.4

    23.0

    18.2

    14.5

    23.7

    22.7

      Net domestic assets

    20.3

    4.9

    5.6

    -3.5

    -1.0

    -10.9

    -10.5

         Domestic credit

    34.3

    15.4

    15.2

    9.9

    10.5

    3.7

    4.2

      Broad money

    40.3

    22.4

    28.1

    14.7

    13.8

    12.8

    12.3

    (Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Central government finance

      Revenue and grants

    14.8

    15.6

    15.2

    15.0

    14.8

    14.9

    14.9

      Expenditures

    16.5

    16.8

    16.5

    16.8

    17.0

    16.6

    16.6

      Domestic fiscal balance

    -1.2

    -0.3

    -0.8

    -0.8

    -1.2

    -0.8

    -0.8

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Investment and saving

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

      Gross national saving

    9.5

    9.1

    9.6

    12.2

    11.2

    13.0

    12.5

      Investment

    15.7

    14.2

    13.5

    15.0

    14.4

    15.3

    14.8

         Non-government

    12.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

    10.0

     

    Balance of payments

      Exports of goods and services

    44.0

             45.1

    47.4

    45.4

    46.1

    45.5

    46.6

      Imports of goods and services

    49.9

    48.9

    50.3

    47.3

    47.5

    46.9

    47.0

      Current account balance, incl. transfer

    -6.2

    -5.1

    -3.9

    -2.8

    -3.2

    -2.4

    -2.4

      Current account balance, excl. transfers

    -7.5

    -5.1

    -5.0

    -2.7

    -3.4

    -2.3

    -2.6

      Gross official reserves (weeks of imports)

    8.2

    10.0

    10.1

    11.5

    11.8

    12.7

    12.8

     

    External debt

      Debt service in percent of government revenue

    7.6

    5.7

    6.1

    6.7

    7.1

    7.0

    7.4

    Sources: Congolese authorities and IMF staff estimates and projections.
    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/02/pr-25238-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-imf-completes-the-1st-rev-under-ecf-arrang

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Business First Bancshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BATON ROUGE, La., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), the parent company of b1BANK, announced today that it is scheduled to release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, before market open on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. CST. Executive management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss results on the same day (Monday, July 28, 2025) at 9:00 a.m. CST.

    Interested parties may attend the call by dialing toll-free 1-800-715-9871 (North America only), conference ID 2799880 or asking for the Business First Bancshares conference call.

    The live webcast can be found at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ jqbmtwns. On the day of the presentation, the corresponding slide presentation will be available to view on the b1BANK website at https://www.b1bank.com/shareholder-info.

    About Business First Bancshares, Inc.

    As of March 31, 2024, Business First Bancshares, Inc., (Nasdaq: BFST) through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $7.8 billion in assets, $7.1 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates Banking Centers and Loan Production Offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.

    Media Contact: Misty Albrecht                               
    b1BANK
    225.286.7879
    Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com    		  
    Investor Relations Contact:
    Gregory Robertson                                       
    337.721.2701                                               
    Gregory.Robertson@b1BANK.com    		 Matt Sealy
    225.388.6116
    Matt.Sealy@b1BANK.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consumers warned about ‘ghost stores’ imitating Australian businesses

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC is warning consumers about the operators of four websites allegedly misrepresenting themselves as local businesses, also known as ‘ghost stores’.

    It is alleged these four ghost store operators are harming consumers by making false representations that they are local Australian businesses, imminently closing down, and selling high-quality clothing and footwear products, when they are instead based overseas, not imminently closing down, and are drop-shipping low-quality products.

    The ACCC has issued Public Warning Notices to warn consumers about specific conduct by the operators of the following four websites: everly-melbourne.com, willowandgrace-adelaide.com, sophie-claire.com and doublebayboutique.com.

    “We are warning Australians about the risks of engaging with these four websites specifically, which we allege are not based in Melbourne, Adelaide or Double Bay, nor are they imminently closing down,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

    “We further allege that the operators of these websites are supplying products which are not of the advertised quality.”

    The ACCC’s Public Warning Notices follow an increased number of consumer reports to the ACCC in recent months about online ghost stores. Since the start of 2025, the ACCC estimates it has received at least 360 reports about 60 online retailers, though media reports suggest many more may be in operation.

    The ACCC is concerned that, beyond these four websites, this type of conduct appears to be widespread, and that there are many other online ghost stores in operation that may also be falsely claiming to be local boutiques and supplying poor quality products.

    The ACCC is also aware of complaints about ghost stores refusing to provide refunds, or only offering partial refunds, to consumers who have complained about the inferior quality of the goods compared to the advertised descriptions, or not responding to complaints at all.

    Ghost stores have been known to target consumers through social media ads and also tend to close and rebrand under new names, often using different Australian suburbs, towns or cities in their names to appear ‘local’. 

    “We urge all Australians to think twice before clicking on ads they see on social media which claim to be from a boutique business based in a local town or city,” Ms Lowe said.

    “Often ghost stores will share an emotional story on their social media or website that they are a small, locally operated business, needing to close for financial reasons.”

    “They will claim they are having a ‘closing down sale’ as a result, with all stock heavily discounted and available on a very limited basis,” Ms Lowe said.

    “This conduct preys on the empathy of consumers who have a genuine desire to support local businesses, as well as creating a false sense of urgency.”

    “The websites often use a similar format to many other online stores, advertising high-quality boutique clothing at heavily discounted prices. However, when the product arrives in the mail, consumers report receiving cheap, mass-produced products that have been sold at an inflated price and do not fit their advertised quality or description,” Ms Lowe said.

    Ghost stores sometimes use a name that is similar to that of a genuine local boutique, leading to competitive and reputational harm for those businesses.

    The ACCC understands ghost stores use targeted paid advertisements on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram and often appear to use the Shopify e-commerce platform to host and operate their webstores.

    “We have written to both Meta Platforms (as the owner of Facebook and Instagram) and Shopify to request they scrutinise and take appropriate action against the operators of ghost stores,” Ms Lowe said.

    “We want to increase public awareness of these dishonest businesses so that Australians know how to spot them and can avoid being deceived into buying an inferior product.”

    Signs that an online business could be a ghost store

    • The store may have an Australian place in its name or domain, but the website domain is ‘.com’ and not ‘.com.au’.
    • The website for the store often features a fake backstory relating to the owners and claims that, for financial or other reasons, the store is closing down. Advertisements on social media platforms, including Facebook or Instagram, will often claim that the closing down sale ‘ends tonight’.
    • Use of AI generated images of the owners or team. This can sometimes be indicated in the URL.
    • The returns policy on the website for the store will often suggest that items will need to be returned to a warehouse or general location overseas which is different from where the items are allegedly shipped from, for example, a store that claims to be based in Melbourne but requires returns to be sent to a warehouse in Asia.
    • The website does not provide a contact phone number or physical address for the store, or indeed any contact details beyond an email address or web form.
    • The website’s Privacy Policy or Terms of Service refers to international laws and regulations instead of Australian laws.
    • The website does not provide an ABN (Australian Business Number) or ACN (Australian Company Number) for the business.
    • Review platforms, like Trustpilot, often have negative reviews for the business, whereas the business’ website only features very positive reviews.
    • The business’ Facebook page was only created recently and has negative reviews or lots of negative emoji reactions to its posts.
    • The images of the products may be taken from other websites where the products are advertised under different descriptions and for much lower prices. 

    Tips to help determine if an online store is genuine or not

    The ACCC is urging consumers to check the business name on the Australian Business Register lookup and to use reverse image or ‘Google Lens’ searches of product photos on the website to see if they have been taken from another site.

    Consumers should also check if the store is listed in a local business directory for the location the store claims to be in, or to look for the business name in a search engine and read reviews from other consumers.

    Don’t just rely on the reviews on the business’ website as these may not be legitimate. Make further inquiries and if in doubt, do not purchase from the retailer.

    What to do if you have purchased something from a ghost store

    Consumers should contact their bank or payment provider immediately to see if you can stop the transaction or reverse the charge.

    Consumers can also leave a negative review on the business’ Facebook page or a review site like Trustpilot.

    Where consumers have accessed the websites via social media ads they can make a complaint directly to the relevant platform. For example, complaints can be made to Facebook, and should include a screenshot of the store ad and/or page, and if the website is hosted by Shopify, the merchant can be reported.  

    The website can be reported to Google to have it delisted, and a report can also be made to the ACCC. Consumers can also report websites to ScamWatch.

    Screenshots of the websites referred to in the Public Warning Notices

    Background

    Consumer and fair-trading concerns in the supermarket and retail sectors, with a focus on misleading pricing practices, are a compliance and enforcement priority for the ACCC in 2025-26.

    In addition to the conduct outlined above, consumer reports to the ACCC suggest that, when approached, ghost stores do not honour their returns policy and either stop responding to emails or offer only a partial refund.

    In some cases, a partial refund is offered but only if the item is shipped back to an overseas warehouse at the consumer’s expense.

    Note to editors

    The ACCC may issue a Public Warning Notice to warn consumers about the conduct of a person or business where it has reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of certain provisions of the Australian Consumer Law, and it is satisfied that one or more persons has suffered, or is likely to suffer, detriment as a result of the conduct, and that it is in the public interest to issue the notice.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Polis, DeGette, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen Denounce Republicans’ Reckless Budget Bill, Pressure House Members to Vote Against It

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Yesterday, Senate Republicans passed their budget that’ll increase prices for Coloradans, strip health care from 17 million Americans, increase the deficit, and give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy
    House Republicans are currently voting on the bill
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen held a virtual statewide press conference to detail the impact the Republican budget bill will have on Colorado. They urged the House of Representatives to reject the extreme legislation after it passed the Senate yesterday. The elected officials were joined by leaders from across Colorado who would be impacted by the harmful cuts in the legislation.
    “This was a vote that would strip 17 million Americans, including many, many children, of their health care, push more than 300 rural hospitals to close, gut investments in affordable and clean energy, and would expand our national debt at a level that we have never imagined before. All this just to accommodate these lavish tax cuts for wealthy Americans,” said Hickenlooper. “This fight isn’t over, and people calling and organizing, putting pressure, has had a huge effect.”
    “Budgets reflect values, and Republicans in Congress – including members of our delegation – are making it clear that they don’t value health care access for Coloradans, access to food for children and families, job creators in clean energy, or balancing the budget,” said Polis.
    “The bottom line is, this bill is the worst bill I’ve ever seen in my many years in Congress,” said DeGette. “Colorado hospitals would lose $10 billion in federal funding in this legislation. Many of the rural hospitals, particularly in Western and Northern Colorado, will have to go out of business. This will not only hurt people who get Medicaid. It will hurt the entire community.”
    “It would be devastating for Western Colorado, Northern Colorado, Southern Colorado, for rural Colorado in particular…” said Neguse. “This will clearly exacerbate and turbo charge a poverty crisis in our country by virtue of the cruel cuts that have been included in the bill…. So we’re going to use every procedural tool that we can to try to stop and block this bill from proceeding.”
    “We can’t understate the disastrous impact in the life and death consequence of this bill,” said Crow. “This is the single largest – if this bill passes – this will be the single largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the top one percent and large corporations in the history of America. And on top of that, it’s going to blow up the budget and add over $3 trillion to the debt.”
    “It is heartbreaking to think about the impacts that this disastrous bill is going to bring to communities in Colorado and across the country,” said Pettersen. “Today, I’m thinking about the 40% of kids in the United States who rely on Medicaid for care, the 40% of pregnant women who rely on Medicaid, and people like my mom who work a low wage job and would be unable to access care. We’re leaving people like her behind and decimating all the progress we’ve made to build up our capacity and our system across Colorado. And it’s going to hit all of us.”
    The Senate-passed reconciliation bill includes a $3 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. It pays for those tax cuts by taking healthcare away from 17 million Americans, forcing rural hospitals in Colorado to close their doors, gutting clean energy investments, and ballooning our national debt by trillions of dollars.
    After more than 24 hours of voting with a record-setting number of amendments, Hickenlooper voted NO on the budget resolution after Republicans voted down critical Democratic-led amendments to prevent cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and Inflation Reduction Act clean energy funding.
    The reconciliation bill now heads to the House for final passage. Only four House Republicans need to vote against the bill for it to fail.
    For video clips of the press conference, click HERE.
    Taking Health Care Away from 17 Million Americans
    The Republican budget proposal calls for extreme Medicaid cuts of more than $1 trillion, which would take away people’s health benefits; make it harder for them to see their health care providers; and prevent seniors from getting nursing home care. It also fails to extend the Affordable Care Act expanded premium tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025. As a result the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 17 million Americans will lose health insurance by 2034, and our national debt will increase by $3.3 trillion.
    “For every dollar invested in Medicaid in Colorado, we see more than double in economic activity and benefit returned. That means these cuts will have a huge ripple effect and severely harm our economy, and it will hit rural areas where Medicaid is most important the hardest,” said Adam Fox, Deputy Director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “At the end of the day, though, what this means, and what we hear from folks who rely on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, is this bill is going to force more Coloradans into impossible decisions between paying for the care that they need and keeping a roof over their head or food on their table.”
    “I can’t underscore how important Medicaid and the [ACA] health exchanges are for our patients for Sunrise and for our community…” said Mitzi Moran, CEO of Sunrise Community Health in Evans. “Medicaid expansion in 2008 and in 2013 changed things dramatically for our patients and for Sunrise… [our patients] still struggle with the tough choices, but at least medication is not in the mix, and they have coverage when they seek care at the hospital.”
    “Southwest Health Systems is a 20 bed, critical access hospital… Our physicians and advanced practice providers deliver primary care services for almost 9,000 members of our Southwest Colorado communities. Our emergency department provided services to more than 13,500 urgent and emergency conditions last year in 2024,” Joe Theine, CEO of Southwest Health System in Cortez. “Permanent cuts to the provider taxes and state directed payments, along with other changes to the Medicaid program, put at risk the services that we offer to people who live, work and travel throughout Southwest Colorado.”
    “I have two adult children with developmental disabilities, a 24 year old son and a 20 year old daughter. Our family members are recipients of Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers, and these are not known by the general public very well, but they are state specific programs under Medicaid that provide much more than basic health care and dental care,” said Deana Cairo, Disability Rights Activist. “[Eligibility redeterminations every six months] is likely to result in more problems… There’s going to be service interruptions, loss of care. People are going to fall off the rolls. People who don’t have people to advocate and appeal for them are going to become unhoused. It’s going to be a disaster.”
    Slashing Investments in Clean Energy and Driving up Energy Bills
    The Republicans voted to gut hundreds of billions in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy investments, including tax credits for wind and solar. The results: over a million jobs lost, hundreds of billions in lost GDP and lost wages, electricity price inflation, and killing new renewable energy needed to prevent blackouts.
    “Republicans are always talking about independence and being dominant in our industries. This is how we become energy dominant. It’s not just wind. It’s not just solar. It’s not just natural gas plants. It’s not just nuclear power plants. It takes every single one of these technologies for us to create that.” said Josh Shipley, Owner of Alternative Power Enterprises in Ridgway. “And this is this bill is going to kill that – there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Small businesses like mine will go out of business because of it. There will not be the workforce that is going to be required to create that energy dominance later, when they’ve realized what they’ve done.”
    “By cutting these energy tax credits, they are going to end so much of the thriving industry, the jobs and the new electrons that are being put on the grid, and ultimately, they’re going to hurt local communities and our low cost energy right now,” said KC Becker, CEO of Colorado Solar and Storage Association and former EPA regional administrator.
    Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor in the middle of the night in support of his amendment to protect the IRA’s residential clean energy credit. He also worked with his colleagues to alter a few of the worst clean energy proposals, including eliminating a devastating renewable energy excise tax.
    Crushing Safety Net Programs Coloradans Depend on
    The Republican bill also rips away financial safety nets and crucial programs from millions of Americans, including the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that supports 55,000 Coloradans.
    “The majority of the households that would be affected by this bill, as mentioned, are working families with children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. With these high levels of food insecurity, food banks like ours cannot meet the increased need without vital federal assistance programs,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, Western Slope Director of Food Bank of the Rockies. “One story I have is from a woman that one of my staff members was able to help out in Meeker. An older adult and she didn’t know that she would qualify for SNAP. We got her signed up for SNAP and our food program for older adults. She said it’s amazing, because even just the drive to the grocery store from Meeker to Rifle, that’s a 40 minute drive to get to a larger grocery store with affordable prices. This program makes a difference for so many people, and we need the funding for that outreach to help people give them assistance to enroll in SNAP.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Outlines Permanent Tax Relief for American Families, Workers & Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    07.02.25
    One Big Beautiful Bill Preserves & Expands Tax Breaks for Low- and Middle-Income Households, Empowers Small Businesses, Farmers & Ranchers to Invest in Their Operations
    BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today held a press conference with local business leaders and community members to discuss the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) to families and small businesses in North Dakota. Hoeven stressed the legislation maintains and expands tax benefits for low- and middle-income households, reduces the tax burden on workers and boosts the U.S. economy. Combined, the bill’s provisions:
    Preserve $4 trillion in tax relief.
    Will increase take-home pay by up to $10,900 in the first four years for the typical family, resulting from economic growth and tax relief.
    For Families and Individuals:
    Permanently extends current individual tax rates and bracket changes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
    This includes maintaining the increased standard deduction, which benefits, and helps simplify income taxes for, the vast majority of taxpayers.

    Eliminates taxes on tips and overtime for millions of American workers.
    Supports families by increasing and making permanent the enhanced child tax credit at $2,200, with $1,700 of that amount being refundable, adjusted for inflation.
    Provides permanent relief from the death tax by setting the exemption to $15 million or $30 million for those married filing jointly, adjusted for inflation.
    Establishes savings accounts for newborns to help build financial security.
    Creates a new $6,000 tax deduction for millions of low- and middle-income seniors.
    Combined with other deductions, this will result in the average beneficiary paying zero taxes on Social Security.

    For Small Businesses:
    Permanently extending the Section 199A pass-through deduction for small businesses, farmers and ranchers, including the Section 199A(g) deduction used by agricultural cooperatives.
    Increasing the Section 179 expensing to $2.5 million and increasing the phaseout for qualified property at $4 million.
    Establishing a 100 percent accelerated depreciation for new industrial and manufacturing facilities that begin construction between 2025-2028.
    Making permanent the 30 percent interest expense allowance.
    Permanently extending the 100 percent research and development deduction.
    Making permanent 100 percent bonus depreciation.
    “At its core, the tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill are about allowing American workers and small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Hoeven. “We worked to ensure this legislation provides trillions in tax relief for everyday Americans on a permanent basis. This includes preserving a higher standard deduction, expanding benefits for families with children and eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security for millions of workers and seniors, respectively. This will not only increase the quality of life for households throughout our country, but it will strengthen our economy by enabling businesses to invest in their operations, recoup their costs and create good-paying jobs across sectors.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Secures a Win for Iowa Farm Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    Published: July 2, 2025
    Ernst-led provision eliminates FAFSA restrictions that limit opportunities for farm kids to attend college.
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) bipartisan Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act that keeps higher education accessible for Iowa farm families has passed the Senate as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
    The bill reverses changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process that could reduce or even eliminate access to need-based aid for students of farm families and small business owners. It restores the original guidelines that exempt all farmland, machinery, other operational materials, and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees from being declared on the FAFSA form.
    “After the Biden administration botched the FAFSA rollout at the expense of farm families, I am proud to right that wrong and ensure unfair policies don’t hold Iowans back from investing in their child’s education,” Ernst said. “Reopening pathways to financial aid for rural students in need is yet another way the One Big Beautiful Bill takes a stand for Iowans and ensures the next generation of students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education.”
    Background:
    In the wake of the Biden administration’s botched FAFSA rollout, Ernst consistently stood up for Iowa families to ensure they aren’t left behind when it comes to college aid opportunities. She helped pass the FAFSA Deadline Act into law to give families the certainty they deserve, conducted critical oversight, demanded answers on behalf of agricultural communities, and worked to get input directly from impacted Iowans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Urges Evers to Act Quickly to Align State Budget with Federal Healthcare Provisions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers urging him to promptly sign the Wisconsin FY 2025-27 state budget into law. The state budget includes an increase to the state provider tax rate, which must be in effect prior to the signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

    For nearly a decade, Wisconsin’s provider tax rate has not been updated from 1.7%. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will allow non-Medicaid expansion states, like Wisconsin, with provider tax rates of up to 6% to remain untouched. In order for Wisconsin to fully capitalize on the Medicaid benefits in the bill, it is imperative the governor sign the state budget into law as soon as possible.

    “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025,” Rep. Van Orden stated in the letter.

    The congressman continued, “Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.”

    “I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.”

    To read the full letter, click here or scroll below.

     

    The Honorable Tony Evers

    Governor of Wisconsin

    115 East Capitol

    Madison, WI 53702

    July 2, 2025

    Dear Governor Evers,

    I wanted to send you a follow up note from our conversation yesterday.

    I cannot emphasize enough the importance of signing the proposed state budget into law without delay. As you are aware, timely enactment is especially critical this year due to the proposed increase in the state provider tax, which must be effectuated before the anticipated signing of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill on or around July 4, 2025.

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I implore you to put politics aside, and our neighbors first.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will have a profoundly beneficial impact on Wisconsinites from all socioeconomic backgrounds by ensuring that Badger Care, in its current form and scope, remains solvent into the future and bolstering our rural healthcare systems.

    Wisconsin will immediately receive a $500,000,000 plus up for rural healthcare infrastructure, and an additional billion dollars annually for healthcare in our great state.

    Additionally, this bill protects SNAP for those most in need, prevents a 25% tax hike on Wisconsin families, makes the Small Business Deduction permanent and increases it to 23%, and removes the Death Tax so our farmers can pass their land onto the next generation.

    Delaying the state budget enactment beyond July 3rd risks losing vital opportunities for the state’s healthcare system and the Wisconsinites who rely on it. Healthcare and rural healthcare, in particular, is vital to us in Wisconsin. We cannot leave anything on the table. Please act swiftly to sign the budget and secure the provider tax increase in time to meet this critical federal deadline.

    I came to Washington to fight for those in rural Wisconsin. By voting for this bill, I will be doing just that, and I am looking forward to working with our state senators, assembly members, and you to make sure our fellow Wisconsinites cannot just survive but thrive.

    Forward!

    All the best,

    Derrick Van Orden

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –